Breakfast on the Edge of London

Breakfast on the Edge of London
I’m sitting with Brita at breakfast on the eastern outskirts of London. The sun is shining timidly through the window, and we’re looking back on the past ten days. What a trip! Altogether, I preached 15 times – and each occasion was special in its own way.

It all began in the Philippines, at DCPI’s Leaders’ Summit. Leaders from 16 countries across Asia, Australia, and the Pacific region had gathered. We met true heroes of God’s kingdom – people who faithfully serve Jesus despite living under persecution and life-threatening conditions. There were countries where churches must meet in secret, and others in the middle of a revival. Seeing these contrasts side by side was deeply moving. For Brita and me, it was also the very first time serving in Asia.

One moment remains especially vivid in my memory: a leader approached me and said he came from the “Northern Marianas.” Curious, I asked which country those islands belonged to. He smiled broadly and simply said, “We are a country.” Well, embarrassing – I had never even heard of those islands before.

The beauty of such encounters is the open doors that result. Nepal, Vietnam – just to name two examples. At the same time, we see the challenge growing, as our calendar for 2026 is already full, and we’re already planning for 2027.

On August 5, we arrived back home at midday. Hardly had we arrived when it was: quickly do laundry, repack suitcases, take a short rest – because the very next morning at 5:15 a.m., we were back at Marseille Airport, on our way to London again. There, four intensive days of a faith conference awaited us with our friends from the Tree of Life Church – a church that, in just a few years, has planted 11 locations across England. Impressive!

Faith conferences have something special about them. They refill the tank. Despite all the serving, we came out strengthened – in faith, in joy, in confidence. Alongside the big plenary sessions, we were also able to hold Israel seminars. That was a real highlight.

Today we still have two more sermons at two different Tree of Life Church locations before heading back to Marseille tomorrow morning. And then – vacation! A week in the Ardèche in southern France. We’re already looking forward to the peace, the nature, and the chance to breathe deeply.

Yes, life with Jesus is full – full of excitement, full of challenges, and full of joy.