January 2022 Update
January 28, 2022
Pantheon. Symbol of Rome’s ancient pagan and current Catholic milieu.
Dear Friends,
Warm Greetings from Woodstock.
Here is the update from my Jan. 5-19 trip:
It was stressful. Testing is now required in most places. My vaccination card was not very helpful. Most airports and hotels now require a negative COVID test for entry. The vax card was helpful for getting into restaurants. The stress lay in the possible random false positive, that would require a 10 day quarantine at my own expense. But God was gracious and I tested negative throughout.
Dublin: One Day Only - Omicron was rampant in Dublin, so I met with the network from my hotel room in Dublin. It was a good meeting and I was able to give input to a couple of church planters. Only one day in Dublin, then on to
Lisbon: On the Move - I spent the weekend in Aveiro, with Jonatas Duarte. Jonatas has a vision for church planting in several smaller towns between Lisbon and Porto. In Lisbon, I was much encouraged by the vision of Tiago Cavaco, pastor of the church in Lapa neighborhood. He and associate Mark want to see their church become a church planting church, developing interns, and assisting other churches in becoming revitalized. They planted a church earlier in 2021 in Lisbon, and remarkably, it is already self- sustaining and self governing.
Madrid: A New Initiative - Madrid has historically been a challenging city for missionaries and church planters. They come and they go. CTC had a church planter cease operations after 2 years of trying to get off the ground. One who has been there a long time is Ron Anderson (Lausanne Movement), who leads a network of churches called La Plaza. He and I met, and began making plans for a conference for Madrid pastors and planters to catalyze gospel ministry in the city, and encourage church planting.
Rome: Ongoing and Multiplying - The Rome Church Planting Network continues to thrive and grow. It has become a model city of sorts with a church planting church that is providing theological training, internships, and with a ten year plan for church planting and training. There are 2 plants in the works for launching in Rome in 2022. I had the privilege of speaking to their network meeting on Jan. 17, encouraging them to not rest on their laurels, to be aware of the counterattacks of the evil one, and to pray and seek the Lord daily.
Rome Network Meeting Jan. 17, 2022
All in all, it was a very profitable and productive trip. I was encouraged with the progress of the gospel in each city, despite setbacks in a few places. We know we're in a spiritual battle. But the gospel continues to bear fruit.
Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth...Col. 1:5,6
Please Pray:
That travel would become a bit easier in the days to come. I continue to weigh the risks of travel with the needs, opportunities, and rewards of serving the gospel movement in Europe. Wisdom needed.
For good health and the ability to make the trips to Europe.
My next trip is scheduled for March 14-30, to Frankfurt, Croatia, Serbia, and Austria. (Nothing booked yet.)
For the funding goals of Europe City Partners; I am still in need of about $40,000 in regular annual or monthly contributions to enable the work to continue. I am grateful for all my team members, and trust the Lord will fill out our team of investors in the months to come.
With Tiago at St. Jerome’s Abbey, Lisbon.
I thank God for you all.
Grace and peace,
Walter