FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Is this website in German, too?
Leider noch nicht. Basically, that means not yet. You can click here for Google’s translation, but it is admittedly lacking. (eg: “Brad Hunter” comes out literally as “nail without headhunter!”)
Who are you?
First and foremost, we are children of the living God, adopted into His family through the perfect life and sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus. This identity defines us, it challenges us, and motivates us to give our lives for Him. You can read more of the our story by clicking About Us, or by checking out the Hunters’ Blog, the McMullens’ Blog, or the Beilmans’ Blog.
Who is World Harvest Mission? And Why did you go with them?
World Harvest is a mission agency whose vision is to launch movements of churches empowered by grace for God’s glory and the world’s good. We are reformed and evangelical in our theology, and believe that mission and renewal are vitally linked. When we (the Hunters) met with the leadership of World Harvest for the first time, we were struck with how disarmingly vulnerable they were, leading by humility and prayer, and we said to ourselves, “That’s what we wish we were like now and what we want to be like in 10-20 years.” Since then they have become a mission family to us. Find out more by clicking World Harvest Mission.
What would ever compel three couples with young children to leave almost everything they call home and move to Vienna?
We often wake up in the morning and ask ourselves the same thing, until we are reminded that God is passionate about our welfare and He is passionate about the salvation of the nation of Austria. We are secure in Him, find our identity, hope, and fulfillment in Him, and so can freely “sell everything”, risk everything, as we already possess the “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13.45-46). Pray that we would believe this more readily.
But why Vienna in particular?
Vienna is a strategic city in the middle of Europe. It is at the crossroads between east and west, a cultural center, with very little Gospel witness in the heart of the city. We love ministering in our sending churches in the US, and yet we are burdened by the need and the scarcity of workers in Vienna. It’s a huge encouragement to hear from national believers and international missionaries how the Spirit of God has already begun to reap a harvest in what was formerly hardened soil, and we’re excited to ride the wave of His redemptive work.
Our vision, simply put, is
to raise up a generation of Austrian and international leaders
to renew Vienna spiritually, culturally, and socially,
through a gospel-centered, church planting movement.
Check out our VisionVienna Slideshow to learn more about Vienna and what we believe God is calling us to be a part of there.
What excites you about Vienna?
One word–Wienerschnitzel.
No, really we are excited to be a part of what God is doing in Vienna, as we said in the answer above. It is an amazing city, but a city whose physical beauty is matched by its spiritual brokenness. Again, you can see how God is shaking the city for His redemptive purpose by checking out our VisionVienna Slideshow.
What are your great fears?
We fear that we will “mess up” our kids by transplanting them to a culture, language, and people they barely know, BUT we are trusting that what is good for the Kingdom and what is good for our kids are not mutually exclusive.
We fear “wasting our time” if we fail, BUT we are learning that our heavenly Father defines success differently than we do, and that neither our success nor our failure can change the Father’s delight for us.
We fear being away from the safety net of our families and friends (the Hunters fear not being present with Brad’s Mom as she continues her battle with cancer), BUT know that our all-present God who created and sustains the universe can care for us and our loved ones better than we can.
We fear the unknown, but are compelled to go in the strength and power of the One who does all things well. Pray that God’s supply would exceed our needs and fears.
Will your ministry be in English or German?
Both. All of our team members will work toward developing fluency in German, while not waiting for that day to begin ministry.
What kind of teammates are you praying for?
You can get some idea by clicking here.
When do you plan to move?
After much prayer and the provision of God’s people, the Hunters launched in June 2007. Please join us right now in praying that the McMullens would have a groundswell of supporters so that they could move by January 2009. The Beilmans were approved by WHM as teammates in September 2008, and are just beginning the support raising process. God is teaching us all patience! And for the McMullens’ and Beilmans’ sanity, don’t say to them, “Oh, you’re still here? I thought you’d be gone by now.”
What in the world are you doing with your time now?
Since their arrival in Vienna in June 2007, the Hunters have moved into a centrally-located apartment, they have been embracing the culture and beauty of the city, the kids have been attending school in a Viennese Bilingual School (and have amazed us with how fast they have picked up German), Stacey has begun language school, they have been building relationships with neighbors, people in the neighborhood, and at school, as well as rekindling old friendships, and Brad has enrolled in the Ph.D. program (Sociology) at the University of Vienna. In fall 2008 they are seeking to gather their friends from a variety of spiritual, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds to begin a Bible study. Please join us in praying for this important first step towards planting the church.
The McMullens have also been through major transition, stepping out of their roles in Hanover Valley Church and moving to Baltimore so that they could devote their time to raising financial and prayer support, developing relationships with partner churches, beginning to study German, Jeff passed his ordination exams and was ordained in January 2008, AND they are trying to shepherd their kids through this rootless phase between two worlds.
The Beilmans were approved to join the team in September 2008, and are now beginning the long journey of support raising.
In addition, we are continuing building our team. (Click here for more info.) Do you believe us now that we all need your prayers?
How can I partner with the WHM Vienna Team and the Hunters and McMullens?
Pray, Give, and/or Encourage us!
Or maybe God has called you to consider mission?
Or maybe you just have a question?
Email us at viennahunters@gmail.com