“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Col 1:28, NIV)
Changes in the CBM Germany Team
CBM currently has 3 mission stations in Germany: Göttingen, Kassel, and Marburg. Beginning in July this year, Pastor Yuanchuan Ye and Ming Gao will conclude their mission work in Germany and transition to their ministry in Spain. Meanwhile, Pastor Philipp Fröhlich and Xiaodan Gang will go to China for 6 months of intensive Mandarin study to better prepare for long-term ministry among Chinese communities.
As a result, in the second half of the year, in addition to continuing our pastoral responsibilities in Göttingen, we also need to support the ministries in Kassel and Marburg. Because of the spiritual friendship built over the past decade, the Kassel fellowship has agreed to join the Göttingen church for combined Sunday worship twice a month. On another Sunday, we will travel to Kassel to preach, and on the remaining service, missionaries from other regions will assist. In Marburg, where there are normally 2 Chinese worship services each month, we will take on preaching for one of the services and help shepherd the family group.
We are grateful for the trust and partnership of the brothers and sisters, yet we also deeply feel the challenges caused by the shortage of pastoral workers in the mission field. We earnestly ask for your continued prayers – that the Lord would grant us wisdom, strength, and sufficient grace, and that believers in all 3 locations would remain united during this transition. Pray that God would raise more workers – whether through the dedication of local believers or the recruitment of new missionaries – to carry on the gospel mission and shepherd his flock.
God’s Grace in Gospel Opportunities in Göttingen
About 90% of our believers are introverted. Yet last year, we encouraged everyone to step out in faith and become “E-people” – Evangelists – taking the initiative to reach out to non-believers. We thank God that He continues to bring seekers into our midst. Some seekers have even invited their friends to Bible studies and outreach events.
Below are reflections shared by several seekers in the small groups:
“I’ve been coming to church for less than two months, but I’ve already attended worship and Bible study many times. I feel this is a community filled with love and unity. Friends from different backgrounds, perspectives, and positions can gather to explore God’s Word and learn His truth. I see how brothers and sisters serve together and offer themselves to God. Here, I experience a sincere pursuit of intellectual and spiritual growth.”- “I like the open and friendly atmosphere of the fellowship. Everyone can learn & share freely.”
- “I joined Bible study and worship not only because Christians invited me, but also because my (non-Christian) father encouraged me. He has positive comments on overseas Chinese Christians and urged me to make friends at church. Brothers and sisters often invite me to meals and gatherings, and I feel the warmth of a family. I also want to serve in ways I can to express my gratitude.”
- “The Bible study group is very welcoming. I was worried at first because I’m not familiar with religion or European history. But everyone listens to my questions and responds patiently. I’ve gained so much and look forward to every session.”
Each person’s faith journey is different – some come to Christ within months, while others search for years. Yet we are grateful to see both believers and seekers willing to share their lives and struggles openly. This atmosphere of acceptance, friendship, and companionship is a grace built over many years, and we hope it will continue to shape our church’s spiritual culture. In May this year, a student decided to follow Christ. Please pray that the Spirit will lead this new sister to a full understanding of the gospel and help her grow deeply rooted in God’s Word.
Meditation Group: Encountering God in Stillness
Our meditation groups have completed their second year of the 8‑month spiritual formation journey. The family group meets once a month in our home, while the student group gathers bi‑weekly in a university study room. Through Scripture meditation, sharing, and intercession, we practice what it means to “find strength in quietness and trust.” Below are reflections from several students:
From Fear to Being Loved (Identity Renewed)
- “This year in the meditation group felt like being gently brought back to the Lord again and again. I began to see that weakness is not rejection but the very place where grace meets me. Fear is no longer only darkness – because there, I feel His hand holding me so I can still stand. God reminded me of the Father who has always been waiting, with the feast already prepared. I struggled to believe I could be accepted so simply or receive the abundance already given. I also saw how, though I belong to Christ, I still cling to the ‘pigpen’ of comfort and hesitate to fly by faith. Through meditation, I learned not to despise what God has given and to remember that I am His beloved child, called to walk forward with courage. This practice helped me recognize my small faith and, even more, the Lord who waits, calls, provides, and renews. Even if we may not always have a formal meditation group, our pastor has taught us a precious way of life: quieting our hearts, listening slowly to God’s voice, and being honest before Him. Thank you for giving us a space to share our weaknesses and build one another up. I believe we have all grown this year – perhaps unevenly, in different directions – but the Lord knows, and our pastors see it too.”
From Performance to Joyful Freedom (Life Released)
- “The meditation group accompanied me through writing my thesis and job searching. It exposed long‑standing patterns in me: high standards, harsh self‑expectations, and a strong results‑driven mindset. I tend to put problems under a microscope, constantly searching for solutions, making it hard to relax or surrender. In meditation, God repeatedly reminded me: He loves me, He wants me to relax, and He invites me to choose joy. While meditating on Psalm 1, the image of the tree by streams of water shifted: the branches stretched out and joyfully splashed in the water. God invited me: have fun. I cried, realizing how long it had been since I felt the freedom of release. Shaped by an exam‑driven upbringing, I had internalized “efficiency first, joy later.” As I practiced letting go of purposefulness, I began inviting people to meals, chatting more, and adding games and fun into outreach – things I once dismissed as “pointless.” The truth is, I had been bound by perfectionism and the pursuit of results. God’s first lesson for me was this: relaxation and joy matter. Meditation also broke many misconceptions. I once thought spiritual friendship required similar spiritual states, backgrounds, or callings. But true fellowship can happen among people who differ in personality, background, and life stage, when we choose to listen, pray, and bear with one another in Christ.”
From Busyness to Hearing God (Spiritual Discipline)
- “In the meditation group, sitting around the table with our pastor and brothers and sisters felt like Mary at Jesus’ feet – laying down burdens and receiving God’s unique word for me in that moment. Meditation helps me pause and reflect on God’s Word and my relationship with Him. Even long‑time believers need continual renewal. What is God saying to me today? Given my current spiritual condition, what light, encouragement, or hope does His Word bring? As a brother, the most moving moment for me was hearing the Lord say, ‘I love you.’ This joy far surpasses any affirmation people can give. During sharing time, we listen to one another, pray for one another, and speak honestly about the trials of discipleship and the joy of renewal. Meditation trains us to grow together as a community. It is both a path of grace – where God’s Word reshapes us – and a journey of faith, where we learn to live out the new life of God’s kingdom together.”
Ministry Updates & Prayer Requests
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“Quiet Time 100” Two‑Year Bible Reading Plan. The two‑year reading plan launched last September continues steadily and has now reached the Book of Job. Through active participation and word‑of‑mouth, believers who have moved away have rejoined the German cohort. Our group now includes participants from Göttingen, Kassel, Marburg, Clausthal, Würzburg, Austria, Spain, and the Czech Republic. New and mature believers alike remain committed to daily reading, weekly online teaching, and small‑group discussions, growing together across regions in God’s Word.
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Lunar New Year Dumpling Outreach (2/15). Around 80 people attended. Through making dumplings and sharing hometown dishes, newcomers experienced both festive warmth and the church’s genuine hospitality.
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Team Building Retreat (3/28). Fifteen core leaders – including ministry leaders, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, and serving helpers – spent a day retreating before God, exploring personal gifts, and strengthening teamwork. We thank the Lord for a humble, teachable, and united team.
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German-Wide Chinese Discipleship Camp (4/2-6). The camp gathered about 300 adults, 70 children and youth, and 150 German‑speaking young people. We helped with planning and workshops while also caring for and shepherding believers from various regions. With frequent transitions among students, young professionals, and families, this nationwide gathering helps strengthen pastoral networks amid limited ministry resources.
