ECM International

Germany has had a tumultuous history since Martin Luther ignited the Reformation in 1517. Its division into East and West for 44 years has stamped the German people in different ways, and while the nation is reunited politically, it will take decades or perhaps a generation or more for the peoples to be one again.

Spiritual Climate
While Germany was the seat of the Reformation 500 years ago, Christianity today is widely perceived as irrelevant and marginalized. In Western Germany post-war affluence has been one of the major factors; in the East, it was Communism. In Eastern Germany about 80% are unchurched, and are at least a generation removed from any real Christian influence.

In both parts of the country the occult and New Age worldviews are on the rise, as well as radical groups, especially in the East. Refugees of every stripe are a growing phenomenon, as well as the increasing numbers of Muslims. 

That having been said, there is a willingness or even openness to investigate the claims of Christ when strong churches with a vital evangelical witness are obviously present; this is often happening outside of the established churches. German Evangelicals in all denominations are less than 2.5 million, but are slowly growing in numbers. Between 1988 and 1993 there were 800 new free churches planted, and between 1992 and 1995 a further 228. 

ECM missions in Germany consist of distinctly different ministries for Western and Eastern parts of the country.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: a new Challenge

Since 2004 ECMI has been working on planting a church in Rostock, a city of 200,000, the largest city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which together with Warnemünde inside Rostock’s metropolitan area, is also the largest Baltic seaport in Eastern Germany.  There is one section of Rostock which has over 30,000 inhabitants without a Christian church of any kind.

ECMI is working together with the FeG (Freie Evangelischen Gemeinde) group of churches in planting a church in this area. Together both organizations are taking a great step of faith. We are counting on our Lord Jesus Christ to raise missionaries who will be called to this work.

Taking a major step of faith, two families from FeG churches in Hamburg Germany have committed to being part of the church plant, and for that reason have moved to live in Rostock and find jobs there.

Refugees and Foreigners in South West Germany

Germany has countless numbers of refugees from all over the world. In the refugee camps Tamils, Kurds, Arabs, and Turks are among the peoples represented, and within these groups are Hindus, Moslems and Christians. This gives a unique opportunity to present the gospel to them and assist them in a practical way where necessary.

As a result, this has lead to our work among these groups in South West Germany. Most are housed in barrack-style accommodation or former military posts. They have left family, friends and their homelands and are looking for contact with the locals, and are more than willing to receive people visiting them. In addition to regular visits in the camps, we conduct several days – or weeks of outreach. Since 2005 there