Alle Storys | Horizont Story
You are Fishers of Men
As He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He noticed two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, throwing a dragnet into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Come after Me, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!” (Matthew 4:18-19)
Over the past weeks and months, we have had the privilege of traveling across three continents. Most of these trips were shared with dear friends from our community. Whether in Asia, Africa, or the USA, we witnessed the same wonderful work of God everywhere: people are coming to genuine faith in Jesus, being baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, and receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Just a few weeks ago, 3,000 people were baptized on the beach in Pattaya, Thailand. The specially came from all corners of Thailand to get baptized. What an extraordinary miracle and a powerful testimony to what God is doing in our generation!
Walter, Beate (HELP-FCJG Vienna) and Simon (HELP Thailand) ministered to churches and at the "FIRE FOR THE CITY" conference in Thailand! We closed "FIRE FOR THE CITY" with the "Dance of Life" at Pattaya Beach. The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully in Thailand. Check out what happened:
Jesus sees You
The people we encountered were all very different. Their living conditions could not have been more diverse, their cultural backgrounds were worlds apart, and each of them carried a unique life story. Yet they all shared one remarkable thing in common: an openness to the Gospel and to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout these encounters, one timeless truth stood out to us again and again: Jesus always sees the one in the midst of the crowd. Wherever He went, He looked beyond the multitude and saw each individual. He knew what was in their hearts and responded with compassion and power. He healed. He delivered. He brought conviction. He forgave. He saved. He comforted. He gave new hope. He poured out the Father's love generously, and He spoke to each person personally.
How wonderful! What a glorious Lord we serve, and what a marvelous work of the Holy Spirit that continues unchanged today. God sees you. He knows you by name, and you are His. He has a wonderful plan for your life, and He is able to use everything for His glory.
Living like Jesus
When Jesus chose those who would become the most influential leaders of the early church and entrusted them with the Great Commission, it all began with each of them personally. He did not first call them apostles, prophets, pastors, or teachers. He simply called them to become fishers of men.
Jesus invited these chosen men to share their lives with Him day and night. By living closely with Him, they experienced firsthand what He meant when He spoke about the Kingdom of God. They gathered in homes, read and reflected on the Word of God, prayed and worshiped together, forgave one another and received forgiveness, balanced everyday life and work with preaching the Gospel, and shared both their joys and their sufferings. They simply lived out what the book of Acts describes as being "of one heart and one soul".
When the Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples like tongues of fire, a new culture of life emerged. Their way of living became a powerful testimony that drew many people and inspired them to become part of this movement. There was no emphasis on buildings, titles, organizational structures, or religious meetings. Instead, people encountered a living community transformed by the presence of God.
As history unfolded, religious systems gradually developed. While many of them have served important purposes, they have not always helped preserve the simplicity and authenticity of the life of faith that marked the early church.
In the picture you see Walter, Beate and Werner (2nd right) in Africa. Together with Tom & Dunja (right from Walter) and some African brothers they went to the villages.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts ...
… for your faithful prayers, your friendship, and your generous support. Your partnership means so much to us, and we are praying for you as well. In November, Walter will be traveling to Tanzania and in December he is going to Myanmar. And in the beginning of January, we are having an invitation to go to Nigeria. Please stand with us in prayer—for God's protection, wisdom, good health, and, above all, that the Holy Spirit will have full freedom to move in power and transform lives.
We wish you a wonderful and refreshing summer!
With much love,
Walter and Irene Heidenreich