A life in and for Africa

He is a cross between Albert Schweitzer and Indiana Jones. This Sunday, District Apostle Michael Deppner (DR Congo West) will retire. 

July 18, 2025

Africa America

+2

• District Apostle
• Retirement

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Helpers keep a good 80 projects running

Fewer donations, more expenditures: these are the key findings of the aid agency NAK-Humanitas in its annual report for 2024. But the Swiss have a rainy day fund for such times.

July 17, 2025

Africa

+4

• Asia
• Charity work
• Europe
• Social commitment

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Through thick and thin with Jesus

Poverty, ingratitude, rejection: Jesus knows the struggles of believers because He has experienced them Himself. And that is why He can help anyone who follows in His footsteps and keeps at it. 

July 16, 2025

Chief Apostle

+2

• Divine service
• Europe

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Spotlight 11/2025: Do I have enough to do good?

Sometimes the little we can give seems so small and inadequate. But in God’s hand even this small amount becomes a blessing. And there are some things we can share that we have in abundance, as District Apostle Peter Lambert from South Africa illustrates.

July 15, 2025

Annual motto

+1

• District Apostle

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A milestone in Church history

Today, 190 years ago to the day, the Catholic Apostolic Congregations in London solemnly appointed their Apostles—the birth of the apostolate of the modern era. But the further history developed a little differently than expected. 

July 14, 2025

Apostolate

+2

• Denominations
• History 

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“Let us be a good instrument in God’s hands” 

It’s not a business. It’s not politics. And there is no plan: the plan is with God. We are merely instruments.”—It was with this pointer that the Chief Apostle assigned Apostle Martin Rheinberger as District Apostle Helper for Southern Germany. 

July 12, 2025

District Apostle Investiture

+1

• Ministry

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The apostolate—old familiar faces leave, while new faces come

There is currently one Apostle for every day of the year—the New Apostolic Church International registered a total of 365 active Apostles for the period between November 2024 and April 2025. Among them are sixteen new Apostles and one District Apostle Helper.

July 11, 2025

Apostolate

+3

• Investiture
• Ministry
• Retirement

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A success story with a snag

The kingdom of God starts small and insignificant, but ends up to be magnificent and extensive. The twin parables of the mustard seed and the leaven are a source of encouragement, but they also harbour provocations—at least for Jesus’ contemporaries.

July 10, 2025

Bible study

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A faith that defines our lives 

“Let us not get stuck in traditions, but truly live our faith! Such was the appeal of the Chief Apostle. In a recent divine service he summed up what this really entails.

July 9, 2025

Chief Apostle

+2

• Divine service
• Europe

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Homiletics (5): Understanding the context of our preaching

Ministers have received authority to preach the gospel, but that message is delivered in various contexts. Our sermons need to meet the members where they are.

July 8, 2025

Divine service

+1

• Ministry

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Jambo Waswahili!

On World Kiswahili Language Day: a spiritual plea for understanding, identity, and faith in practice.

July 7, 2025

Africa

+3

• Congregation
• History 
• Society

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A matter of the heart at Pentecost: Baroque with a modern twist

‘Mache dich, mein Herz, bereit’ (Prepare yourself, my heart) – a 300-year-old classic. But what rang out shortly before the Pentecost service was anything but outdated: a moving, contemporary piece that took the audience right to the heart of the action.

July 4, 2025

Music

+1

• Pentecost

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Spotlight 10/2025: Download in progress …?

God’s programme is to do good. Updates happen in divine services and only become active if we want them to. District Apostle Helper Elie Tatien Mukinda from the DR Congo-West shares his thoughts on our annual motto.

July 4, 2025

Annual motto

+1

• District Apostle

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Deliverance is not enough

Salvation is more than merely an escape from suffering—Chief Apostle Schneider calls upon readers to actively prepare for the return of Christ and warns against withdrawal, self-deception, and spiritual minimalism.

July 3, 2025

Chief Apostle

+1

• Doctrine 

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Comfort that strengthens

Comfort—at first this sounds like a response to tears. But divine comfort is much greater than that, as Chief Apostle Schneider explains. God gives us His word that He is there for us, that He knows us, that He loves us, and that He is with us—no matter the situation in which we find ourselves.

July 2, 2025

Chief Apostle

+1

• Divine service

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community 3/2025: A new beginning in tumultuous times

New inspiration, clear words, and practical advice for faith in daily life—the third issue of 2025 once again offers a multifaceted view of Church life around the world.

July 1, 2025

Children

+3

• Doctrine 
• Media
• Social commitment

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Believing—even when no one’s looking

What remains of faith when the big celebrations are over? The sermon series in July confronts the challenges—honestly, clearly, and without making light of things.

June 30, 2025

Divine service

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Flashback (3): The power of the gentle voice

A small light with great power, a gentle voice with a great impact: District Apostle Michael Deppner from the DRC Congo West spoke about seeing and listening closely during the Pentecost service. Here is the video clip.

June 27, 2025

Divine service

+1

• Pentecost

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“I learn a lot from young people”

They are the newcomers to the District Apostle Meeting: assistants today and Church leaders tomorrow. It is time to get to know them better. Today we meet District Apostle Helper Herman Ernst from South America.

June 26, 2025

America

+2

• District Apostle
• Profile

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Belief in the resurrection changes everything

Rather than demand our silent devotion, Jesus wants us to act: let us go out, testify, and help others. Those who merely pray without taking action have failed in their mission. Chief Apostle Schneider calls for transformation.

June 25, 2025

Australia / Pacific

+4

• Chief Apostle
• Easter
• Investiture
• Retirement

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From street child to founding father

Many contributed to the development of the Church by preaching or doing soul care, but Apostle John Erb also laid the legal foundations for the New Apostolic Church in the United States. John Erb was born 150 years ago to the day. He had his share of ups and downs in life.

June 24, 2025

America

+9

• Apostolate
• Congregation
• Divine service
• History
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Profile
• Retirement

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A Swiss Brit for Europe’s north-east

An experienced Apostle with an international profile is going to become the new District Apostle for Northern and Eastern Germany: David Heynes not only brings two passports to the table, but also a great deal of spiritual experience and linguistic diversity.

June 23, 2025

Apostolate District Apostle

+3

• Investiture
• Ministry
• Profile

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Flashback (2): Speaking the language of the heart

The end of confusion and the beginning of understanding … During the Pentecost service, Apostle Helge Mutschler called on the congregation to speak to everyone in their own language. Here is the video.

June 21, 2025

Divine service

+1

• Pentecost

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From the Black Forest to the globally spanning church: who is Martin Rheinberger?

He is very familiar with the southern part of Germany, and soon he will get to know thirty more countries: Apostle Martin Rheinberger will become a District Apostle Helper. A new responsibility, a new chapter, both for him and the New Apostolic Church.

June 20, 2025

District Apostle

+2

• Investiture
• Organisation

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“The congregation is for everyone”

They are the new members of the District Apostle Meeting: assistants today, Church leaders tomorrow. It is time to get to know them a bit closer. Here is a short interview with District Apostle Helper Arnaud Martig from Canada.

June 19, 2025

District Apostle

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Love to the very end: living for Him who died

Absolute defeat turned out to be the greatest victory of all. And this has implications far beyond the here and now: in order not to die, one must live for it. The Chief Apostle explained what this means in a divine service in Australia.

June 18, 2025

Chief Apostle

+2

• Divine service
• Good Friday

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