The number remains unchanged, but the faces are changing. The records show 365 active Apostles for the period from June to November 2025. These include a new Chief Apostle Helper, two new District Apostles, two newly assigned District Apostle Helpers, and ten new Apostles.
Announcement of the Chief Apostle’s successor
District Apostle Helper Helge Mutschler was assigned as Chief Apostle Helper. On Pentecost 2025, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider announced his planned retirement in 2026 and his designated successor. The Chief Apostle Helper can now spend a year preparing for his new task alongside the Chief Apostle.
Long-standing Apostles retire, while new ones take over
The District Apostle Area Democratic Republic of the Congo West has a new District Apostle: Élie Tatien Mukinda has succeeded District Apostle Michael Deppner, who retired in July.
There was also a change in Canada in October. District Apostle Helper Arnaud Martig took from District Apostle Mark Woll, who was retired by the Church leader.
New District Apostle Helpers
Apostle Martin Rheinberger was assigned District Apostle Helper in June. Together with District Apostle Michael Erich, he has been looking after the district of Southern Germany and almost 30 other countries in Central, West, and East Africa, as well as in Asia and Europe.
The District Apostle Area Northern and Eastern Germany has also received a new District Apostle Helper. The Chief Apostle assigned Apostle David Heynes District Apostle Helper to assist District Apostle Rüdiger Krause. David Heynes has been looking after Scandinavia and the British Isles as an Apostle, and now also looks after Northern and Eastern Germany, Poland, Russia, and several countries in Central Asia.
In Canada, the two District Apostle Helpers David Devaraj (India) and Frank Dzur went into well-earned retirement.
Ten new Apostles
The Democratic Republic of Congo West received seven new Apostles in July, who energetically support District Apostle Mukinda. Emmanuel Mwanama Bobi was ordained for the Bagata apostle district, Dady Ivula Elalungu for Kikwit-East, Diabisala Yves Makumba for Yongo, Olivier Ngeleka Mbuyi for Kinshasa-West, Kiboko Paleki Munene for Panu-Mateko, Nadin Buezibanda Munongo for Popokabaka, and Labora Shiko Munsimbele for Kinshasa-East. Four Apostles were retired. These are Paul Kibambe Kima, Robert Mfudi Kubi, Elengi Gaston Nambila, and Merlin Basolo Wamba.
Northern and Eastern Germany also has a new Apostle. Neil Colin Woodman was ordained an Apostle for the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
There was also a change in Cameroon. Edit Desiré Gaspar Bidjang Ekanga has been ordained an Apostle, while Apostle Félicien Ebanga Edoa has retired. And in Ghana, Daniel Frempong was ordained an Apostle. Responsible for the pastoral care in both countries is the District Apostle Area Southern Germany.
