Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany

Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany
ClassificationEvangelical Christianity
TheologyBaptist, Plymouth Brethren
AssociationsBaptist World Alliance
HeadquartersWustermark, Germany
Origin1849
Congregations786
Members75,767
Missionary organizationEBM International
Aid organizationGerman Baptist Aid
SeminariesElstal Theological College
Official websitebaptisten.de

The Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany (German: Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden in Deutschland) is a Baptist and Brethren Christian denomination in Germany. It is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. The headquarters is in Wustermark.

History

Worship service at Cross Church in Hamburg.
Emmanuel Baptist Church in Wolfsburg, affiliated with the Union.

The Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany has its origins in the first Baptist church in Hamburg founded by the German missionary Johann Gerhard Oncken in 1834.[1] It is officially founded in 1849 as Federation of Christian communities baptized in Germany and Denmark.[2] In 1941, the Union of Free Christians merged with the Federation to form the Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany.[3] In 1992, the ordination of women pastors was authorized in the Convention.[4] According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 786 churches and 75,767 members.[5]

Schools

It has 1 affiliated theological institute, the Elstal Theological College in Wustermark founded in 1880.[6]

Missionary Organization

The Convention has a missionary organization, EBM International.[7]

Social programs

It has a humanitarian organization, German Baptist Aid.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 248
  2. ^ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 2955
  3. ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 249
  4. ^ Erich Geldbach, Baptists Worldwide: Origins, Expansions, Emerging Realities, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2022, p. 112
  5. ^ Baptist World Alliance, Members, baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved May 5, 2023
  6. ^ Union, Theologische Hochschule Elstal, befg.de, Germany, retrieved May 5, 2023
  7. ^ Union, EBM International, befg.de, Germany, accessed July 24, 2024
  8. ^ Union, German Baptist Aid, befg.de, Germany, accessed July 24, 2024
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