Things are kicking into gear now with my ministry to Persians. Last week I rented an apartment (photo) in a Hamburg neighborhood with a very dense population of Iranians and Afghans. Considering my still modest Persian language skills, I am very grateful for the patience and support of my brother pastor Rev. Marko Turunen, sent … Continue reading Receive the Lord’s Gifts Often
James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” This Thanksgiving, Lula, Lilly and I are grateful for the many gifts the Lord has bestowed on us these past twelve months: the privilege of being sent abroad to share Jesus Christ in a brand-new environment … Continue reading Thanking God for His Gifts!
Traveling on the ICE bullet train today, I walked to the dining car to have a cup of coffee. I saw a young German soldier sitting at a table and asked whether I might sit across from him. I thanked him for his service, and we chatted a bit. He said he has only been … Continue reading Do I HAVE to Forgive?
One of this month’s highlights was the first real-life get-together of Riga Luther Academy’s students and staff—at a one-week intensive at the Old Latin School and “Kolleg” in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. After “knowing” one another only from Zoom, it was a joy to finally meet in person. Students and staff from Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, … Continue reading Riga Luther Academy Intensive
I highly recommend listening to these personal stories of people who journeyed from various religious beliefs (or none) to Confessional Lutheranism. If anyone is interested, my story from agnosticism to Confessional Lutheranism is also in this collection. Continue reading Paths to Lutheranism
Lula and I recently had the privilege of visiting with Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens of Trinity Lutheran Church (SELK) in Berlin-Steglitz. Dr. Martens is the sole pastor of what is possibly the largest congregation of Persian-speaking Christians in all of Europe. They have some 1,500 members—1,300 of whom hail from Iran and Afghanistan. In this … Continue reading Largest Persian-Speaking Congregation
Sadly, my eight-month deployment in “K-Town,” Germany—serving as vacancy pastor at Kaiserslautern Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC)—has ended. Last Sunday, October 17, KELC’s permanent pastor, Rev. Nathaniel Scott Jensen (center, in chasuble) was installed. But also what joy—not only because that loving congregation now has a permanent pastor but also because Rev. Jensen and his wife … Continue reading Farewell Kaiserslautern, Hello Hamburg
A German lady sat down next to me on a recent train ride. Once again, my Persian textbook served as a wonderful ice breaker. “Why are you learning Persian?” she asked. “Because I love the people of Iran and Afghanistan, and want to share Jesus Christ with the immigrants from there.” She noticed my clerical … Continue reading Don’t Look at Christians
Lula and Lilly were recently at a pumpkin market out in the country and took this picture. The first thing we notice is the bright orange harvest crop. Then the crucifix jumps out at us. But look closely: Jesus has only one arm! Is this a damaged family heirloom? Or perhaps the owner of the … Continue reading The One-Armed Jesus
Sometimes the Lord uses secular circumstances—past and present—to draw His chosen people to Himself. Last Sunday I had a fascinating conversation with “Hans,” a young leader in the local German congregation. I mentioned in passing that I would soon be leaving Kaiserslautern to share the Gospel with Afghan and Iranian migrants around Hamburg. “I’ve actually … Continue reading He is My Shepherd
The Tiews in Germany 