ministry in europe and the arts
Why Europe?
In June of 2009 Greater Europe Mission appointed me to ministry in Germany and across Europe. But why Europe? The idea of sending missionaries to Europe surprises many people. Most Americans have never thought of Europe as a place that needs missionaries. In our minds Europe is already a Christian continent.
So Dark is Europe
But consider this:
- Less than two percent of the peoples in Europe actively follow Christ.
- In nearly half of the 28 countries where GEM works, evangelical Christians comprise less than one percent of the population.
- The churches in Africa and Asia—continents traditionally associated with missionaries—are growing rapidly while Europe is the only continent where the church is declining.
- Islam claims many more adherents than Christianity: 8.5 percent in France, 5 percent in the Netherlands, and about 4 percent for Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium.
- Missionaries from the 10/40 Window are finding fertile ground for the Gospel in Europe.
GEM's purpose is to assist the peoples of Europe in building up the Body of Christ so that every person in Europe is within reach of a witnessing fellowship. Through healthy churches and other unique ministries they hope to disciple all the peoples of Europe!
Why the Arts?
For centuries the Church was a major patron to the arts in Europe, and even now it has started to recognize the need for competent, creative, and relevant art to illustrate Christian truths that words cannot. We live in a media-saturated, visually-driven world: a prime time for artists to bring the message of hope and life!
But art and artists have not always been held in high regard by conservative Christians, and many artists—both Christian and non-Christian—feel misunderstood and disregarded by mainline religious groups.
So why should artists have a ministry focused on them? The answer to that has to do with need. In a very real sense artists are a misunderstood and unreached people group, and they desperately need people to reach out to them in love and understanding for the sake of Christ.
What will I do?
So what does ministering to artists and through the arts look like? That answer is as varied as the number of artists (and people) in the world, and although the question stays the same, the answer changes a little with every generation.
My desire is to reach out to those artists and bring the light of Christ into the darkness of Europe by providing whatever it takes to build relationships with this lost group of people, such as community, artistic resource, and discipleship.
In May of 2010 the GEM team in Cologne, Germany—a team full of artists and arts lovers—extended an official offer for me to join them. As the fourth largest city in Germany with nearly a million people, the arts capital of Germany, a university town, and an important media center, Cologne is a strategic place to minister to artists and a doorway to the rest of Europe.
As of yet there is no art-focused ministry or outreach in Cologne, so much of my initial ministry there will be to build relationships, explore ministry options in the arts, and learn. One value the Cologne team holds is to learn what the unique needs are in the culture before diving in too quickly. My main responsibilities for the first year will be to learn the German language, learn the culture, build those relationships, and dream.
And after that? To pioneer!
Will you support this Ministry?
By giving to a person or project, you're serving alongside them in God's work of reaching Europe, transforming lives, and touching the world, and I would be honored if you would consider contributing to my ministry in Europe with Greater Europe Mission and in Cologne, Germany.
Regular monthly or annual donations are vital to the continuance and furthering of ministry in Europe and around the world. So I ask that you pray about joining my team with at least a $50 a month pledge, or more or less depending on what you can do and what God calls you to give.
Please realize that every amount, no matter how big or small, adds up and puts me one step closer to the Art Factory, and having a prayer support team is one of the greatest tools, and comforts, that a missionary can have.
Please check out the links below for information and resources on giving. One way is to download a Pledge/Commitment Card, which you can then send to the address listed on the card.
Another resource that GEM provides is giving online by credit card. If you choose this option, make sure you select my name from the drop-down menu on the page. You can make it a recurring transaction or a one-time donation.
There are additional ways to give, such as by direct withdrawal from your checking account (which actually saves the mission organization money). Please contact me or Greater Europe Mission if you would like more info on these options.
All of these gifts are tax-free, but before doing any of this I encourage you to research Greater Europe Mission and the Art Factory so you can discover for yourself what they're all about.
Giving financially is not the only or even primary way of supporting missionaries! If you would like to support me in prayer or with other resources, I would be honored again to receive them. Please e-mail me at jasmcfarland@gmail.com to let me know that you're praying or if you would like for me to add you to my mailing list.