We are excited about what the Lord has in store for 2025. We are eager to partner with local churches and are committed to training and sending leaders to plant new churches. We hope to see the number of pastors and leaders who wish to mentor new leaders increase, allowing more churches to engage in planting new congregations.

 

One change this year is that the Lord has guided David Martin to step down as the lead pastor of IBC Cologne and assume a full-time role with Aquila Initiative. The need for his oversight, communication, and management has also increased with the expansion of the ministry. However, he will continue to serve as a pastor, elder, and church planter.

 

His family will move to Aachen this summer, where he will lead IBC Cologne’s next church plant. The Lord has already provided them with a fantastic team and two apprentices. Although transitions can be challenging, they have received tremendous support from their sending church and the team the Lord has gathered to plant a new church in Aachen.

 

We are excited to announce that this year starts with six apprentices engaging in new church planting work alongside their mentors and core team. This environment will provide the apprentices with opportunities to develop their skills and gain more experience in church planting. A couple of our apprentices continue to learn and serve within their local church as they prepare to be sent out as missionaries to another country. Aquila Initiative is grateful to equip these apprentices with essential tools for theological development and ministry training.

 

To this end, we've established a budget of 222,000 euros. By God’s grace, we are excited to share that a significant portion has already been secured, leaving us only 51,000 euros still to raise for 2025. As more churches join in mentoring new apprentices, we are confident that the Lord will provide abundantly. We invite you to take part in this vital mission! Pray and contribute according to what God has laid on your heart. Your partnership can make a profound difference! Let’s support this incredible work of mentoring future church planters.

 

If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship program at your church or simply want to support our ministry efforts, please explore our website aquila-initiative.org or send us an email. We are eager to partner with more churches that share the urgency of training leaders and planting new churches.

 

We look forward to everything the Lord is calling us to do, and we invite you to join us in prayer for all the churches, mentors, and apprentices involved in Great Commission work.

 

To God be the glory for all the great things He has planned for those who love Him. May He continue to strengthen our hands for the good work ahead.