There has been a lot of talk about reconciliation over the past weeks. One man in particular was instrumental in quietly paving the way for this. Fifty years ago today, he was ordained into the ministry that preaches reconciliation: Hermann Engelauf.

A flashmob in the city, a charity concert in a shopping centre, and a singing contest sponsored by the radio. There is music in the air and New Apostolic Christians are right in the middle of it all when it comes to professing their faith or doing something good.

Apostles around the world are involved in building our conception of ministry. What has been gathered in meetings and working groups to date is currently being discussed by the District Apostles in Perth. Here is an overview.

Rebekka Hartmann first began playing the violin at age five. Today she gives concerts around the world on her Stradivarius. Despite hard work and success, Rebekka Hartmann has never forgotten who gave her the talent.

Two thousand kilometres to the nearest city and yet in the middle of a metropolitan area. This is where the District Apostles are convening for their second international meeting this year: originally called “place with plenty of sun”, it is now better known as Perth.

The apostolic churches are continuing their policy of reconciliation: at the beginning of the coming year, they want to close another chapter in their shared history. A ceremony has been planned at which a third statement will be signed.

Christians have a treasure that needs to be protected—and shared. The Chief Apostle examines some of the gems of this treasure and reveals why they are sometimes hard to recognize.

They cultivate fellowship, but not only among themselves: the International Sisters’ Fellowship, comprised of New Apostolic women from Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, is an example of the role women take in church and society in this part of Africa.

Lausanne is beautifully set on Lake Geneva in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Surrounded by the Jura Mountains, the city enjoys a mild climate—a good destination for Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider, who will be visiting the congregation on Sunday to celebrate a divine service.

Against cholera, for peace and understanding between peoples—the programmes of the congregations around the world are creative, diverse, and fantastic. It is important that we take on responsibility in society, not only spiritually but also in a concrete and material way.

Let the light of God shine, don’t cover it up! This is a well-known thought from the Bible. But what exactly is this light? The Chief Apostle gave a fourfold answer in a recent service.

No other collection of laws has had such a high degree of influence on the cultural history of mankind as the Ten Commandments of God. Here the term ‘commandment’ is a translation of the Hebrew word for “instruction”. The Ten Commandments thus serve as direction and orientation for humanity.

Church members want to understand Church doctrine. The current issue of community features clearly understandable teaching texts for just such members. What is divine service? What is forgiveness of sins? Answers to important questions.

The rapprochement of apostolic denominations is continuing: after declarations of reconciliation in Germany and Switzerland, as well as an initial meeting in South Africa, there has now also been a meeting in the Netherlands—and this one was in a much larger context.

Parents provide for the natural wellbeing of their children, promote their talents, and support them as they grow into adulthood. But parents are also responsible for the spiritual development of their children. “Take a little more time for this,” said Chief Apostle Schneider as he appealed to parents.

All interested parties are invited: the New Apostolic congregations in the German-speaking regions of the world will be open to the public for a service for the departed on Sunday, 6 November 2016. The preparations are already underway.

The first International Youth Day of the New Apostolic Church will run from 30 May to 2 June 2019. The rental contracts with the Düsseldorf fairgrounds have already been signed, and the planning committee is making some basic decisions on the programme of events.

“Go into all the world…”— not least of all on their travels through their home countries and the missionary regions in their care do the District Apostles fulfil their Great Commission. In so doing, they often bring along a gift or two in their luggage for the congregations they visit.