GERMAN MINISTERS CONFERENCE
October 28th, 2009 | 0 Comments
I was privileged to preach at the Ministers Conference for the German Church of God on the morning of 27 October. I preached on the assigned topic of “Calling”. Mark Williams, second assistant General Overseer, also spoke on that topic in the service before my turn. It was great to have his wife and him in Germany this week. I thank God for helping me and I believe that the Word of God ministered to people. I appreciate the dedicated Church of God ministers of Germany.
Carol and I have been very privileged to serve the current third level students since they first came to ETS as their class advisors. We meet as a class every second Friday. It is currently the largest single class group at ETS, numbering twenty-three students. We are confident that they will make a great impact on Europe, India, or wherever else God may take them after this year. Students work very hard and complete a B.A. degree in just three years at ETS, so this will be their final year before graduation.
The ETS choir, led by Dr. Benson Vaughan, did an outstanding job of ministering in the graduation exercises. All of the Bachelor-level students participated and the Holy Spirit really anointed them to sing for the Lord. They practiced long hours leading up to the day, and we appreciate each of these students and the Vaughans, our fellow Church of God missionaries. Dr. Paul Conn, president of Lee University, was our guest speaker at the service.
The graduation for the European Theological Seminary was held on Sunday, 18 October, in Kniebis, Germany. Twenty-nine received Bachelor of Arts in Practical Theology, two received Master of Arts in Christian Ministries, three received Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, and fifteen received Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. The Master degrees are awarded in conjunction with Lee University or Church of God Theological Seminary, depending on the program. We are very proud of all our graduates.
We had another Kingdom Seekers Night youth service at the ETS chapel on Saturday, 10 October. It was a great time of worship lead by ETS student Sascha Kielwein and a worship team from ETS and Crossroads International Church. I preached to the young people along with Oliver Müller interpreting. There was a good response in the altar and the youth continued praying through the night.
Our new class of students arrived at ETS on 23 September, and proceeded through orientation for two days.There are 17 students in the new first level, coming from Germany, Austria, Bahrain, Republic of Ireland, Ethiopia, and the USA. Our Fall classes are off to a great start. I am teaching 4 courses this Fall: Old Testament Backgrounds, Old Testament Survey, Christian Ethics, and Hermeneutics. On 28 September, I preached at Crossroads International Church in Kniebis. Thank you for your continued prayers.