Our mission team just returned from Germany, where God is on the move through sports camps and baseball outreach. We helped lead a baseball camp alongside of a new church plant and facilitated a sports outreach in a refugee camp.
Baseball Camp Testimony
Niklas lost his father just before baseball camp in 2013. It was a tragedy that shook the whole community. During the darkest season of his life, Niklas came to know the saving power of Jesus at baseball camp that summer. Our leaders helped him connect with a local church, and I’ve (Jimmy) also spent time doing some long-distance mentoring with him over the last few years. Niklas has been growing deeply in his faith. Currently he is writing devotions to encourage other young people in their faith. He’s also an aspiring film producer who has hopes of making faith-based movies in the future. Similarly, his younger sister has had her faith shaped through baseball camps. She is getting baptized in two weeks. Praise God!
Outreach to Refugee Children
Our team organized a “Sport Week” for refugee children at a transitional living shelter that is currently housing around 700 migrants. We held an instructional baseball demo, played soccer and field hockey, offered age-appropriate activities for younger children, and ministered to many of the parents congregating during the activities. On the last camp evening, we held an international worship service where the gospel was clearly proclaimed in multiple languages and many prayed to Jesus for the first time. These internationals come from all different backgrounds and religious influences, so this was a BIG moment in sharing the Good News and making Christ known among the unreached. There is much follow-up work to be fleshed out by our Germany team over the next few weeks, and we covet your prayers as our international partners come alongside of these folks and continue to nurture them in the faith.
Beach Ball Makes Way For Muslim To Hear The Gospel
Madir (name changed for privacy) is one of the Muslim refugees I (Jimmy) had the opportunity to connect with more intimately. Our relationship began in an unseemly and unorthodox way—through a beach ball. After I gave his little boy a beach ball to take back to their makeshift living quarters, Madir was touched enough to come and talk with us. As he shared his story with me, I learned that just two months ago, his wife abandoned him and their two small children for another man during their journey to seek refuge in Germany. His heartbreak runs deep. During the week Madir and I had multiple conversations about suffering and brokenness, which ultimately led to Jesus, the Son of God who was “broken” for us and is a High Priest who knows our pain (Hebrews 4:15). This resonated affectionately with Madir and we prayed together. Please continue to intercede for Madir, as this man of Muslim background is now connected with our international community and has opportunities to receive counsel, learn more about Jesus, and respond to the gospel. Isn’t it amazing how our God can use something as simple as a beach ball to bring a person far from the faith into a more intimate knowledge of Christ?! To Him be the glory!
New Missions Partnerships Forming in Germany
We were blessed to spend time with a group of international missionaries and a pastoral team in Frankfurt to pray over a potential new sports camp among migrant and refugee children in their community. In addition, there is a new partnership for baseball camps emerging in the Ostalbkreis district of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. There is no greater poverty in the world than gospel deprivation, and God is opening doors for life-changing impact among gospel-destitute young people. The harvest is ripe! Contact us for more info about missions opportunities in Germany.