Ministry Update
December 2023
Dear Ministry Partners,
Peace on earth and goodwill toward those whom the Lord favors! Here is what God has done in Vienna recently.
Peace on earth and goodwill toward those whom the Lord favors! Here is what God has done in Vienna recently.
Augustine has arrived!
On November 27, our family made a small addition. We're pleased to announce the birth of our son, Augustine. Our littlest one fares well, and although we sleep a little less, we are overfilled with joy.
The church has been especially supportive of us during the birth and gave me some paternal leave to support Lina more. Now that I'm back in the office, I'm looking forward to what this new year has for our family of five and the church.
The last trimester was quite difficult for us. Lina had concerning arrhythmia in her heart, and Augustine's ultrasounds initially worried our doctors. This led to almost twice weekly tests for a very pregnant Lina, which was exhausting. However, it seems all concerns about Augustine's internal organs have been resolved. Lord willing, now that the pregnancy is over, Lina can also get some further medical care for her heart issues.
The church has been especially supportive of us during the birth and gave me some paternal leave to support Lina more. Now that I'm back in the office, I'm looking forward to what this new year has for our family of five and the church.
The last trimester was quite difficult for us. Lina had concerning arrhythmia in her heart, and Augustine's ultrasounds initially worried our doctors. This led to almost twice weekly tests for a very pregnant Lina, which was exhausting. However, it seems all concerns about Augustine's internal organs have been resolved. Lord willing, now that the pregnancy is over, Lina can also get some further medical care for her heart issues.
Recording Endeavors
A highlight of this sermon from Romans 9,14-23 was seeing the parallels between this passage and song that Israel sings after crossing the Red Sea. God's rescuing judgement against our foes for our good is for the praise of his glorious grace toward us.
Kai and I undertook to record a few things this fall for our church's ministry as well as outside supporters.
Evangelism
On the evangelism front, we filmed a Christmas message on the meaning of John 3:16, and then we attached it to a Christmas season postcard for our people to hand out. I pray that it served to jumpstart some holiday season evangelism for our people, as we invest in evangelistic relationships this year.
Missed Sermons
Also, due to some recording failures, I missed two sermons in our recording archives this year. One was from my Samuel series, but for Reformation month, I also held a sermon on Romans 9,14-23. This I managed to re-record to an empty room. I found out how difficult it is to preach to an empty room. It is a burden that I would not wish upon my worst enemy! :D
Evangelism
On the evangelism front, we filmed a Christmas message on the meaning of John 3:16, and then we attached it to a Christmas season postcard for our people to hand out. I pray that it served to jumpstart some holiday season evangelism for our people, as we invest in evangelistic relationships this year.
Missed Sermons
Also, due to some recording failures, I missed two sermons in our recording archives this year. One was from my Samuel series, but for Reformation month, I also held a sermon on Romans 9,14-23. This I managed to re-record to an empty room. I found out how difficult it is to preach to an empty room. It is a burden that I would not wish upon my worst enemy! :D
Support Raising in 2024
I am encouraged that this year has brought my family much closer to being fully funded missionaries in our setting. Once we are fully funded, we will begin the transition of seeing our church support my salary more and more as our membership and budget permit. So please pray for additional supporting churches and persons in 2024. This would be a first step in moving to being a self-sufficient ministry here in the Austrian setting.
Likely, we will be in the US this year, but we are unsure when that will be. Managing intercontinental flights for a family of five begins to reduce our mobility.
Kai and I made a video this November about our work and how to support healthy church planting in Austria. If you know of churches or Christians looking for year-end giving prospects, please ask if they would prayerfully consider supporting us! Here is a link for potential supporters to learn about my ministry. (Recently updated) However, you can also personally check out the video we made below as a way of updating as well. (See below)
I am encouraged that this year has brought my family much closer to being fully funded missionaries in our setting. Once we are fully funded, we will begin the transition of seeing our church support my salary more and more as our membership and budget permit. So please pray for additional supporting churches and persons in 2024. This would be a first step in moving to being a self-sufficient ministry here in the Austrian setting.
Likely, we will be in the US this year, but we are unsure when that will be. Managing intercontinental flights for a family of five begins to reduce our mobility.
Kai and I made a video this November about our work and how to support healthy church planting in Austria. If you know of churches or Christians looking for year-end giving prospects, please ask if they would prayerfully consider supporting us! Here is a link for potential supporters to learn about my ministry. (Recently updated) However, you can also personally check out the video we made below as a way of updating as well. (See below)
Cooperating with other Churches
Here's an outline of first E21 "Elders' Day".
Sometimes, I struggle to explain all the ways that Kai and I invest in wider church planting in Austria, but many are interested to know. Generally, our current engagement falls under 3 major headings. (Kai also does other things, but my role in those is minimal)
E21 Call + Ältestentag (Elders' Day)
E21 is an organization that I have mentioned before. For an American audience, you can think of it like TGC's method with T4G's content. Kai serves as one of its board members, and E21's Business Manager, Alex Reindl, is also Austrian. So under the banner of E21, Alex and Kai organized this Elders' Day as a way to connect vocational and bi-vocational (lay-) elders and equip them for the work of equipping others. In our last meeting, we discussed gospel-based work-life balance. We are also thankful for additional funding for this initiative from the ministry of a Presbyterian brother which allows us to also give book gifts for the participants. This gathering also has a tightly knit core group which meets monthly to discuss church ministry and pray for one another.
Ältestenkolleg (Elders College)
Our Elders College had one meeting this fall, and this opportunity sprang up from a need. One church plant in western Austria approached us with the desire to equip their elders in theological and pastoral education. Rather than sending them to Germany, we decided to provide some education for them here instead. We've taught extensively on preaching and biblical theology. In our upcoming session, it will be my turn to teach on congregationalism.
Apprenticeship Program
Our joint venture with New City Wien (a Presbyterian church) is a church-based training for local leaders. Kai and I, together with the Pastors from NCW will be teaching a series of classes for about 22 students. I will teach Church History and Kai will teach an overview of the Old Testament.
E21 Call + Ältestentag (Elders' Day)
E21 is an organization that I have mentioned before. For an American audience, you can think of it like TGC's method with T4G's content. Kai serves as one of its board members, and E21's Business Manager, Alex Reindl, is also Austrian. So under the banner of E21, Alex and Kai organized this Elders' Day as a way to connect vocational and bi-vocational (lay-) elders and equip them for the work of equipping others. In our last meeting, we discussed gospel-based work-life balance. We are also thankful for additional funding for this initiative from the ministry of a Presbyterian brother which allows us to also give book gifts for the participants. This gathering also has a tightly knit core group which meets monthly to discuss church ministry and pray for one another.
Ältestenkolleg (Elders College)
Our Elders College had one meeting this fall, and this opportunity sprang up from a need. One church plant in western Austria approached us with the desire to equip their elders in theological and pastoral education. Rather than sending them to Germany, we decided to provide some education for them here instead. We've taught extensively on preaching and biblical theology. In our upcoming session, it will be my turn to teach on congregationalism.
Apprenticeship Program
Our joint venture with New City Wien (a Presbyterian church) is a church-based training for local leaders. Kai and I, together with the Pastors from NCW will be teaching a series of classes for about 22 students. I will teach Church History and Kai will teach an overview of the Old Testament.
I hope that this letter slides you well into the new year. (That's how we say it in German) Christ be with you.
Your brother in Christ,
Matthew
Your brother in Christ,
Matthew
