A Coincidence in Germany?

AGWM personnel in Germany, Mike Tyler, experienced God’s orchestration of details in his ministry. Mike shares, “Somewhere along this church planting journey that we’ve been on in Germany, I have learned to deal with things differently than I used to. I have learned to keep in focus the fact that God wants churches to be planted more than I want to plant them. After all, it is his Church—not my church. So when problems arise, I have learned to put them in the hands of the one who cares most about them. I simply say, “God, you’ve got a problem that needs a solution.” He hasn’t failed to provide one yet.

“One of the problems that I have encountered in attempting to plant a church in Weil am Rhein, is that this small city just doesn’t seem have many places where people hang out. That makes it really hard to meet people. So I have been talking to God about this problem and looking for solutions.

“Last week I was working on a project and needed to borrow a truck. The project took way longer than expected, and I ended up returning the truck at 10PM. On the way home, I was driving through a small town, when I saw a young guy hitchhiking.

“Oncoming traffic at a narrow point in the road forced me to stop right next to him. He thought I was stopping for him. With my friend and his son in the car, I wasn’t planning on picking up a stranger, but I also didn’t want to leave this guy stuck in the middle of nowhere. He told us the bus schedule had recently changed and he was not aware of the change, so he had just missed the last bus out of town. He wasn’t likely to see many vehicles passing through that little town at night, so I offered him a ride. He said he would be happy to go anywhere that would offer him a bus into the city. I asked, “Where are you actually headed?” He said, “I just want to get home. I live in Weil am Rhein.”

“I could only laugh at the timing of all of this. Of all of the cars that could have picked him up, he ends up in the car of a pastor who wants to open a church in his home town, and who is praying about finding ways to meet people. Clearly, I offered to drive him home. We chatted as we drove and got acquainted with each other. He told me that he works at a cafe and bakery in Weil am Rhein (one that I didn’t know about), and he invited me to come visit him at work some time…. He also seemed genuinely interested in the church plant.

“I love God’s little “coincidences.” It seems that I didn’t want to find a cafe to meet people nearly as much as God wanted me in Alex’s cafe. This is God’s church. And there are no problems that he cannot solve. So Alex just might be the first guest in our new church.”

Showing Love at Christmas in Germany

It was 8 PM. Our kind neighbor from across the street rang the doorbell to bring us some homemade strawberry syrup. Obviously, a good relationship is established. Well, that syrup just gave us the ‘momentum’ to give her the Women’s Bible and share the hope of Jesus with her (John 3:16). God touched her heart right then and there. The tears were streaming down her cheeks as many painful memories of the past and the ever-present feeling of insignificance overwhelmingly caught her once again - it was God’s timing to begin the process of removing some residue that had stagnated in her heart for years. We held hands and prayed. We know, the victory is His as we continue sharing the message of Love & Hope of Jesus! And how more fitting than at Christmastime! Upon leaving Rosi got a big hug with an affirmation - God cares!

Thirty minutes later the phone rang. It was our other neighbors inviting us over for Advent coffee and cake. Sitting at the beautifully decorated table, again we were able to share about our faith in Jesus as they began to ask questions. Just the other day we had a deep conversation about our faith with another neighbor, giving her literature to continue her quest. As we let our light shine, people are drawn to the TRUTH, the Hope & Love of JESUS!

- Richard and Minna Boettiger

AGWM - Germany

A Milestone in Germany

On November 5, 2017, Stuttgart Missional Community Church (SMCC) celebrated its five-year anniversary. Founded and pastored by AGWM personnel, Matt and Stacey Leighty, the church ministers to our U.S. service personnel based in that area of Germany. SMCC held its first service six months after the Leighty’s arrival. They have been able to acquire their own church building which was a miracle from God. Countless men, women, and children have called SMCC their church home while they lived in Germany. The Leightys have been able to disciple and care for them during that time.

Out of the families that helped start the church, only two remain in Germany today. But the church is still growing! The Leightys state, “Change and transition is just a way of life here – but we are glad that the church is something stable in an always changing culture. We thank God for everyone He has sent and everyone He is continuing to send to our church.”

Highlights of the Church Transformation Work in Germany

Presently there are four training cohorts actively operating in Germany according to the report of AGWM Personnel, Steve Walent. Two are in the north and two are in the south of the country. There are about 160 pastors and church team-leaders learning how to take their churches through a process of transformation.As more leaders are trained towards transformation, it is apparent that more churches need individual coaching and consulting. There are now three trained consultants active in Germany in the Church Basics Ministry. Needless to say, these three are spread pretty thin! In January, a six-part training process was begun to equip new consultants for coming alongside existing churches which are taking part in the Church Basics process in order to assist them towards health and transformation. There are about 22 new consultants who have started the training process.

This ministry is making a difference. One church who started this process three years ago has gone now to two services and doubled in size from 80 to185. They have added 34 new workers and 25 of those are new to the church in these past three years. As the pastor commented, “We have a totally new church! There is such energy and excitement…we are so thankful to the Lord!”

Presently there are four training cohorts actively operating in Germany according to the report of AGWM Personnel, Steve Walent. Two are in the north and two are in the south of the country. There are about 160 pastors and church team-leaders learning how to take their churches through a process of transformation.
As more leaders are trained towards transformation, it is apparent that more churches need individual coaching and consulting. There are now three trained consultants active in Germany in the Church Basics Ministry. Needless to say, these three are spread pretty thin! In January, a six-part training process was begun to equip new consultants for coming alongside existing churches which are taking part in the Church Basics process in order to assist them towards health and transformation. There are about 22 new consultants who have started the training process.

This ministry is making a difference. One church who started this process three years ago has gone now to two services and doubled in size from 80 to185. They have added 34 new workers and 25 of those are new to the church in these past three years. As the pastor commented, “We have a totally new church! There is such energy and excitement…we are so thankful to the Lord!”