November Update
Trinity Church Belfast with church planter Lee Eagleson.
Dear Friends,
I made visits to Dublin, Belfast, and Barcelona during the week of Nov. 2-9. Once travel became possible this summer my goal was to try and get into every city in my areas of Europe before the end of the year, for face- to-face re-connecting after 18+ months. All the Zoom calls have been nice, but it's no substitute for in -person interaction. With trips completed in June, October, and now November, I was able to get into every city except Lisbon, which I plan to visit in January. And with each visit to Europe, there is the slightly nerve-wracking COVID test that I have to take and produce a negative result to be able to come home. Grateful to God for his mercy, being able to come home each time as planned.
Quick Highlights:
Dublin - The Dublin Collective has formed over the last year, which is a group of pastors and church planters praying, learning, and strategizing for new plants across Dublin. I was able to meet with them as a group and with several of them individually. Much to be encouraged about, with many new churches in the works, across denominational lines.
Dublin Collective and Church Planters Forum
Belfast - I met with 7 pastors and denominational leaders about the possibility of forming a Belfast church planting network. There was great interest and good chemistry among the men there. They have scheduled their next meeting for January.
Belfast pastors in prayer for their churches and city.
Barcelona - Two of our leading pastors there have left their churches. One due to burnout and the other due to financial difficulty, because of a significant loss of giving to his church as a result of the pandemic. Their churches continue on, which is a tribute to their leadership development, but both were city network leaders and there is now a significant leadership loss in the city. My hope is that we can see a revitalized church planting network re-emerge in Barcelona in 2022. Spiritual warfare, or counter-attack, is a real thing, and I would ask your prayers for Barcelona, as well as for all the cities of Europe, as we are seeing some significant push back from the evil one. Most of the reports I have given are very positive, but Barcelona is an example of some opposition we are seeing in a few places.
My next planned trip is for January. But I'm thrilled to have been able to make personal contact with nearly all my "clients," who are in reality friends and co-laborers in the gospel.
Personal Stuff:
Our kids and grandkids are doing well. Daughter Elisabeth and Stephen live 10 minutes away and we enjoy seeing grandkids Garrett, 9, and Peyton, 7 on a regular basis. Son Walter III and Stephanie live in Birmingham, from where we just returned from Grandparents Day at Walter IV's school. Walter IV is 7, and Oliver is 3.
Becky's health is overall pretty good. She still has some residual COVID effects in her lungs, with reduced capacity. Docs think it will eventually get better. She has good energy and outworks me on most days.
My health is good, energy level good, and it was exciting to be back in Europe this summer and fall, back to work, reconnecting with the guys I've been serving for nearly 10 years. I'm grateful to God for the opportunity to continue coaching and encouraging these men, and for you who help make it possible.
I continue to pray for you all, and Becky and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
We have much to be grateful for.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100:4,5
Sincerely in Christ,
Walter
Greetings from Barcelona in November.