October Update
October, 2021
Europe City Partners "Reconnect Tour"
Dear Friends,
I just returned from a trip to Athens, Prague, Tirana, and Vienna, over Oct. 11-23. It was a productive trip, reconnecting with several men I have not seen in over 18 months. It was a good time for catching up and looking ahead - and exciting to get back to in-person interactions. Here are the highlights:
Athens: Intensive Training - I was there for the last 3 days of our Church Planting Intensive for new church planters. Fifteen church planters were there from all over Europe, plus several trainers who led the sessions. I was able to kill several birds with this one stone, reconnecting with planters from Dublin, Belfast, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, and Tirana.
Prague: A Difficult Situation - From Athens I traveled to Prague, for an unusual visit, not with the positive outcome that we are used to seeing in Europe. A church was planted in the heart of the city in 2010. It has since gone through two pastoral transitions, and in the process has lost numbers and leadership, and with just a few families left is faced with the potential of closing her doors. We pray that does not happen. I will work with the remaining families to seek to find a new pastor and rebuild strength and momentum. Please join me in praying to that end. How do these things happen? It's been rare in Europe, but it can be attributed to a number of factors, including the gift mix of the pastor, the lack of a good "fit," unresolved conflict among church members, financial struggles, and always there's the work of the evil one taking advantage of all such cracks in the building. The devil is the enemy and is seeking to destroy the work of church planting around the world.
Tirana: An Emerging Network - There is an emerging church planting network and momentum in Tirana and in the surrounding cities. Four church planters and a trainer were at the Intensive in Athens. I met a number of pastors who are interested in joining with ECP and CTC to make an impact for Christ in their cities.
Vienna: Celebrating a New Facility - My final stop was Vienna, where there is also an emerging church planting network, but most of the men I wanted to meet with were out of town. I was able to meet with good friend Brad Hunter, pastor of New City Wien, who is involved in the ongoing network discussions. Most exciting for Brad now is his new facility. They just moved in this summer, and it provides them at least 3 times the space they formerly had. New City Wien is poised to become a resource church for Austria, to support the church planting movement in Vienna and other Austrian cities. His facility will host the City to City DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland church planters) in March.
With this trip and my trip in June, I have been able to reconnect with a high percentage of the men I have been working with over the last several years. It has been encouraging.
Next Trip: I am planning a short trip to Dublin, Belfast and Barcelona Nov. 2-9 after which the "reconnect" tour will be just about complete for 2021.
COVID Booster: I got my booster shot before I left on this last trip and had no health or travel issues during the 11 days. I tested negative before my flight, so thankfully I could return to the U.S.
Thanks for your prayers and support.
Many blessings,
Walter
