Posts by Alex Jacobsen
Reflections on D-Day: A Missionary’s Perspective
A Prayer Letter from June 1994; Paris, France The past weeks we have been submerged in the events leading up to including D-Day. Names and places swim in our minds as we attempt to understand the enormous forces that were at those early days in June 1944. Names like General Eisenhower, Prime Minister Churchill, and…
Read MoreOvercoming Doubts and Fears through Bible Study
The two women could not have been more opposite. Katrin* came from a secular background, worked in the medical field, and had never read the Bible, while Damaris had been raised in a strong Christian environment. Katrin exuded confidence while Damaris suffered from crippling shyness. Yet both women found themselves attending the bilingual women’s Bible…
Read MoreEncouraging Believers in France Through Camp Ministry
According to the National Counsel of French Evangelicals, on average there is one evangelical Protestant church per 25,000 residents of France. With fewer than two percent of France’s population claiming to follow Jesus, finding a supportive Christian community can be difficult. How do Christian organisations like Greater Europe Mission support local believers? One way GEM brings…
Read MoreTransformation From the Inside Out
One of the most amazing feats of nature is how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. It captures the imagination of children all over the world, and even some adults who maintain their wonder of the natural sciences. When the caterpillar is ready to begin its transformation it begins building a chrysalis from its own body,…
Read MoreThe First 100 Days on the Mission Field
In a day of accessible travel, many have experienced other cultures and even the challenges that come with going overseas. But for even the most well-travelled, moving to another country can be full of challenges and unknowns not experienced on a short trip for holiday or even ministry. So, what is it like to live…
Read MoreFive Reasons to Care About Missions
Do you remember your first exposure to missions? If you grew up in a Christian church, perhaps the idea was first planted in Vacation Bible School. There, we would be regaled of the Apostle Paul’s adventures in prison and earthquakes and on rough seas. We might hear fantastic stories of people suddenly understanding foreign languages…
Read MoreFive ways to Inspire Your Church Towards Gospel Transformation
A question often asked at Greater Europe Mission is “How can we mobilize more people for missions in Europe?” You may be asking a similar question about how to engage your community or congregation to respond to God’s call to the nations. This can be a hard question to answer given recent declines in community…
Read MoreTurning a Ministry Misstep into a Lesson in Reconciliation
Maureen “Mo” Blackmon and two other women on her team eagerly anticipated the following day’s training session. They had been praying and preparing for it for months. After a long wait, they finally had the study material translated into Latvian, as well as plenty of women in place to receive the training that would equip…
Read MoreHow Understanding Lent and Ramadan Can Build Relationships
In anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, believers around the world observe the forty-day period preceding Easter Sunday: Lent. While some of us might give up coffee or sweets during this season, others might be unsure about the purpose of Lent or its significance in our Christian walk. These last two years, Lent also…
Read MoreFrom Feeling Stuck to Walking in Obedience
“Do you still want me? Are you even going to use me?” These questions often go through the minds of those preparing to serve cross-culturally. Whether it’s developing a support network, waiting for visas, or experiencing a global crisis, most of us have faced that moment of tension––even doubt. After a 27-year career as an…
Read MoreReaching Europeans Through Music
Music inspires emotion and provokes thought. Whether it’s religious hymns, classical movements, or contemporary hits, melodies and lyricism reach down into a person’s soul, uncovering joys and sorrows. Believers well know the role music plays in worship and intimacy with God, but music can also be an effective way to draw in the lost. “A…
Read MoreWhat it Takes to Make Disciples
Making disciples is a well-known Christian concept that’s inspired thousands of books and articles. It was Jesus’ first step when starting his ministry. Before changing the world, Jesus first chose a team of followers to teach and mentor. If making disciples was an essential step for Christ’s ministry, it must be an essential step for any ministry.…
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