Time of Refreshing & Gutenstein Summit Meeting

C3 Geneva / Geneva, Switzerland
This month has been incredibly busy starting off with a short visit with my friends Narii and Nicole Dauphin and their children. They pastor a C3 Church in Geneva, Switzerland. It has been three years since I have been there. Their church is growing at a steady rate and having an impact on Geneva. God's got great things planned for them.

Time of Refreshing (TOR) / Leysin, Switzerland
TOR is a three day meeting of mostly American missionaries in the Swiss village of Leysin. Held the first week in September, it is located right in the middle of the French speaking part of Swiss Alps. The surrounding mountains are beautiful. It reflects all of God's creative ability.

This invitation only meeting has been a blessing to American missionaries for over twenty years. Bill and Imogene Kaiser have led these meetings the entire time. The Kaiser's raise money in America to make this conference totally free for the attendees. All the missionaries have to do is show up. It is blessing to renew old friendships and make new friends every year.

Fellowship of European International Churches / Gutenstein, Austria
With one week in between the Switzerland trip and I was off to the FEIC Pastor's Summit meeting in mountains of Gutenstein, Austria. These meetings bring together Assembly of God pastors that have International churches located throughout Europe. International churches cater to multi-cultural ethic groups utilizing the same facility but in their own language and service.

Pastors from different parts of the U.S. came to share on organization, strategy in reaching the lost, the next generation and praise and worship. Since the group was small, about sixty total, it gave us all a chance to interact and connect with everyone.  

The beauty of nature surroundings both the TOR and FEIC Summit meeting are always incredible. The Fall colors were in full force especially at Gutenstein. Someday I'm going to have enough time to just shoot pics of the entire area to share with you. In the mean time, you get the idea here with the ones I've posted.

You may remember last year we got hit with an early snow storm. It dropped about eight inches over two days. There was a real concern for being able to get off the mountain top. When I woke up Thursday morning, guess what? Yes, it was snowing wet, gloppy snow flakes. It motivated me to pack the car fast, grab some tea and get off the mountain especially since I didn't have snow tires on my car.

As it turned out, the snow storm was centered on the very top of the mountain. Thirty minutes drive later I was out of the snow and in a bright shinning sun reflecting the incredible Fall colors. Oh well, better safe than sorry especially up on those mountainside roads.

Europe Advance / Church Planters Roundtable
Thursday, I'm driving to Braunschweig, Germany, near the north central part of Germany for another Church Planters Roundtable. This is the fourth roundtable we've held this year. It looks like a smaller group will be attending but it's not about the numbers is it. It's about planting seed.

First Europe Advance Church Plant
Last Sunday, we celebrated our first Europe Advance church plant in Frieburg, Germany. It looks like it was very successful for the area. They had over one hundred people attend the first service. We're believing that this is the first of many to come throughout Europe.

Blessings,

Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia

More Info
C3 Geneva Church
Fellowship of European International Churches 
Watermark Church Freiburg

Time of Refreshing Conference

TOR Conference
It was great conference this year. The weak economy in the U.S. showed it’s affect on overseas missionaries. The missionaries only had to pay their own transportation costs to Leysin, Switzerland, but only about 45 attended instead of the normal 70 or 80 missionaries. All the other conference expenses are paid by various supporters. Even the TOR Team member attendance was went down to 11 from the normal 25 members. Rev. Bill and Emogene Kaiser have hosted the TOR for 20+ years.

God showed up and blessed us. The intensity of each meeting may have been due to the smaller more focused group. Nearly all of the missionaries in this group are like me, have independent ministries that are not directly connected to a larger, well funded denomination or organization. We’re like “small business” missionaries. Anyone that is self-employed understands the freedom that gives, along with an abundance of challenges. This group is no different. There’s nothing wrong with solid denominational backing and support. God bless them. It is whatever works for the individual and led by God - works.

Under One Banner
The conference meetings are not theology but relationship based. They are not about teaching, training or learning. It’s not about discussing the nuance of a particular scripture. It is about building relationships, personal and spiritual restoration. It is about networking with the Christian missionary community serving in Europe.

We stand with each other to praise, worship, laugh, and cry. We gather together under one banner – our Savior Jesus Christ. That is the purpose.

A Different Perspective
Bringing a group together like this always gives someone a chance to take another look at their own situation and the challenges they face. Quickly you realize that your “challenges” may not be as overwhelming as the person standing next to you. You might have lost 50% of your support because of the economy. But you could be standing next to someone in a life or death struggle with health problems. Your problems — suddenly became smaller.

All Were Blessed
All agreed that it was a more intense than previous meetings. Every one there knew and felt the pressure of economic problems world wide. This was the week that was… Markets worldwide were collapsing by the hour and the day. Everyone wondered out loud where it was all going to end up. But we all agreed that our trust had to be in The Lord. He is our provider. He is your provider.

All of God’s blessings to you and your family,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia

New Blakeslee Arrives & Goin' South

New Blakeslee Arrives
My youngest son William and his wife Stephanie had their second child Saturday night at about 10:30 p.m. E.D.T.

Hailey Aliese Blakeslee arrived three weeks early, 19 inches long (48.2cm) and 7 lb 12 oz. (3.18kgs). Mom, baby and dad are doing fine, albeit a little tired. Praise The Lord. There’s more to come about Baby Hailey. The new dad promised some good pictures of her. I'll post them as soon as I get them. Honestly, do you really think this Grandpa is not going to brag about our latest addition to the Blakeslee family?

Goin’ South Again
It's been a busy, busy month in September and I’m heading out of town again. It all starts tomorrow with another two week trip to Switzerland.

TOR Conference
After an overnight near Basel, Power House International Church’s, Pastor Desmond Frey, his wife Sandy and I will be heading to the small village of Leysin, Switzerland, located near Lausanne, to attend the annual Time of Refreshing (TOR) Conference. You’ve heard me talk about this conference for the past three years.

A group of American’s, some pastors, some ministers and some lay people sponsor this three day event for American missionaries ministering in Europe. It’s always great to see old friends and make new ones. For most of us missionaries, this is the single largest group of Americans gathered in one place, unless we are in the U.S..

Pastor Bill Kaiser and his wife Imogene have been sponsoring this event for over 20 years. It’s a testimony of God's love to us, to them and to the hundreds of Christians in America, who give their finances and their time, unconditionally, to bless us, who serve God in Europe.

Power House International Church, Zurich
At the end of this week, I’ll be leading the church’s monthly worship night and preaching the Sunday morning service on the 19th. It’s been over a month since I was last there and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again.

It’s Winter or at Least Fall
During last few days, the seasons have definitely changed in Germany. Fall has hit but it seems like it is winter. I’ve been told that it has already snowed the Black Forrest area of Southern Germany. Oktober Fest in Munich had the temperatures drop to unseasonably cold. So I’m not sure what to expect in Switzerland.

If I had a question about taking my down jacket and winter gear; that question has been answered. In Germany it’s better to have and be prepared for anything; than not, and wish you had.

God’s blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe.