“This is the first time someone has allowed me to ask a question,” Fredrik commented, surprised.
Asa and Vanessa Watson pose for a photo with their four children. The Watsons serve in the IMB in Germany. (Photo courtesy of IMB)
Asa and Vanessa Watson’s transparency and willingness to answer difficult questions about God and faith led to a deepening friendship with this German.
The Watsons serve in the IMB in Germany. They welcome people into their homes and provide a safe space for candid questions and vulnerability in conversation.
Fredrik attended a Bible study at his home. He asked direct and complex questions, but Asa did not hesitate and took the time to respond thoughtfully.
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Fredrik told them that he was not encouraged to ask questions about faith when he was younger. Asa’s willingness to answer his questions excited him and made him want to hear more. Asa began studying the Bible with him and is hoping to have more opportunities to share the truth of God’s Word.
Recruited for a higher calling
The candid conversations continue in a boxing ring. Many workers in the United States are asked, “why did you move here?” or “why did you leave home?” But in Asa’s case, the issue is even more relevant.
Asa played football for the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys and later worked for NASCAR.
“People are just curious. ‘Why do you live here now? If you played in the NFL, why are you here?’” Asa said.
Their decision to move to Germany baffles many, but Asa and Vanessa accepted the Draft for a higher vocation. The Watsons felt the Lord’s call to serve abroad and they, along with his children, followed his lead to Frankfurt, Germany.
Asa started going to a boxing gym and had the opportunity to train a light heavyweight boxer. His history in the NFL opened doors for her to share his family’s purpose in living in Frankfurt.
Through their involvement in the boxing gym, the Watsons began helping lead monthly church services there. The Watsons are part of a network of house churches that meet in homes, but once a month they decided to meet at the gym. People who didn’t feel comfortable going to someone’s home were more willing to attend church at a gym. About 60 people attend the gym’s church services.
Another way the Watsons serve is by showing hospitality. Vanessa started a women’s ministry and created a space where women could come and talk openly about their lives. She said there aren’t many spaces in Frankfurt where women can be vulnerable. At the end of their meetings, someone shares a testimony about their faith in Christ.
They also host dinner parties at their home to build relationships with people in their community.
genuine friends
Some people perceive Germans as closed off and hostile, but Vanessa said they haven’t found that to be true.
“Once you talk to them, people are very surprised at how much they open up,” he said.
Consistency is crucial and shows intentionality and desire to spend time together. And only say you want to hang out if you really mean it.
“Some Americans are very open in general, very quick to start small conversations while waiting in line at Walmart,” Asa said.
“We Americans are very eager to share our personal lives and want people to like us, and we often say things we don’t mean, like ‘we should get coffee’ or ‘we should hang out sometime.’ but we simply want to be cordial, while the Germans will stop doing so. “They won’t say they want to have coffee with you unless they really want to,” he continued.
Vanessa added that when Germans say “let’s go out,” they often take out their phones and make a time to meet. Even when that happened, it was a year before some friends started calling Vanessa a friend.
“They’re learning from each other before they get that degree,” Vanessa said. “It will evolve from ‘This is Vanessa’ to ‘This is my friend Vanessa.’”
Asa added: “That requires a lot of time and investment. You need to be vulnerable, but also be transparent with them, and people will know when you care. People know when you don’t care and when you’re just there for an agenda,” Asa said.
The Watsons don’t treat people like a project or talk to them to get a number.
“We really want to be genuine friends and genuinely love them, because Christ called us to do so. Whether they choose to believe or not, you can still be a friend,” Asa said.
Time, vulnerability and consistency make the difference in Asa and Vanessa’s relationships.
The Watsons will be named full-time, fully funded IMB workers in June and will participate in a live-streamed Sending Celebration during the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis. Watch the live stream here.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was written by Tessa Sánchez and originally published by the International Mission Board.
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