Late November 2023 Boumans by the Danube

Dear friends and partners in ministry,

I am writing today with just one small window into our on-going work. I am writing to ask you to pray for our upcoming ministry intensive with the young adults involved in the Cohort Europe program, a 4-day visit to Berlin, Germany that starts tomorrow.
 
You may remember that we have been working with colleagues within Resonate Global Mission to develop this new program, Cohort Europe, to introduce young adults to the complex and vital ministry context in Europe. We have a team of five talented young adults serving and learning together this year; in Lithuania, Hungary, and Germany. As part of their service, they will meet five times over the course of the year to learn about each other’s distinct local ministry contexts. We already met in Budapest in August for our orientation, and then we traveled together in October to Romania. Starting tomorrow, we will meet in Berlin where we will learn from Resonate missionaries Mary Buteyn and David Kromminga, who serve a thriving new church plant for newcomers to Germany; while also overseeing a vibrant language café that welcomes immigrants into a learning space that enables them to develop a social network while also learning the language of their new host country. David and Mary are also overseeing the work and service of Maria Puccini and Juliana Knot, two members of the Cohort Europe program.
 
During the next few days, we will learn about some of Germany’s history, and ways that a country, and a church, can help remember the past in order to avoid repeating past injustices, but also as a way to properly lament harm done to people made in God’s image. We will tour the Bundestag, Germany’s seat of government, and we will witness the work and ministry of the City Mission, and the Welcoming Church in Berlin. We will also spend time as a team giving each other updates, supporting each other, and growing as a team. Julie and I, along with Ivan Santoso, will be on an 11-hour train ride tomorrow to arrive in Berlin for the gathering. Two others, Sean and Ashley Ray, the couple serving LCC International University in Klaipeda, will be flying in as well – pray for safe arrivals, and for healthy bodies and minds.
 
We are grateful for your prayers, and for your financial support that makes this kind of mentoring and contextual ministry exposure possible. If you know a young adult wondering what their next step in life might be, consider recommending that they check out Cohort Europe! Or have them email us directly. The selection process for next year's participants will begin soon.
 
On this #givingTuesday, we are happy to be in financial partnership with so many of you already – thank you. And if any of you are looking for a place to invest in young adults invested in grassroots ministry in Europe, as well as deep spiritual formation, consider a gift to our account here.
 
Blessings and peace,
 
Jeff and Julie