While We're In Berlin
There will be no typical Cross Point during the 11/26-12/17/23 timeframe while Rexanne and I are in Berlin, Germany running the Connections Library that is part of Open Door Libraries ministry. What we encourage during that time is to follow our experiences by checking out my blog, and/or by visiting my Facebook page for postings. I plan to post something to my blog once a week, and I’ll have postings on Facebook many (but possibly not all) days.
My blog site: rickwilliswrites.wordpress.com
It is titled Vetus Via (Latin for “the old path”), and postings for this trip will be subtitled Aus Berlin (German for “from Berlin”). This will depend on our routine, but I hope to post to the blog on Tuesdays. If you go to the site and like or follow my blog, you will be notified when a new posting occurs.
For those unfamiliar with Open Door Libraries, a little history. The ministry began during the time of the Iron Curtain, with restricted access to countries controlled by the U.S.S.R. Willard Black, who went to college at Ozark Christian in Joplin, started the Institute for Christian Resources (ICR). They smuggled Bibles and Christian literature into these soviet bloc countries. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989 he prayed and gained a vision for ICR to evolve into Christian libraries, where Bibles and Christian literature could still be available, and where relationships could be formed. This was needed because in many of these countries the people had soured on the church. Cooperation with the Nazi’s and then control by the Soviet Union, along with a long history of Christian decline, had people unwilling to attend church.
But these same people would go into a library. They still had a hunger for God, for spiritual things, and the libraries provided a neutral space where seekers could seek without the trappings of the traditional church. The first library was created in Prague, Czech Republic. Jim and Laurie Barnes were the directors there from the beginning. Then libraries were formed in Berlin, Germany and in Budapest, Hungary. The library in Budapest eventually closed. There is also a library in a non-former USSR country. And most recently one started in Sacramento, CA for the large immigrant population there.
Larry and Teri Lewis are directors of the Berlin library. We have visited all the locations. In 2021 we had the opportunity to run the Prague library (Crossroads) while Jim and Laurie came back to the states. We were there 6 weeks. Now we can do similar work with the Berlin library (Connections). We will be there 3 ½ weeks. We have yet to see what our experience will yield in Berlin, but we know from being in Prague that the benefits of these libraries go well beyond the books provided. The library is truly a connecting place and crossroad for local pastors (with resources), for missionaries (again with resources), small groups and small churches meet there, and seekers can come into this “safe place” to explore the tenets of Christianity. Programs for children are provided.
One example of what can happen. While we were in Prague we continued to meet with Viktor, who had sessions with Jim each week to practice English. After we were gone these sessions continued, and Jim and Viktor talked about faith in Christ, with many topics, and eventually Viktor was baptized into Christ!
So, please support us with your prayers, for safety, for health, and for some good work to be done while we are in Berlin, Germany. Auf Wiedersehen, bis wir uns wiedersehen, so Gott will (Goodbye, until we meet again, Lord willing).
Cross Point: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Philippians 4:23
My blog site: rickwilliswrites.wordpress.com
It is titled Vetus Via (Latin for “the old path”), and postings for this trip will be subtitled Aus Berlin (German for “from Berlin”). This will depend on our routine, but I hope to post to the blog on Tuesdays. If you go to the site and like or follow my blog, you will be notified when a new posting occurs.
For those unfamiliar with Open Door Libraries, a little history. The ministry began during the time of the Iron Curtain, with restricted access to countries controlled by the U.S.S.R. Willard Black, who went to college at Ozark Christian in Joplin, started the Institute for Christian Resources (ICR). They smuggled Bibles and Christian literature into these soviet bloc countries. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989 he prayed and gained a vision for ICR to evolve into Christian libraries, where Bibles and Christian literature could still be available, and where relationships could be formed. This was needed because in many of these countries the people had soured on the church. Cooperation with the Nazi’s and then control by the Soviet Union, along with a long history of Christian decline, had people unwilling to attend church.
But these same people would go into a library. They still had a hunger for God, for spiritual things, and the libraries provided a neutral space where seekers could seek without the trappings of the traditional church. The first library was created in Prague, Czech Republic. Jim and Laurie Barnes were the directors there from the beginning. Then libraries were formed in Berlin, Germany and in Budapest, Hungary. The library in Budapest eventually closed. There is also a library in a non-former USSR country. And most recently one started in Sacramento, CA for the large immigrant population there.
Larry and Teri Lewis are directors of the Berlin library. We have visited all the locations. In 2021 we had the opportunity to run the Prague library (Crossroads) while Jim and Laurie came back to the states. We were there 6 weeks. Now we can do similar work with the Berlin library (Connections). We will be there 3 ½ weeks. We have yet to see what our experience will yield in Berlin, but we know from being in Prague that the benefits of these libraries go well beyond the books provided. The library is truly a connecting place and crossroad for local pastors (with resources), for missionaries (again with resources), small groups and small churches meet there, and seekers can come into this “safe place” to explore the tenets of Christianity. Programs for children are provided.
One example of what can happen. While we were in Prague we continued to meet with Viktor, who had sessions with Jim each week to practice English. After we were gone these sessions continued, and Jim and Viktor talked about faith in Christ, with many topics, and eventually Viktor was baptized into Christ!
So, please support us with your prayers, for safety, for health, and for some good work to be done while we are in Berlin, Germany. Auf Wiedersehen, bis wir uns wiedersehen, so Gott will (Goodbye, until we meet again, Lord willing).
Cross Point: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Philippians 4:23
Posted in Cross Points