My classes at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in the Doctor of Ministry program have been going well through three days. I enjoy the interaction of the cohort of 17 students. We come from many varied backgrounds and 12 different church denominations. We will focus on three areas of Pastoral Skills over the next three years. This year we are focused on the pastor as a person. Next year will be the pastor as a preacher, and then followed by the pastor as a counselor. I want to keep learning my whole lifetime to be a better servant for my Lord.

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After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary near Boston in 1982, I began classes on 26 April to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree. I will be in Boston for two weeks in intensive classes, then will return to Germany on 8 May. I hope to complete my doctorate degree by the time I turn 60-years-old. It will take 4 to 5 years to complete, with most of the work done in Germany. I will have to come for classes two weeks for three years. This is the first trip. You are never too old to stop learning to be a better servant.

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My Church Administration class is conducting special services as projects, and today, 19 April, a group had a water baptism service in the ETS pool. Two of the students were “baptized” as the rest of the group led the class in a worship service complete with a sermon. This is good practical experience for the students who will be expected to know how to do such services once they become pastors after graduation. A wedding and funeral are still to come. They did a great job today.

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A large group of youth gathered at the new church building in Schwenningen, Germany, for the “Feel The Fire” rally on Saturday night, 17 April. This church is pastored by Thomas Bleile,  and had a weekend of special events to celebrate the opening of the new building. A band from ETS and Crossroads International Church youth led a great time of worship. I preached to the youth and God blessed the evening with His Presence.

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After a good week of classes at ETS, on Friday, 16 April, the first of four group presentations in my Church Administration class occurred. This group planned and conducted a communion service. A water baptism service, wedding, and funeral will follow. The students worked well together and it was a wonderful time of worship. Some faculty and staff also join us for these services. In the evening, a group of Italian youth living in Germany visited ETS to become orientated to what ETS is like. We held a special worship service in the chapel. Some of the ETS students led the worship,  I preached, but the Lord helped several who came for prayer.

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We returned to Böblingen, near Stuttgart, on 11 April. I preached, with Cornelius Beier, an ETS graduate, translating. Cornelius & Priscilla (also an ETS graduate) are doing a great job serving as assistant pastor there. This was a wonderful service where God ministered throughout by His presence.

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ETS went on Easter break from classes on 1 April and will reopen 12 April. On Saturday, 3 April, we attended the wedding of a former Spanish student, Lidia, and a young man from the local church, Stefan. It was a wonderful event that occupied ten hours of the day. Easter morning I preached at the local church, Crossroads International. We enjoyed celebrating our Lord’s Resurrection and victory. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious Easter meal prepared by Carol at our apartment with six ETS students: Tabita, Alex, Lala, Nikola, Toni, and Theja. That made a great family meal for us. In the evening Rosalie joined us for a second round of good food. Thank God for our hope in Jesus Christ. I am working all week of break in my office, and I am happy for that available time.

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