Current efforts are concentrated in the city of Giessen, a university town with a population of 80,000 about a one-hour drive north of Frankfurt, the location of the headquarters of our German national ministry and the site of the largest refugee arrival and process centre in Germany. Arriving refugees are housed on a decommissioned US army base as well as in tent cities in the region.
An existing warehouse of aid materials allows our Agape ministry in Germany (Campus für Christus) to cover most local needs. They are ready and able to pass on materials and to deliver them to distribution sites. Their teams respond promptly to all requests for materials and delivery is coordinated through the GAiN logistics team.
German staff are involved in offering a cultural training course in the refugee centre. Working with another organization – “Hand in Hand – Cultural Theatre of Giessen”, staff and volunteers are currently developing a series of skits and pantomimes to explain local cultural practices to new arrivals. The goal is to create a coherent series of simple skits, which volunteers can learn and present in other refugee centres throughout the country. (Topics include greetings and basic social interactions, grocery shopping and showing respect for others regardless of religious background or gender.) They are exploring the possibility of filming the skits and creating an accompanying handbook to encourage multiplication of the concept and involving more volunteers. Taking this project to the grass roots level will help dispel anxiety in the local population towards refugees and provide a real source of support and education for people who are not familiar with the local culture and customs.
Many volunteers in Germany are Christians who are in a unique position to share their faith and give information about the local church in the course of their interactions with refugees. Various resources are available to share with interested refugees.
For example:
• Jesus Film DVDs (in multiple Arabic languages, including information about the German ministry and instructions about where to download the Jesus Film smartphone app).
• Bi-Fold Business Cards listing Arabic-language Christian resources including Jesus.net websites and contact information of local churches.
• MiniMag - a small brochure in Arabic with inspirational stories from former refugees and an explanation of the basics of the Christian faith.
• The 4 Spiritual Laws booklets in Arabic.
• SD Cards for Smartphones in the Arabic language and containing the Bible and the Jesus Film. This gives refugees access to this material even without a DVD player.
• Bibles or New Testaments.
German staff are currently building two websites – one for helpers and one for refugees themselves. The goal of the refugee website Welcome Deutschland is to provide valuable informational links for refugees, who want to know more about life in Germany. It is currently available in three languages (German, English, Arabic) with the option of adding more. Content includes information from national authorities, an introduction to German culture, a link to KnowingGod websites in various languages, and the Jesus Film video.
A special page has been added to the German national ministry website to help local Christians better understand the refugee situation by providing information, suggestions and resources to engage and support people who have recently arrived in Germany, whether through simple acts of kindness or through spiritual discussions.
The German ministry opens its meeting rooms twice monthly to welcome representatives from other organizations as well as volunteers for a time of conversation and fellowship, spiritual encouragement and sharing, prayer for individuals and for our shared task, and to discuss current needs and available resources. This kind of coordination is the basis for sustainable partnership and mobilisation of volunteers.
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I was in Giessen in the 70’s and would like to come back with my family to help. Have you used the 5fish.mobi to help with getting the Gospel to the people in their heart language? My wife and I have a calling to work with Muslims. I have been working with GRN for 20 years now.
This is wonderful
May God bless you so much
Good, I thought this was a site to inquire about your work
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. iam missionary from India. We doing God’s ministry since 2000 . We have ministry with 50 pastors working in interior and tribal areas. We want to partner with you for expansion of God’s kingdom in unreached areas in india . With your spiritual support we can God’s work more effectively and reach the people . We are requesting you sir please lookinto our request. This ministry is recognized by Indian government. We are requesting you sir we want to be become part in your ministry or organization. Work with us how God’s leads you.
We are looking forward to hear from you.if you will give permission we will send our profile for ministry.
Yours faithfully
Servent of God
Rev. P. J. Paul
India.
May the Almighty God bless you as you continue to help the needy.
Dear Sir
Warm greeting in the name of Jesus Christ .
May God bless your ministry peoples .
Ok thanks
Regards
Abid Masih
please let me know about your org. more
God bless you for sharing Jesus with the refugees. I would love to volunteer and grow in my faith and walk with God as I share Jesus with other brethren. Mercy from kenya
We are a church ministry seeking to make Jesus”s name famous and to empower magnslised groups of people through social economic activities in communities, also we have plawill your ministry support our programs.