Lukas and Andi – two young men who stand out not only for their charismatic, friendly and open manner, but also for their deep commitment to faith. Both can regularly be found at our BeFree Mass, where their easy-going charisma and in-depth conversations help to create a place where newcomers feel welcome – newcomers who might have also found the Center through them. Lukas and Andi inspire through their living example and missionary zeal, behind which lies a story of personal growth and spiritual passion that drives their mission. Lukas, a medical student and fitness enthusiast, and Andi, a community service worker and bodybuilding fan, share how God has shaped their lives and why they have made it their mission to inspire others with faith.
How did you come to help build our community?
Lukas: “The John Paul II. Center has had a really significant impact on my development as a Christian. It was actually the place where I made a new decision for God. My story of coming to know God is quite an up and down one. As the son of two doctors, I grew up in a sheltered environment where there was a lot of reaching out to the Lord. They were also the ones who took me to the Center a few years ago, where I heard a sermon by Father Georg Rota.”
Andi: “I came to the Center through my best friend. Since October I go to the BeFree Mass at the Center. I’ve already brought half the gym with me to church and they now come along every Saturday. It’s definitely a great community.”
You both have a moving missionary spirit. How do you understand mission and how do you live out your mission to be missionary disciples?
Lukas: “For me, mission is something very comprehensive in faith. For me, mission is simply living out the faith through the fruits of the Holy Spirit, such as peace, joy, patience, self-control, love, etc. But mission is also about listening well and seeking conversation. It expresses itself in many different facets and directions, but always has one goal: to act out of love and thereby become more and more like Jesus.”
Andi: “For me, mission doesn’t just mean bringing people to God, but also really inspiring them to follow God. There is a difference between believing in God and following him. It is important to me to inspire people to entrust their lives to God and to live the plan that God has created for their lives. God’s plan for our lives is unimaginably much better than anything we could ever envision. Each of us has a purpose and a way that we can bring others to God and do good. A life of service to others is central to my faith.”
Lukas: “I really enjoy talking about what fulfills me and makes me happy, and these things include sport and God in particular. So I have something to talk about with my sports colleagues and over time the conversations usually turn to faith. I think that the joy that I can experience through the Lord is what drives me in particular.”
“Mission means acting out of love and thereby becoming more and more like Jesus.”
– Lukas
Andi: “The relationship with God is the most beautiful thing you can experience. It is an unimaginable love that cannot be compared to anything human. I want other people to be able to experience this encounter with God and this relationship. That’s why I ask people from the gym if they want to come with me, or offer to pray for people in hospital. You have to ask yourself what is more important: Staying in your comfort zone or changing and saving lives.”
Lukas: “First of all, it is important to realize that there is no compulsion and that you don’t have to prove anything to yourself or to God when you approach people about faith. Rather, this happens out of an abundance of encounter with God and love for one’s neighbor, for of what the heart is full, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). It is biblical not to despair in the face of negative experiences, which will come sooner or later.”
Andi: “You think far too much about what others think about you. What matters is whether these people can experience a relationship with God. You have to decide whether you want to stay in your comfort zone or whether you really want to change and save lives.”
Let’s talk about God!
Who is God for you – in 3 words.
Andi: “God is loving, merciful, and he gives each of us a purpose, a destiny for our lives.”
Lukas: “Love, foundation, righteousness. For me, he is the righteous Father on whom my life is based and who loves all his children. This includes not treating his sons and daughters equally, but adapting his love to their respective needs. When you turn to God and follow his will, he always gives you only as much as you can carry, because in God’s presence you are never left alone in your burden. He has revealed Himself to me in many ways, be it in encounters with other Christians, in frequent coincidences and also in dreams. I find eternal life in faith and in closeness to God. Our greatest goal should be the world to come, and so it is up to us to work towards it. My friendship with God has quite a long history. It began when I was born, as I had the privilege of being born into a family of Christian parents. At home we had a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament and it was common practice to celebrate Mass at home. So I was already very close to the Lord, especially in my childhood. This changed when I reached puberty, when I felt I had to become independent, but fortunately this was only a kind of phase that came to an end around the age of 17. What really helped me to find my way back to the Lord was, to many people’s surprise, suffering. On the one hand, a prolonged chronic illness that lasted for over a year, as well as a somewhat unsuccessful relationship, from which I was able to learn a few things and am still very grateful. My father, who was always there for me when I had questions, and my spiritual guide, who also heard my first confession in eight years after my conversion, played a big role.”
Is there anything you would like to pass on to our community that has inspired you?
Andi: “Put your life in God’s hands and trust his plan. God has given each of us a purpose. Even if it sometimes seems unconventional or difficult, trust it and follow the plan God has for your life. Make the most of your life and become the person God created you to be.”
Lukas: “God is faithful, with him we are never alone.”
