In Touch – June 2019

Silas BuchwaldYear 2019

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Dear Friends of EuNC,
Summer has started, temperatures are on fire and people are trying to stay cool. Even though this also means that it is vacation time for many and the academic year is over, we as EuNC continue with our ministry. Lifelong learning and transformation cannot be stopped by weather or season. This newsletter may give you a glimpse into what is going on at EuNC right now and which resources you have to get informed about what God is doing in His kingdom. It is good to know that God’s words for Israel are still true for His people today: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:1-2).


Graduation in Germany

Tanja Baum finished her studies for the Diploma in Christian Ministry and received it during a meeting of the Germany LC Committee on May 22, 2019. The Diploma was handed to her by Dr. Klaus Arnold, the rector of the school, and Wolfgang Köhler, the Germany LC Coordinator.
Tanja serves in the Germany District office, and she works for EuNC as Germany LC Administrator and as financial officer. She will continue stud-ies with EuNC to fulfil ordination requirements in the Germany District. A more public celebration of her graduation will take place during the Germany District Assembly in 2020.We congratulate Tanja to this significant step forward in her studies with EuNC!

Received her Diploma in Christian Ministry:
Tanja Baum with Wolfgang Köhler (left) and Klaus Arnold (right)

EuNC Leadership Team

EuNC Leadership Team:
Klaus Arnold, Raquel Pereira, Alan Schrock, Martina Arnold, Fernando Almeida

Germany LC Launches Newsletter to In-form About Its Ministry

What is happening at EuNC in Germany? How are students experiencing transformation through their studies at our college? Which special course offerings are coming up? Which challenges is the Learning Centre facing? And what has happened to some of the alumni?

The Germany Learning Centre recently launched the first edition of its new newsletter. It is called “Gemeindeakademie Newsletter” and will appear on a quarterly basis. The first edition featured articles about a teaching event with Dr. Tom Oord, new possibilities to finish studies with the Advanced Diploma degree, and an upcoming teaching event with Stéphane Tibi.

The purpose of the newsletter is to draw more people into what is happening at the Germany LC. This particularly includes alumni, those interested in theological studies and those who can’t study right now but would like to support EuNC through prayer or giving. Also, it provides another way to stay “inTouch” with EuNC for those who don’t speak English.

The start of the newsletter was announced at the Germany District Assembly. The first edition was sent out on 3 June 2019. If you speak German or want to learn, feel invited to sign up at gemeindeakademie.de/newsletter!


God Still Calls – Book Review

At EuNC students explore what it means to find a personal place of min-istry and meaning within God’s plan and His Kingdom. The question though is:

What is the call of God?
How can I know if God is calling me?
What if I feel called by God–but not to pastoral ministry?

God Still Calls: Discerning God’s Direction for Service offers compelling evidence that God does still call people into ministry today. God’s call can look and sound different for different people and can come at any age, in any stage of life. Mark A. Maddix and Stephen Riley have compiled a group of obedient answerers of the call to share their stories of what God’s call sounded like in their own lives and of what it looked like to respond to God’s guidance. Each story is a unique and inspiring vision of the faithfulness of God. If you are wondering about God’s direction for you, this book can help you discern your path to service.

The first two chapters include discussion questions and resources for further reading. In the first chapter, Maddix describes the three categories of vocational callings: general calling (Christians), missional calling (non-ordained ministry), and specific calling (ordained ministry). Riley then continues in the second chapter to explore “Biblical Foundations of God’s Calling.”

The following 27 testimonies have been divided over the remaining four chapters: emerging, established, experienced, and emeritus leader narratives. Among the contributors are: Gabriel Benjiman (Africa Regional Education Coordinator), Dr. Nina Griggs Gunter (General Superintendent Emeritus), John Haines (former Eurasia Regional Education Coordinator), Simon Jothi (Principal, South Asia Nazarene Bible College), Dr. Jesse Middendorf (General Superintendent Emeritus), Jenna Redmond Stout (former EuNC campus semester abroad student), Teanna Sunberg (EuNC Faculty), and Gideon de Jong (EuNC Faculty).

Benjiman writes, “A young Christian and recently adopted mentee read the book and said: ‘I couldn’t put it down. Page after page became convincing and convicting as I sensed God confirming His invitation for me to serve. This book has helped put some fears to rest and it has increased my confidence in listening for His directives.’”

A hard or digital copy of this book can be purchased at your local book store. In addition, a hardcopy is available at EuNC’s Admin Centre library, and digital copies can be accessed through EuNC’s OverDrive and Proquest libraries.

By Gideon de Jong (EuNC Faculty)


A Word from the Rector

As the current school year is coming to an end, let me share with you about recent developments. In the first six months of this year two of the four fields that EuNC serves on the Eurasia Region have been visited by the Rector and other school representatives. During those visits we met with field and district leadership to find out about their future expectations. The districts on the other two fields will be visited in the next five months. This will help us to get an idea where the church in the different fields and districts is going and learn about the needs, challenges and opportunities. In early June the EuNC Leadership Team met for four days in Linsengericht, Germany to think, discuss and pray about what we have learned. Members of the Executive Committee of the board joined us on one day during that week. We will have other meetings towards the end of the year with the input from all districts. This will help us to work on the new strategic plan for European Nazarene College for the coming ten years. It will be called “Growing Together” and will serve as a guide for EuNC to better serve the church and the kingdom of God to fulfil the mission of the church of making Christlike disciples in the nations. Please pray with us for God’s guid-ance for EuNC as we are getting ready for the future. Many things are changing and we want to be fit for service in the kingdom. One thing we know: in all the changes God is present and working in the world, in us and through us, as we are participating in His mission. Thank you for joining and support-ing us – and let us stay in touch!

Klaus Arnold, Rector
and Leadership Team