fighting against anonymity

The fight against anonymity is real in a mega-city like Berlin. But Rafaela, Thorsten, Kweku, Lydia, Tatiana, and Pius find a common bond as they worship God with 150 other believers. And this, despite being German, Ghanaian, Namibian, and French.

This is very different from the US, where there is often a church on every corner. Evangelical Christianity has permeated American society in broad and deep ways.

But it’s just not the case in many places in the world – including Europe! The continent of Luther, Calvin, and Wesley is far removed from the effects of the Reformation. Massively secularized and seemingly allergic to God, the ‘dark continent’ remains a missiological “puzzles” for evangelicals.

So how do we spread the gospel and plant churches in a place where authentic Christianity is scarce and where the name ‘Grace Brethren’ is not only unknown, but often suspected of being downright dangerous?

One way is to look for partnerships with evangelicals of like heart and soul. Find where other believers are and whether their ministries regard the Scriptures, salvation, church life, and outreach in similar ways. Network with believers attempting to find “wedges” for the gospel in (especially urban) Europe. Pray that the Lord of the harvest would unleash people already committed to him towards involvement in his mission.

This search does not always provide discoveries or official partnerships. But it does acknowledge that we are not the first evangelicals on the continent, and that we are part of the larger Body of Christ.

In Berlin, where we’ve served for nine years, we are discovering one potential partnership. Two years ago, we linked up with the International Baptist Church in the city, where 20+ nationalities are represented among 200 people. Surprisingly, almost 40% are German. It may not fit the typical approach for cross-cultural missions. But the opportunities are there nonetheless.

Since that first connection, we have taught, trained and equipped a wide variety of people in Christian faith and witness. Ambassadors, refugees, students, business leaders, and many more diverse people. Many are German, like the six young men I’ve met with for a year in leadership training. Many come from around the world, from bi-cultural marriages, or for a short stop in Berlin. Whatever their story, God brought them here. Part of our role is to provide an oasis for their faith and a training ground for their mission. Our ongoing evangelistic relationships provide a context and example to other believers as we stimulate them to reach out with the message of the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Some fruit is born when we get “out there.” Other fruit takes place in training and motivating those “in here” (in existing churches) to live and share their faith “out there.” Our core commitments to biblical truth, biblical relationships, and biblical mission pervade our ministry in every way.

Could such partnerships be valuable, especially in the ‘spiritual deserts’ that make up the urban areas of the continent? In a place where resources and believers are limited, it’s worth finding out. - Mike Yoder