Dedications, commemorations, confirmations—there sure seems to be a lot going on in the congregations around the world. As usual, we provide our readers with a brief, representative overview of the events of the past week in the many New Apostolic congregations around the world.

What does a Deacon do? Is this ministry still timely? What are his concrete tasks in the congregation?

In our “Spotlight” series, District Apostles from around the world share their thoughts on the 2015 motto. This week, District Apostle Shadreck M. Lubasi writes about the joy that can be found in serving Christ.

On 19 April 2015, District Apostle Shadreck Lubasi, the head of the New Apostolic Church East Africa, will retire. He served as a minister for nearly 30 years. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will be in Dodoma in Tanzania to celebrate this special divine service.

Like no one else, he influenced the development of a movement that eventually became the New Apostolic Church . Not only because he played a central role in our Church's history, but also because he had a defining impact on a Christian denomination that was still in its infancy at the time: Apostle Friedrich Wilhelm Schwarz was born 200 years ago today.

Three Apostles, three languages: the first youth weekend in Senegal placed high demands on others besides the organizers. Even the confirmation represented a challenge that could only be mastered through teamwork. The Apostle responsible for the work of the Church in this country reports for nac.today.

They were both tireless workers: but one was more of a caregiver, while the other was more of an organizer. And in the next few days, their birthdays will come around for the 150th time. Following is a look back on the activity of District Apostles Wilhelm Oehlmann and Martin Lax in the regions that are now part of Eastern Germany, Poland, and Russia.

When Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider sets off for the Good Friday divine service, he will also be following a cultural connection that will most likely be familiar to friends of modern art. It has to do with a sculpture that reminds us of a hymn from our choir book: "Onward, upward, homeward..." — a brief page view:

Another week of news—and it is not always good. In Germany, France, and Spain, people are in mourning because a Germanwings passenger aircraft crashed over the French Alps. A total of 150 people lost their lives in the crash.

Everyone has a smartphone nowadays. And that means that all things Church related are right within reach too: want to stay up to date? Feel like browsing through the Catechism? Need to find a congregation? Well, there are apps for this and more—an overview of the official apps on offer.

The "Spotlight" series is intended to shed light on all aspects of our "Joy in Christ". This time it is District Apostle Markus Fehlbaum's turn to take a closer look at our annual motto for 2015. He starts off by asking, "What happens when we share joy with others?"

Apostle João Uanuque Misselo has been the resident District Apostle Helper in Angola since February. In an interview, together with District Apostle Rainer Storck, he gives insights into the country, its history, and the lives of the New Apostolic people there.

For many years, “A bond of love around the globe” was used as title for news in the New Apostolic world. Love is still the operative word today. New Apostolic relief organizations around the world fight to alleviate the consequences of natural disasters and in some regions specially trained brothers and sisters help their fellow members cope with grief.

The most recent District Apostle Meeting came to its conclusion with a festive divine service. And it was precisely this work that had been accomplished over the previous days that Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider chose as his main focus. He sees this as a guideline for making the right decisions—even for our members in general.

The most important periodical for the leaders of the New Apostolic Church is the Divine Service Guide. It serves to help the ministers around the world prepare for the divine services. What is the most important language? English, German, or another language? Answers to this were given at the most recent District Apostle Meeting.

A new variant of the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church is scheduled to appear in September 2015. This resolution was passed by the District Apostle Meeting at its most recent session. The reference work has been structured into "Questions and Answers" and is scheduled for publication in five languages to start.

Some people grow with the tasks they are assigned. And sometimes an entrusted assignment grows under the activity of a particular person. One of these people was District Apostle Hermann Dietrich Magney. He was born 140 years ago today.

"It is the same everywhere—only completely different." That is how Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler described our common faith in the gospel in the context of the very different living conditions that prevail from country to country. This week, nac.today will also take a look around the globe.