This October marks a very special milestone for the Universal Church: 30 years of evangelistic work in Germany. It’s a story of faith, perseverance, and life transformation that began back on 30th October 1995, when the church was first registered in Frankfurt.
At the start, meetings were held in a rented conference room and conducted in Portuguese, mainly for Brazilians who had moved to Germany seeking a new life. But it wasn’t long before services in German were introduced, making it possible for many more people to understand the Word of God. By the year 2000, the church had established its headquarters in Berlin, the country’s capital.
Adapting to life in Germany wasn’t always easy. The German people hold punctuality, privacy, frankness and tradition in high regard, while the legal system requires meticulous attention to detail. The church faced these challenges head-on, respecting the culture and the law, yet never stepping away
from its mission to bring hope to those in need.
Fast forward to today, the Universal Church now has six churches with daily meetings in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart. Five additional centres with weekly meetings in Dortmund, Nürnberg, Karlsruhe, Bremerhaven and Hannover.
The church welcomes people from over 40 different nationalities, fulfilling the command of the Lord Jesus to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
Of course, it hasn’t all been plain sailing. There’s been resistance and criticism along the way, particularly from the media. But we never retreated, the church pressed forward. Each challenge turned into opportunities and what began as opposition often led to new people hearing the Word of God.
Pastor Andre Tarter, who currently oversees the work in Germany, said: “faith is biblical, practical, and awakens people’s reality that God’s Word is alive and effective, producing fruits such as freedom, miracles, repentance and salvation.”
Germany has a long history of faith. Centuries ago, people like George Müller demonstrated how faith can transform lives. Today, that same legacy continues. In a country known for its economic stability we remind people that true freedom and transformation can only be found in God.
As the Universal Church in Germany celebrates three decades of dedication, perseverance and transformation, one message remains clear: faith overcomes cultural, linguistic and social barriers and continues to change lives every day.
