Guten Tag, we are Jeff and Christine; an American-German couple currently serving in two Cities, Passau and Vilshofen, Germany. We have been faithfully ministering and politely cutting through several layers of red tape in Germany since 2011. Using the business as mission model, we have established and run a student-lead cafe, an English language training business, a city tour-guide business and a professional wellness massage practice. Our endless endeavor is to unite local churches by planting house churches, offering prayer groups and leadership training, serve the community via neighborhood barbeques, and love God and love others. Thank you for your continued support and prayer!
To learn more about our 13 year journey, please visit our detailed history page. which elaborates on the specific goals accomplished in the three different cities we have served.
2023 Planted three house churches
2024 Planted a fourth house church
2025 Mature and Sharpen all the House churches
In April of 2023, three house churches were planted! The first house group began in Zeitlarn. In the months that followed, a deep study of the book of James and a study of the seven Jewish Festivals given by God and how Jesus can be found in each one. The second house group began in Thyrnau. The theme that is discussed is ‘The Old Covenant Law and the Law of Grace through Christ Jesus.’ The third house church began in old-city Passau and is conducted solely in the Russian language as it targets the displaced Ukrainian families. The topic of study is a ‘Believer’s identity in Christ.’ In late September 2024, the fourth house church was planted in Buchelberg. It hosts several members and guests who live outside the range of our church's physical location. It's focus is living out the gospel in one's daily life. In June of 2025, two participants of this house church have placed their faith in Jesus.
Please continue to pray that the house churches would be both challenging and enlightening - bringing Him all the glory.
A yearly financial goal is $2,000
January & September 2025
Ten new Ukrainian familes will be accepted as refugees and housed at the retreat center where our Bible School is located in November 2024. A week long Retreat will be planned for January 2025 to accomodate the growing needs of these families and their adjustment to German culture. Another week long Bible School retreat will be held as well.
The financial goal is $10,000 (This amount is based on the estimated cost per family of $1,000)
September 2025 - A Call to Support Education in Ukraine: Scholarships for Hope
In the heart of war-torn Ukraine, a remarkable opportunity to transform lives awaits—an opportunity where your generosity can make a profound impact. Imagine offering a student the chance to complete their first year of university for less than $1,000. In a nation where the standards of education are starkly different from those in the West, your contribution could be a cornerstone in reshaping the future of Ukraine.
During recent Bible School retreats, Jeff spoke with students and their families, and their message was resoundingly clear: "We need the resources to pursue education so that we can lead our country into a prosperous and peaceful future." These words are not just the cries of individuals—they are the collective voice of a generation yearning for the tools to rebuild their war-ravaged nation.
In Ukraine, students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher receive full government funding for their education. However, many students fall just below this threshold, and with the war disrupting schools and families, the gap is widening. With no jobs available and no scholarships to rely on, the cycle of poverty tightens its grip. The war has not only taken homes and livelihoods but also robbed young minds of their hope for a brighter tomorrow.
But there is hope. Jeff, a teacher whose heart beats for education, has felt the call to intervene. Partnering with Olesia and Vlad, he is working to establish a scholarship fund through the local church plant in Ukraine. Together, they are crafting a plan that will offer much-needed support to students in need. The cost for one year—two semesters—of university is $965 (or 40,000 UAH), a modest amount by many standards but a monumental sum for these students. The church plant currently nurtures 15 teenagers in its youth group, with 3 to 5 graduating from high school each year. With your support, these young men and women can take their first step toward higher education.
Imagine being part of this mission. Imagine supporting a student’s entire first year of university for less than $1,000. Imagine walking alongside a young leader for the entirety of their degree—less than $3,000 could see them through. As Jeff envisions, this initiative is not just about funding education; it’s about breaking the cycle of poverty and proclaiming a message of hope in the midst of war.
In the spirit of Christ, we stand firm in faith, declaring an "Abundant Scholarship" for all those who seek wisdom. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Your generosity will not only meet the immediate needs of these students but will also sow seeds of transformation for an entire nation.
Will you stand with us? Will you help plant the seeds of education and hope in the soil of Ukraine? Together, in the name of Christ, we can help these students rise from the ashes of war and build a future filled with promise.
September 2025
A little Sparrow awoke from sleep having dreamed about giants. It's not everyday a small bird dreams about big giants. Jack was a boy who grew up just outside the city on the countryside. Like noble explorers, best friends, Jack and Little Sparrow, roamed the enchanted Northern Green Forest and had grand adventures solving the toughest problems of the forest's animals. But something about the search for giants was different - very different. There was a call to adventure from his royal fishyness, King Fisher, that gathered their attention like a moth to a flame. He spoke of ancient days, old enemies and three rivers that could bring forth new life. Jack and Sparrow want to answer the call to this great adventure but need help from a slue of misfits and a three legged-hedghog named Tzik-Tzik. This book hosts a fresh perspective about the basics of the Christian faith and what tools are necessary to succeed in daily life as a believer in King Jesus, the great King-fisher of man!
A financial goal is $5,000 ($2,000 illustrations, $2,000 for translation, $500+ for printing & publishing costs)
June & July 2025 'Summer Youth Program'
In November 2023, the youth leader took a sabbatical for the next two years. With a blessing from the Lord, a new youth leader was provided along side four new staff volunteers to start fresh for January 2024. In January 2024, the church in Passau grew in number to include 17 teenagers. As of July 2025, five of those 17 teens are graduating, and our hope is that each of them will choose Christ before taking their next step in life.
Jeff offees a summer youth program that takes place during the summer month(s). We wish to repeat this program each year. Good food, fellowship and activities are provided with the goal for the individual members to become one united group. Further, to have a more united perspective and value placed on God, Faith and Service towards the community. This we have coined a phrase --returning to a Biblical Life-Style.
A yearly financial goal is $1,000
September 2025
Jeff will offer a summer youth program for the month of August, like in 2023 and 2024. The youth from the neighborhood of Zeitlarn will begin learning the names of the 12 Disciples and a few of Jesus' parables. Good food, fellowship and activities along with the goal to connect the non-believing youth to the basic truths of the Gospel and deepen friendships with neighbors.
A yearly financial goal is $1,000
Biblical Training Project: Using Paul Washer’s 'Biblical Foundations for the Christian Faith' book series, Jeff will offer five Biblical courses open the community of believers to deepen the knowledge of Christ and the biblical lifestyle of a believer: 1) How to Study the Holy Scriptures, 2) Understand the Discipline of fasting, 3) discerning the plight of man, 4) discerning the glorious gospel and 5) knowing the living God.
A yearly financial goal is $3,000.
This budget will cover all material resources needed for those who register for the courses.
Media-based outreach Project: A professional video-series of 10 Bible Studies that bring Jesus’ culture and language to life. The series will study some Hebrew and Greek words from the text, look at Jesus' culture that he lived in and clearly outline and understand the Jewish customs and festivals he participated in and how it is significant to blievers today. This series will help old and new believers have a more clear understanding of who Jesus was, what he said about himself and what he taught his disciples. To summarize this project, one will learn what the mission of a believer is and how can we can authentically follow Jesus and teach His message to others more effectively. This series will be filmed in both German and English languages to reach the European audience. It is designed as a devotional series to foster and lead new house church plants.
The financial goal is $10,000+
There are many resources necessary to make this project possible. It will also be uploaded to platforms like Youtube for free. The Word of God should be made available to every nation, tribe and tongue, free of charge!
Christian Counseling Project: Germany does not have official Christian counselors or psychologists. When this business opens, it will be the first of its kind offering christian counseling services to families, couples and individuals. This is a service offered by the church. As such, the goal as a church is to financially support the trained and licensed practitioner. We hope to learn more about the situation as the practitioner has taken on a two year Management position in a professional counseling center. Upon completion of the job training, they will have acquired more knowledge about the business and how to set up the service to be as effective and stable as possible.
A financial goal is not known or available at this time.
jeff.goodner@gmail.com
" Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build His temple. Be strong and do it." 1 Chronicles 28:10