Hospitality, community spirit, and trust in God—this is how the New Apostolic Church is developing in Senegal, where the Chief Apostle will be this weekend.
It is the fourth visit of a Chief Apostle to Senegal. On 10 August 2025, Jean-Luc Schneider will celebrate a divine service in the capital Dakar. A special act is the assignment of Apostle Tounkang Mané as Lead Apostle for Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal.
Senegal: city and country
Senegal, a country situated at the westernmost point of the African continent, is characterised by flat plains, hilly landscapes, and a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean: around 18 million people call this country their home. The Wolof are one of the largest ethnic groups.
The vibrant capital and port city of Dakar is the westernmost city in continental Africa and the most important economic centre in the country. There is a high level of education here, and people from all over the world come together. In the rural areas of Senegal, particularly in the south, peoples’ lives tend to centre around agriculture. Fertile soils offer great potential and the best conditions for livestock. Farmers produce good harvests.
Lifestyle and community spirit
“Senegal is defined by teranga— a Wolof word, a local language,” Apostle Gert Opdenplatz from the Regional Church of Western Germany reports. “The word embodies a way of life characterised by mutual respect and community spirit. This is linked to a welcoming and warm culture in which guests are received with open arms and open hearts,” the Apostle explains. He has been working in Senegal and other West African countries for thirty years.
“The peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims is also characterised by this identity and permeates daily interactions.” Around 95 per cent of people in Senegal profess Islam. There is a strong Christian minority in the south of the country. The approximately 12,600 members of the New Apostolic Church have so far been able to attend church services unhindered and live their faith freely.
New Apostolic Church in transition
The most important congregations in Senegal include Dakar, Kolda, Sédhiou, and Ziguinchor (Tiléne), which have had their own church building for many years. “Ziguinchor (Tilène) is the mother church from which the congregations in Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, and Mali have emerged. This is also the seat of the national Church offices,” Apostle Opdenplatz explains. “Kolda and Sédhiou are larger towns with a good membership and a very active youth. Dakar is the seat of the central Church administration for the countries Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal.”
When he started, there were no administrative offices, Apostle Opdenplatz recalls. Admittedly, Apostle Herbert Schneider had done “an incredible amount of groundwork”. But some infrastructure was still lacking, from electricity to computers and statutes. He counted his first offering “with a notepad, pencil, and a calculator”, the Apostle explains with an amused smile. District Apostle Hagen Wend was instrumental in setting up the structures.
Gratitude and trust in God
Two Apostles and three Bishops are responsible for the pastoral care of around 170 congregations. Thanks to regular seminars, the ministers are well trained in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the gospel. Apostle Opdenplatz is delighted at the level of knowledge.
From his more than one hundred trips to West Africa and his time there, the following has touched him particularly: “I have experienced a lot of gratitude and deep trust in God from people who lived in abject poverty. They are role models for me and help me put my personal problems into perspective.”
A visit from the Chief Apostle
Wilhelm Leber was the first Chief Apostle to visit Senegal in 2007. Ten years later, Chief Apostle Schneider followed. He was last there in 2022. The visits were accompanied by ordinations, namely of Apostle Francisco Gomis and Apostle Tounkang Mané.
This coming Sunday, during the service in Dakar, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will appoint Apostle Tounkang Mané as the first official Lead Apostle for the six countries. The Apostle will take over many of Apostle Opdenplatz’s tasks. On behalf of District Apostle Pöschel, the latter will continue to assist and advise Apostle Mané until further notice.
