March 2006

Missions Weekend and Challenging High School Students!

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Prayer Requests

• Pray for strength and energy during the busy weeks ahead.
• Pray for our focus to remain on the Lord; that we will trust Him to take care of the details.
• Pray for the completion of our ministry team...for 100% in our monthly support! Also for more opportunities to share with Bible Studies and Sunday School Classes. Pray for our understanding as we trust in the Lord’s timing during this last stretch!

Challenging High School Students

Thad was invited to lead a devotion during a Chapel session at All Saints Episcopal School. During his time, he challenged the students to expand their ideas of what leading a life as a missionary entails. They heard about how technology is shaping the direction of 21st century missions. He shared with them an outlook of what his job will look like at Agape Europe, and as well encouraged them to be open to the Lord’s leading in their lives.

News from the field!

In an effort to answer the many questions the upcoming movie, The DaVinci Code will produce, a couple of websites have been set up with the intent to bring clarity, provide discussion, and direct people to accurate and reliable resources.

One website in particular is from Christian Leadership:
http://www.leaderu.com/focus/davincicode.html

The above site is an introduction tackling the many controversies raised in the DaVinci Code, such as the Gnostic gospels, Brown’s source of information, as well as discussions of the source of Christian Truth, the Bible. Among these, there are simple presentations of contradictions, errors and fiction within the DaVinci Code account. According to Brown, the Nicene Creed was created to quash many of the ideas he presents as truth. In addressing this falsehood, it is noted “how interesting that a revisionist account of such times and issues dressed up as well-researched historical fiction brings us full circle.” Pray for these websites, armed with truth, that they can lead people to know Christ’s saving grace.

Missions Emphasis at Christ Chapel

The last month has flown by! One highlight from February, was our Missions Emphasis Sunday at our church, Christ Chapel. We were invited to set out information about our specific roles at Agape Europe and to stand near our table to meet people within our church. It was a wonderful opportunity to not only share our ministry, but to meet many gracious and encouraging people.

Several came by to tell us that they have a friend or family member that lives in Germany. Many were encouraged to hear that mission work is being done in Europe. Some were surprised at the low level of Christian fellowship within many European countries, while others were just excited to share a love for European people and culture. It was a delightful time that was graciously blessed by the Lord.

After the morning services, we attended the monthly luncheon that is held in honor of missions within the church. Each month, the Missions Committee invites three to five missionaries to share about their experiences, ministry work, and/or short term mission trips. It is always an encouraging time to see how the Lord is moving and working throughout the world. Mission Emphasis Sunday was a little bit different because so many missionaries were in town for the Emphasis weekend. We heard from nine different speakers in ministries throughout the world…including our very own Thad!!

Thad highlighted the fact the Europe is searching for truth. Instead of the Truth, they are being fed Hinduism, Islam and secular humanist thought. Christian Churches are museums, long bereft of the ability to teach truth, preach the Gospel and change lives.

In the post-modern world, the Missions World is changing. 21st Century missions is using technology to reach the unreachable or the disinterested. Many out there will not go in to a church or talk to someone openly while in person, but they will go to a website to feed their curiosity and ask questions. Agape Europe is helping to lead this charge!

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Please continue to pray that we may soon move to Germany and begin working full-time there.

Sincerely,
Thad and Jana