Glenda Ridley was a girl from Melbourne, Australia on holiday visiting some friends
when Derek Webster met her. He invited her over for dinner and games. Over the
course of the next several days, he would have an opportunity to encourage Glenda in
her faith and birth a friendship - even though he might not ever see her again.
Chance encounter?
Glenda’s parents, Roger and Gaynor, were in-between ministries. What now? They were on holiday when Derek Webster bumped in to them. Derek was teaching and they mentioned that their daughter, Glenda, was encouraged by her time with him. Derek shared with them the need to have church planters in Europe. Our continent has a huge need, he said, but few are willing to fearlessly start something. Through a short conversation, they birthed a friendship - even though Derek might never see them again.
Coincidental?
Roger & Gaynor Ridley arrived in Basel, with only their suitcases and a dream to plant a church in the area. Two of their three children had married in Melbourne, Australia - half a world away. Glenda and her husband were now working at University together. But here they were, doing what others might consider unthinkable; leaving their children and future grandchildren behind to start a church in a country they had never lived in, in a language they didn’t speak, with no organization to which they belonged, and no Visas in hand to remain.
Impossible Dream?
Roger & Gaynor’s church planting team is starting to form. People heard what they were thinking of doing and wanted to join them. God provided them Visas to stay in country and a partnership church whose pastor was also daring enough to dream with them. They are sharing their faith and meeting non-believers. And they and their new friends are praying. As they pray, God is moving mountains.
They are first-time church planters after years of pastoring in a traditional setting. The adventure they began almost two years ago is just warming up.
Ask them if the move and the dream are worth it. “Of course it is!” they reply.
Mosaic Basel-Lörrach is a community of followers of Jesus Christ who live by faith, are known by love and are a voice of hope.