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