Brower Missions

2 Big Things

Hello Friends, 

What a couple of months it has been.  We were so blessed to have both sets of our parents come over to visit us here in Ireland.  It was a very timely visit considering the long battle and loss of our unborn baby.  There is nothing quite like your parents to bring encouragement in hard times.  My father, George Brower, spoke to our church on principles of discipleship.  My father-in-love (a.k.a. ‘law’ :O), Darrell Chipman,  spoke to our church on faith.  It was great to have their wisdom over here.  And of course our moms were a big hit here too.  Who could not love them! 

In other news, we have a major praise update.  As of tomorrow we are going to begin moving into our new church building!  Up until now we have met outside of town in a hotel banquet room, but now we have a downtown ministry center which we will have access to 24/7.  God has opened the doors!  Much more to come on this! Last week we went with some of our church to preview the new building.

Tania & Gosia Chatting away.

The Browers with our Hungarian Friends

Holding on to Him

Hello Friends,

What a month for us.  The Lord has really been close to us as we have gone though this challenging time.  We have no ‘new news’ yet.  We have not had any additional doctor appointment since the last update.  And again the Lord told us to not look at the ‘natural report’ but to look at His promise for life. So nothing ‘new’ to say there in that manner.  However please keep praying for the life and health of our little unborn one.  Tania and I continue to pray…

“Father, may our home and minds be filled with God’s love and peace.  There is nothing too hard or wonderful for you Lord. You have heard our prayers and we receive this miracle joy baby that you have freely given because of your great love and grace to us, In Jesus’ name amen.”

Much love & Thanks,

Jason, Tania, & Miracle Joy Baby Brower

Patience & Perseverance

Hello Friends,

We went to our other doctor’s visit on Wednesday.  Thank you so much for your continuing prayers!  We’ve continued to have spiritual strength given to us.  The “medical report” was not yet positive.  Instead of focusing on the negative please focus on what God wants to do. So again, with that said we continue to stand on what the LORD has told us to believe, for our miracle baby, which is LIFE!  We appreciate your continuing patience as this process of life unfolds.  You can pray that the Lord will help us to have endurance and not waver as we seek Him for the breakthrough.

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”  Hebrews 10:35-36 

We have been so strengthened and encouraged by the personal scriptures God has put on your heart for us. PLEASE continue to send them to us as you are led.

In Him,

Jason, Tania & Miracle Joy Baby Brower

Standing on His Promise

Hello Blog Subscribers Friends,

Some of you know Tania has had some complications in the last couple weeks in her pregnancy.  This past Friday we went to Tania’s pre-scheduled doctor’s appointment.  We believe that God would only have us share in this update that the “medical report” was not positive.  With that said we continue to stand on what the LORD has told us to believe, for our miracle baby to be fine.  We appreciate your patience as this process unfolds.  We do have another doctor’s visit scheduled for this Wednesday.   You can pray that the Lord will help us to walk by faith and not by sight.  We will give you another update soon. 

“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1 

In Him,

Jason, Tania & Miracle Joy Baby Brower

A Spiritual Retreat (for the ladies)

Just over a week ago I (Tania) had the opportunity to attend an International Women’s Conference in Limerick with guest speaker Teresa Conlin from Times Square Church, NY.  This is the first real ladies’ retreat/conference I’ve had the chance to go to since moving to Ireland (missed out on England in March because I was sick).  I sure did need it!

Four of the ladies from church attended, and we met other women from as close as Limerick to as far away as Maine!  There were also ladies from Scotland, Wales and Hungary.  The four of us kept commenting that this was the most restful conference we had ever been to!  We actually came home rested!

The weekend retreat was held at Limerick Christian Center, an old cathedral-type church and buildings that were purchased and converted to a Christian church and school.  Right from the first evening God’s presence and peace were so real and ministered to me greatly.  God spoke to me in many ways, especially during times of worship and through our amazing speaker.

We also had time to “sneak” in some fun…shopping at a nearby mall (I miss that “mall air” from the States – they aren’t as easy to come by here!) and we were also part of a painting class where the “resident artist,” a wonderful Christian woman, taught us how to paint lovely flowers.  That was a first for me!

At the last service we had a special treat.  While we were all singing beautiful worship to the Lord, the artist was up front painting a picture before our very eyes.  It was amazing to watch it unfold, and it really ministered to me to watch her work in her gifting, in the Lord’s presence, to present such a beautiful gift for all to see.  I thank the Lord for times like this to get away and be refreshed in Him!  God is good!

The Kingdom of God is like a piece of bread with jam…

The Kingdom of God is like a piece of bread with jam.  Oh… and a group of guy hanging around for a men’s breakfast at our place.  Last month we started doing a men’s breakfast at our home and it has been great to have guys from the church come around the table together and talk about ‘men’ stuff.  Who else can guys be real guys with, if we don’t come together as the church.  It’s great seeing different nationalities and generations come together and be part of the Kingdom here on earth.

Some of the guys starting to chow down.

Youth Expansion

Some of our youth hanging out at Olivia’s apt. on “game night.”

Over the past few months we have been experiencing some exciting new growth in our youth group.  But for starters, let’s paint a picture of youth groups in Ireland:  typically, Christian youth groups here are very few and far between.  In fact, to find even one youth group in a town would be amazing!  Our youth group has generally ranged from about 5-8 young people all from a variety of backgrounds.  We are the ONLY Christian youth group in the town of Dungarvan, a town of 8,000.  With over 50% of the population under age 25, this is a HUGE area that needs to be reached.

Just about 2 months ago we began seeing momentum at our youth group  – especially with lots of new visitors…friends inviting friends.  Two of these new young people have now given their lives to Jesus!  Then over the past month it just seems like each week brings one or two new faces!  The word is getting out!

“Game Night” this past Thursday at youth group – playing Cranium!

Each Thursday night we generally have a time of worship, prayer/ministry time and the Word, followed by snacks and “hang out” time.  Once a month we do an “activity night.”  We used to watch a movie, but just last week began doing a monthly “game night.”  It was absolutely brilliant because it gave us as leaders (me, Jason & Olivia) and the young people a chance to connect with one another and get to know each other better.

Here in Ireland most places close at 6pm, and as a young person you either hang out in the park or go to the cinema – there’s not too much to offer.  So just the mere fact that we provide an “open door” for youth to come and hang out is a great draw.

Some of the other youth “spilled” out into the hallway. We are already outgrowing our space! Yay!

This new momentum definitely has it’s challenges.  For one, we are bursting at the seams!  Olivia’s apartment can hardly contain everyone!  For another, we are continually aware of the challenges in reaching youth from broken homes, with atheist beliefs, and with deep wounds.  Our heart for these youth is to see them radically changed by experiencing the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of JESUS and see them thrive in the plans an purposes of God for their lives.  Will you join us in praying for them?

“Jason Goes to Paris for Jesus”

A 2 minute drive-by of the Eiffel Tower (better than nothin’ :O)

That’s right – I got to go to Paris for the first time!  It was my first time in mainland Europe, and what a nice place to start!  It wasn’t exactly a vacation, but it was a great experience.  Horizon International (a group of church networks here in Europe) held their yearly conference at a church in Paris.  I was privileged to go with Kyle (who helped found Horizon years ago) and be a part of God’s global vision for Europe.

Kyle preaching it up in Paris and getting it translated.

I stayed with the Rouxel’s, a French family that welcomed me in with open arms.  They were so generous and friendly!  I had some great evenings around the family table experiencing their culture firsthand.  The father, David, is a pastor that Kyle commissioned a few years ago and just planted his 2nd French church!

David’s kids I stayed with. They were so nice.

Kyle brought an awesome word at David’s church, about 50 minutes outside of Paris, as well as at the main conference.  Kyle just turned 50 this week, and it has been great to see everyone showing their appreciation for him.  It is great to serve under a man like Kyle, and it was an encouragement and blessing to connect with the wider body in Europe.

Kyle encouraging the people at David’s church. (David in pic)

Growing things!

As spring has finally come to Ireland I (Tania) have gotten the “green-thumb-bug!”  We were so blessed to have a friend, Steve, from church lend us his portable greenhouse so we could grow some pumpkins (perfect for pumpkin pie – would you believe they don’t have pumpkin pie mix here?!), strawberries (perfect for when Dad comes to visit!), tomatoes and, my favorite, loads of flowers!

There are so many life applications I am seeing as I refresh myself on growing things from seed and nurturing seedlings.  Speaking of growing, we’ve really started to see some growth and breakthrough at our church!  We’ve had multiple new visitors both to the youth group and to our main Sunday service!  As we are here longer, in full-time ministry, we really see how flexible and multi-faceted God wants us to be.  For example, if you look across the whole of our church there are people from all walks of life, a variety of cultures, and at different stages in their understanding of Jesus and the Gospel.  Some are mature Christians, some in-between, some babes and some non-Christians that are curious and exploring.

We really have to depend on the Holy Spirit to be sensitive to where each one is and our part in their journey.  As Paul said in I Corinthians 3:6, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”  We realize some of the folks are germinating under the soil (aka – you don’t see anything outwardly, but God is tugging on their hearts).  Others have just sprouted, some are strong seedlings, and yet others have grown into thriving plants bearing fruit.  As we depend on the Holy Spirit we know He leads us in each different situation…and praise God HE makes the growth happen, not us in our own strength!

Just as I have had to carefully plant seeds in healthy soil, with just the right amount of water, warmth, and sunlight, and transplant to a bigger pot at the right time, so Jason and I are learning how true this is of working with people as we desire to lead them along the journey of relationship and transformation through Jesus Christ.  It is SUCH rewarding work!  It is also hard work, but we are learning so much and God is also showing us things in ourselves that He wants to change and hewn so we are even more effective.

A Volcano, a New Venture and Victory!

Some of the Encounter participants during an afternoon session.

We’re sure by now you know the Icelandic volcano has brought an almost complete halt to air traffic across Europe.  This crazy occurrence has affected many, including us here in Ireland.

Thursday, 15th: Our final day of preparation before our 2nd “Encounter God” weekend to be held in Kilkenny (recall from a previous blog – a weekend where people come to meet with God and allow Him to touch their lives on a personal level and set them free from things holding them back in life).  Thursday was also the first day of the volcano eruption. This same day we found out the the leaders flying in from Belgium and Holland would no longer be coming because of it!

Friday, 16th: Thankfully, 3 team leaders were already in Ireland who had prayed and ministered in Encounters before.  We already knew our church leadership would be prayer ministers this time….but we assumed there would be 5 or 6 other Leaders with lots of experience joining us.

By Friday afternoon not only did we realize we were some of the main leaders, we were also called upon to TEACH some of the sessions and SHARE our TESTIMONIES!  I think sometimes God saves things for the last minute so you just don’t have time to worry!

Friday, 16th & Saturday, 17th: So Friday night and Saturday we were throwing ourselves full steam ahead into times of teaching, sharing, and praying/ministering.  It was wonderful to see people come forward ready to let go of things of the past and hang-ups in their lives to receive God’s forgiveness, healing and deliverance.

Celebrating all God did in our lives and in those we ministered to!

Even though we were majorly stretched this weekend, it was really a “God-thing,” as people say:  the whole point is for us, as a church, to be trained to hold our own Encounters….and because of that volcano we were thrown into it “head first.”  God works in mysterious ways!