As you can imagine, things are getting even more busy around our place! But I wanted to post at least one more time, and offer some reflections on the process so far.
The most important thing I've learned so far - between the time we were offered the assignment to this moment as our house is filled with boxes, and we are experiencing the uprootedness that comes with any kind of relocation - is that we are not alone. What I mean by that is that this is not "our" ministry, by any stretch of the imagination. We are simply two people deeply excited at having the opportunity to be part of GOD's ministry.
And it is not only we who are joining Him in His work; we are simply the two pairs of hands and feet who are going to be on the ground in Germany and Switzerland. Mission is not simply the call of a few who decide to leave their home country and serve God in some other world area. Mission is the purpose of the Church, our very reason for existence as the people of God. This means that you, not simply those who do leave home for another place, are challenged to become part of what God is doing all over the world - including right where you are.
So, we want to continue extending to you the opportunity to participate in what God is doing on the Eurasia region through the Church of the Nazarene. Specifically, we challenge you to prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner, making our continued efforts possible as you give sacrificially one time or on a regular basis. Because of the difficulty of our times, your giving is particularly important to the continuing work of the Church of the Nazarene all over the world.
For your convenience, online donations to ministry in Germany through us may be made HERE.
I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say that you may be the most important participant, even though it is only Gina and I who are relocating, writing the Eurasia newsletter, helping run the library and communication center, and teaching the New Testament course. Your prayers and your generous financial giving continue to make it possible; your encouragement and support are some of the means God is using to confirm His call. We look forward to reporting regularly on this blog and on our Facebook group, Pottengers in Germany, on what is taking place there because of your involvement.
We appreciate each one of you, our friends and family, for all you have done and are doing. Nobody has a small role to play, each of you are vitally important to the success of what we're becoming a part of this next year.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ministry in Germany
As we pack, prepare and pray for our upcoming year-long journey as Mission Corps missionaries in Switzerland, I have been thinking a lot about the first time I volunteered there.
In June 2002, I went for a six-month stint as a short-term assistant to the communication coordinator at the Eurasia Regional Office -- the same place I will be serving starting in February. Then, as now, I lived on the campus of European Nazarene College (EuNC), next door to the regional office. In that place I was privileged to get acquainted with many of the students at EuNC who hailed from all over Europe and even other continents. It has been a pleasure in the 7 years since then to follow some of these students' ministries from a distance. I have been greatly impressed with the passion, commitment and innovation they are infusing into the Church of the Nazarene in the Eurasia Region.
One of them is Philip Zimmerman. He is now leading a creative ministry in the town of Mainz, Germany, called KiA Mainz. KiA stands for "Kirche in Aktion" (Church in Action.) This group of believers has purchased an old hotel and a number of them live in the hotel, inviting people from the neighborhood who need a place to stay to live among them. Some who accept this invitation are Christians, others are not. But the entire group has embraced a type of ministry focused on living out Christ's love in community, sharing everything in common--perhaps in a similar way to the very early church 2,000 years ago.
As a community these folks conduct projects of love and outreach to Mainz, including baking treats for city workers, sharing hot meals with neighbors, making first-day-of-school gifts for children of refugees, tutoring local school children, making regular visits to a nursing home, and gathering for Bible studies, discipleship and worship services. They are truly being the hands and feet of Christ through incarnational ministry in a country where many are growing up without even basic knowledge of who Jesus Christ is.
If you're interested in learning more about this ministry, visit the Web site kiamainz.de (it's in German) or check out this article in English: http://www.naznef.org/news/newsstory.asp?newsID=89. You can also read some of Philip's reflections in a recent essay on Engage magazine: http://engagemagazine.com/Magazine-Content/Stories/December-2009/The-power-of-presence.aspx
Stay tuned to our blog to hear more exciting stories about current and former students who are up to great things in Europe. We are itching to get there and be part of what God is doing through these energetic and creative leaders.
- Gina
In June 2002, I went for a six-month stint as a short-term assistant to the communication coordinator at the Eurasia Regional Office -- the same place I will be serving starting in February. Then, as now, I lived on the campus of European Nazarene College (EuNC), next door to the regional office. In that place I was privileged to get acquainted with many of the students at EuNC who hailed from all over Europe and even other continents. It has been a pleasure in the 7 years since then to follow some of these students' ministries from a distance. I have been greatly impressed with the passion, commitment and innovation they are infusing into the Church of the Nazarene in the Eurasia Region.
One of them is Philip Zimmerman. He is now leading a creative ministry in the town of Mainz, Germany, called KiA Mainz. KiA stands for "Kirche in Aktion" (Church in Action.) This group of believers has purchased an old hotel and a number of them live in the hotel, inviting people from the neighborhood who need a place to stay to live among them. Some who accept this invitation are Christians, others are not. But the entire group has embraced a type of ministry focused on living out Christ's love in community, sharing everything in common--perhaps in a similar way to the very early church 2,000 years ago.
As a community these folks conduct projects of love and outreach to Mainz, including baking treats for city workers, sharing hot meals with neighbors, making first-day-of-school gifts for children of refugees, tutoring local school children, making regular visits to a nursing home, and gathering for Bible studies, discipleship and worship services. They are truly being the hands and feet of Christ through incarnational ministry in a country where many are growing up without even basic knowledge of who Jesus Christ is.
If you're interested in learning more about this ministry, visit the Web site kiamainz.de (it's in German) or check out this article in English: http://www.naznef.org/news/newsstory.asp?newsID=89. You can also read some of Philip's reflections in a recent essay on Engage magazine: http://engagemagazine.com/Magazine-Content/Stories/December-2009/The-power-of-presence.aspx
Stay tuned to our blog to hear more exciting stories about current and former students who are up to great things in Europe. We are itching to get there and be part of what God is doing through these energetic and creative leaders.
- Gina
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Countdown Begins!
Following our Christmas vacation to Colorado and Ohio, we've returned to Kansas City to begin packing our house.
Andrew's mother and sister have helped us begin the great task of packing, and in just a couple of days and despite a threatening snow-storm, we've accomplished a lot already.
We are so grateful for all the expressions of support we've received over the last few weeks! We appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement for a smooth transition from Kansas City to Busingen.
Andrew's mother and sister have helped us begin the great task of packing, and in just a couple of days and despite a threatening snow-storm, we've accomplished a lot already.
We are so grateful for all the expressions of support we've received over the last few weeks! We appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement for a smooth transition from Kansas City to Busingen.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Gina: What I'll be doing in Switzerland
This is Gina, and I wanted to share about what I'll be doing in Switzerland for the next year.
The Eurasia Regional Office, which administrates our denomination's churches throughout Western and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and South Asia, has a communication center a few blocks down from the college and the regional office. I'll be working in the communication center every day with a team of other Mission Corp volunteers (some of whom are still being recruited).
I will continue full-time as managing editor of Engage magazine, www.engagemagazine.com, because all I need to do this job is a computer, phone and Internet connection. Many of the people who work with me on Engage are scattered around the world, so moving to Europe actually brings me closer to many of them.
Additionally, I'll manage the region's monthly newsletter called Where Worlds Meet, a PDF you can subscribe to receive in your e-mail.
In January the region begins developing an initiative called The Power of One. I'll be helping with this by editing and perhaps laying out copy. Dennis Mohn, the new regional communication coordinator, will lead multi-media efforts for this initiative, as well as develop many other video and media projects for the region. As I learn more about the initiative, I'll tell you about it on our blog.
It's humbling and exciting for me to see how God has given me passion and training in commmunications over the past 10 years, and how He is allowing me the joy of using writing to serve Him in our church.
Essentially, my passion is for narrative and developing good stories. I love to meet real people whose lives are stories of obedience and of God's desire and power to transform and heal. I love to assist in crafting these real stories into written, audio or video narratives.
I believe that God works and speaks through stories. Just as the Bible is the story of God's love for His creation, our lives are stories giving evidence of God's ongoing work of redemption in the world. By "testifying" or "witnessing" to God's work in our lives, we tell stories through which God convicts, transforms and calls others to Him. This is why I feel driven to capture the stories of our church.
When I was six, a missionary visited my church to tell stories of what God was doing in Africa. After that service, I wanted to be a missionary. When I was older, I wanted to be a writer. I wondered if this meant that I was no longer meant to be in missions. I didn't think writers were missionaries.
Now I see that writing and storytelling are essential to expanding God's Kingdom on earth. I feel grateful that there is a place for me in helping to grow the church through capturing the stories of real people and sharing them with our global church family.
If you would like to share stories of how God is drawing you into His mission, please feel free to join Engagemagazine.com where you can submit your stories. If you have a story about how God is working in the Eurasia Region, please consider sending it to me for possible publication in Where Worlds Meet.
To subscribe to Where Worlds Meet, visit www.eurasianazarene.org.
The Eurasia Regional Office, which administrates our denomination's churches throughout Western and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and South Asia, has a communication center a few blocks down from the college and the regional office. I'll be working in the communication center every day with a team of other Mission Corp volunteers (some of whom are still being recruited).
I will continue full-time as managing editor of Engage magazine, www.engagemagazine.com, because all I need to do this job is a computer, phone and Internet connection. Many of the people who work with me on Engage are scattered around the world, so moving to Europe actually brings me closer to many of them.
Additionally, I'll manage the region's monthly newsletter called Where Worlds Meet, a PDF you can subscribe to receive in your e-mail.
In January the region begins developing an initiative called The Power of One. I'll be helping with this by editing and perhaps laying out copy. Dennis Mohn, the new regional communication coordinator, will lead multi-media efforts for this initiative, as well as develop many other video and media projects for the region. As I learn more about the initiative, I'll tell you about it on our blog.
It's humbling and exciting for me to see how God has given me passion and training in commmunications over the past 10 years, and how He is allowing me the joy of using writing to serve Him in our church.
Essentially, my passion is for narrative and developing good stories. I love to meet real people whose lives are stories of obedience and of God's desire and power to transform and heal. I love to assist in crafting these real stories into written, audio or video narratives.
I believe that God works and speaks through stories. Just as the Bible is the story of God's love for His creation, our lives are stories giving evidence of God's ongoing work of redemption in the world. By "testifying" or "witnessing" to God's work in our lives, we tell stories through which God convicts, transforms and calls others to Him. This is why I feel driven to capture the stories of our church.
When I was six, a missionary visited my church to tell stories of what God was doing in Africa. After that service, I wanted to be a missionary. When I was older, I wanted to be a writer. I wondered if this meant that I was no longer meant to be in missions. I didn't think writers were missionaries.
Now I see that writing and storytelling are essential to expanding God's Kingdom on earth. I feel grateful that there is a place for me in helping to grow the church through capturing the stories of real people and sharing them with our global church family.
If you would like to share stories of how God is drawing you into His mission, please feel free to join Engagemagazine.com where you can submit your stories. If you have a story about how God is working in the Eurasia Region, please consider sending it to me for possible publication in Where Worlds Meet.
To subscribe to Where Worlds Meet, visit www.eurasianazarene.org.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Andrew's Developing Roles
As Gina and I make our transition from life in the United States, I would like to share a little bit more with all of you about what I will be doing at European Nazarene Bible College (EuNC).
At this point, some of my responsibilities are still being clarified. However, it is a definite that I will be joining the staff of EuNC’s library. Also, the need for a teacher arose which I am able to fill. It’s a course called Introduction to the New Testament for first-year students. I am very excited about both opportunities! There remain a couple of other possible avenues of service, which, like I say, are still being clarified. I will be happy to let you know about those as well soon.
My understanding is that I will be working in the library throughout the year that Gina and I are in Busingen. I have heard that the library is very good, and includes many resources which are helpful to students and professors alike. My training in the library will likely begin after we complete our general orientation soon after we arrive and last for approximately two weeks. I am looking forward to this, because it will potentially put me in contact with a broad number of the students.
I will be teaching the New Testament class, beginning near the end of March. The course is scheduled for 3-4 hours a day over a period of three weeks. I anticipate a small class, which will allow me to provide everyone with personal attention. I am particularly looking forward to this aspect of my responsibilities, as I have a passion for helping others learn. It is exciting to think about how I will be sharing some of what I've learned with others who are just beginning their journey to discover and realize the Lord's calling on their lives. I would appreciate your prayers for the process of preparation (study, lecture-writing, audio-visual presentations, etc.), but most especially for the students I will be teaching. Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak clearly to each one as we study His Word together, and enable them to more clearly recognize His call to serve Him
- Andrew
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Introduction to the Pottengers
Thank you for visiting our blog! We have accepted the opportunity to serve in Busingen, Germany for one year beginning in February 2010.
Gina will assist the Eurasia Regional Office with the publication of its monthly newsletter, Where Worlds Meet. She will also continue to serve as managing editor of Engage, the Church of the Nazarene's online missions magazine. Andrew will be serving in various capacities at European Nazarene College.
We seek partners in our ministry, and here is how you can help.
Our most pressing need is consistent prayer. You may keep up-to-date with our activity and needs here. Pray that God's power will be released in the Eurasia region, and for the continued educational ministry of European Nazarene College.
Also, as volunteers, we must raise our own financial support of $15,000 for one year of service. We are grateful for all who are willing to participate in our ministry with your generous giving. These gifts for ministry expenses are tax-deductible. Online donations may be made HERE, or made out to Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116. Be sure to add "Andrew and Gina Pottenger ministry" on the memo line.
It is our firm belief belief that God is at work in Europe, and inviting us to partner with Him. As we leave our home and families, we invite you to participate with us in what He is doing. Whether you become a partner through prayer or financial giving, your help will continue making our ministry possible over the next year.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about us! Keep checking our blog for further updates!
Gina will assist the Eurasia Regional Office with the publication of its monthly newsletter, Where Worlds Meet. She will also continue to serve as managing editor of Engage, the Church of the Nazarene's online missions magazine. Andrew will be serving in various capacities at European Nazarene College.
We seek partners in our ministry, and here is how you can help.
Our most pressing need is consistent prayer. You may keep up-to-date with our activity and needs here. Pray that God's power will be released in the Eurasia region, and for the continued educational ministry of European Nazarene College.
Also, as volunteers, we must raise our own financial support of $15,000 for one year of service. We are grateful for all who are willing to participate in our ministry with your generous giving. These gifts for ministry expenses are tax-deductible. Online donations may be made HERE, or made out to Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116. Be sure to add "Andrew and Gina Pottenger ministry" on the memo line.
It is our firm belief belief that God is at work in Europe, and inviting us to partner with Him. As we leave our home and families, we invite you to participate with us in what He is doing. Whether you become a partner through prayer or financial giving, your help will continue making our ministry possible over the next year.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about us! Keep checking our blog for further updates!
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