November 2011

News from Ryan and Noleen Thurman

Dear Ryan, Today we begin the season of Advent where we are called to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Advent is a time of anticipation, of preparation, and of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin.  It is a longing and anticipation for full deliverance that will come with the return of King Jesus who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.  May you experience His nearness and find strength that He is holding and sustaining you.  He will keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - I Corinthians 1:8-9 "Christ Returning" Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris (where non-stop prayer has been going since 1885) "Almighty and Everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that all peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under His most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever" Amen -BCP 326 Germany Report  Remembering Crystal Night in Gemund  It has been almost nine years since Noleen and I first went to Germany to begin working with George and Hanna in their ministry of reconciliation and healing of the divisions within the body of Christ.  Much prayer has been offered up and many meetings and gatherings in this long journey of obedience.  It has been a privilege to see first hand God working in such powerful ways here.  This past trip, we were able to see the fruit of our labors as God brought healing and reconciliation throug the Crystal Night service that Hanna Miley spoke at.  To read what Hanna shared click here   George put it this way, "As the events of this past week unfolded, it was as though God visited Gemünd in forgiveness, reconciliation and healing."   Here are some highlights: 1 - The radio journalist was so touched by his interview with Hanna that he made three segments from their meeting   2 - Walking around in Gemünd with a TV crew, God gave Hanna great facility in German.  The interview aired on the evening news. 3 - The evening Hanna spoke, the crowd overflowed the meeting room into the street.   4 - Among the guests: a former mayor, the present mayor, a Catholic auxiliary bishop, a Lutheran pastor, other church leaders, local friends from Gemünd, German friends from up to 2 hours' drive away, and friends from Phoenix and Austin. 5 - After the meeting the group walked to several places in Gemünd to honor former Jewish citizens.   6 - In his homily during the concluding service of Compline, the auxiliary bishop said: The crossing of theRed Sea was a miracle; tonight we have had our miracle-forgiveness.    Germany Report (Cont.)  Augsburg, Oberpleis, and Berlin  During this trip there was continued movement with regards to the Wittenberg project, there was confirmation that this vision is from the Lord and there was an adding of Germans to this team.  There was a recognition with of the importance of Augsburg in the journey of reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants. We spent the day in Oberpleis visiting Hans and Claudia Weidenmann who run a "Center for Renewal, they are a key couple in what God is doing in Germany/Europe  The Gathering in Berlin was a profound time with leaders from around Europe coming together to strengthen friendship and discern what God has for Antioch Network in Europe.           It is challenging to be away from my family to participate in the work in Germany, but I continue to have a strong sense God has ongoing plans for us in Europe and beyond and that this work continues to lay a foundation for the future.  Thank You for your prayers and support! Apprenticeship to Jesus Update The A2J Team has begun to write monthly updates, click here to read this months.  We are finishing up this Session strong and are beginning to make plans for the important role A2J has in helping host the annual Antioch Network Gathering that will be in Phoenix this year January 29th-Februay 2nd.