The Aquila Institute

In this episode, Stephen sits down again with Keith and Jeff to continue their discussion of the joys and challenges of pastoring international churches. You'll be blessed as they share their heart, vision, and passion for God's mission in the world. 

In this episode, Stephen sits down with two fellow IBC pastors to discuss the joys and challenges of pastoring international churches. The conversation was so rich that it required a second part. So tune in and wait for part two, coming soon.

Keith (MPhil, University of Pretoria) was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He is married to Coreen, and they are the parents of three young children: Kian, Zach, and Emily. He has pastored at IBC Stuttgart (Germany) since 2020.

Jeff (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) was born in Texas, USA. He and his wife Melanie have three children. Jeff was called to be the Senior Pastor at EIC Rueil (Paris, France) in 2023.

In this final episode before the summer break, David Martin sits down with his father, Paul Martin, to discuss being a generous church. Pastor Martin has been pastor of Laramie Valley Chapel for 42 years and in that time has seen the church grow from being a mostly self-focused church to one that disciples well, gives generously, and consistently sends their best people onto the mission field.

In this episode, David and Stephen sit down to share an important update from Aquila. 

Reach out to us at [email protected] to get involved!

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Pastor Carsten Lotz to discuss the experience of becoming a planting church. 

Carsten has been in ministry since 2005 and the pastor of the International Christian Fellowship in Frankfurt since 2010. In 2019/2020, ICF had the joy of sending their best to launch River of Life in downtown Frankfurt. 

You'll be encouraged by the story of God's grace and goodness as he worked through one church to plant another and expand the spread of the Gospel in one of the world's most international cities.

Carsten's book recommendation:

Dever, Mark, and Paul Alexander. How to Build a Healthy Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2021. 

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down with Aquila apprentice Lucas dos Santos. Lucas began as a member of IBC Cologne and has grown into an essential part of the core church-planting team and lay elder at Aachen International Church. 

You'll be encouraged by Lucas's high view of God and the local church, and you'll be challenged by his wisdom and experience of church planting.

In this episode, Stephen sits down with church planter John Hugh Tate. You'll be encouraged by his heart for evangelism, mentoring, and helping disciples of Christ grow in faith and obedience.

Dr. Tate, together with his wife Linda and their boys went to Paris after 17 years of church planting & pastoring in his home state of Mississippi, USA. He has always had a global heart, growing ministry partnerships in Honduras, India, UAE & Italy. 

He has an earned DMin from Fuller Seminary and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. He also has a Master’s in International Relations from University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He did undergraduate studies in English and French at University of Mississippi. 

Recommended books:

Capill, Murray. The Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2024. 

Keller, Timothy. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012. 

Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership. Rev. ed. Littleton, CO: Lewis & Roth Publishers, 1995. 

Chan, Sam. Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2018. 

In this episode, David and Stephen sit down with Dr. Glenn Kreider to discuss the Last Things. You'll be blessed as they discuss the consummation of God's eternal plan of salvation and the hope of every believer. 

Dr. Kreider is Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and Editor in Chief of the Theological Journal Bibliotheca Sacra. He has a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Prior to teaching at DTS, Dr. Kreider served as Director of Christian Education and then as pastor in Cedar Hill, TX. His research and writing interests include theological method, theology and popular culture, and our eschatological hope.  

Dr. Kreider's relevant books include:

Blount, Douglas K., Glenn R. Kreider, Michael J. Svigel, and Nathan D. Holsteen. Exploring Christian Theology: Creation, Fall, and Salvation. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2015.

Blount, Douglas K., Glenn R. Kreider, J. Lanier Burns, Michael J. Svigel, and Nathan D. Holsteen. Exploring Christian Theology: The Church, Spiritual Growth, and the End Times. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2014.

Kreider, Glenn R., Jeffrey Bingham, and Michael J. Svigel, eds. Dispensationalism and the History of Redemption: A Developing and Diverse Tradition. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2015.

Kreider, Glenn R., J. Scott Horrell, Michael J. Svigel, and Nathan D. Holsteen. Exploring Christian Theology: Revelation, Scripture, and the Triune God. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2014.

Rydelnik, Michael, and Michael Vanlaningham, eds. The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy: Studies and Expositions of the Messiah in the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2019. (Contains contributions by Glenn R. Kreider.)