Brian, Estefânia, Rafael and Hannah

Ken and Amy Lowe
2005 Ministry Annual Report
Lisbon, Portugal

“I do not see any pith helmets around here.”

This was the response from a wide-eyed, young, man visiting Portugal on a mission trip this year. This curious, college-aged young man shared with Ken about the differences he expected to encounter and the differences he actually witnessed. He was consistently amazed and surprised as he learned about missions in postmodern Europe.
Mission ministries and missionaries themselves are constantly changing. It is remarkable to see the unchanging Word of God applied in new and fresh cultural contexts. Portugal, like the rest of Western Europe, is making seismic shifts in its values and ethics. Ministries in this jungle must be able to maintain their commitment to God’s principles while demonstrating to a postmodern community how these principles are relevant to daily life. Moral relativity, atheism and unbelief make up the jungle in which we reside. Cutting through these blinding obstacles so people can see God’s Truth is our daily task and the reason pith helmets are not found around here.

Highlights of 2005
1. In May we were able to return to Portugal from our six month furlough. We praise God and thank Him for allowing us to minister in the States and to be able to raise enough support to return. Even though we dearly miss our family and friends in the States, we also greatly love ministering in the same church every Sunday and seeing people develop spiritually.

2. In September we were able to co-host our first couple’s retreat. This is something that has been on our hearts for some years. The couples who attended seemed to really enjoy it and profit from all the work. Our team was unanimous in its decision to repeat it in 2006.

3. Our church is growing and doing well but we are lacking men and entire families. We have a number of single mothers whose teenagers are attending regularly. We have a youth group of 15-20 kids who are really growing spiritually. We have a good number of women who are meeting regularly for prayer and fellowship.

4. GDL (The Leadership Development Group) – After we returned in May, Ken led a curriculum review of the undergraduate program. This went very well and in October the school launched a new program called “The Berean Program” based upon Acts 17.

5. Adoption- Adopting Rafael (7 yrs.) and Estefânia (5 yrs.) brought about a huge change in all of our lives. Christmas was certainly different this year with four children instead of two. They began living with us on November 21. We are now in the process of changing their names and working through citizenship issues.

Here are four areas in which you can be actively praying in 2006.
1. Ramada Baptist Church
One of our biggest needs is men. We have 5 men who attend regularly on Sunday but do not want to become members or to be involved beyond their Sunday attendance.
We have already planned a number of evangelistic events for 2006. We are going to take advantage of the World Cup Soccer Tournament by showing the national games at the church. We will also be running two sports clinics this summer.
Join with us in prayer for this need. Pray specifically that we (The Dix family and the Lowe family) will make significant contacts with men this year and that we will see a number of men saved.

2.GDL (Leadership training)
The Bible College and seminary are developing and growing. Starting this month we will be running 4 undergraduate courses in 4 different churches. In the graduate program we will be offering several different Greek courses and Homiletics. Ken will be teaching Introduction to the Old Testament and the two Greek courses starting in February. Pray with us as he prepares to teach and continue to administrate the school.

3. Family
Our family is doing well. We are continuing to adjust to Rafael and Estefânia in our home. Please remember each family member in prayer (Ken, Amy, Brian, Hannah, Rafael and Estefania). Each one of us needs your prayers as we all change and adapt. Some days are easy and fun, other days are difficult and trying. We thank the Lord for the privilege of adopting and look forward to this year when we can grow closer and develop as a family.

4. Ongoing Support
With the addition of two more children, the amount of support our family needs per month did rise. Fortunately the Dollar strengthened a little against the Euro and this has been a great help. We could use additional financial support. Pray that we will be good stewards of our resources and that the additional monthly support will come in.

Goals for 2005
1. Visit 17 supporting churches and raise $585 in monthly support – Raised $800 as the Dollar dropped in value the amount needed increased.
2. Prepare for and begin an accelerated training program for GDL. – Implemented and finished a curriculum review and started the new Berean program.
3. Develop a 5 year plan for GDL – With Bob Fry (GDL chairman of the Board) in the States this was not accomplished.
4. Develop a couples retreat for ABEM churches (probably through Couples Encounter) –We offered the retreat in October.
5. Finish National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC) certification. – 35 of the 50 required counseling hours were logged.
6. See the average attendance at Ramada Baptist church reach 50. – We are now averaging 53 each week.

Major Ministry Goals for 2006
1. Finish NANC certification.
2. Host One summer ministry team from Maryland
3. Teach Greek Grammar I and II and Greek Exegesis I
4. Develop a strategic plan for GDL.
5. Finish Internship manual for Field Council and GDL
6. Lead one sports clinic with teens from our church for teenagers in Casal de Cambra.
7. Have two evangelistic Couples retreats.

For more information, contact us at:
E-mail: Kenlowe@abwe.cc