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, by checking out the Hunters’ Blog and the Beilmans’ Blog, or you can find us on facebook (Lindsay Kimball, Jen Beilman, Dan Beilman, Stacey Hunter, and Brad Hunter.)
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 you to leave almost everything you call home and move to Vienna?
We sometimes 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 loved ministering in our sending churches in the US, and yet we are burdened by the need and the scarcity of workers in Vienna. The Spirit of God has been at work in Vienna long before we arrived, and we are privileged 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 God has called 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 some of the fears you faced before you arrived and maybe even still face?
Our families fear that we will “mess up” our kids by transplanting them to a culture, language, and people they barely know, BUT we have been learning to trust that what is good for the Kingdom and what is good for our kids are not mutually exclusive.
Our singles fear loneliness and the difficulties of finding a spouse, BUT we go in faith holding to the promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” knowing that God will supply all our needs.
We fear being away from the safety net of our families and friends, 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. Before we (the Hunters) moved here, we feared that we would not be able to be with Brad’s Mom as she died, yet God powerfully answered that prayer, and we were able to return to spend the last two months in this life with her in Florida in the summer of 2010.
We still 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.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.
Is your ministry in English or German?
Both. Our church is bilingual, and all of our team members 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 did you all move?
After much prayer and the provision of God’s people, the Hunters launched in June 2007. Lindsay moved in October 2008, and the Beilmans in December 2010.
What has life and ministry looked like since the Hunters first launched in June 2007?Since their arrival in Vienna in June 2007, the Hunters moved into a centrally-located apartment, they embraced the culture, the kids have attended Viennese bilingual schools (and amazed us with how fast they picked up German), Stacey has attended several German classes, they have built relationships with many Austrians and internationals, and Brad is enrolled in the Ph.D. program (Religious Sociology) at the University of Vienna. In November 2008 they gathered some of their friends from a variety of spiritual, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds to for a Bible study in our apartment building. We established a non-profit organization “New City Wien” (also the name of our church plant), and God led us to an affordable facility we have begun renting for outreach and worship, located right in the heart of the city, at the crossroads of 3 subway lines, behind the Technical University and in an up and coming part of the city. We had our first “trial” worship service on Easter Sunday 2009, our first internship and first English Camp in the summer of 2009, and we began having regular bible studies in our facility in the fall of 2009, when Lindsay joined us, as well. Lindsay has served as media coordinator and intern coordinator for our church and team, among many other hats she wears. She is pursing a Masters Degree at the University of Vienna and takes German courses, as well.
We began bilingual public worship with preaching in our facility in January 2010, and it has continued since then. The Hunters returned to the US during the summer and fall of 2010 to care for Brad’s Mom until her death, and returned in January 2011. In their absence, God used Lindsay and others in the church to grow New City Wien. The Beilman family moved in December 2010, and immediately improved our worship service with Dan’s gifts as our worship leader. The Beilmans are currently attempting to get their visas, and would appreciate your prayers.
We are grateful for the team God has already assembled, and we’re open to hearing from others who are seriously considering joining the Vienna Team. (Click here for more info.)
How can I partner with the WHM Vienna Team?
Pray, Give,
Or do you believe God is calling you to consider mission with the Vienna Team?
Email us at viennahunters@gmail.com