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Missions

Responding to the Need

When the Pentecostal church in Rostock, Germany, needed a pastor, Missionary Sharon Reeves wasn't eager to pursue the position. Prior to her missions appointment in 1994, she served five years as a missionary associate in Germany, where she led a church in St. Wendel and mentored a young believer who eventually assumed the work. She had moved to Rostock to assist in planting a church, but she had no desire to lead it alone. Instead, she was making plans to move about 30 miles away to minister.

But no one else was available to lead the fledgling congregation. Laying aside her personal preferences, Sharon was submissive to God's will. She stayed in Rostock and set to work.

A city of 200,000, Rostock is a difficult place to minister. Only an estimated 400 Christians live in the city. Atheism prevails, and a strong neo-Nazi movement is evident. Slowly, however, Sharon won the trust of her small congregation. Gradually the church grew and began looking for ways to reach the city. In December 2000 the church started broadcasting on a local cable television station that offered free airtime.

Other possibilities for ministry have presented themselves that would allow Sharon to go to an easier place of service. But Sharon is convinced that Rostock is where God wants her at this time. "I want to invest in training German believers to lead the Rostock church," she says. "I also plan to further develop the church's television broadcasts and will try to promote unity among pastors in the city by starting a prayer meeting for Rostock. I also am involved in Women's Ministries on the national and regional levels."

Will you pray for Sharon and her work in Rostock? This city is a strategic area for evangelism. Ask God to break down spiritual barriers and open unprecedented doors for ministry.