It takes passion …

… to serve God for many years

“Apostle Elias Ambokile Mwaisaka was passionate about serving God and the brothers and sisters,” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider writes in a circular, notifying the other Apostles of Apostle Mwaisaka’s death. The retired Apostle is survived by his wife, Mbutolwe Mgama, and ten children. He was born on 9 June 1948, was baptised and sealed in 1989, and ordained as a Deacon that same year. He served as a minister in the Church for 25 years, nine of these as an Apostle. In April 2015 the Chief Apostle placed Apostle Mwaisaka into retirement. He passed away on 14 March 2018 following a brief illness. The funeral was held by Apostle Watson Kalyembe on Saturday, 17 March 2018 in Mbeya church.

… to say yes: Apostle David Heynes ordained

On Easter Sunday, 1 April 2018, the Chief Apostle celebrated a divine service in Nottingham (Great Britain) and ordained District Evangelist David Heynes as an Apostle for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Estonia. With his ordination he assumes part of the working area of Apostle Uli Falk (Northern and Eastern Germany). Apostle Heynes is 52 years old, married, and the father of two children.

Responsible for the New Apostolic Christians in the United Kingdom is District Apostle Rüdiger Krause. There are 3,300 members in the UK and Ireland with 31 congregations. Apostle Heynes is assisted by 120 Deacons and priestly ministers.

… to help people

The NAC SEA Relief Fund, the aid organisation of the New Apostolic Church in South-East Asia, has just published its annual report for 2017. In it the charity documents how it uses the donated funds and informs the general public about the many different projects. In the editorial, District Apostle Urs Hebeisen talks about what motivates the team: “For us it is important that help and support make common sense, and are not motivated by some kind of hidden agenda or motifs of pride and reputation.”

And something else becomes clear from the annual report: humanitarian organisations are particularly strong and effective when they are part of a network. For many years already, the NAC SEA Relief Fund has partnered with other charities such as NAK-Humanitas, a Swiss charity, and NAK-karitativ, a German organisation. Together these three charities have been able to realise many aid projects and have helped many people in Asia. Numbers and pictures prove that.

… to share the cross

Many people in Germany mark the crucifixion of Christ by taking part in processions on Good Friday or Easter. The Council of Christian Churches in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland, ACK) has been organising such processions in the city of Darmstadt for many years, and it has developed into a beautiful tradition. Members of various denominations march through the city on Good Friday “to take the beneficial and salvific message of our crucified Lord, Jesus Christ, outside the walls of the church”. This year marked the fiftieth anniversary of these processions. Participating were representatives from the Roman Catholic Church, various Protestant Churches, the Orthodox Church, and the New Apostolic Church who were joined by officials and members from the local congregations. Representing the New Apostolic Church were Apostle Volker Kühnle and Apostle Clément Haeck, who are both members of the Working Group Contacts with Denominations and Religions. They, among others, carried the cross together with Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann (chairman of the Council of Christian Churches in Germany).