Church at the pub

The first Sunday we were in Frankfurt, we decided to worship with a small group of German Christians. The church was called “church in action.” They rent the pub for 2 hours on Sunday evenings. They weren’t used to having children present. The bartender told me my children had to leave the premises promptly at 7 because the pub would revert back to a typical pub – and the regulars would start showing up.
The church members were mostly in their 20s and 30s – about 20 in total. They were a very mission and outreach oriented group, focusing on German outcasts, refugees, and students. The pastor was young and Nazarene seminary trained. He preached in German while the co-pastor interpreted. He preached a simple, yet convicting sermon from Acts 10. The gist of his message was that the mission to reach the lost was God’s mission. God is doing the work effectively whether we can see much fruit or not. God is already working in the places he’s called us to serve. We can’t go somewhere God isn’t. Be faithful in proclaiming the gospel. Be reliant on God’s strength and his Spirit’s guidance. Keep showing up. Keep on trusting that God will do the work that he said he would do.
A few of the “regulars” showed up as the service was concluding. We decided to continue our fellowship at an Italian restaurant. We had a wonderful time with these believers. They were a huge encouragement to me.