This is a letter that I have waited to write, but I feel now is the time. One aspect of ministry that I look forward to in Germany is something that I am able to do here in the States. This is something that I have the wonderful privilege of currently doing and have been doing since the Fall of 2008. That is youth ministry. I have been able to watch the same group of guys turn from immature 4th graders to mature 10th graders. This maturity is more than just mental maturity, but also a spiritual maturity. I am thankful that God has allowed me to do this for so many years and thankful that He will allow me to do so in the future.
How this will look in the context of Germany will be much different. While I do anticipate joining together with a local church, I hopefully will be able to minister outside of that context. I personally believe that the teenage years are a great time to share the truth of the Gospel, as they are at a prime time in their life seeking truth and the decisions that they make now will determine their future. This task will be a hard one, as most German teenagers see church as boring, for the older generation, and they see no need for God in their life now that we are living in 21st Century.
At the beginning of the month I took part in an English as a Second Language Teacher Training Class. This will give me another opportunity to work with teenagers, as most German teens begin to learn English at about the age of 11-12. The doors for doing ministry among teenagers is plentiful if you open your eyes to their needs and are willing to come alongside them in their life.
I continue to invite you to prayerfully consider becoming a partner in ministry during this journey in Germany. Please pray for understanding on the necessary Visa that will be needed for me to legally live in Germany.
If you are willing to donate monthly, please begin to do so at www.pioneers.org. My account number is 112086. Even the smallest monthly donation helps!
In Christ,
Tyler A. Bowman
