The main speaker at GEM's annual conference this year was Dr. Tom Wolfe, who teaches at Tyndale in Toronto. He's a former missionary and all around quirky guy. He was truly one of the most unique conference speakers I've every heard complete with sound effects and impressions. He also had an amazing message for us serving in Europe.
One of the lines that stuck with us through the entire conference involved unbelief. He said, "Do not allow yourself to succumb to the unbelief of the culture around you. Rather, give yourself over to belief in God!" That simple truth hit us right in the gut. Even after two weeks of living in Germany, we saw how our hearts were darkened with a lot of unbelief. Coming to a country like Germany where many people are so hardened and callous toward the Gospel, it's easy to think that you're just wasting your time. You look around and say to yourself, "Does me being here make any difference?"
We realized that this thinking has no room in God's economy. It is a thinking that comes not from truth about God's power but from the culture. We were reminded that God is sovereign and powerful. His plans are not frustrated by Germans or Europeans or any culture. We realized that this was something that we should probably post on our wall as a constant reminder because it is so easy to fall into that unbelief.
We don't know what God wants to do in and through us here. That's okay. He has purposes, and we believe He has already been working in Germany. He is not silent. Our job right now is have that faith and listen to where God wants to include us in His work here.
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Hello, Kevin & Kathi:
It is wonderful to read of your unfolding mission on your blog and to "walk with you" even across the great expanse of the Atlantic. That part of technology is a gift!
The GEM conference seems to have come at an appropriate time, giving you both an opportunity to gather with other committed believers at a time when isolation has begun to settle in. I'm reminded of our Lord's 40 days of preparation in the wilderness as He inaugurated His mission to the world. The wilderness does not have to be a place devoid of people - often there are "wildernesses" packed full of people... but they are nonetheless dry and devoid of life. This is where God has called you to be... and in this time of preparation... God will press you down in full measure like oil being gleaned from the olive harvest. God will use you as an annointing oil to slowly work into the dry, parched souls whom you will inevitably meet in Cologne. So... be of good courage because you will stand out as unique and life-giving in a culture that appears indifferent. But you will be the oil of healing... harvested and squeezed and refined for God's healing balm! That, I believe!
Prayers and much love from all your friends in Carrollton!
Pastor Mike
