Austria - Beck Family

Description of our ministry:
We are building up a local church in the Austrian Alps. Our strategy is simple but powerful: clear biblical teaching, authentic community, and acceptance of each person’s unique story. We believe that by creating a safe and welcoming space for people to explore their faith, ask questions, and connect with others, we can help them to discover Jesus and to grow in their faith.

Our church community meets within the walls of a 500-year-old Franciscan monastery. For generations, the province where we serve was known as Austria’s “Holy Land”, because so many were committed Catholics. Today, less than half of school children in Reutte are being raised Roman Catholic. Of those children who are baptized into Catholicism, few regularly attend church. The churches are empty. We are inspired by the legacy of the Franciscan monks who came before us, who dedicated their lives to spreading the Gospel throughout the Alps. We, too, are called to be modern-day evangelists, sharing the message of hope and salvation with the lost and the lonely.

Tabita teaches 4th grade in a local elementary school. Both Tabita and Gordy are official religion teachers in the public school system. Gordy teaches in the middle schools and Tabita teaches at the elementary level. This is a great opportunity to be salt and light in the community.