Remain In Me

School of Missions September 2007

Poster of the theme of this year's school (Thanks to our artists Tanja, Mia and Joy).

Jesus likened the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed planted in the field. It is the smallest of seeds but when it has grown, it becomes a tree that birds can come and shelter in.

Before a seed can grow up into a tree, it needs to first grow its roots deep. In the same way, we are the seeds in God's hands. God is calling us to be rooted in Him, built up on Him. So that as we remain in Him and find our home in Him, we shall grow and mature and bear fruit in plenty for His glory.

God is faithful to fulfill His promises to us. Therefore, as an act of trust, the participants of the School began this season of new growth in their lives by committing themselves into God's hands during the Opening Mass. They offered up symbols of themselves in the form of seeds, placing them at the foot of the tree as a sign that they desire to be rooted in Christ and to grow deeper in Him.

Seeds in God's Hands:

Juraj, Sieglinde, Sabrina, Dominik, Theresa, Anna, Jasmin, Ivan (together with Annemarie and Jacqueline!)

Opening Mass, 16 September 2007

Bonding-in Week

Derek encouraging the participants to live in the NOW, to live with TRUST in God who has promised that He would do a new thing in their lives this season.

Angie did a great job compiling interviews from participants of past Schools who shared about their own experiences and who also gave words of advice to the current School. It was a step of innovation which blessed all of us. Thanks, Angie!

Francisco then followed up with his testimony of how God reached out to him during his School, in surprising ways outside of the lectures, and how that moved him to then open his heart to receive more of what God had in store for him through the School. God is growing you, brother!

Margit who attended a School almost 20 years ago gave a teaching on prayer. It was inspiring to listen to someone who obviously loves the Lord and who speaks of her relationship with God in a most down-to-earth way that we could relate to. Thanks Margit for sharing your life in Christ with us.

In the middle of a cold and wet week, God blessed us with sunshine on the day of our picnic in Achern together with other members of our Allerheiligen community.

We ended the first week with a time of worship and surrender to God. Participants offered up symbols of letting go so that they could be fully present to the new thing that God wants to bring about during their time in the School.

The Second Week:

We are now into the first week of lectures. Stefan is teaching on the topic of God. Please lift up a prayer for us as you read this and we will update this blog again soon.

God be with you!