How are we to understand our times? Perhaps you’ve become aware of the terrible stabbings and shootings in Germany, even in Munich, of the last couple of weeks? August 23rd in Solingen, at the city’s 650th founding anniversary, eleven were stabbed, three fatally, by a fighter for the “Islamic State”. The theme of the celebration was “Festival of Diversity”. Ironically, Solingen is well-known as “the City of Blades” for the manufacture of swords and knives. The state’s Minister of the Interior commented: “From out of nowhere someone randomly stabbed people”. A week later in a chartered flight, 28 Afghans with serious criminal records were deported to Kabul, each with 1000€ for humanitarian reasons to restart their lives —the first deportation since the Taliban took power. September 5th, another young, radicalized Islamist, began shooting a rifle affixed with a bayonet, near the Israeli Consulate outside Munich’s NS (Nazi) Documentation Center. His fire, quickly returned by the police, fatally shot him. That day marked the anniversary of the deaths of eleven Israeli athletes taken hostage and killed at the 1972 Olympics. The Oktoberfest begins in two weeks, September 21st. What awaits us? Are we ready?

Early this month elections were held in two states in the eastern part of Germany, in which the current federal coalition parties (social democrats/ greens/ liberals) lost significant support to the conservative Christian Democrats and right-wing Alternative for Germany. The latter, though receiving approx. one third of votes, are deemed “undemocratic” by all other parties, who refuse to collaborate with them. The differences on immigration, crime, economic stability and foreign policy are significant. Political consensus is difficult here too!

More personally, while entering a grocery store in a suburb recently, a man behind me came in cursing. Allowing him to pass, I was dismayed to read the back of his t-shirt: Teach children to worship Satan! Sadly, after stashing my cell, I couldn’t find him to ask about it. Black metal from Sweden is in Bavaria too. Near my apartment is also a Reiki “healing center”, and a little further up the street there’s a mosque—the confident presence of Muslims is growing. Spiritual darkness is increasing…

In our pluralized and polarized climate, it’s ever more apparent that we are in a post- Christian climate. Although the number of professing Christians in Germany is under 2%, the values and ordinances undergirding the culture for centuries since the Reformation (despite liberal perversions!) have held in Germany until recently.

Nevertheless, faith in God through His Word to give the knowledge of the truth, defeating lies, leading to godliness, is also advancing! It’s been a busy summer—and we continue to see more of the Lord’s work among us to expand His Kingdom!

- In July we “opened up shop” in Munich’s downtown shopping district! Tenants are changing and the owner offered us the space for evangelism until new tenants are found! 8000 Bibles and tracts are being offered, along with a cup of coffee and the opportunity to ask questions from the new pastoral trainee heading the “One Book Shop”, as well as others from the church. Check out the photos here: one book shop kaufingerstraße - Google Search From

September 9th-13th, at 6pm, our Christianity Explored, now One Book Explored, will be offered there to all and sundry! Prayers are so appreciated!

- A team of 15-20 volunteers from our church are downtown monthly on a Saturday but also for a week annually. August 26-31 the book table was held near the One Book Shop offering Bibles in 55 languages, as well as many tracts, while questions are asked and answered. Bibles were often requested even as volunteers were packing up! This year German teens expressed more interest—seeking what their parents do not know and cannot give? During a special Saturday training for this in July, a young Muslim woman attended—and she has since then committed her life to the Lord! During the Oktoberfest hundreds of people will pass by the church and our book table! May angels have cause to rejoice as locals and international visitors find much, much more than they expected!

- The new church plant just south of Munich started well after Easter with approx. 60 attendees, including children. Several non-Christian visitors have attended, a few come regularly! Two Bible studies, a prayer meeting and Sunday school class have also started. The other two church plants (east and west) are also thriving and growing. We’re praising God!

- By God’s grace our church is growing steadily so that we have about 450 members—in a space that only holds 300. September 29th we are baptizing a few more! Adding a third service was considered, but it’s already tight as the English-speaking church is also expanding! It seems that the Lord is leading us to a new building—and a move—as a few sponsors are indicating their desire to support us. Praise and prayers are much appreciated!

- Personally, August was busier than expected as I taught the new pastoral trainees the Discovering Change course over five Tuesday afternoons, revising it again. Seeking to be a “compelling community” of people who wouldn’t normally unite easily—or at all, this is only truly achieved as we “love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Pet 1:22). This we do by loving God more, ourselves less, and living for God—compelling lives of love in a crooked and perverse generation, willfully abandoning the knowledge of God.

- Recently two non-Christians came for counseling. One understood that “Jesus gives more than He demands” (when asked about Mt 11:28-30)! The other discovered that: “the Bible is like your own murder mystery—you are the detective of your own crimes!” The Spirit must be at work—though the pull of the world is strong, and they have yet to return…

It is the greatest privilege to see the Lord at work among us in so many ways! We’re so grateful for the team of pastors and elders who faithfully, clearly and boldly present the Gospel, besides facilitating the 50 diaconal teams for members to use their gifts to support new and long-standing believers. Many newcomers to the faith are also coming with burdens that need to be addressed more specifically—even before they become members. Counseling, mentoring and training continues…!

There are several crucial items I would have you pray for—my schedule this Fall is extremely full and the blessings of the challenges beyond my wisdom, ability and strength!

- September 20-21: The Network of Biblical Counseling (Netzwerk Biblische Seelsorge) is holding a seminar weekend in another city with Ed Welch on the topic of “Made for Intimacy”. Several mentees and church members are attending—may it be edifying! We were made for intimacy with God!

- Beginning September 28th, I’ll continue mentoring and training our group of 18 mentees on various Saturday mornings. We’re focusing on the problem of suffering, how to understand it, and work through aspects of it in counseling. We’ll continue watching and discussing video-taped counseling sessions.

- Beginning October 15th, over the course of five Tuesday evenings, I’ll be offering the Discovering Change course in our church again. Prayer that the Spirit would work deeply in all of us is much appreciated! This course is designed to strengthen each believer in his/her own sanctification—specifics that I have found myself teaching in almost every counseling situation. May each person attending realize how the Spirit is advancing their life in Christ!

- Our discussions with Biblical Counseling UK are advancing, and we are hopeful that we can benefit from their tremendous program to effectively train lay counsellors over the last decade. This would be such a needed support for the training here! Please pray that the Lord will make a way.

- Requests for Counseling and mentoring within the church are increasing, as biblical counseling becomes more appreciated even beyond our church, and as the issues facing counselees become more complex and weightier in our cultural climate. We are so encouraged by the Lord’s work in individual hearts—to strengthen in particular ways, going from confused slavery and agony to greater victory in depth of knowledge, faith, intimate worship and a changed life—though circumstances remain difficult and even the sufferings of Christ also flow over into our lives. Please pray for wisdom and strength!

Your support in prayer and financially over the decades has been used by the Lord to send me out and to continue to sustain me. I’m truly grateful! I have rarely needed to request funding, as I have simply sought to “seek first His Kingdom” (Mt 6:33) trusting Him to provide. However, over the last two years, two churches have had to decrease or withdraw significant support, so that I am short $750/mon. from each. My Canadian and American mission agencies have notified that now both accounts are drained, and they can no longer send all my monthly support. The church here is challenged to make up the difference. I would be most grateful if you would pray with me about this, that the Lord would provide again, that I may contribute here in strength where this great door of effective work has opened for us.