Trustees: Dave Pierson, Judy Palpant, Rob Burns, Kathy Crosby, Byron Marshall, Fred Lupton, & Donald Norman

This past Friday, the AMI Board came from four different states on the east and west coasts to gather in Fresno, CA.  The trustees met to pray and strategize for the ministry.  It was a deeply encouraging time for visioning how to continue walking alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in re-reaching and re-engaging European and western cultures with the good news of Jesus Christ.  For more stories of our Trustees, click HERE.

Alongsiders and their families gather in the train station in Strasbourg, France

One Alongsider reflected: “That was a WONDERFUL Gathering! Thank you to all who have been praying and to all who made it possible. We had a great time and I can say I feel so refreshed – something I sorely needed!”

Alongsiders are involved in front-line ministry and cross-cultural missions seven days a week.  They count it all joy to spend themselves for the gospel, but spend themselves they do.  One of the missions of Alongside Ministries is to care for Alongsiders and one of the ways we help fill their spiritual and emotional tanks is through our biennial Gathering of the Alongside clan.

Imagine a week in which all your physical needs are met.  Local chefs prepare three healthy squares a day.  Three multinational young people care for the fifteen children.  The only responsibility you have is your shift to help do the dishes.  Each morning spiritual director and AMI Board Trustee Kathy Crosby leads you in lectio divino flowing into worship and prayer.  Then follow personal sharing and prayer for individual members, their families and their ministries in small groups.  Each evening Alongsiders from different countries share about their countries and the needs and concerns and praises for that country.  The evening prayer is for those countries.  In the afternoon, there are long walks and talks with friends who really understand what you are experiencing, because they are also.

Alongsider Marathoners (check out their medals for finishing the whole 26.2 mile race!)

The Cloyd family hosted the Gathering of Alongsiders, their families, and Alongside Board members.  The event began with three Alongsiders competing in the Paris marathon.  What a metaphor!  Missions and ministry are not a sprint, but a distance race of living the gospel in a cross-cultural setting.  Then the clan convened in Waldersbach, in the northeastern Alsace region of France for a rich and regenerating week of worship, prayer and coming alongside each other in their lives and ministries, plus a delightful tourist run to historic Strasbourg, France.  It was a week of refreshment for families and personal renewal for individuals.

A thoughtful Alongsider summarized: “The Gathering was a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. It was amazing to hear stories of what God is doing throughout Europe.  We left encouraged to do two important things:

1. Pray…prayers from Acts, prayers that are bold and prayers that seek to bring the power of God’s Kingdom into our world in a greater way, prayers for the harvest, prayers to combat the darkness in Europe, and prayers for the strength to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of God.
2.  Keep the faith…we are called to live by faith.  The task to which God has called us is so big that it can only be done by Him.  And we can only be a part of it if we have the faith to risk it all!”

Princesses from across Europe at Alongside Gathering!

Sunday, April 7^th – Alongsiders will compete in the Paris Marathon

‘Alongside’ takes on a whole different meaning when there are nearly 50,000 people sharing the roadway with you!  Alongside Ministries is beginning its biennial European Gathering by cheering on its own – Cheryl, Doni and Matt – as they run the Paris Marathon, Sunday, April 7^th.

Following the Paris Marathon, the European Gathering will be a week-long reunion of Alongsiders and board members for rest, reflection, spiritual and personal growth as they share stories of God’s grace and faithfulness in the midst ministry struggles and victories.  There will be prayer, spiritual nourishment, and mutual encouragement. In light of the Marathon, the theme verse for the Gathering is from Isaiah 40:31: ”Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.”

Summer Bible Camp – Estonia Style

Estonia is one of four non-religious countries in the world (according to Operation World).  How does Alongside Ministries respond?  By sending a short-term team this summer to work with and support long-term Alongsider Matt Edminster and the budding church in the small city of Rapla.  Imagine working alongside and sharing outreach with the youth group of the Rapla Church, as they reach out to the towns around them.  What an encouragement this team will be for Rapla’s young believers!

Read the invitation for project details and to learn more about joining the team – click HERE.  Apply by requesting an application from office@alongside.org.

Snow graced the valley of Ersekë and its surrounding mountains for several days.

Alongside Ministries has supported Torchbearers in Albania since its inception in 2001.  Alongsiders Mark & Ruthie Stoscher and Doni & Gail Lilo serve on its staff.  Various Alongside Ministries staff and friends have taught there over the years. To learn more about Torchbearers or to apply, click HERE.

Bob Osborne, Mark Stoscher, Steve Jaurena dance into Albania 1992

As I walk the streets of Erseka and talk to friends and acquaintances and members of our church, one theme is on everyone’s lips: the impact on our city by the man known by everyone as ‘Bobi.’  Dozens of people have stopped me over the past two weeks to tell me what Bob Osborne has meant to them.

The guard at the bank: “Seven years ago I was in difficult straights.  I bought a sack of flour so our family could make bread.  I borrowed a wheelbarrow to bring it home.  Bob stopped and together we loaded the sack into his car and he drove me home.  I’ll never forget his care and friendship.”  Bob’s acts of kindness and his love for people – the time he took to stop and listen; to share and serve – is one of the most profound displays of the gospel that I have ever witnessed.

Two of the main doctors at our local hospital shared at the memorial service how at key junctures in their lives they went to Bob and Linda for advice and prayer.  “They are truly parents for us,” they said. The stories at the memorial service were a tribute to how Bob had so often been a father to the fatherless.

After the service the mayor asked to meet me.  We met for over an hour.  With tears in his eyes he told me of Bob’s impact on the city.  He plans to work with the local city council to have one of the main streets named in Bob and Linda’s honor.

Bob believed in the people of our church and the students in the Bible School.  Blind Niko, one of our church leaders, learned to toss horseshoes, go bowling and drive bumper cars under Bob’s tutelage.  Once when someone else took over for Bob momentarily, Niko’s bowling ball went dangerously sailing into the next alley!

One of the greatest gifts God has given us over the past 19 years of living in Albania is the friendship and love of Bob and Linda Osborne.  Since both our parents live in the States, Bob and Linda have been like second parents for us and grandparents for our children.  Seven to eight months of the year, we were able to spend a lot of special times together.  Sunday lunch became a family tradition.  We often shared Christmas as a family.  The impact on our children from Bob and Linda was like no other.  Here are a few of their remembrances:

Abi (17): Uncle Bob made me feel so special.  He appreciated anything I did for him, no matter how small. One year I crocheted him a green hat for Christmas, and he wore it all the time.  He would look at me with a twinkle in his eye and say, “I look so sharp in my hat!”

Beka (14): I loved the time he taught us soap carving.  He always made time to do things like that.  Uncle Bob was always so fun and encouraging.  He would compliment me on my playing of the cajon box-drum in church, calling me “drummer girl.”

Jamie (12): We called Uncle Bob “The Postcard King.”  The postcards he sent us were always so unique and we would laugh as we worked together to figure out what he was saying. I will also miss talking to him about football!

Stephen (10): I really liked how Uncle Bob always gave funny presents – like giving Beka a ball pump on New Year’s. He gave mom a beach bag one time with the note: “Take a break and go find a beach!”  We all loved playing games with him too.

There are so many things we could say about Bob.  How he never demanded attention but always gave it; how he always had time for people; how he added value to everyone he met; how he always noticed things and gave sincere compliments; how he remembered the little details that mattered in so many peoples’ lives.

The Apostle Paul says Acts 20:24:  “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”  Bob finished his race following the marching orders from his God.  He knew the risks of living in Albania due to his age and health, but loved his calling and brought his big heart each year.  He testified to the gospel of God’s grace in his life right through his last week.  Linda’s resolve of returning to continue the task the Lord has given them is a shining light – it is the gospel of the Lord Jesus in Albania.

Societies which formerly embraced the Gospel and contrib­uted to the rise of global Christianity are now working hard to forget it. Europe is experiencing the ongoing collapse of historic church institutions along with the challenges of new immigration and increasingly disparate world views. This raises new questions about what constitutes “reached” or “unreached” people groups. A recent social survey revealed that more than 60% of Czechs, more than 50% of the French, British and Belgians, and almost exactly 50% of the Dutch say they never attend a religious service. Despite a long and powerful Christian heritage, many Europeans have never heard the Good News about Jesus Christ.

The Czech Republic is an example of the opportunities and challenges faced by Christ-followers who strive to see the Kingdom of God expand in Europe today….

Continue reading about re-reaching Europe with Gospel, as well as News from our Alongsiders, in our latest Voices of Praise and Prayer.  Click HERE for the full newsletter in pdf format.

On November 17, on occasion of 104^th anniversary of the adoption of the Albanian alphabet, we held a concert in Bitola (Monastir) Macedonia for the ethnic Albanian community there. More than 500 people came to celebrate the growing culture of Bitola. There were songs, poems, and folk dances. I spoke about the role that Albanian Protestants played in forming of the Albanian alphabet in order to share the Gospel in the Albanian language.

Saimir Braho, a well-known Albanian Christian singer, shared his testimony clearly and powerfully. Muslims in Macedonia are more traditional than Muslims in Albania, so the reaction of the people really was amazing. They applauded many times even at the name of Jesus. Your prayers brought this positive response. I felt the power of your prayers; I myself felt as if I was “flying” in the power of the Spirit. Thank you for your prayers and support.

At the event, 26 intellectuals shared the truth of our believing in Jesus. We offered an invitation to receive Jesus and shared 240 books describing the role of Protestants in Albania. Pray that the seed of the gospel will be sown and will grow in the hearts of people as they read this book.

With the intellectuals of the town, we hosted a discussion of this same book we had shared. Pray for them that the Lord will open their hearts to receive Jesus.

Respectfully in Christ,

Arjan Larashi

The mission focused on sharing the Gospel with Albanians who are emigrants to Berea, with Greeks in the city, as well as with ethnic Albanians from Thessaloniki and Katerini, Greece.  Pastor Arjan’s subject was “The Personal Relationship with God.”

The leadership team from Bilisht included Arjan, his wife, Mimoza, and two other members of the Bilishti church, Rujka, and Mira.

The team invites our prayers for the follow-up and impact of this ministry in Berea as well as for the growth of the church there.

Settling back home in Texas, I thank you for your prayers and support for my ministry this summer in Kundra, Estonia.  I praise and thank God for His faithfulness and goodness to me while I ministered in Estonia!!

When I arrived in Estonia, I thought I would be preaching in churches and teaching in the church in Kunda (the small village where I lived) and working the English and Children’s Camps. These were not the most fruitful areas of ministry; rather the fruitful part of this summer was unlooked for and unplanned.

It was the ministry of encouragement to Janek and Rebekka Puusepp, the young pastor and his wife with whom I lived while in Estonia.  Their ministry to plant a church in Kunda was difficult on several different levels.  A year ago, the Puusepps uprooted their family of two boys and moved to Kunda where they were strangers.  This was a dramatic change in lifestyle because church planters don’t make much in Estonia (neither do pastors). Rebekka is a nurse and works in Finland to help make ends meet.  She leaves home and works for 8-10 days, then returns home for about a week before returning to Finland.  This kind of separation is one of the hardest things they have to endure for the sake of the gospel.

The Puusepps gave up a nice home surrounded by family and friends to go to Kunda, a very depressed village with high unemployment, poor schools, alcoholism, and drug use. Kunda also has a very high population of Russian speakers.  Many of the Russians were unhappy when Estonia was liberated from the Soviet Union in the early 90’s.  The language and other cultural barriers between Estonians and Russians present hurdles for the ministry.

Another challenge Janek and Rebekka Puusepp face is a lack of workers for the ministry, a common problem in Estonian church plants.  A church wanting to start a new work often recruits a single couple. Because resources are scarce, there is not much help available to them, and many couples leave the ministry after a few years.  Often the new people who start coming to the church are elderly and feel incapable of doing much, especially with the children’s and youth ministries so vital to the future growth of the church. Church planting is hard work, especially when you are trying to do it alone.

Janek and Rebekka were discouraged, tired and wondered if they needed to “move on.”  It broke my heart because Janek is so well suited to this kind of ministry.  He is a warm, welcoming and easy to talk to. He does a great job of caring for and shepherding people. Rebekka has a wonderful relationship with the ladies in the church—when she is able to be with them.

So, my ministry was to listen.  I did what I could to encourage Janek and Rebekka and point out the really excellent work they had done.  I shared with them that I sensed the Lord working through them.  I offered practical solutions to some obstacles concerning recruiting and manpower. I provided a sounding board for new ideas for the ministry. I helped Janek think through strategies for doing discipleship and for involving others in the work of the ministry.

I am most excited about the final meeting we had with the Carmel Church (parent church) that supports Janek and Rebekka.  I am amazed how the Lord prepared their hearts to receive my report.  I had the opportunity to express the need for a team of people—families—to do the ministry in Kunda. We talked about ways to recruit families from their church, how to do a 6-week campaign to highlight the importance of planting a church, and to inspire families to join God as He changes Kunda from a place of darkness into light!

I have spoken to Janek several times, via Skype, since I arrived home.  I am excited to report that the Carmel Church is really working hard on recruiting families and getting Janek and Rebekka the help they need to continue the work in Kunda.  God has even moved in the hearts of some of Kunda’s older people to begin going with Janek as he visits the poor and the sick in this little town. Janek and Rebekka are very encouraged! God is moving in Kunda and it is a privilege to have been part of it! Praise the Lord!

On the recommendation of Carmel Church, the Baptist Union in Estonia has invited me to return to conduct regional short courses for bi-vocational pastors who do not have the opportunity to attend seminary.  Pray for the Lord’s leading and provision in this area.  God bless you again for your prayers and support!