The Weapons of our Warfare Seminar
in
Aeschiried, Switzerland
BY ALOIS EGGMANN
It was two years ago my wife and I met Tim Sullivan for the first time, and since that time I knew as well as he, that one day, he would come to Switzerland to present a Seminar here in this country. One evening at our weekly fellowship with my wife Regina and our sister Beatrice, the desire came up to organize this class for our Swiss citizens. It must have been God who moved our hearts to make this decision, because at this time we had no idea whatsoever who would be part of this adventure. So, I like to share with you some of the experiences we had in organizing and also be partakers of this wonderful happening.
A few days after the decision was made, God opened the door to this beautiful place above Spiez, a Christian organization named “Blue Cross,” where we had the assurance that all needs would be taken care of by the owners Mr. and Mrs. Metzger and their staff. Thank you so much for all you have done for us, to make us feel “at home.” Reservations and payments were made for Tim’s and our rooms. The next step, of course, was to let Tim know about our intentions, so we went home to write the invitation, and Tim’s answer came very quickly, saying, “I am very pleased to accept.”
Now we started to send out invitations which we prepared, along with the class presentation “The Weapons of our Warfare,” to friends and relatives we knew who were dear to our hearts. Time went by, and the date of the beginning came closer, and at our fellowships we listened carefully to the words that God gave us and, praise the Lord, they were always words for our comfort and encouraging, that He would do above all that we ask or think, and that we were to put our whole trust in Him alone. Did we have another choice? Our God knows His children who are meek and lowly in heart and ready to obey His calling.
So the students arrived on Friday and I was blessed to welcome Ray and Joella from Florida, Philip and Gary from London, Eva, Rudi’s mom who came by train from Vienna, and Jan from Germany. And Michael, George, Hugo, Beatrice, my wife Regina and me from the land of cheese and chocolate. And on Monday the Englishman David and our chorus leader Rudi joined us also.
Because God’s hands were upon the whole congregation, the Seminar became a success for each and everyone. Our daily schedule was based on three lessons at morning between 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and three in the afternoon from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This allowed us to have enough time to do some excursions together around this beautiful area.
It was a blessing to have the class presented live by Tim, and as the Lord led him, so he did. So there was a time of learning, a time to be quiet, a time to share, a time to be ministered, or to minister healing to the physical and spiritual needs of others, to the end that we became doers of the word, and not hearers only.
The aim of the “Church of Determined Christians” in Oberwichtrach is: Switzerland for Christ! – Amen! Peace be to this house, as they received us with open arms and the love of God in their hearts when we knocked on their doors. They also practice the fundamental truth according to Gods Word regarding water baptism, thus showing the death, burial and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We held a very touching water baptism service there, led by brother Ray Beard. Five students where baptized and received the word of the Lord by prophecy. This will be a unforgettable moment in their lives.
I also want to thank all of you who contributed to the success of this seminar. Beginning with you Beatrice, our dear sister in Christ. Again you labored day and night to make the impossible, possible. Also the simultaneous translations of Tim’s lessons were indeed very good. God bless you mightily for all you have done in His love. If I was to make a list about every item, God knows it would be a big one. But may He who seeth in secret reward you openly.
Thanks to you, Rudi, for your arrangements with the Songbooks, and for the leading of the Song services. It is a wonderful way to give praise and thankfulness to our God. Now we have no excuse anymore for singing out of tune. Did you hear the difference?
God bless you Ray and Joella, for your faithful commitment to our God. Your example and godly council were needed to take care of His flock.
Thank you each and everyone who where partakers in this Seminar. I am happy to know you personally as my brothers and sisters in Christ.
God bless all of you, who have kept us through this time in your prayers, as the prayer of a righteous availeth much.
And you Tim, I probably will never find the right words to really express what my heart is trying to say – Thank you. Thank you so much for bringing us closer in our relationship to God, who is able to open the eyes of our understanding, that we may see and behold the wonderous works He hath prepared for His children, as He is the one who worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
I guess we have wasted enough time around the runway, having studied almost everything intellectually about how to obtain a race. But now – be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord – seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us . – Amen.
From the August 2000 edition of the Vine & Branches
© Workers Together With Him, Inc.