Mission-Possible: Miracle in Nürnberg

The Very First U-Nite Campus Meeting in Nürnberg

More and more I am convinced that Germany is a miracle waiting to happen. Or, well, it's more like a miracle happening. An unfolding. A living organism. A seed that's fallen to the ground, died, and is now beginning to sprout out of the ground. A visible revelation of God's restorative plan for the nations--a people called to shake the earth with the testimony of His great Glory. Yes, there's darkness. A LOT of darkness. But where there's the greatest evil, God shines His brightest light. And the darkness cannot withstand the light.

You can see the miracles happening through sport, for instance. Soccer, to be specific. Or, football, as it is called here. It wasn't long after I arrived to the German-speaking world that people began to ask me, 'have you seen the film, Wunder von Bern?" (Miracle in Bern). Huh? Uh no. What's it about? Oh, soccer, right, of course. Well to watch it is to see a little miracle at hand. Actually, take the power of our American movie, Miracle, about our Hockey team's victory in the 1980 Olympics, and times that by 10 in terms of national identity. For Germany, the story of their football team rising to victory in Bern, Switzerland in 1954--rising from the ashes of a lost war, a lost identity, a depression, and international shame--is nothing less than food for the soul. Their victory in 1954 said, 'there is hope.'

Fast forward to only a few months ago. The World Cup. I wish you could have seen all of the media coverage. Never has there been a happier, more willing host for the nations. And the games. With each play, each victory, Germany's hope grew. For the first time people went to the streets, waiving German flags, banding together, willingly identifying themselves with a national identity that they could be proud of. And even though they lost to the Italians, the grace they displayed as a team, as a nation, once again fed their soul. Their success in hosting the World Cup, and playing so well, displaying courage as well as character, proclaimed this miracle . . . 'We are a nation . . .'

One nation. A nation that has gained so much through its achievements in soccer. But now the miracles must shift, for the question has gone from one of national identity to a national identity that is found under whom? Each nation has its choice of whom it will serve, and I believe that the fight is on over Germany. God wants the glory. Of course, this fight has always been going on. But now, I believe is its chance. And not only its chance . . . I believe that it is its destiny--a destiny in which this country will choose to rally not behind a sport (recently there were people in the public square actually bowing down to the gods of soccer), rather behind the ultimate reality of Jesus Christ. It is Germany's chance, and it is coming to pass . . .

. . . evidenced by what I observed this past weekend. I had the privilege of visiting our church in Nürnberg, Germany, where I got to experience two miracles--simply put: our Every Nation church there, as well as our new campus ministry.

Our church, pastored by Pastor Harald and Bärbel Konschewitz, is really a profound work of God in the nation of Germany. Located in the city that was the first to receive the reformation; the city where Hitler had his youth rallies, populated by thousands of young people from all over the country; a city that hosted and meated out justice through the Nürnberg Trials after WWII; a city that is known as the eyes and ears of Germany; a city that has never had a church grow beyond the 300+ membership mark, our church stands as a beacon, a lightouse, calling all men to God. This church, working in connection with the other great, but few, churches in the city, is driven by a passion to serve not as a thermometer, but a thermostat--not merely calculating, but determining the direction in which the city and the nation will go. And it's doing just that. Through their Sunday service and a church meeting afterwards, not to mention many incredible conversations, I was able to experience first-hand their heart to see people come into a life-changing realtionship with Jesus Christ. Not just their heart, but the reality of it. Miracles are happening. For example, two people have been supernaturally healed of hepatitus C. Marriages have been restored. People saved and freed from addictions. God is absolutely moving through this church.

And He is absolutely moving through their new Every Nation Campus Ministry. You may remember that a year ago, this group was started both through the help of our team in Innsbruck, as well as through the leadership of Lenny Konschewitz. Well, since that time, things have grown incredibly! From a small but foundationl student meeting every Sunday evening to the creation of an amazing U-Band this summer/fall, and on to a monthly evangelistic campus meeting, U-Nite, started in November, this group has surpassed all the statistics! 51 people showed up to their very first U-Nite--a huge success! And not only are many young people attending the meetings, but lives are being changed through Jesus Christ! His presence is tangible and people are being impacted! And this is only the beginning!

So, with these two miracles--the church, as well as the campus ministry--working in connection with what God is doing through the other ministries in Nürnberg, there is no doubt in my mind that God is shining a light into the very heart of Germany and that we will see not just miracles, but, The Miracle in Nürnberg (guess they'll have to make a movie out of it!). This miracle will, in essence, be the speaking God's creative Word that will create for Germany a national identity defined not by what it does, but by whom it serves--Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.

If God lays it on your heart, you can be praying for what God is doing in Nürnberg:
1. For Him to continue to strengthen, protect, and be ever-present with the pastors of the church--the Konschewitz family
2. For wisdom and continued growth
3. For increased influence in the culture
4. For financial provision
5. For more laborers for the harvest (in this moment, they have no full-time staff)
6. For the jugendgruppe (or U-Nite, campus ministry)