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Showing posts from March, 2023

Winter 2023: USA Ministry

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USA Ministry Update  Summit for the Nations On March 10 & 11, Bob attended a Summit for the Nations, hosted by Converge International Ministries in suburban Green Bay, Wisconsin. Summit for the Nations is a gathering of US church leaders to help introduce and update their awareness of the global work of Converge. The event was held at Journey Community Church in De Pere. Pastor Mark Schmechel is a long-time friend, and our church plant in Mayville, Wisconsin was an early supporter of pastor Mark when he and his family were church planting their 20+ years ago! It was great to be able to see how God has blessed that work, and to gather with many old friends - pastors and missions team members from churches all across the Great Lakes District of Converge.  Bob gave an overview of the Europe and Mediterranean Region - the four initiatives (Great Sea, Nordic/Baltic/ Slavic West/ UK & Ireland) that are part of the Region, as well as our own Impact Team ministry. He was blessed to hav

Winter 2023: NORTH AFRICA

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EGYPT AND TUNISIA TRIP We had the amazing opportunity to travel to Egypt and Tunisia from February 15 through March 1.  We were able to witness the current ministry of one of our team members, and to introduce a new team member to his new work. EGYPT Egypt maintains the largest Christian population of any Arab nation. The Egyptian people have had an impact on Christianity from the earliest days of the church, tracing their first contact to the Apostle Mark shortly after the resurrection. By the third century, Alexandria served as a major center of Christian education and influence. Today the Coptic church makes up about 10% of the total population of the nation, and protestant churches of various denominations. While Christianity is officially recognized, believers face varying degrees of discrimination and restrictive government policies. Opportunities for education, jobs, and advancement are limited. As a result, many Christians are counted among the poorest and most underserved in t

Winter 2023: UKRAINE UPDATE

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UKRAINE WEEK IN DC  Bob was invited to attend Ukraine Week in DC from February 1-4. It was the second year Bob has attended this event, which is coordinated around the US Congressional National Prayer Breakfast. The event gathers Ukrainian and American leaders in ministry, government, and business for a week of prayer,  discussion, and planning for the future. It was held at various venues around the US Capitol city, including the Ukraine House, The Bible Museum, The Washington Hilton Hotel, and The Capitol Hill Club.    For Bob, it was a great time of reconnecting with ministry leaders from the Ukrainian church, and networking with other ministries who work and serve there. After a year of zoom calls and forced distance, it was wonderful to warmly embrace national leaders, such as former Ukrainian Parliament Member Pavel Unguryan, and Snr. Vice President of the Baptist Union of Ukraine, Igor Bandura, along with regional leaders Ivan Kunderenko and Viktor Puhach.    A special honor for