Changes in the circle of the Apostles (1/2020)

On 30 June 2020 a total of 249,700 ministers were active in diaconal or priestly service. Together with the Apostles they care for New Apostolic Christians in 58,500 congregations around the world. The apostolate consists of 325 Apostles: eight District Apostle Helpers, 15 District Apostles, and the Chief Apostle.

Ordinations

On Sunday, 12 January 2020 Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider conducted a divine service in Dundo in Angola, where he ordained District Evangelist Futi Muekono (born in 1987) and Shepherd Domingos Francisco Suku (1978) as Apostles. They succeed the Apostles José Ndombele Danu, who was retired in June 2018, and Capote Marcos Misselo, who passed away in October 2019.

On Sunday, 28 June 2020, during a divine service in our Karlsruhe-Central church in Germany, the Chief Apostle ordained Bishop Martin Rheinberger (1967) as an Apostle. He succeeds Apostle Herbert Bansbach, who retired in the same divine service.

Retirements

Apostle Karamat Khushal (1959) of Pakistan went into retirement on Sunday, 23 February 2020 after 24 years as an Apostle. The Chief Apostle carried the retirement out in Karachi in Pakistan. Apostle Khushal was active as a minister for a total of 34 years, 24 of these as an Apostle. “We wish him a peaceful and blessed retirement,” Chief Apostle Schneider wrote. Apostle Khushal’s working area has been taken over by Apostle Babar Masih.

Apostle Paulo Quiquela (1962) of Angola took early retirement on 11 June 2020 because of failing health. He had served as a minister for more than 37 years, seven of these as an Apostle. On account of the travel restrictions that are currently in place, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider carried the retirement out in writing. “We thank the Apostle for his work and wish him a blessed retirement,” the Chief Apostle wrote.

Apostle Herbert Bansbach has gone into retirement after twelve years in the Apostle ministry. He also retired a little earlier for health reasons. The retirement was carried by the Chief Apostle on Sunday, 28 June 2020, in our church in Karlsruhe in Germany. Apostle Bansbach had worked for the Church in various ministries for over 42 years both in Germany as well as in Benin and Togo. Chief Apostle Schneider wrote: “We thank our friend and Apostle from the bottom of our hearts for his many years of blessed work, for his loving and faithful ministering on the souls entrusted to him, and his service for the Lord.” His working area in Germany will be taken over by Apostle Martin Rheinberger. The members in the countries of Benin and Togo will be cared for by Apostle Benjamin Ohene-Saffo of Ghana.

Obituary

Apostle Paul Ufuoma Ogboru passed away on 13 February 2020 at the age of 61 following a lengthy illness. He had been active in the regions of Bayelsa and Rivers in Nigeria for four years. “We gladly intercede for the bereaved in heartfelt prayer, especially for his wife and children and their families. May the heavenly Father grant them much comfort, strength, and confidence in this difficult time’,” Chief Apostle Schneider wrote in paying tribute to the Apostle.

District Apostle Areas

The New Apostolic Church is structured into fifteen District Apostle Areas around the world. These are led by the following District Apostles:

• Michael David Deppner (1961) – Democratic Republic of Congo-West
• Michael Ehrich (1959) – Southern Germany
• Joseph Opemba Ekhuya (1969) – East Africa
• Edy Isnugroho (1963) – South East Asia
• Leonard Richard Kolb (1956) – USA
• Rüdiger Krause (1960) – Northern and Eastern Germany
• John Leslie Kriel (1956) – Southern Africa
• Enrique Eduardo Minio (1960) – South America
• Wolfgang Nadolny (1956) – Berlin-Brandenburg
• Peter Schulte (1963) – Western Pacific
• Kububa Soko (1969) – Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe
• Rainer Storck (1958) – Western Germany
• Tshitshi Tshisekedi (1972) – Democratic Republic of Congo-South East
• Mark Woll (1959) – Canada
• Jürg Zbinden (1958) – Switzerland

Some of the District Apostles are supported by District Apostle Helpers, who generally work in specific countries:

• David Devaraj (1959) – India
• Frank Stephan Dzur (1959) – Canada
• John William Fendt (1957) – USA
• Arnold Ndakondwa Mhango (1957) – Malawi
• João Uanuque Misselo (1965) – Angola
• Mandla Patrick Mkhwanazi (1963) – Southern Africa
• Robert Nsamba (1962) – Zambia
• John Sobottka (1956) – Canada