Barbecue Will Support Weaver Family Ministry
Darrel Weaver grew up in the New Holland area and made his way to Halle in what was East Germany to start a ministry more than two decades ago. In Halle, Darrel met his wife, Miriam, and they now have two daughters. Each summer, the family returns to the ELANCO area to share an update with family, friends, and supporters.
This year, the Weavers will hold a pork barbecue and meet-and-greet on Friday, Aug. 5, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community, 210 Weaverland Road, East Earl. The food, which will be available by suggested donation, will include a la carte pulled pork on a kaiser roll and a meal option. Both takeout and sit-down meals will be available.
Much of the Weavers' mission in Halle has involved refugees, and Darrel now pastors an international church. "I have officiated at many international weddings," said Darrel. "I just did a Persian wedding where the cake is up at the altar during the wedding ... and cutting the cake is part of the ceremony, and there is dancing and music." Darrel said that he often oversees Christian wedding services with cultural elements from the betrothed couple's homeland.
At the barbecue, Darrel plans to talk about the persecuted church around the world. "Our ministry is to people who are from persecuted areas," said Darrel, who noted that recently refugees have been coming from Africa. "Many are finding they are able to be baptized and have a Bible (once they are in Germany)," Darrel explained. He spoke about a new congregant who delivered illegal Bibles on his motorcycle in his home country until it was too dangerous. The man fled to Germany and found fellowship in the men's group associated with Darrel's church. In addition to Sunday services, the church offers small home groups in Persian, German, and English.
Miriam teaches Christian religion part-time at a nearby public school. "(Miriam) gets to teach the Gospel and Bible stories to these kids," said Darrel. "She gets to know the teachers and the families." Although the prayer groups Miriam had started ceased due to COVID-19 restrictions, she continues to pray with area mothers, and she helps refugees acclimate to the area in a variety of ways. "There's a couple who will be having a child, and they are from the Middle East," said Darrel. "They don't know about the health system, so Miriam will go along with them (to appointments) and translate to help make sure she gets her prenatal care."
Readers who want to know more about the Weavers' ministry may search for "Weaver Family Outreach in Germany" on Facebook.
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