October 2018
What can God do? "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; ...he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteous" (II Corinthians 9:8,10). Divine power that provides daily needs, expands Kingdom endeavors, and produces inner growth: What a promise, what a way to live! Why would we look anywhere else and have less?
September has been an exciting time in the churches in northern Germany.
In Potsdam, we had the glorious privilege of baptizing Sis. Christine in the beautiful name of Jesus. Since summer has ended and the days are growing cooler, the water was chilly, but she braved the cold for the Lord!
The church works in Berlin and Leipzig are refreshing with their liberty of worship and hunger for more knowledge of the Word. Not only are the gatherings lighthouses to show the way from danger and to safety, but the believers in everyday life are lights to their friends, families, and communities - just as Jesus has planned!
For health, ease of mobility - read as "no long searches for parking places" - and economy, we now have bicycles, "horses" that do not have to be fed, to get around Berlin.
A wonderful benefit is the number of people we are able to meet along the streets. Door of opportunity are everywhere!
On one of the remaining warm days in the month, we had a church picnic at the park in Potsdam.
Not only did this grant us an opportunity for great fellowship, but it gave some first-time visitors the experience of welcome and interaction with our group. As a result, a Muslim woman came to church the following Sunday and has continued to display interest and involvement with this group. Building relationships as these builds the church.
Due to the number of events in the fall and winter - Elisha Conference in Munich, Erntedankfest (Thanksgiving), church anniversary services, and Christmas - the Purpose Institute campus in Paderborn elected to postpone their next semester. However, three students completed the requirements of four semesters earlier this year, and we look forward to their graduation at the ceremony that will be held at the General Conference of the German-speaking nations in spring 2019.
Thank you all for your prayers, friendship, and investment in us so that we may fulfill the work to which God has appointed us in Berlin and northern Germany. We call your names in prayer and join hands with your labor.
For the purpose of glorifying Jesus,
Carl and Bethany Sledge
Associate Missionaries for the
United Pentecostal Church, International
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