German National Assembly

Our family has just returned from the German National Assembly which was held this year in Kirchheim (Hessen). The kids love going to the meeting because we get to live in a vacation cottage, participate in the kids' program, see some of our PK friends (preacher's kids), and have access to an indoor swimming pool (at the convention center complex). Claudia likes it because she doesn't have to cook -- the meals are a part of the convention package.

This year was special, though. Tom was invited to be one of the speakers for the plenary sessions in the morning program. The Church of God in Germany is relatively small. We have about 75 churches in the whole country. Pentecostalism is widely considered to be a sect/cult. In fact, less than 3% of the population claims to be evangelical (in comparison to 35% in the USA). My topic/task was to share with the German church pastors and delegates the international scope and size of the ministries of our denomination. It is vitally important for us all to realize that we belong to a larger family of Christ.

My part was small. There were plenty of other activities and worship services, too. And the fellowship with pastors, delegates, and church leaders is always irreplaceable.