Introducing Ourselves …
Hi,
We are the Fisher family (Johnny, Kristine, Lee and Rachel). We come from South Queensferry, Scotland and are preparing to go with European Christian Mission to Austria later this year.
To recap on how we got to this stage … about five years ago we began to wrestle with a sense that God might be leading us to work in Austria and as a result I embarked on a degree course at International Christian College, Glasgow. Three years ago we met Dietmar and Brigitte Jowanka, an Austrian couple who work as church planters in Linz, Austria with European Christian Mission (ECM), and felt an immediate bond with them and the work they were doing. Last winter I worked for 2 months on placement in Linz as part of the Bible College course. Kristine and I have wrestled with this sense of leading in quite different ways, but we stand together as a couple believing that God is leading us to move long-term to Linz. ECM and the church in Linz have confirmed this call in accepting us as candidates. We also have the sending support of our own church, Abbeyhill Baptist Church.
Dietmar and Brigitte, who became Christians as young adults, have seen first-hand the cultural challenges facing the relatively small, Austrian evangelical Church through the increase in people migration and the multi-worldview mindsets of younger people. The Jowanka’s started Grace International Fellowship with a vision to reach these younger Austrians, and to reach the growing migrant population, including international students.
They hold their services in English and translate into German. They run small group programmes to train new leaders and teachers, and for discipling believers. One service a month is a Fellowship Meal, also including prayer, reflection, and celebration of communion. The small congregation now consists of a wide age range. The church sees a need for a native English-speaker, who shares their passion for “outsiders” to know and live in the experience of God’s grace, to become involved in leadership, training and teaching and reaching others.
Hi Johnny and Kristine,
I have been looking through your blog what ECM and Grace International believe. I am excited to share this with my house church, during our next meeting. Jeff and my prayers are with you and we support you in this journey.
Katie and (Jeff)
Comment by Katie Brown — September 22, 2007 @ 11:05 pm