Globalscope Germany has an official name now: unterwegs
Though we have been using the term 'imkeller' for our website, it was never our intention to keep that as our name. 'imkeller' which translates to 'in the cellar' was used only for temporary purposes.
But, now we have a name. The rest of the team and I have been brainstorming of what the name of our ministry should be. Several names have been thrown around. Things that translate into 'The Lighthouse', 'The River', and others for example. But, 'unterwegs' has stuck with us for months. We have prayed about it, researched its connotation, and have asked several Germans about what they think. All have resulted with positive signs. So, we all decided it should be so.
I'm sure you are wondering just what exactly 'unterwegs' means. 'unter' in German means 'under' and 'weg' means 'way.' So, the literal translation would be that 'unterwegs' means 'under way.' But, the closest translation and meaning is 'along the way' and 'on one's way' being a close second.
Jim Kautt, a pastor at the local Christian Church, who actually hails from the Republic of Texas gave us some words of advice to keep in mind. He says, "The Neckar flows into Tübingen. The Neckar flows through Tübingen. The Neckar flows out of Tübingen." Tübingen is split by the Neckar River. Jim's advice is in regards to the flowing waters of the Neckar, but also about the flow of students throught the University of Tübingen. The students flow into, through, and out of Tübingen.
I have stood and watched the flow of the water. I have watched the current and followed the water and its contents down stream. As the water passes, I have realized that the waters I observe will never flow through Tübingen in the same way again. And just like the water, I watch students go about their day. They flow from dorms to class rooms rippling with friends and classmates, but they all are inevitably flowing downstream to the future. As campus ministers we have a small window to create relationships and show students the love of Jesus. The average German lives to be 79 years old and the average student will stay at University for 4 years. Our window is 5% of their lives. But, on the bright side, university students are more likely to be open to new ideas than at any other point in their lives.
So...unterwegs...along the way. As Christians, we ought not to ever be satisfied with who we are as Christians and we should never be satisfied with the work we do on earth for the Kingdom. If I ever say, "You know what. I think I have finally arrived at being a Christian. I'm going to stop striving for more," please slap me across the face.
The fact is, I will always be on the path towards Jesus. I should never stop moving forward. I will, for the rest of my days, be 'along the way'. I meet people on the bus, in the gym, at the cafeteria, on the soccer field, and anywhere else 'along the way'. Our campus house sits on the busiest street in Tübingen. People walking, driving, and biking are constantly passing our house 'along the way' to wherever they are going. 'unterwegs' will be a ministry where boys and girls can spend time at 'along the way' to becoming the men and women God wants them to become.
All we can hope is that God will bless us...along the way.
