by an Alliance international worker who serves in Europe
A few weeks ago I was on my way to a bazaar. The mission was simple: buy a teapot. This may not sound exciting, especially if you’re not a fan of tea, but I was excited. It wasn’t because I like tea that much nor because we did not have a teapot at home. We have a teapot, but we don’t have one big enough to serve our growing church.
Darkness to Light
Two years ago, at Christmastime, one North-African immigrant turned from darkness to light. As a team, we could hardly contain the joy of seeing the work of God transforming his life. There is something majestic when you witness the rebirth of a person, when you see a miracle unfold in front of you, and when you come face to face with God’s manifest presence and the blowing of the Spirit.
Since then, we have had the opportunity to see others cross from the dominion of Satan to the dominion of God. Being used by God and knowing that you are part of a mission much bigger than you is humbling.
When I prayed with one of the believers, I felt like Ananias praying with Paul (Acts 9:9–19). God had already been at work in this Christian’s life in fascinating ways, yet here I was praying with him and welcoming him into the Kingdom. God did not need me, as He did not need Ananias. Yet He chooses to use us.
Building Trust
God’s work is seen not only in changing people’s lives but also in bringing them together and forming a community. We call it church.
About six months ago we began to come together for worship. We wanted to create a place for these North-African immigrant believers to worship God together in their local Arabic language. The group was small; the believers were few and shy, and the trust level was low.
What happens if another North African knows that I am a follower of Jesus?
What if I am asked to pray?
It took several meetings before the believers began to feel comfortable around each other. Eventually, we began to hear laughter, and trust began to grow. The tea and snacks after each meeting added a special time of fellowship, and soon the group was ready to be baptized.
This was one of the most emotional moments in my life. To accompany people from a decision to follow Christ all the way to baptism is awesome. Most of my life, I have lived around the Mediterranean, but it has never looked as beautiful as it did that day.
Growing Church
We continue to meet in our home, and as the room is getting smaller, the voices louder, and the teapot bigger, we are grateful for the work of God. We are thankful for His hands that are building the Church and advancing the Kingdom.
As we remembered His birth in the season of Christmas, let’s also remember why He came, why He died, and why He lives again. Let’s remember that His impact is as real today as it was 2,000 years ago.
Thank you for being a part of this ministry. We hope you rejoice with us in the growth of the church here in Europe.
Pray
The new believers face many challenges. Please be pray for them, asking God to provide for both physical and spiritual needs.
Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests to join the Alliance family in interceding on behalf of our global teams, who often serve in challenging places that require Holy Spirit–inspired wisdom to share God’s love with peoples who have never been introduced to the Light of the world.