Joseph,” a 17-year-old in Dresden, Germany, was about to make his first drug deal when he met two students from the Steiger Missions School (SMS). They were sharing Jesus and inviting people to be baptized on the spot.Following a bold, God-inspired idea, the SMS team brought a bathtub to Alaunpark to host two days of public baptisms. Alaunpark, the heart of Dresden’s youth culture, is known for partying, drinking, and drugs. Home to radical student groups like ANTIFA, it’s the last place you would expect worship and baptisms.“It was a really crazy idea, but we decided to do it anyway,” shared David Pierce, founder of Steiger International. And that’s exactly where God moved in power.
Because of his conversation with two SMS students, Joseph gave his life to Jesus and immediately wanted to be baptized. Filled with joy, he shared that he wants to join SMS next year to learn what it truly means to follow Jesus in a radical way.
As worship and baptisms continued, God was moving powerfully in people’s hearts, including “Ana,” someone very close to Dresden City Team leader Nerina. For more than two years, Nerina had been walking with Ana in their Open Space — a welcoming community hub where people can experience Jesus in a natural, creative environment — showing her the love of Jesus through friendship and discipleship.
That day in the park, Ana decided to be baptized to publicly declare her new life in Jesus.
“Derek” was eager to learn more about God when he found our team at the park praying for people. He spent two hours in conversation and returned the next night, ready to encounter Jesus. In that moment, he accepted Jesus and was baptized on the spot. The joy on his face was unmistakable, and through tears he told the team, “From now on, only light.”
“God gave us so much favor at Alaunpark. We built a community, and people were so happy to see us there. We even hosted a Bible study for “ the non-religious” in the park, and 13 non-believers came!” shared Lauren, Steiger missionary and SMS volunteer.
In addition to the Eurasia SMS earlier this year, which welcomed 36 students from Russia and Belarus, God sent 137 students from 22 nations to the SMS in Germany to be trained to be radical missionaries to the Global Youth Culture. They returned to their countries with a clear sense of calling to reach their generation.
“God put a fire in my heart to reach these people, to go to the streets and build true relationships. When I hear their questions, and their pain, I cry. I want so much to go back and put all my strength and heart into this mission,” said Lucas, an SMS student from Brazil reflecting on his experience.
Steiger International is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation