June/July 2013

Psalm 89:1 
1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

 

Dear Ones,

What a wonderful month and a half we have experienced! As posted in our previous blog, we had the opportunity to visit the UK for three weeks. We started our ‘vacation’ working with our sons, Simeon, and Jonathan, in London, at the IMATS conference. Simeon works for IMATS as a videographer, and we all were able to work alongside of him, and even get paid! It was nice seeing our son in his work environment and meeting many wonderful people.

From there, we headed north to York, staying at the bible college. Our sons loved the historic buildings, forts, and churches so prevalent there. There is so much history in England! Simeon left for home after a few days, but Jonny stayed with us for another 2 weeks.

Our time in York just “happened” to coincide with the UK Pastors conference held there. We ended up leading four worship sessions, and Bruce taught one session at church. Jonny was able to sing with us, as well as minister to others his age. We had a rich time of fellowship and ministry. Teresa experienced a migraine for 2 days in the midst, however. York has a lot of spiritual warfare, and we experienced our share!

After our time in York, we headed up to Inverness, Scotland. We stayed in a‘holiday caravan’ We explored Scotland for 2 days, going over to the West side, and seeing the beautiful country and highlands. It truly is an inspiring place.owned by a lovely couple from the Calvary there. It was a peaceful place on the bay; it never did get completely dark at night. What an experience going so far north!

We left for London again, staying with Eleanor, a sweet woman who hosted us. We had such lovely weather, even hot at times, with no rain. We said goodbye to Jonny, as he headed back to California. It’s always sad to say goodbye to our family. They are so dear to our hearts and we miss them so. Having them come over to this side of the world was a rare treat.

From London, we headed to Exeter, where we stayed with Bob and Jeanne Claycamp in their beautiful home. Teresa had some wonderful girl times, exploring the English countryside with Jeanne and her friend, Barb from Washington. Having hot weather and being on the SW Coast of England was a special time! The beaches looked like Southern California with sunbathers and swimmers everywhere!

Bruce preached on Sunday morning at Calvary Chapel Exeter. The church there is filled with joyful, loving people,

 We had a good flight back to Germany, and a long train ride back to Siegen. The train system here is so efficient, we don’t need to drive that often.

 God answered many prayers. We were safe in our travels, didn’t get sick once, had wonderful opportunities for ministry and fellowship, and our dog Ice, was well taken care of by a former student, Laura. We came home blessed, to a clean house, happy dog, and sunny weather. (A plus in rainy Siegen.)

We led an afterglow at CCSiegen on Friday night. The church is very open and responsive to growing in worship and learning to operate in the gifts of the Spirit.

We have a busy time ahead of us; here is our schedule for the next couple months.

July 27-28^th. Leading worship @ CCKaiserslautern

August 2-4^th Worship Seminar @ CC Berlin

August 9^th Afterglow @ CCSiegen

August 11^th Leading worship @ CC Siegen

August 15-18^th Worship Seminar Uzwil, Switzerland

August 19-24^th Missions Conference @Schloss Heroldeck, Austria

August 29-Sept.1^st Worship Seminar CCMunich

Sept. 13-15^th Worship Seminar@ CCMunster

Sept. 28^th Wedding in Hannover

Oct. 4-6^th Worship Seminar @CCDusseldorf

 We are also continuing to work with some young people around the Siegen area, in discipleship and worship. They are eager to learn and embrace everything we can help them with.

 Please keep us in your prayers for good health, strength, fruitful ministry, and of course, our dog, Icy. He will miss us a lot, and we need help with managing people to watch him.

God has been faithful to provide all our needs , and we are confident that He will continue to do so.

We are so grateful to you who continue to stand with us in prayer and support. You are not only partners, but also partakers of our ministry. We are very thankful.

“Your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Luke 12:30-31

May 2013

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”Ps. 34:1

God has brought us to the end of this wonderful semester. It has been a time of sweetness, growth, and richness with the students, staff, and activities. We will surely miss them all!

We had a bittersweet graduation; filled with joy for those graduating, but sad because this was our last semester forCCBC Siegen. We ended the ceremony with a BBQ and picnic on the church grounds. Afterwards, the students went back to the Villa; and what did they want to do for their “grad party”? They wanted to worship and pray…and that’s what they did. It was a precious sight to behold. After a semester of investing into their lives the love of prayer, worship, and adoration to our God, we witnessed the fruit. These students were very passionate for God. It makes it all so worthwhile!!!

We just finished the EU worship conference held in CC Siegen every two years. Scott & Madie Cunningham, Tom Lane and Chelsea Moon, were flown over from the States… We both taught two workshops, and Bruce closed the conference with the last main session teaching on worship from God’s
perspective. The Holy Spirit poured out on the conference at the end, and people were so touched by the Presence of God moving. We heard feedback from everyone, how God have moved so powerfully; they are very hungry for the Spirit of God to move in their congregations as well. We have been flooded with requests for teaching on  worship, afterglows, and training.

Needless to say, our hearts are very encouraged, as we are witnessing God’s hand in stirring up the church. Revival comes through prayer, and worship is the result of hungry hearts for God. We believe God is preparing the church at large here for a time of harvest.

 Bruce was asked to teach for the next two Sundays, all three services, at CC Siegen on worship. Pastor Alex wants us to lead an afterglow, (a time of extended worship, waiting on the Lord, ministering in the gifts, etc,), on June 14^th, a Friday night. Please keep these things in prayer. It’s only by God’s Spirit empowering, that anything fruitful can come.

We are leaving June 20^th for England, to meet two of our sons in London. We will all be working at IMATS, the international Make up Artist Trade Show. Our son ,Simeon, works for this company, representing the movie makeup industry internationally. After we all work there, we will attend the York (Great Britain’s) pastor's conference. Then we will go on a small vacation, seeing England & Scotland (birthplace of Bruce's grandmother &great grandmother). We’re so excited to unite with even a part of our family! We wish they all could be there! We’ll be staying with friends along the way! We will end our tour through England by preaching at our good friend 

Bob Claycamp's church in Exeter. Then fly back to Germany and begin presenting our seven Weekend Worship Seminars.

We are living in exciting days; they are sometimes very dark days, as evil is progressing in the world. But where sin abounds, grace abounds more, like the scriptures declare.

As we share the good news of Jesus, and trust in Him, we will see His faithful hand.

He’s always been faithful, and will continue to be!!!

We are so grateful for you, your support, your prayer, and your relationship in our lives. Thank you for standing with us. We believe we are on the verge of a pouring out of God’s Spirit here in the EU and beyond. Let God be glorified!!

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” 

Psalm 75:1

April 2013

May 1st

“For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”Phil 2:13

Dear Ones,

We surely have seen God’s hand at work this semester, doing His good work in the students, the staff, the many churches, and in us.

It is for His good pleasure, which also gives us great pleasure to be able to partake. Here’s a brief review of what’s been taking place since our last newsletter.

In March, Bruce was involved with a worship conference in Budapest; He was on a panel for different questions, and enjoyed seeing many old friends involved in worship ministry. Afterwards, he went to CCBC in Vjata, Hungary. He was working with some of the team there, and was able to share his vision of outreach to the leadership there.

The following week, we took a team of students to Hannover to do a worship weekend seminar. At these seminars, we teach classes, as well as lead worship..then we evaluate their teams, and give them needed feedback for improving. On Easter Sunday, our entire team led worship. It was a glorious time of blessing!!

 On Passover week, we led a Passover Seder (dinner/service) for the college. It was a wonderful time remembering how God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, and how God has delivered us from sin and death. Everyone enjoyed learning about the true roots of the communion service we enjoy in church. Afterwards, Teresa taught Jewish dances. The whole college got involved, and had a great time!!

The next week, Bruce traveled down to Rome to give a worship seminar there. He also ended up preaching in three churches on Sunday! It was a very fruitful time, working with the teams there, and coming alongside the churches.

Afterwards, he headed up to CCBC Montaballuna to share his vision of outreach with the school. He wants them to be able to do what we do here; train, then take several worship teams out to churches in need.   While there, he played guitar on a CD project, as well as connected with several worship leaders. The hunger for teaching, training, and discipling in Italy was great.

In mid April, our school had outreach week, where we sent teams to Berlin, Lippstadt and Cologne. They did evangelism, worship, teaching, and just helped in many practical ways. It was a very enriching time for both those giving and receiving.

On April 19^th, Teresa led a night of worship for the women’s ministry at CC Siegen. There was worship, a teaching, and then an afterglow. The church here is so hungry for this.

This last weekend, we took a team of students to Sinsheim to do another worship weekend seminar. The church was so great and open to anything we had to offer. We all led the worship on Sunday, and Bruce gave the sermon. They were asking if we could come back soon. In fact, everywhere we have given these seminars, they ask for more. They can’t seem to get enough, for the workers are few, and the churches need lots of help.

The online worship school is coming along. There have already been 180 hours of teaching uploaded. The classes all need to be edited before they can be viewed. We are excited that this is coming together. We want to see this become available everywhere around the globe.

We have witnessed the growth of the students here. Their love and passion for Christ has increased, their skill in worship has improved greatly, their knowledge of God and His Word has been stirred in their hearts. Through teaching, mentoring, and discipleship, lives are changed and hearts are transformed.  We are so blessed to be able to be a part of the work God is doing.

At the end of May, we will be giving workshops and leading worship at the EU Worship Conference here in Siegen. Every two years, CCSiegen hosts this conference, where leadership and Worship leaders all over the EU, UK, and beyond attend. Please keep us in prayer as we’ll be very busy and we want God to move greatly in lives.

On another note, many of you have heard that the bible college here is closing. The church is in the middle of a transition, from the change in pastorate of Nick Long to Alex Kruse. This has been going on for a while, but the church needs to be the main focus right now. Things have to get healthy and redirected in many ways. Although the bible college has been a fruitful work for the last 10 years, the church doesn’t have the extra resources (in every way) to be supporting the bible college at this time. This is the last semester.

Many want to know how this will affect us. We have been asked to stay and work out of the church here as our base. We are considering that option. We also are praying about other options, as our main desire is to work with the youth. They are the future of the church. You can please pray with us for God’s leading. The need here is great. We will have to move out of our present apartment by the end of August. Our dog, Ice, is also a factor, so please keep that in prayer as well. We are doing well, not anxious, for we know God has a plan. Like the children of Israel in the desert, He will lead and guide us where we should be. We are already receiving invitations from throughout Europe to go and lead Weekend Worship Workshops. We are still very excited about what God is about to do in the midst of this transition.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer and financial support. You have made it possible for us to be here, doing the work.

                                    “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” 2 Cor. 9:8

This is the statement the bible college has posted on its website;

Dear Students, Friends and Supporters of CCBC Siegen,

We at CCBC Siegen, are filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for the last ten years of fruitfulness that God has poured out upon us. It has been with great joy to have served the many students, interns and staff that have passed through these doors.

However, after much prayer, discussion, and wise, spirit-led counsel, both from Siegen and elsewhere, we have felt the Lord is leading us to close the Bible College. Our church here in Siegen, is in a process of restructuring and rebuilding. We have come to the conclusion that the Lord wants to redirect our focus and our resources.

It is on our hearts to minister to the church here, discipling the saints within the body and equipping future leaders and church planters. Our vision is to strengthen what is weak so that we would be healthy on the inside and powerfully reach out to those on the outside.

It is with both sadness and yet expectation, that we have made this decision. CCBC has served God's purposes and been used by God in many fruitful ways. We now look ahead to what the Lord will do in this new upcoming season.

Thank you for being part of our journey, and for coming alongside of us in so many different and precious ways! Please keep us and the church of CC Siegen in your hearts and pray that the Lord would help us in this difficult transition process and guide us as we experience new challenges and blessings.

Spring Semester 2013

May Your ways be known throughout the earth, Your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise You, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise You.” Ps.67:2-3

Spring semester 2013 is in full swing. It’s hard to believe this is our seventh semester in Germany. Three years have just whisked by. God has continued to give us strength and grace to fulfill the call He has given, in leading and equipping others in worshipping Him.

We have 20 students, distributed fairly evenly between women and men. There are several very talented musicians and worship leaders this semester. It’s been a blessing to see their zeal and hunger to worship God. It’s contagious for the rest of the college.

The semester officially started February 4^th. We helped out on registration day, and then we both got hit with this flu bug going around. For two weeks, we were pretty much out of commission. It was difficult to start the semester being sick, but we learned that God’s grace filled our lack, and things went on despite us being there~ IMAGINE THAT!!!!

We were asked to teach and lead worship at a retreat for CCParis.. We had been looking forward to this for a long time. Afterwards we had plans to see Paris for a day before heading back. We’ve never been there.

While there, Teresa developed a bad head cold, as an aftermath to the flu. While she stayed in bed in the hotel, Bruce was downstairs, teaching and leading worship, trying not to cough too much! But God moved , and again made up for our lack. People were filled with the Spirit, and encouraged. Praise God! We headed back to Siegen right after the retreat, however. We weren’t up to doing any sightseeing, especially Teresa!

We were feeling a bit disconnected from the students, as being sick kept us from being as involved. We decided to invite them over for a night of prayer and worship in our apartment. It was a tight squeeze, but we had a great time. There’s nothing quite like worshipping and praying together, and having God’s presence fill the room. I think we all were very blessed and refreshed that evening.

Bruce’s worship class is going well. He is teaching on Biblical Worship, and enjoying it greatly. He is also discipling several men, as well as leading worship.

Teresa is still the 

Dean of women, teaching 

Women’s Discipleship, discipling girls, and leading 

worship. For women’s Discipleship this semester, we are focusing more on outreach. Part of our class is teaching and the other part is training in outreach.

We are doing prison ministry( for the men), helping at the Muslim Girl’s club, street evangelism, helping at the local Mission for street people, and maybe senior’s housing centers. This is a good way to not only have head knowledge but put it into practice. 

We also have several worship conference weekends we’ll be putting on for churches.

Budapest WC: Wed. March 14 - Wed March 20 ( attending/& participating in a Q & A panel)

Hannover WW: Thurs March 21  - Mon March 25. (We could take Students)

Montabelluna IT: Mon April 1- Fri April 5

Rome IT WW: Sat April 6- Wed. April 10

Senseim WW: Fri April 26 - Sun April 28. (We could take Students)

Siegen WW: Fri May 30 - Sun June 1

Please be in prayer for these, that God would anoint the teaching, inspire, and use it to equip and train up worship leaders. 

We have been helping a couple we know with pre-marital counseling. They are getting married in three weeks! Bruce used to do this as a pastor before, and it’s been a great blessing being used to prepare them for the greatest commitment they’ll have, outside of our commitment to Christ!

We pray that you will stay strong and focused on Jesus, as the everyday media news isn’t always so encouraging. Sometimes it’s so bleak that it’s hard to hear. Jesus tells us to trust in Him, focus on Him, and know that He is in control. Our job is to draw close to Him and spread the light of His love with those everywhere, sharing the wonderful hope we have in Christ.

In His love,

Bruce and Teresa Muller

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.” Ps. 31:24

Winter Break 2013

Dear Ones,

   Here we are, already in 2013! As the years fly by, we rejoice in knowing we're that much closer to seeing Jesus face to face! We hope you rejoiced in this Christmas season, as we all celebrated our Savior's entrance into this world.

As we mentioned in our last blog, Teresa spent Christmas in the States with our children and grandchildren.

   Bruce remained in Germany, as the cost of flying for both of us was very costly. We had a new grandson, Caleb, born in August, and Teresa had to go see him! While she was there, she also saw our other sons and families.

It was a delightful time seeing our kids growing into the wonderful men and husbands they are, and their families blossoming . Although it is difficult to be so far away from them, God is faithful to meet them and take care of them. If we take care of God's business, He will take care of ours and our families.

 
Bruce had some wonderful opportunities back home.
He taught Sunday morning at Calvary in Holland,  leading worship with one of our students. He also ministered at Calvary in Lippstadt. He ministered in music in KTown, also bringing a student with him.Several friends from the church in Siegen welcomed him over for meals and fellowship. Our dog, Ice, was very glad he was there! Bruce is also in the process of writing a book on worship. We're excited to see this long time coming project get completed. What a blessing it has been for him to make use of this extra time to write. He also learned garage band, a program that records songs and programs instruments, voices, etc. He was able to record some of his songs, another long time project getting completed!

   The EU pastor's conference was held in Siegen Jan 21st to the 25th. Bruce had the opportunity to connect with many pastors here,   some old friends and some new. It's a challenging field to start a church in Europe, as it's an atheistic culture. Most churches are very small in comparison with the US. Students and staff from the college hosted pastors in the Villa. Cleaning, making beds, etc. It was a blessing to those staying.

   Next week, our staff will be preparing for the returning students, cleaning up after the pastor's meeting, establishing schedules, getting classes in order, airport runs, etc. The students will be arriving this coming week. School officially starts the first week in February.

   We had a wonderful graduation with our students in December. Several will be returning for the spring semester. Teresa will again be the women's dean, as well as be involved in worship at the school and church. Bruce will be teaching on worship and mentoring worship leaders. We are going to have more traveling this semester, as more churches are asking us to come to them,to work with their worship teams and put on workshops. We have several lined up already, including France, Italy, as well as Germany. Bruce is working with Costa Mesa in getting the online worship classes uploaded. We are excited about the progress being made. It's our hope to make this available for all the churches, in every nation.

   This break has given us some down time to get refreshed for next semester. How important it is to take time to know Jesus, to sit at His feet, to drink in His Word, and to reflect on all He has done. In the busyness of ministry, it's easy to become too busy to make the needed time for Him.

   Truly our God has been so faithful this last year to work among us, prove Himself strong on our behalf, and to bring glory to His name! How privileged we all are to live with other Christians, to have sweet fellowship and be able to worship our God and King. There's no one like Jesus who can fill us with grace, love and power to live a fulfilling and blessed life.

We count it an honor to serve Him and be served by you, our faithful prayer partners and supporters.

May God bless you and pour out His Spirit and unfailing love upon you.

In Him,

Bruce and Teresa