To know an American one must understand the Revolutionary War and our love for independence, the Civil War and our love of justice, and the Great Depression and our great optimism in the face of certain failure. To know a Berliner one must understand World War II and the hopelessness at the end of the war, the Berlin Wall and the painful separations that divided family and friends, and Fall of the Wall which brought about a search for identity. As we rode the subway yesterday, we immediately saw graffiti (which I enjoy) on almost every surface. The architecture varied from old world style to modern lines and bold colors. The hairstyles varied from long and luxurious to pixie cuts with hot pink highlights. In a city searching for an identity, residents are eager to voice their own loud and clear.
Our introduction to Berlin began this morning with a meeting at the Lukas Gemeinde. This church, a strong supporter of the Altglenicke church-plant, has a rich history. Their congregation mourned when it was suddenly split by the building of the Wall and then has sought to love their East Berlin brothers and sisters since the fall of the Wall. We met with Hans Peter, a pastor in the Lukas Gemeinde, who has a deep love for the people of Berlin and a passion to spread the Gospel. With us was as Jay Eastman, the leader for the Southeast Berlin Team, and Ken Matlack the European Director and Leader for Team Berlin.
It was our privelage to listen and hear from Hans Peter, whose heart lived through each word he spoke. Several years ago the church began to out grow its space and began to pray: Do they move to a new larger location or begin to plant daughter churches. As they prayed, the vision came clear and the Lord directed them to multiply. This love of missions is evident as they now have 6 daughter churches established, 3 church-plants developing and 2 ministries with homeless, drug addicts and prostitutes. Hans Peter has recently redirected his personal time to reflect his heart by focusing more directly on working with these mission efforts. Josh and I both walked away from this meeting sensing the Lord’s presence. It was uplifting to see the passion to see Berliners come to Jesus, the strong desire for unity amongst the leaders and the emphasis on humility.
Following the meeting we were met by Peter Hass, Josh’s friend Alex Hass’ father, and we invited to join he and his wife for lunch in their home. Though we see them but rarely, we were deeply touched by our heart connection with them as family in Christ. It’s difficult to find the words to explain the depth of the experiences today, but just to sit and hear the work of God in their lives is deeply humbling.
Peter, in particular, has a remarkable story having lived during WWII and then through the building and fall of the Wall and has every right to bitter. Instead, while sitting waiting for a bus this evening he leans to me and says, “Truly, what is surrounding us is a great example of God’s grace. In a divided city and it is God who has brought unity. It was God who put Gorbachev in power to tear down the wall and it was God who allowed the fall to be peaceful that no force or hospitals were necessary. It is God who has rebuilt this city and it is God who is bringing many to him.”
Praise the Lord!
