Kathryn Wurst, FBA Faith Promise Missionary, has been working in Tübingen, Germany through CMF International for the last three years. CMFI exists to create dynamic, Christ-centered communities that transform the world. The Globalscope branch of CMFI with which she serves does this cross-culturally by forming relevant campus ministries at world-class universities across the globe. They focus on reaching college students, typically ranging in age from 18-25. Because the majority of German students have little to no background in faith, the Globalscope ministry in Tübingen provides both a place for students to hear the Gospel and to become connected to other believers. Through organized Bible studies, outreach events, and close-knit small groups, Kathryn and her team work to model authentic relationships with Jesus for the world’s most unreached generation. Kathryn shares an update below.
What's up in Tübingen? |
We have had a whirlwind
of a semester over the last few months. Since April, we have been leading four
different small groups, training and working with five interns from both
Germany and the United States and putting on dozens of events. At the
beginning of June, I gave my last talk at our Donnerstagabend event, and a number of students who do not
normally attend came to support me in that. This evening was bittersweet for me
as it was the beginning of many goodbyes that I will be saying in the next few
months.
However, something that we have all been celebrating is the chance to meet many new students this semester. Every week someone new walks through the door of our ministry house or joins us for the first time at Donnerstagabend. While Covid still rears its ugly head from time to time, causing a student to have to be quarantined or forcing us to cancel our weekend retreat, this is a sense of energy and potential again. Two students are trying out small groups for the first time, while others are finding community through our free lunch event. After the last several years, it is so nice to see our community growing again.
Unterwegs Highlight ~ End of the Year Party
(By the way, Unterwegs means "along the way".)
In July of each year, we host a party to eat together, reflect on the school year, and recognize volunteers, interns, and graduating students. Last Friday, we welcomed a room full of students to the cafe room of our partner church Jakobuskirche and spent several hours singing, laughing, and remembering together.
There was a sweet moment that took place at the end of the program. A couple of students who will be leaving Tübingen soon, one for an internship and one after graduation, were chatting with me about how much Unterwegs has meant to them and how hard it is to say goodbye. Soon everyone was tearing up, which could have been awkward given we were standing in the middle of a party, but it turned into a beautiful moment. One of the students turned to another graduating student and said, "Hey, _____, do you want to join our crying circle?" To which the student just nodded with tears in his eyes and said, "Yeah, I actually do."
Often, we think that grief has no part in
celebration because, what can joy, and sorrow have in common? But often we find
ourselves in moments where both are distinctly present. There was something
holy in these few minutes in which we both expressed our gratitude towards
and grief over the friendships, community, and homes that each of us was
preparing to leave behind. In being present with these students, I was reminded
of the ways that our Lord is present with us in our sadness, in our joy, and in
the times that we experience both
at the same time.
PRAYER & PRAISE ~ August 17-23, 2022
8/19 Bill & Joy Boerop
8/20 J & M-C
8/21 John & Kathy North
8/22 Stephen McConnel
8/23 Gary & Esther Smith
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 (NASB)
Our monthly Prayer & Praise Calendar is also available on fba.org/globalmissions
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