Organizationally well established—both as a team and in terms of leadership: that is how the New Apostolic Church in the Americas has presented itself. Here is part three of our year-in-review journey around the world on nac.today.

Youth development of a different kind, generational change in leadership, and a celebration of faith with a whole lot of “paaaahhhhh”: such was the year 2015 in Africa. The continent with the most New Apostolic Christians in the world opens our series of annual reviews here on nac.today.

Jesus Christ, a superstar? This is what many people expected, already then. The Messiah they were anticipating should at least have had a golden crown, a sparkling tunic, and rings on His fingers symbolizing His power. But none of this materialized. The red carpet stopped in front of a stable.

Stop-and-go at Christmas in Brazil … This is not only caused by people travelling home over Christmas, but especially because people are stopping to admire the Christmas lights. This can even interfere with carefully timed bus schedules, Karin Zwar reports.

Forty degrees Celsius in the shade and a long holiday break … While the people in the northern hemisphere are dreaming of a white Christmas, the southern hemisphere is in the midst of summer. We asked a European living in South Africa about the festive season there …

Christmas in Australia! How does that go? It is summer in the southern hemisphere. Daytime temperatures range between 25 to 32° Celsius, people are soaking up the sun. Do people get in the Christmas spirit? nac.today asked an “expert” in these matters, and his answer was a definite yes.

Our love for God, for Jesus Christ cannot be greater than our love for our neighbour. This is an old insight. And yet, how big is our love for the Lord really? And for our neighbour? Questions that need to be answered.

Building new churches nowadays is not that easy. There are many obstacles. Either there is not enough money or the members of the congregation or politicians are against it. Following are some positive examples.

Apostle John Leslie Kriel has been appointed as a District Apostle Helper for the Cape district. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider commissioned John Kriel, a longstanding minister, in a divine service this past Sunday.

“We can be proud of the development in Gambia; the impulse comes from within,” Apostle Jens Lindemann from Germany says. He has been responsible for the New Apostolic Church in this African country since 2007. At the beginning of December, the Gambian youth gathered for their Day of the Youth.

Featured this week are some recent retirements and ordinations, as well as an interdenominational information session in South Africa on World Aids Day.

On Thursday, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will embark on his trip to South Africa. He is planning to conduct a divine service already on Thursday evening. This will be followed by visits, meetings, conferences, and a divine service on Sunday.

The first Christians supported the efforts and the mission of the Apostles by professing the gospel, by revealing their love, their joy, and their steadfastness, and by bringing their offerings. It is not any different today. Following are thoughts from Chief Apostle Schneider on how we can help along.

The life of New Apostolic Christians around the globe is colourful. Following is a brief look at two concerts, a dialogue of religions, and a freak accident in Belgium …

At the end of November, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider visited the brothers and sisters in Italy and conducted two divine services in Rome and Milan.

On 1 December, World AIDS Day reminds us that some 35 million people around the world are living with this disease. Approximately three million new infections are added every year. This is also a matter with which the New Apostolic Church is dealing — particularly in Africa.

At times, reason can be an obstacle to understanding. And yet it is possible to reflect on matters of faith quite soberly. How? The following excerpts from a divine service by the Chief Apostle provide answers.

This week nac.today looks at a soup kitchen, the Chief Apostle’s recent trip to Cambodia, and a new church in Fiji.