A little girl and the best way to heaven

What was the most unexpected speech you have ever heard in your life? Last Thursday during our Beach-ministry trip something happened that I was really astonished about. Greg and I were talking to a group of Haitians. They were open to speaking about their faith. We asked them: “What do you think is the best way to get into heaven?” Before we ask this, they explained us that they probably are going to hell and nothing will change that. So it made sense to ask them this question about heaven. They gave us some good Christian answers like: “Well, you have to go every Sunday to church… and of course to read the bible.” I wanted to start carefully with some thoughts about the gospel, but in this moment a little, six years old girl with black dreadlocks appeared out of nowhere. With a loud challenging voice she asked: “You don`t know how to get into Heaven. It`s easy. You have to accept Jesus Christ in your heart.” A few seconds of silence. Everybody was speechless. Then the one guy started to make a little bit fun of her. “How do you know that?” The girl looked in his eyes and continued with this voice sounding like an adult: “I know that from my grandma. She`s a good person. She feeds me, plays with me, cares for me … and if you don`t accept Jesus you are going to hell.” Right in this moment she left. Greg and me were sitting with open mouth. Just able to add: “She is totally right.” The two guys gave their lives to Jesus on this afternoon. I learned two things: First, it is not only a theoretical possibility that God can interrupt a conversation and speak directly into a situation. Second, do not ignore little girls, sometimes they have something important to say.

Beach, Ocean & Party mixed with good news

“Hey, how are you doing? Oh, you are doing good. I`m coming from the University of Deleware and I would like to talk with you about spiritual issues. Are you interested in talking for a couple of minutes?” That`s a typical conversation I had over and over last week. You think that´s sounds a little bit weird. Not in Daytona. During the spring break there are a lot of people who are going there to party or just relax. But that is not a hinderance for the gospel. Before I came I was skeptical about how it would work to talk in this direct way to people or that I could experience people wanting to listen to the saving message of Jesus Christ (I will tell a story in my next Post). Sure some were against this conversations and answered: “No, my belief is private and I want to find my own spiritual way”. But in total here are some numbers from my last week: From maybe 25 Conversation – 20 people were open to talk about the love God, Jesus, human conditions and why should God let us into heaven. I think this is amazing and it motivates me to learn how to explain the gospel in simple ways. It feels comfortable to have some good tools to illustrate my faith and show the people key points of Jesus. After this week I ask myself is it just possible talk about the gospel at Daytona? Is it easier in an American Beach City? And I think: Yes it is, because Europeans are maybe a little bit more skeptical to talk about their faith in public. But on the other hand there is no difference: God loves the people in Regensburg the same and he is the one who opens hearts and minds for his message. He is preparing people at the moment. I remember one sentence from a sermon 4 weeks ago: The more you trust into the gospel, the more you can see the Power of Jesus in itself. It`s true – I saw last week why I believe in Jesus.

What is your passion?

Recently, my girlfriend, Friedi, was kidding me that I always talk about sports as well as my shopping escapades to the sports stores in our Area. And if I`m honest she is right. In my short stay here, I have already purchased new basketball shoes and a nice looking black-yellow training suit and I participate in the American passion for their sports. I told my friends in Germany that I play Basketball at the YMCA 3 times a week in the morning while it is still dark outside. I tell them that, “We meet at 5:45am”. Their typical response: “Are you crazy?? That`s a weird time!!” Nobody in Germany would ever think of playing basketball (or any other sport) at this time. I would have done this either if my host didn’t offer me the opportunity to join him in the freezing morning. I love competition, so it wasn’t difficult for me to go along with him. I think that if you want something badly enough, and hold it dear in your heart, you will find a way to do it.
I am currently excited about a book I am reading. It is a book written by Tim Keller called, “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism”. I`m fascinated how he deals with difficult questions and answers them in a way that is understandable to everybody. Three weeks ago, we started a class for young adults studying Keller’s book (Sunday 9:25 – meeting at the Lobby) where we ask questions like such as, “Can there be just one true religion?”, or, “How could a good God allow suffering?” This book encourages me to share my passion, which is my faith in Jesus Christ, and get into a conversation with non-Christians. Sometimes in Germany I feel a little bit like an alien because most people don’t understand the passion I have about my faith. However, Keller says that everybody believes in something, so people must have some faith even if it is not my God? So my question to these people is, “What is your faith about?”

My home is my castle

On a frosty 19th of January I arrived in the USA. I was a little bit sleepy. During my flight I was sitting in the middle of two huge British men who did need a lot of space. I expected to see somebody like Bruce Willis pick me up at the Airport. When I saw this smiling guy Scott (nearly Bruce Willis) with his daughter Rachel, I knew that my US-adventure started.
I want to tell you something about my new American home. One characteristic of this house: It`s a huge kennel for dogs. You know, at the moment I`m staying at Scott & Julie Stanley´s house. Just kidding, it is friendly and very nice to live here. On my first evening they gave me a big welcome with pasta & chicken. But you have to know in this house there are two strong Canadian Retrievers who attack everybody, who won´t play with them. Their names are Sammy & Ranger.
Some things I like a lot about American houses. Most of them have their own fire place with a white frame. The couches, carpets and the beds with a bunch of pillows are softer than in Germany. Immediately you feel tired if you are sitting in your comfortable armchair. I think my image of a good home depends much more on the people who are living inside than on other stuff. Stanleys, I enjoy staying very much with you. It`s a lot fun. Thank you for your great hospitality.

What is important for you to make your house feel like home?

2. Post it: Garden gnome versus pickup
What`s up now? I think there`s already a big bridge between the American and the German culture. Everybody knows a little bit about the other side. But also both ends have their own funny, interesting and sometimes paradoxical ways of thinking. There`s a lot to talk about. I get the chance to experience for the next 5 month a new environment here in Kennett Square (small town very close to Philadelphia). But I`m fairly interested in your opinion. We are a part of a world, which is getting closer and closer. What is your perspective about the role of church into an international Context of a postmodern world? What would you change if you got chance to do it?
Do you think that are to big issues to talk about? You are right. We also have to speak about very normal stuff like why the Americans don`t have good jogging paths in their beautiful forests, and why they drive big cars if they always drive slowly? Are Germans really narrow minded and do they like to have garden gnomes in the front of their house?

Welcome to my blog,

“German pastor meets American church”… I want to share my thoughts of my experience as a German pastor during an internship at a Church in Pennsylvania, USA. This Blog will give you two perspectives: First, German thoughts about American culture in a fascinating evangelical church. Second: You will be able to experience my world back in Regensburg, Germany. Sometimes, these perspectives will be the same, and other times they will challenge your thinking as the perspectives may appear to contradict each other. Let`s get into a global view of different churches that share that same Faith.