The harvest is plentiful but...

... The workers are few. --- Jesus made this statement decades ago and it is certainly true here in Leipzig.

Our meetings have been insightful so far and continue to confirm our calling to this region and the need for youth ministry leaders and training in this city. We met with a church plant that started as a kids hour in a home and has grown to a small church building in the most populated part of Leipzig. The church is surrounded by a large number of high rise apartment buildings, which are very typical for Eastern Europe. The teen population is largely from low income and often single family homes. Communist culture valued a woman working and many of these teens likely grew up with little contact with their parents or a close family member. The church itself underwent a painful church split several years ago but is now experiencing some growth - entirely through new conversions, no transfer growth. This is truly a reason to praise God! However, the nature of having many new believers leaves the church with a lack of qualified leaders. Ministry teams have come from other cities to put on camps and other outreach events for youth and the church is encouraged to see that each event draws and reaches youth at a deep level. However, they then lack the leadership to provide consistent youth programming and relationship building opportunities.

Another church plant we met with just purchased a former elementary school and is renovating it to use as a multi-functional church building. Two women already live at the church building, providing a consistent presence on the premises and running a used clothing ministry out of an adjacent building. The congregation does not have a lot of money but the pastor says, "we have our hands." They have been diligent to put many hours into the building, knowing its potential for ministry. An American missionary is part of this church as well. She is a female single missionary and among other things has been offering free English classes to the community, which has been a great draw. The church's leadership has been praying for us for a while and was excited to meet us in person. They do not yet have a youth ministry and are looking forward to how Josiah Venture may be able to come alongside of them in the future. What an honor to meet a congregation that has been fervently praying for us and our arrival without ever having met us! The Body of Christ is a wonderful blessing worldwide!!

Our first appointment of the day was in the center of the city, located in a famous Communist building that is now being used to proclaim the good news of Christ. Praise The Lord! This church has been established for many years and the pastor reported an unusual amount of growth. The church has 150 members with about 300 in Sunday attendance. The pastors decided to offer two services due to the recent growth and are also praying for wisdom on how to keep close-knit fellowship alive in a growing church. They have started satellite locations that are meant to meet as missional communities and they have seen some success. They wonder if some of these may turn into church plants down the road.  The church does not have a designated youth pastor and is struggling to maintain a consistent attendance among the youth. The pastor was very interested in opportunities to train his volunteers in youth ministry to strengthen outreach to this age group. The church also draws a large number of College students and is ever hoping to connect them more meaningfully to their congregation. We were encouraged to see what God has already been doing in this congregation and how Josiah Venture may be of help to further their ministry to young people. You may look forward to a video message from this church's pastor upon our return to the US.

What a blessed day and another is just about to begin. Today, we have the privilege of time with Josiah Venture President Dave Patty. And tonight, we jointly visit with another church. Thank you for your encouraging responses to our last post. Please, keep praying for a fruitful rest of the week. Please, pray especially for me (Ellen) to overcome this cold and not get anyone else sick. I've also been struggling most with jet lag and exhaustion on this trip, which is an unusual twist in our family - though I suppose not surprising seen as that I am pregnant! Praise God for His sustaining power and pray I would draw on it when weakest! Thank you for your prayers and support!