~Featured Missionary and Country of the Week - Alan and Valerie Demos/Germany

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Alan and Valerie Demos

Region(s): Europe/Middle East

Field(s): Germany

Poster: download PDF

Website: click here to visit

Bio: Alan and Valerie Demos began their missionary career as members of the Germany-based European Impact Team in 1973. They received their appointment to Greece in 1974 and pioneered a thriving UPC work there from 1975 to 1989. Obeying the Lord, they settled in Bonn in 1991. Since August 1997, they have intensified efforts to reach the 26 million Germans in their three target states in west and northwestern Germany. As a result of both personal and crusade evangelism, they have started new congregations in Bonn, Cologne, Paderborn, and Northeim, along with two regular preaching points. Demos continues to serve as German literature coordinator and has published many thousands of new tracts, Bible studies, and other books in the past term of service. He states, “The greatest need in Germany is for more laborers to help in the harvest and reach large, unevangelized cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Hannover.”

Germany

Federal Republic of Germany/Bundesrepublic Deutschland

Area Coordinator: Michael L. Tuttle

Superintendent/President: Charles Robinette

Population: 82,400,000

Area: 137,830 sq. mi.

Capital: Berlin

Languages: German

Religions: Catholic, Lutheran


From its sandy Baltic beaches in the north to its majestic Alps in the south, the Federal Republic of Germany is a land of eclectic enchantment. It is Europe’s land of merry fairy tales, medieval castles, and modern industry. It is the land of Black Forest cuckoo clocks, Dresden china, and Bavarian Alps. It is the land of inspiring cathedrals, speeding autobahns, and breathtaking natural beauty. With German unification on October 3, 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany became Europe’s second largest nation. It is approximately the size of Montana. The seeds of the United Pentecostal Church of Germany were planted in the 1960s through the ministries of Robert Roh and Bill Glaser. Numerous other missionaries have plowed the fallow ground. According to the 2006 Annual Field Report, the United Pentecostal Church of Germany has ten churches and preaching points, 11 licensed national ministers, and 400 constituents.

More information:

Introduction:

As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. In January 2011, Germany assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.

 

Economy:

 

The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force. Like its western European neighbors, Germany faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and declining net immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy - where unemployment can exceed 20% in some municipalities - continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting in 2008 alone to roughly $12 billion. Reforms launched by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong growth in 2006 and 2007 and falling unemployment, which in 2008 reached a new post-reunification low of 7.8%. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme, help explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during the 2008-09 recession - the deepest since World War II - and its decrease to 7.4%in 2010. GDP contracted 4.7% in 2009 but grew by 3.6% in 2010. In its annual projection for 2011, the Federal Government expects the upswing to continue, with GDP forecast to grow this year at a real rate of 2.3%. The recovery was attributable primarily to rebounding manufacturing orders and exports - increasingly outside the Euro Zone. Domestic demand, however, is becoming more significant driver of Germany's economic expansion. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's budget deficit to 3.5% in 2010. The Bundesbank expects the deficit to drop to about 2.5% in 2011, below the EU's 3% limit. A constitutional amendment approved in 2009 likewise limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016.

 

And if you're interested, more information:

 

GERMANY WAS UNITED on October 3, 1990. Unification brought together a people separated for more than four decades by the division of Europe into two hostile blocs in the aftermath of World War II. The line that divided the continent ran through a defeated and occupied Germany. By late 1949, two states had emerged in divided Germany: the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG, or West Germany), a member of the Western bloc under the leadership of the United States; and the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany), part of the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union. Although the two German states were composed of a people speaking one language and sharing the same traditions, they came to have the political systems of their respective blocs. West Germany developed into a democratic capitalist state like its Western neighbors; East Germany had imposed on it the Soviet Union’s communist dictatorship and command economy.

 

~VOICE FROM LIBYA: ‘TELL ME OF YOUR FAITH’

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“So, you speak English? Tell me then: ‘How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood”? With a gleaming smile, our new friend and Guide for the Day, Mohamed (not his real name), was eager to show off his English language ability. I laughed and replied, “No, no, you have it all wrong: ‘The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick’. The smile diminished but a little, as Mohamed tried to form his lips and tongue around the syllables. He chuckled, “I think you will need to write that one down for me”. We became instant friends.

My wife and I were to spend this day exploring the ancient Roman ruins of Leptis Magna, two terrifying and hair raising hours by car ride east of Tripoli. Our driver, Kateem (name changed), was just slightly this side of sane behind the wheel. It is a refreshing time for one’s prayer life, to be found hurtling along at ninety miles per hour, in a strange, sandy land. The car’s stereo pulsed with hypnotic Arabic music. Our windows were down because the air conditioner sputtered weakly, making zero difference in the hot, arid Saharan atmosphere. The hot wind whistled through the car as the tires squealed, struggling to maintain contact with the road. We barreled along at breakneck speed, all the while Kateem shouting explanations about the Libyan countryside. We saw a lot more sand as we dodged in and out of traffic that seemed as bent on defying death as we were. We breathed sighs of relief and thanks to God when we finally arrived in the parking lot of Leptis Magna. Mohamed met us in the parking lot and escorted into the wonderland of the two thousand year old ruins. We became acquainted with Mohamed near the magnificent Arch of Septimus Servius. We had fun discussing tongue twisters.

The three of us strolled through the long, marble colonnaded streets and market areas of the well preserved ruins. One could imagine the chariots of the Roman Legion intermingling with the population of sandaled market goers, and the toga covered shop keepers. You could almost hear a pin drop, as we stood near the now silent, old baths, and the huge gladiator arena.

Mohamed wore his Indiana Jones hat with authority; he was well trained in the history of these ancient relics. We would spend more than four hours with our guide and new friend, and there was a relaxed air of camaraderie between us. We walked together, chatting, listening, the morning moving on... then we stood before something unique. A massive Byzantine Church, whose earliest foundations dated from the Third to Fourth Centuries A.D., towered in front of us, looking nearly intact. Mohamed took care to explain all he knew of this old house of worship dedicated to Jesus Christ.

We went inside the old church, and marveled at its fifteen centuries old walls and porticos, and at the nearly intact altar area. Near the back we came to the baptistry; deep, and needing steps to get in and out. It was in the shape of a cross. We pulled out our cameras, taking several photographs from different angles. We made excited comments, feigning nonchalance, saying what a wonderful testimony to early Christianity this baptistry was. The three of us leaned on the high walls of the millennia and a half old structure with our elbows, first looking at the fine piece of old stone work, then at each other’s faces.

Quite suddenly, Mohamed’s demeanor changed. The boyish enthusiasm vanished, and with a serious look he said to my wife and me, “Tell me of your faith. How is your church different from other churches”? We were well out of ear shot of any other tourists; we’d not seen any for over an hour. There were no “official” ears listening in; we were free to talk uninhibitedly.

Taking a breath I began: “Mohamed, we teach there is One God, in Christ Jesus. He alone is Deity. When a person acknowledges this and repents of his sins, we baptize that person in the Name of Jesus Christ”.

Mohamed looked at me, and as though he was typing the words deeply into his brain, he spoke aloud the words, “So, you baptize in the Name of Jesus Christ”. “That’s right”, I repeated, “We baptize in the Name of Jesus”.

Then, again, just as suddenly, Mohamed said with a loud voice “Let me sing you a Gospel Song”! In a fine voice, he sang for my wife and me:

“You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
     You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
     You raise me up: To more than I can be”.

I have it recorded on my I Phone. We went on to explain in short clips about the experience of receiving the Holy Ghost. Mohamed beamed.

We have no idea how he is dong since the fighting began. We pray for his safety. We pray one day we may return to Libya to develop more of this friendship. We pray his tongue twisters give way to “stammering lips and another tongue”.

The two hour car ride back to Tripoli was just as hair raising, and we prayed through again. But we were happy in the knowledge that Seed had been planted.

**A big 'Thank You' to our European/Middle East correspondents (names withheld for security reasons) for this article.

Please continue to PRAY for war torn Libya...and all our missionaries around the world. They need and desire your prayer. It is much appreciated! Thank you.

~Mexigram - April 2011 from T. Wynn Drost

From the email desk of Missionary T.W.Drost - General Superintendent UPC of Mexico

CENTRAL DISTRICT RALLY! Below, we are sharing a couple of pictures from our Mexico City Rally, held on Monday, the 21st of March a holiday here in Mexico. We had over 3,000 in attendance, with 155 receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and 19 were baptized in Jesus' Precious Name.

The Central District covers Mexico City and surrounding areas. In all, we are reaching in this Central District around 25 million people. We now have 108 Churches and Missions, with over 5,500 baptized believers. Some of these Churches today have several hundred members.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We are so thankful that here in one Mega-city there are thousands baptized in the Precious Name of Jesus and filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

 

The first Monday night of every month, we have a monthly Pastors' gathering, where most of them are there, excitedly reporting how many they baptized and how many were filled with the Holy Spirit during the past month. Last night we had a glorious monthly meeting, where between all, there were 275 baptized last month, and 366 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit - that's just in Mexico City! To God be the Glory!

THE LOCAL CHURCH THAT WE PASTOR IN MEXICO CITY. On Sunday, March 27, we were making a special effort to reach new people with what we called a Day of Exaltation. We had an attendance of 601 in service that Sunday, with 39 receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and 14 that were baptized. There were a total of 119 brand new people - first time visitors.

I love Pastoring, for there is no greater thrill than "being right in the trenches" - no better way to keep one's ministry fresh; and no better way to set a proper example and motivate others.

Centro Pentecostal is in the heart of Mexico City. We are on one of the main Avenues called Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas #55, Colonia Doctores; only seven blocks from the Zócalo - the main plaza in the historical center of the city. A year and a half ago, we moved to this new location, where our rental is very high, but God is blessing the local congregation to cover the cost. It was a step of faith, but we are thankful to the Lord that we have nearly doubled in that amount of time. We have been baptizing people every Sunday, thus far, this year. Wonderful miracles, healings, signs and wonders that the Lord keeps doing.

SHARING A RECENT TESTIMONY. Two weeks ago, my son Daniel Drost (who is Pastoring in San Antonio, Texas) had decided to drive down to Tampico, Mexico, to preach in special services that weekend - it's about an eight-hour drive. Since it has only been a year and a half that they left Tampico, as appointed missionaries, and moved to San Antonio to start a Church; he thought he was still well-enough acquainted with the situation. He drove with his whole family: wife (Holley) and their four children.

When he crossed the Border in Reynosa (across from McAllen, Texas) into Mexico, he noticed that there weren't the long lines seeking permits as before, but it didn't register till later. As he drove south he noticed that there were no cars or SUVs on the road, only transport trucks. About 40 minutes into Mexico, on the highway that heads towards San Fernando, two SUVs passed him in the opposite direction, travelling at very high speeds. He saw in the rear-view mirror how they suddenly applied their brakes, and quickly turned around, and they chased them - like in the movies. He accelerated to everything his Tahoe could give, but several miles down the road, they caught up to him. The first SUV passed him and began applying his brakes, gradually forcing him to stop. The second one remained on his rear bumper. There were two armed me in the first SUV, and four armed men in the second - with high powered weapons. They were not police.

They finally came to a full stop. Daniel told his wife: "Pray, for I'm not going to stay here, and allow them either to kidnap part or all of the family or to simply kill us all". All the armed men got out, but when the two in the lead SUV got out, Daniel took off, swinging around them. He saw in his rear-view mirror as they aimed and fired at them, seeing the guns jolting in their hands, but nothing happened to them. Then the men got back in, and again chased them.

They were starting to catch up to them again, when all of a sudden, for no apparent reason; they pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. What God did or used to stop them, will only be known in eternity!

By then, he was close to San Fernando and, arrived at a crossroads where there has always been a large and very busy gas station, but it was closed, and there was nobody to be seen. Instead of taking the by-pass, he drove into San Fernando and, was stopped by a Federal police car, who asked him: "How did you get here? I haven't seen normal tourists like you folks, come through here in months". He went on to explain that, just the day before, there had been a big gun battle, where the Zetas (a very violent Drug Cartel) had pushed the authorities back and out of that area, taking over.

Join me in praising the Lord for His VERY evident protection upon my family!

Please pray for continued revival in Mexico!

2011 NATIONAL CONVENTION. The UPC of Mexico has it's National Convention every two years, with Zonal (Regional) Conventions during the alternate years. This year our National Council 2011 will be in the Sports Palace (Palacio De Los Deportes) in Mexico City, July 29-31, 2011. We will have over 15,000 in attendance, and our goal is to see over 1,500 receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Yes we can, and will! Why not plan to come and be part of revival. Check us out: http://www.ipumex.net/.

Rev. T. Wynn Drost - General Superintendent UPC of Mexico

http://www.ipumex.net/
(011-521) 55-5438 1013 cell phone
 
More information: (from the Feb. 2011 Mexigram)
 
TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN 2011! We are so excited with the way the Lord continues to give the UPC of Mexico revival.
 
~Last year (2010) we had a total of 11,520 baptized in Jesus’ Name, and 11,659 filled with the Holy Spirit. To God be the Glory.
 
~The above figure averages out to: 30.8 baptized every day; or, near 2 baptized each hour – especially calculating waking hours.
 
~Our Membership grew by 14.4% in 2010 and, today, we have a constituency of 96,637 believers.
 
~Our Ministerial Body grew by 9.5% in 2010 and, today we have 830 Licensed Ministers.
 
~The number of Churches and Missions also grew by 8.1 % in 2010 and today we have 876 Churches in all of Mexico, divided in 28 different Districts, each with their own District Supervisor (Superintendent) and District Board.
 
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Rev. T. Wynn Drost - General Superintendent UPC of Mexico

~How to Stay on Track as an Effective Team

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1. Frequent, open communication - Most team dysfunction is rooted in communication breakdowns, such as poor listening, interrupting, rambling, inability to get to the point, and simply not communicating frequently enough to create team cohesion.

2. Take time to create team cohesion - Relationships cannot develop in a vacuum. Spending less time together will not create stronger team bonds. Building effective team cohesion involves taking the time to get to know working styles, personalities, and preferences.

3. Give honest, regular feedback - Everyone on the team needs to get feedback in order to feel connected to the team effort. Even if that feedback is critical, the team member knows that their contributions are being noticed and evaluated. For the team to stay on track and avoid retreating into dysfunction, everyone needs to be talking with each other about expectations, goals, performance, and processes.

4. Build cooperation - In a strong team, individuals rely on each other to make processes and interactions function as planned. Strong teams root out uncooperative members and either replaces them with people who will move the team process forward or coach them to more cooperative behavior.

5. Function democratically - In a strong team, every team member's voice is heard. Each member of the team has a right to question the process, add input, and evaluate the progress of the team.

6. Assure team members are well trained - Any team is only as strong as its weakest member. Team members are expected to function in a specific role that has its own set of experience and knowledge requirements. Newer members of the team may bring less experience to the team effort. They can make up this gap through training, education, study, and dedication. Assure team members have access to training that can help them contribute at their highest level.

7. Recognize strengths - It can be hard to see the strengths in other team members. In a business climate where appreciation is often in short supply, many of us get out of the habit of looking for the strengths in others. It takes a change in mindset to start seeing individuals in terms of what we admire and appreciate in them. Take time to give honest and sincere appreciation to team members.

8. Celebrate diversity - If we stop and think about it, most of us would be bored if we had to work with a team whose members all had the same personalities. Team interaction is much more stimulating and interesting when the team has a variety of personal styles and characteristics. When we celebrate our differences, we acknowledge that all of us are enriched by our opportunity to work together.

9. Manage results, not tasks - Ultimately, what matters is each team member's contribution to the team's goals and mission. Strong teams, with diverse personalities, learn to focus on the results each team member achieves, rather than trying to make individuals achieve the results in a certain way. This allows the individuals to express their personalities through their work and still contribute significantly to the team effort.

10. Leverage competitive spirit to create cooperation - Friendly competition generates results. Keep the competition between the team and its own past results, not between individual team members. Make competition exciting. Review past successes and find ways to positively challenge the team to exceed those results.

-from the Dale Carneige blog

-Picture is courtesy of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team

~Memorial Service - Roberta Lenora Mullings

Roberta Lenora Mullings

November 2, 1927 ~ April 7, 2011

 

 

Visitation:

April 11, 2011

6:00~7:00 p.m.

 

Truth Tabernacle

214 Hosking Ave.

Bakersfield CA 93307 

 

Memorial Service:

April 11, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Truth Tabernacle

 

Following, all are invited to gather in the

Alvin Mullings Family Center where a

dinner will be prepared.

 

Interment:

April 12, 2011

9:00 a.m.

Hillcrest Memorial Park

9101 Kern Canyon Rd

Bakersfield CA

 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the

"Truth Tabernacle Missions Fund"

A church will be built on the mission field in her honor.

 

~Some Thoughts on Motivation!

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Motivation

Leaders respect and value the differences in others. In times of uncertainty, you accept that your available human resources are your only sustainable competitive advantage. When the people you lead don't perform at acceptable levels, you must sometimes exert your influence. Sometimes you don't have authority to make them perform better. In those situations, you must often accept whatever they give you or try to find ways to influence or inspire them to improve their performance. There are five primary reasons people underperform. Understanding the reasons behind nonperformance is the first step to using your abilities to influence others effectively and without resorting to manipulation.

Reason:

I don't know what to do...

Solution: Educate — If people don't know what to do, you can get them what they need to get past this obstacle. Show people what they need to do by building a strong foundation for their performance during new team member orientation and the on-boarding process or later during education and development opportunities. Unless people clearly understand what they need to do, they will make mistakes or allocate their time to the tasks inappropriately.

Reason:

I don't know how to do it...

Solution: Train — When they don't know how, you can get them the practice and skills they need to begin to perform better. Training is the answer. Take people through the step-by-step process of performing tasks and explain how the correct execution of those steps creates success for them and the team or organization.

Reason:

I don't believe I can...

Solution: Coach (Mentor) — This area reflects your confidence in their ability to perform. It is important to show them that the job can be done and that they can do it. Coaching is not just a matter of cheering your team members on, but of helping them see why they have been selected to perform the task or why they have been appointed to the team. Instill in them a belief in themselves and the confidence to use past successes as a stepping-stone to future opportunities.

Reason:

I don't know why...

Solution: Vision — When other people don't see the reason behind your directions, you need to get their support to move forward. This is often a trust issue. A senior leader's vision for the team or organization is a good start, but team members also need to know how they fit into that vision and why their team or organizational processes are critical to accomplishing the vision.

Reason:

I don't want to...

Solution: Motivate — This is the most challenging reason people underperform — when people know what to do and how to do it, but they are not motivated enough to do it or they feel they have a better way. Sometimes people even try to sabotage the process to slow down changes. In this situation, you must use your influence to get results. Motivation is the key. If people know what to do, how to do it, believe they can do it, and know why they should do it, non-performance must be due to some other barrier that may not be immediately discernable. Look at how the team or organization is inspiring its members. Are they being kept busy without knowing how their activities relate to the team or organization's mission or vision? Inspired team members have the internal desire to achieve the vision.

 
Adapted
- from the Carnegie Blog

~When ‘More is Less’

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The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but fewer solutions; more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk to much, love to seldom, hate to often.

We have learned how to make a living, but not a life; we have added years to life, not life to years.

We have been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We have conquered outer space, but not inner space; we have cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we have split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals; we have become long on quantity, but short on quality.


*Note! From my notes - not sure of the author.