Steve and Celeste Kern landed in Birmingham, England, and are doing “smashingly” well, as the Brits would put it. But then, living and serving abroad is nothing new for the Kerns, who served with Encompass in Germany for 6 years back in the 90’s.
Top: the Kerns with Bill & Beckie Kiddoo
Middle: Friendship Community Centre for migrants and refugees
Bottom: Kerns with Encompass’ Jason & Crystal Horner
WHO ARE THE KERNS & WHAT IS THEIR ASSIGNMENT?
Meet the Kerns and hear their heart for outreach to refugees in this 3-min video by their sending church: Grace Church, Wooster, Ohio.
They are on assignment with Encompass World Partners, researching refugee ministries in four locations around the globe including Birmingham, UK; Stuttgart, Germany; and two other locations that are better unnamed. They are in search of keys to ministry among migrants and refugees that will facilitate making disciples and planting churches.
FIRST FORAYS
Steve and Celeste have found the Pakistanis and other migrants they’ve encountered to be very open. After their first week they write,
“It is interesting and fun to begin to forge relationships with store and cafe owners, and we have seen how the Lord has gone before to prepare our hearts and theirs. How often do you meet a cafe manager of another faith and are able to have a 20 minute conversation at first meeting? How often do you meet the store manager and he tells you his journey in the store since 2003 and about the recent new management and his struggles? We are daily engaging with people from England, Pakistan, Sudan, and many other countries.”
Celeste has already taken opportunities to connect with women through cooking at the Friendship Community Center (see photo) where Bill and Beckie Kiddoo (Encompass staff) connect with migrants. Bill has developed an English outreach called, “Speaking Allowed,” where folks come to improve their English.
JOIN THEM IN PRAYER
Pray for the Kerns as they continue their research and connect with refugees and migrants. Pray that:
- God gives them eyes to see and minds to discern the best way to help and bless these people.
- their efforts strengthen Encompass workers in their passion to make disciples and plant churches among refugees and migrants populations.
