The Festaburg

Ellgens News: GREAT outreach with Reilly

Brad Ellgen

On Friday night, August 27 the Festaburg sponsored an outreach concert featuring the band Reilly. Reilly is a five piece acoustical rock band which makes their home in Philadelphia and has been touring Europe. Their drummer, Jordon, was in the Army a number of years ago and had a significant spiritual experience at the Bamberg Hospitality House. Because of that connection they were excited to minister to soldiers here in Germany.

The concert was the result of a lot of work and prayer during the last 5 months. There were a number of things which happened in the last four weeks which forced us to trust in the Lord in ways that are always uncomfortable.

However, the concert on Friday night was a huge success. Over 130 people attended, many who are not part of a Christian fellowship. The gospel was clearly presented to some who have never heard the claims of Christ. Debbie and I were able to meet many people who were unaware of the ministry of the Festaburg including some key leaders in the Baumholder military community.

Reilly was also a tremendous encouragement to the believers here in the community. Their positive attitude and the way they trusted the Lord when things were not going well was an encouragement to all of us. In addition, their music was truly excellent and they did a GREAT show.

After the show Debbie and I got to hangout with band and hosted them over night before they hit the road on Saturday morning. Saturday evening we had a group join us for games and some great conversation.

Sunday after chapel we gathered a group for a walk to the castle (Sam loves this walk) and then we ended the afternoon with dinner together.

It was a great weekend! Thank you to all of you who have prayed for this significant event.

Ellgens News: Outreach this Friday

Brad Ellgen

Summer returned to Germany this weekend and we have really been enjoying the sun.

On Friday night we studied the first few verses of Galatians chapter 5 and talked about what it really looks like when God sets us free from the law so we can love one another.
We talked a little about how it seems that the church keeps coming up with a “new law” but which we can judge one another and what it would take for us to say out of this pattern.

On Saturday Debbie and I spent time helping new folks get settled into the community, doing a little lawn work and having several very deep and meaningful conversations.

This week we are getting ready for our outreach concert which is on Friday. We have spent months getting ready for this and are asking the Lord bring many folks who will hear the gospel and consider the claims of Christ. Please join us in praying for this event.

Ellgens News: Weekend August 6-8

Brad Ellgen

This last Friday night we thought together about Galatians chapter 3. Paul is very clear in this chapter that we are saved by grace through faith and not by keeping the law. We had a good discussion about why the first century Jews and the church ever since continue to come up with “laws” which we are told to obey. We thought together about what it would mean for us to live by the Sprit and not by the law.

On Saturday we went to Homburg to shop at the largest flee market in Germany. The flee market is about an hour drive and is open once a month on the first Saturday. This market has the most amazing collection of STUFF for sale. They have old stuff (antiques as well as stuff that is just old) they have new stuff, they have Army uniforms from many countries, tools, kitchen stuff, essentially, they have it all.

Saturday night we barbequed and played games. Sunday we after chapel and lunch we joined several families on a family friendly bike ride.

It was a good weekend of being in God’s word and being in each others lives.

Festaburg News: August 2010

Brad Ellgen

During August we will be having dinner and discussion every Wednesday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. and on Friday, dinner and Bible Study with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The only exception will be Friday night August 27 where we are sponsoring Reilly in concert at the Rheinlander at 6:30. There will be everything we need for a great party. There will be music, food and friends. The purpose of this event will be to make others aware of the Festaburg and the ministry we have here.

We want to invite people to this event who would never come to chapel or a Bible Study but might come to a concert. You can learn more about the band at reillytheband.com.

We are also planning a trip to Heidelberg the next weekend on Saturday September 4. We will be there for the lighting of the castle where they “burn it down” and then shoot fireworks over the top; it is really cool.

We hope that you will be able to join us for our normal Wednesday and Friday programs. We are also praying that many of you will be able to invite your friends to the concert on Friday August 27 and the Lighting of the Castle on September 4.

Ellgens News: Loving Summer in GERMANY!

Brad Ellgen

We have finished a great weekend. It began on Friday night with a really fun group who gathered and we studied Galatians chapter 2. We looked closely at Gal. 2:20 and talked about what it means when we say we are crucified nevertheless we live. It was a really good discussion.

On Saturday we took a group on a volksmarch. A volksmarch is an organized walk through the woods and ends at a sports hall where there are great things to eat. It is not an ever popular event but it is a great time to talk as we walk! Sam loves these walks!

Saturday evening we grilled and ate outside. The weather has been just beautiful and afterwards we watched a video called “The Meaning of Food”. The idea is that we eat together not just to live but because we are human and eating together is a very human idea. Because we have so many meals together here, it seemed so appropriate.

Sunday I had the opportunity to preach in chapel. I talked about seeing people with compassion and believing that what people need more than anything is a real, personal relationship with Jesus. I really enjoyed the opportunity and thank our chaplains who opened the door for me to share.

After chapel the house was open for conversation, a bike ride and eating ice cream together. It was a great weekend.

Festaburg News: Working as European Feild Director

Brad Ellgen

As you know besides running the Festaburg I am the European Field Director for Cadence International. It is in that role that I met last week with the chaplain team in Aviano Italy. They are interested in having a hospitality house and we talked about what the next steps would be to bring a Cadence ministry to their community.

After being in Aviano we drove to Vicenza where we visited Rob and Karen Hampton who direct the hospitality house there. We had a great time meeting with their chaplains, enjoying a great dinner on Friday night and very encouraging Bible Study from 1 Peter.

We really enjoy being with the military community where ever we are!

While we were gone our house was open for dinner and Bible Study with some faithful volunteers who did the cooking for dinner and taught the study.

This week we are looking forward to dinner to a normal week of activities and a trip to the Hamberg Flee Market on Saturday. This Sunday I will have the opportunity to preach in Chapel.

Ellgens News: Working as European Feild Director

Brad Ellgen

After being in Aviano we drove to Vicenza where we visited Rob and Karen Hampton who direct the hospitality house there. We had a great time meeting with their chaplains, enjoying a great dinner on Friday night and very encouraging Bible Study from 1 Peter.

We really enjoy being with the military community where ever we are!

While we were gone our house was open for dinner and Bible Study with some faithful volunteers who did the cooking for dinner and taught the study.

This week we are looking forward to dinner to a normal week of activities and a trip to the Hamberg Flee Market on Saturday. This Sunday I will have the opportunity to preach in Chapel.