What is a spiritual ministry? And what is an organizational structure? Questions such as these were not only on the agenda of the recent District Apostles’ conference, but are also occupying the Apostles of the New Apostolic Church right around the globe.

19 + 1 is the working model this week in Zurich (Switzerland). The International District Apostle Meeting (DAMI) has convened for the first of two annual sessions. It is the highest executive committee of the New Apostolic Church.

“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language that they may not understand one another’s speech.” Six thousand languages have developed since then, and everyone speaks at least one of them: their mother tongue.

The Acer campestre, commonly called the field maple, was named as the Tree of the Year in Germany. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider and the European District Apostles planted a young field maple at the conference of European District Apostles taking place in Zurich in Switzerland.

Twice a year the District Apostles of Europe come together for conferences to discuss topics that are relevant for the European regional churches. The conference centre at the international head office of the New Apostolic Church provides an ideal environment for such meetings.

The congregations of the New Apostolic Church worldwide are full of life. Photographers have captured some memorable moments on camera.

The New Apostolic Church is active in almost all countries on all continents. Africa is home to the majority of members. Countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia top the list. At its recent conference in Johannesburg, the District Apostle Meeting made a slight adjustment to the worldwide membership figures.

District Apostle Wilfried Klingler will go into retirement in June 2016. He is responsible for the New Apostolic Church in four German states: Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Thuringia. Legally, the Church in this part of Germany is registered under the name Neuapostolische Kirche Mitteldeutschland (New Apostolic Church Central Germany). Beginning with the District Apostle’s retirement, this region will merge with the District Apostle Area of Northern Germany.

“After the Catechism is before the Catechism …” This was the motto that accompanied the introduction of this fundamental reference work in December 2012. And driven by this motto, the District Apostle Meeting continues to work on fundamental concepts. Currently in the District Apostles’ focus is our concept of ministry.

From 30 May to 2 June 2019 there will be a remake of the European Youth Day—this time with participants from around the world. “I hope to see many young people from all over the world in Düsseldorf on Ascension 2019,” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider says.

“We can hardly imagine under what horrible circumstances many people have to live!” the Chief Apostle prayed at the beginning of the District Apostles’ conference in Johannesburg in South Africa. Afterwards there was much to discuss and to decide for the District Apostles.

Theological topics and organizational matters … Whenever the District Apostles who work in Africa come together there is a full agenda. This time, the African Joy newsletter was a central topic. Read more about the conference of African District Apostles taking place in Johannesburg in South Africa.

Two times each year, all District Apostles and District Apostle Helpers of the world come together for a District Apostle Meeting. They debate globally strategic topics that are of significance for the overall leadership of the Church. In October this meeting will take place in Johannesburg in South Africa.

The Church is building a hospital, Apostles are working on growing together, and young people are occupying themselves with the Catechism—here is a look around the world from Africa to Europe to South America.

What does a congregation need to be able to function and live its faith? The wishes around the world are as broad and diverse as the living conditions are. But what is really required? We are going to take a look at an ongoing project that has come up with some surprising answers.

“Unity in diversity” was one of his big topics. And this is reflected in the legacy that he left the New Apostolic Church, the result of decades of dedicated work: he formulated the international Church’s Vision and Mission Statements. Today, District Apostle Kitching would have turned 65 years of age.

The making of the divine services for 2017 has begun—at least for nearly 30 Apostles from around the world. They are the writers of the Divine Service Guide, which is distributed to nearly 200,000 New Apostolic ministers around the world. The go-ahead was given at a recent authors’ workshop.

In order to get a better picture of the international motto for the year—“Joy in Christ”—the New Apostolic Church of South East Africa developed a logo, just as other District Churches have also done. But this insignia has a special additional message. District Apostle Mandla Patrick Mkhwanazi explains: