EuNC graduate's worship devotional proving popular

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Stuttgart, Germany

Dave Schnitter, a 2008 European Nazarene College (EuNC) graduate, authored a devotional book belonging to the series Feiert (celebrate) Jesus, and they're selling out fast.

After Schnitter graduated from EuNC, he spent his summer working in the music department of the German Hänssler Publishing House near Stuttgart, Germany. This publishing house releases a new songbook every year called Feiert Jesus, which includes contemporary worship songs in both English and German.

The series is widely used with public audiences, churches, Bible studies, and small groups. Soon after beginning to work for the publishing house, Schnitter's boss approached him with the idea of creating a book of devotionals based on the popular worship songs out of the Feiert Jesus series. From the beginning, the idea was to offer a package-deal: the book plus a double CD with all the songs on it. As Schnitter puts it, "you can listen to the 'song of the day' on the CD or on your iPod and then read the devotion to it at the same time - and all that happening during your morning coffee or in the bus to school."

Each devotion starts with the lyrics of the song, then Schnitter's insights are presented, followed by a designated scripture passage, challenging questions, and ending with a prayer. He hopes that the message of the book is very much Scripture-based and that it will be an encouragement to many. The book was released in late January 2009 and by mid-March 2009, the first edition was already sold out. They're now in the process of printing a second edition. Schnitter has also been asked to write a second book, but he is still praying about this opportunity before making a final decision.

During his time on campus, students as well as faculty perceived Schnitter as a person with a good mood spread by his welcoming smile and also his musical gifts: he was the one bringing the guitar to the bonfire, spicing up worship by his self-composed songs or ideas like having the congregation sing two songs at the same time. Now he has begun writing devotions as well.

Although he declines calling himself an "author" or "anything cool like that," Schnitter is excited about where the Spirit-wind of God is blowing him, and excited to see where he will be blown next.

For more information about Feiert Jesus, click here (German).
--EuNC

 

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