By Kelley Philips

Not long after Rhonda and I moved into the position of regional coordinators for Europe and the Middle East, I was visiting Germany’s national pastor, Klaus Kröger. We spent several days together talking about vision, and I learned a lot about the history of the Church of God in Germany. Somewhere in the course of our conversation, I asked Klaus where he considered the most strategic place in Europe to be. He immediately responded, “Berlin.” He then went on to tell me why: It’s one of the fastest growing cities, not only in Europe, but the world. It’s an international city with an incredible mix of ethnic groups from all over the world. It is quickly becoming one of the leading centers for arts and fashion in Europe. And his list went on. That was five years ago.

I never forgot that conversation, and when anyone would ask me which place we should be keeping our eyes on for church planting, I would immediately respond, “Berlin.” For five years, Berlin has been an abstract idea of something new and relevant for the Church of God, not only in Germany, but for all of Europe and beyond. Our involvement, Rhonda and I believed, would be to recruit, equip, and assist the work in Berlin, not to live there.

That all changed in October 2006, when the Brüderrat (the German Leadership Council) asked to meet with me. I was with them at their December meeting and there, a member of the council, Pastor Helmut Link, outlined a vision he had shared with the Brüderrat for a new work in Berlin. As he spoke and described what he envisioned for Berlin, it seemed he had been copying my notes: An international church, with services initially in English but then expanding into other language groups represented in Berlin. A training center for Europe and beyond where students could come and receive hands-on training within the context of multiple cultures. A gathering place for the Church of God, a place where we could come together and dialogue, dream and plan together the expansion of God’s kingdom.

At the end of the meeting, the council acknowledged that this was a God-sized vision and that it would take time. But as a beginning, they asked, would we, the Philips family, consider relocating to Berlin and basing our ministry out of this new center of Europe.

We had not considered moving. We loved living in Budakeszi, Hungary. Our son Christian had a great school, and logistically it had about the best airport in Europe for traveling as a coordinator for this region. We agreed to pray with them about this. That was December 2006.

As Rhonda and I prayed, investigated, and dreamed, it became more and more apparent that this was something we needed to do. One of our nonnegotiables when making a change in ministry is that we know beyond any doubt that it is God’s calling. It’s that rock of certainty that you hold onto when discouragement comes. And you know, God has a way of causing things to happen in your life that confirm his calling. He did this for us when we moved to Russia. He did this for us when we moved to Hungary. And he was doing this again in our move to Berlin.

In March 2007, we met Helmut Link, of the German Church of God, and Bob Edwards and Arthur Kelly, from church of God Ministries, in Berlin for a weekend visit. Helmut again outlined an incredible vision for the Church of God in Berlin. That weekend was a reality check for what moving to Berlin would really mean for us. We would need to move back into apartment life, because the cost of living would be considerably higher. No longer would I be able to reach all of our ministry destinations from a single airport, not to mention everything entailed in learning a new language and culture. But we were convinced, more than ever, that this was what we were being called to do. We answered this call, and here we are.

We made the move here on August 15, and are still trying to get settled. Yes, another new place, with new people and culture, and a new language. In addition to our responsibilities as Global Missions regional coordinators for Europe and the Middle East, our first year in Germany will be focused on learning the language and culture, getting to know Berlin, and defining the vision for Berlin, with our German partners taking the lead.

What will it all look like? We’re not sure. What we are sure of is that this is where we are called and God has a plan that we can be a part of. We’re in the process of recruiting a team who will serve in this ministry, including the right church planters for the English-speaking international ministry.

How can you be a part of this? First, we are seeking an army of prayer warriors who have a burden for post-Christian Europe who will commit to pray and who will keep in close communication with us. We need people who have the gifts of prayer and faith and who can fight spiritual battles. Second, we are seeking visionaries who can dream and give wise counsel. And third, we are seeking financial supporters.

This is what it feels like to step out in faith to realize a vision. And we know that when we step out, our Lord will already be there, waiting.

• Click here to give online to support the ministry of the Philips family.
• For more information about the work of Global Missions around the world, click here.