"I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me."
(John 14:6)
Our Ministry in Europe
We left our 28' trailer home and sailed to Europe in 1964, arriving in Vienna July 24
Beginninigs
While learning German in the University of Vienna, we also helped in the
Sunday School of a Baptist Church, conducted children’s meetings among Gypsies,
assisted with camps, distributed literature, drew Chalk Talks in the “Church on
Wheels” and distributed flyers advertising the telephone counseling service
of Vienna.
Church Planting
Following formal language study, we became involved with church planting projects in several cities
of Upper Austria. We were invited to three anniversary celebrations in Austria
in 2017. The church in Ampflwang (our first project)celebrated it's 50th
anniversary, the church in
Vöcklabruck its 30th and an
international youth organization that we helped to
found celebrated 25 years.
 Youth
Center "Katakombe" 1969-1979
We were in some way involved with youth during all our 38 years in Austria. In Linz, we
operated a youth center and drug rehabilitation ministry.
In a special report, Trans World Radio recognized this as one
of the most effective youth ministries in Europe.
Printing and Publishing
Millions of pieces of literature were produced in the years, 1972-1999, including literature
smuggled into Communist countries of Eastern Europe. We also published our own youth magazine and
operated a Christian Book Store. Ralph continues to write articles for Christian publications
and published his first book,
Rabban Gamaliel in January, 2005. Many of his
writings are posted on this website for free download.
Click here for large photos of the print shop.
Austrian Bible Institute
In May of 1983, we leased property in Ampflwang and worked
to establish the Austrian Bible Institute, which opened in October, 1984.
In 1991, property was purchased in Wallsee on the Danube River.
After 15 years as a dormitory-style school, the emphasis shifted to training in
major urban centers and the Wallsee property was sold.
Click here to read Part 1 of the detailed history of God's
working in Austria to provide quality Christian education!
"Jungschar"
We worked with one of the first students in the Bible Institute to start a youth
organization for kids 10-16
yrs called Jungschar in German. Within a few short years many Austrian churches had Jungschar
groups. About 500 leaders were trained and many camps
were conducted throughout Austria.
Within three years there were approximately 50 clubs in Austria and in 2001, we became involved
in training youth leaders and establishing clubs in other European nations. The
first international leadership camp took place in Slovakia with nine nations
represented.
Click here to get the latest news on this youth organization.
Relief and Refugee Work
Relief work was another aspect of our work.
We worked with refugees in Austrian camps and organized the collection, shipment
and distribution of relief goods in impoverished or worn-torn countries of
Eastern Europe. We also collected and sent tools and materials to rebuild and repair
churches after the collapse of Communism in 1989. In May, 2000, we helped build an
addition onto the church in Kukes, Albania. An Albanian graduate of the Austrian
Bible Institute, Arben Kosta and his wife Sherilyn served this church.
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