"So, what are your plans now?"
After much prayer, processing and consulting with Serve Leadership,
we feel that God is leading us to join the Serve team in Vienna, Austria. We are currently pressing forward in this endeavor.
For the next 2 months or so, we will be in the States, studying the German language and receiving other important training through Serve, International. We will return to Vienna in August to continue culture and language study in-country and learn more about ministry opportunities. Then God willing, we will pass a required German language exam and apply for a resident Visa on January 1st.
While we're here, we'd like to see YOU! Please let us know if your busy summer schedule has an opening for a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea! We are staying near Denton, and would love to have you over, or we can meet you somewhere. (Zera's, Paris Coffee Co., 7-11?)
click here to email us!"Why Austria?"
We are excited about the great potential for the gospel that this relocation provides. We have been serving already in some of the areas within the scope of the Vienna team (ex: Croatia, Bulgaria) and will seek to continue these efforts from Vienna. The largest
refuge center in Europe is located just outside Vienna and there is continual opportunity to serve there among the refuges from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In addition, there is a great need in the post-Christian environment of Central Europe for evangelism, as well as discipleship training among the local body of Christ! The more we learn about the potential to share the love of Christ in Austria and Central Europe, the more compelled we are to begin serving there.
Evangelical Christians number less than 3% of the population of Austria and 1% of Vienna. No single evangelical denomination has sufficient numbers to be officially recognized by the Austrian government
yet. Vienna's beautiful churches, artwork and statues serve as reminders of the country's rich Christian history. But, as one missionary reflected, the faith has been lost
"but the furniture still remains." Statistics report that over 50,000 members leave the predominant church yearly. An increasing sense of individualism contributes to a culture in need of personal relationships with God.
Vienna is known as the "
Gateway to the Orthodox World." Since the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, numerous nationalities from across the European Union make their home in Vienna. This multicultural environment brings many challenges and opportunities to shine the light of Jesus Christ.
God is opening many doors and the new team leaders, Tim and Lori Ford, arrived in Vienna this week to begin full-time ministry. Please pray for them and the team as they serve and evaluate the many needs and opportunities to grow God's kingdom.
Speaking of
"team," we learned to value this concept while living in Romania without a local American team. Although we enjoyed sweet fellowship with many good friends, plus wonderful support from YOU at home, serving together in community with a team, striving toward the same goals, is something we look forward to tremendously.
The Vienna team currently "on the ground" includes our dear friends:
Russ Clowdus and his beautiful family
Matt and Liz Eck, plus their little daughter, Naomi
Kasey Krominga
Adam Spencer
Tim and Lori Ford
To learn more about the Central and Eastern European team, click here:
Serve Central Europe Team 
Jim and Brenda
