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Germany
CountryIn the middle of Europe lies a country that for decades was divided by a wall between east and west, a symbol of the Cold War, but also a symbol which spoke of the long-lasting effects of World War II, which this country had inflicted upon itself – Germany. The rise of the country to become a center of economic and cultural influence again, symbolizes the commitment of Germany to positively contribute to the world around it.
People/SocietyGermans, can generally be described as industrious, honest, thrifty and orderly. They highly value punctuality, privacy, intelligence and skill. Even if there is little national pride, German society is proud of the nation’s famous composers, poets, philosophers, inventors and reformers. However, in today’s German society many are prone to pessimism and skepticism.
Religion
In the recent past, the 82.4 million people in Germany have focused on materialistic achievements and economic well-being, and have neglected matters of spiritual life. However, even though society is secular, most Germans are Christian. Of the total population, Protestants comprise about 33 percent of the population and Catholics another 33 percent. The third largest religious identity in Germany is that of non-religious people, who amount to 28.5 percent of the population (23.5 million). About 1.3 million are evangelical Christians. Approximately 3.2 million Muslims (4 percent), predominantly from Turkey and the former Yugoslavia, live in Germany.
HistoryIt was with a firm intention to start a ministry in that part of Europe, that in March of 1958 the Church of the Nazarene commissioned Rev. Jerald Johnson and his family to Germany. Two months later, Pastor Johnson started a home Bible Study in his living room in the city of Frankfurt. The group grew rapidly and started services in a garage. By 1962, the church in Frankfurt moved to a newly-dedicated church facility. In the following years, churches were started in other cities in Germany, as well as a theological educational institution. German pastors and lay people assumed leadership roles in the church. Dr. Richard Zanner became the first district superintendent.
The Church Today
Today, about 1,300 people worship in 20 different congregations in the two Germany Districts: the Northeast Germany and the Southwest Germany.
For a list of churches, please refer to the following Web site: www.nazarener.deOther countries in the Northern Europe Field: Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
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