Germany Koeris Giving - Word of Life Fellowship, Inc.

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Ministry Description

In 1964 four Canadians arrived in Germany to reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a music ministry. In the first years of this ministry, they held youth rallies and helped German evangelists with evangelistic crusades. In 1969 God opened the door for them to rent a beautiful castle on Lake Starnberg located 25 kilometers south of Munich. In 1971 another castle was added.

In 2003, as a satellite to Lake Starnberg, the Bible Institute opened in the north-east of the country. It is now its own independent WOL ministry located at Lake Koeris just south-east of the capital of Berlin. The Bible Institute`s classroom language is German and the program runs from October through August. A weeklong English Kids Winter Camp is held in February. Eight English Kids & Youth Camps are held in July through mid-August on the Lake Koeris campus and on a camp facility that is seasonally leased for this purpose at the adjacent Lake Wood. Currently the staff includes three missionary families, one missionary intern, and six indigenous fulltime staff members.

Country Description

The Federal Republic of Germany is Europe's most populous and richest country. With more than 82 million people, Germany's citizens enjoy a high standard of living, with universal health care, low crime rates, and high investment in infrastructure and education. The largest religious affiliation is Protestant with 28 percent. Next is Roman Catholic at 34 percent. Those unaffiliated or practicing some other religion are 26.3 percent of the population. After the U.S. and Japan, Germany is the world's most technologically powerful country. Nevertheless, the generous social benefits system has begun to take a toll on the economy, and the government has already begun cutting back on some services. The high unemployment rate of 10 percent or more continues to be a long-term problem because of the high contribution rates for social programs on wages. As Germany's aged population increases, the country will struggle more to meet citizen's demands.