The buzzer was bright red: using both hands, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider officially opened the International Youth Convention (IYC) 2019 in Düsseldorf (Germany). Judging by the incredible start, the rest can only be amazing.

The International Youth Convention 2019 (IYC) kicked off with four divine services in nine languages on Thursday evening. Over the next three days, the up to 30,000 participants can look forward to approximately 250 different events.

Arriving, setting up, and getting to know each other: the International Youth Convention is ready for tens of thousands of young people from all over the world. This is how the IYC started into the long weekend.

Joy, grief, reverence, warmth: many a divine service is filled with emotion—especially when something special is on the agenda. However, tender feelings can also prove sensitive—which means it is also important to use fingertip sensitivity when snapping photos.

Life and faith always involve change: sometimes you take a step backwards, sometimes you make great strides ahead. Here is an overview of some happy news from recent days.

Twenty-two cyclists between the ages of 17 and 49 from Pforzheim in Germany … Their destination: the exhibition grounds in Düsseldorf. A four-day pilgrimage by bike to the International Day of the Youth.

Wealth, completely independent of living conditions and bank account. In our Spotlight series, District Apostle Leonard R. Kolb (USA) mentions seven riches which every Christian has in his possession.

Every country, every region, and every congregation has its own peculiarities. And this is exactly what makes our worldwide fellowship so diverse and rich. Here is a medley from New Apostolic life.

From deep in the south to high in the north: following his visit to South Africa last weekend, the Chief Apostle will stop off in Sweden this coming weekend, a country that can easily compete with Philippine archipelago.

Family was yesterday. Today, everything is more modern. Really? Where does family begin, where does it end? Is it precious or maybe obstructive? What good is a family? There are many answers to such questions. Here is a look at the family on International Day of Families.

The sincere celebration of Holy Communion could solve problems. This view was taken by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider in a divine service in Colonia (Uruguay). Holy Communion is more, much more, than mere liturgical routine.

In the one hundred years since its introduction the communion wafer has hardly changed. There have, however, been changes in the understanding of Holy Communion in the New Apostolic Church, particularly in its relationship to forgiveness of sins.

Whether via video stream or live in Germany, young people and District Churches from all over the world will be gathering at the International Youth Convention (IYC). Here is a glance at the schedule of events and the hall plan.

Obedience? Freedom! “I don’t want to be obedient any longer,” the Chief Apostle said and described a better way of following Jesus Christ. A divine service about the power of free will.

Jan Schalk has a doctorate in agricultural sciences. He is presently employed as a development worker for Bread for the World, a German aid agency. His current base of operations is Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho. We interviewed him recently.

Aligning one’s life with the example of Jesus, being there for one’s brothers and sisters in faith … Many commit themselves to the cause of the Lord and even put their own needs aside. District Apostle Edy Isnugroho from Indonesia tells us about Jonathan, a District Elder, who regards this as his personal wealth.

Children are not only the future of the Church. As a matter of fact, the focus is on them already in the present, and a whole “village” looks after them: teachers, ministers, brothers and sisters, and of course, their families. Examples from three continents.

Our thoughts and God’s thoughts are not always compatible. Many things can change around us, the Chief Apostle says. Despite everything, God remains faithful to His plan of redeeming mankind—regardless of all the changes.