SPOTLIGHT Central Europe

Street clashes erupt in Germany over "immigrant invasion" of Europe.

Thousands of left-wing demonstrators gathered to protest against an extreme right-wing rally have clashed with police in the German city of Cologne.

Police said about 3,000 protesters threw stones at officers, while some tried to steal their weapons.

Violence erupted after the protesters tried to halt an "anti-Islamification" rally, which police eventually banned.

The extreme-right Pro-Koeln group had sought to protest against plans to build one of Europe's biggest mosques.

The police said the decision to ban the rally was a matter of public safety.

'Immigrant invasion'

Some 3,000 police had been drafted in and part of the old city was sealed off as authorities appealed for peaceful protests against a two-day congress called by the Pro-Koeln (Pro-Cologne) group.

click here to read the rest of this BBC article

European Mormons consolidate headquarters to Frankfurt; hope to raise membership

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The Mormon church has consolidated its European headquarters to Germany as it undertakes a bid to increase its membership across the continent.

In August, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — which claims some 13 million members worldwide — consolidated its former western European head office in Birmingham, England, with its central European offices in Frankfurt in Germany.

More than half the members of the Salt Lake City-based church live outside the U.S., with about 450,000 members living in Europe.

The newly appointed senior church leader, or elder, in charge of European operations, Robert C. Oaks, a retired U.S. Air Force general, said the aim was to improve efficiency as the church strives to increase the ranks among Europeans.

"From the fusion, we expect more efficiency and closer cooperation between local management of the church," Oaks said Friday.

He said he also hopes to raise membership and to improve the quality of the weekly sermons and teachings in Frankfurt and across Europe.

Russia Warns it May Target US Missiles in Europe

I don't usually write posts in this blog that highlight political issues in Central Europe. But recently there are some geopolitical events that directly impact both Central Europe, the United States and even the world. These events deal specifically with the countries of Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and the United States. It seems reminiscent of the cold war era where a physical wall separated East from West. The physical "wall" fell some 20 years ago, but it seems the remnants exist to this day. This looks to me to be a sign of Biblical proportions. I am not a journalist and so for a brief explanation of the situation I am posting the link to a VOA article posted today: Russia Warns it May Target US Missiles in Europe

Startling News!

It really would have been quite a shock. From our vantage point in time, we know the end of this story. But on that morning the two Marys didn't have the information we have. The only part of the story they knew was that Christ is dead.

When they arrived at the tomb, the scene was not at all as they thought it would be. The stone had been rolled away. Therefore, when they walked into the tomb and saw the young man in a white robe, they were understandably startled.

Some say they were startled by the presence of the young man. Some say they were startled by the fact that Christ's body was not there in the tomb? Maybe it was both. In any case, this was not the most startling part of the story. It's the words of the man in white that had, and still have, the most "surprise" value. He said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him." That is a startling statement.

On another front, the surprise they experienced on that morning was nothing compared to the surprise and shock the Power of Darkness felt when he realized his best, most powerful weapon was useless against the power of almighty God, Creator of the universe.

The one who planned this final attack was only a mocker, a mere builder. He could create nothing. He could only use what was allotted him by the act of creation itself. He had planned and timed this final blow to be completed at a point where he would gain it all. Creation...God would finally bow done and worship him; there would be no end to his kingdom. But with the sound of this shocking news, the realization set in-his final moment of victory was turned into his final defeat and the greatest victory for all of creation was fulfilled. Satan was shocked! It was a crushing blow directly to the head.

The shock wave of that victory is felt today throughout Central Europe and the world. The power of the resurrection is still impacting the people of Central Europe as we see children, teenagers, men and women come to the knowledge of this astonishing fact: He is risen!

On this most holy of days, we remember His death, and His resurrection and we celebrate together the joyful news. HE IS RISEN!

Happy Easter.

Jim & Sherry Sabella

Meet the New Executive Leadership Team of the Assemblies of God USA

    Pictured in the photo are the new Executive Leadership Team of the Assemblies of God USA. If you would like to know more about these leaders click on the link below. It will take you to the A/G website where you can read their bio's and hear them speak at the A/G headquarters chapel service.

Meet the New Executive Leadership Team Assemblies of God USA

Religion Takes a Back Seat in Western Europe

USA Today article

Swedish Pastor Beats "Hate Crime" Conviction

Alliance Defense Article

Actual sermon from Pastor Ake Green is linked below.

Ake Green Sermon_Transcript

New Website for Master's Commission

The Master's Commission Europe office is announcing an updated website.  You may check it out by clicking on the link below.

Master's Commission Europe

Current AGWM Facts

Here is your chance to see the latest facts from the AGWM office.  Included in this document are the number of missionaries in each region, and overall giving for the year. 

Download 2005_agwm_current_facts.pdf

An Uncertain Road

The Pew Forum on Religious & Public Life has published a report entitled--An Uncertian Road: Muslims and the Future of Europe. If you are interested, click here to view a synopsis of the report or to download a PDF file of the entire report.

An Uncertain Road: Muslims and the Future of Europe