The Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany () is a Baptist and Brethren Christian denomination in Germany. It is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. The headquarters is in Wustermark.
History
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.William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 248 It is officially founded in 1849 as Federation of Christian communities baptized in Germany and Denmark.J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 2955 In 1941, the Union of Free Christians merged with the Federation to form the Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany.William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 249 In 1992, the ordination of women pastors was authorized in the Convention. Erich Geldbach, Baptists Worldwide: Origins, Expansions, Emerging Realities, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2022, p. 112 According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 786 churches and 75,767 members.Baptist World Alliance, Members, baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved May 5, 2023
Schools It has 1 affiliated theological institute, the Elstal Theological College in Wustermark founded in 1880. Union, Theologische Hochschule Elstal, befg.de, Germany, retrieved May 5, 2023
Missionary organization The Convention has a missionary organization, EBM International. Union, EBM International, befg.de, Germany, accessed July 24, 2024
Humanitarian organization It has a humanitarian organization, German Baptist Aid. Union, German Baptist Aid, befg.de, Germany, accessed July 24, 2024
See also
Baptists in Germany
References
External links Official Website