Germany Starnberg Giving - Word of Life Fellowship, Inc.

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Ministry Description

In 1964, four young Canadians (Chuck Kosman, Larry Locken, Len Wiebe and Bob Parschauer) are touring through Germany as the "Wort des Lebens Quartett," delighting thousands with their musical performances. 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 camp site in one of the most beautiful parts of Germany: Lake Starnberg located 25 kilometers south of Munich.
The yellow caste “Unterallmannshausen”, leased from the State of Bavaria, is from now on a year-round attraction for many young people who like to spend their vacation time in happy fellowship. In 1971, the nearby castle “Seeburg” is added as an additional building and the camp's activities program is expanded. The renovation work is largely carried out by WDL's supporters, who are still active today.

For now over 50 years, the growing team of missionaries is organizing evangelistic camps for over 8.500 children and youth each year. At the same time WDL Germany conducts several musical camps at different locations throughout the country. The musical plays are written and composed by WDL missionaries. In addition, many school classes come for a school trip to the castles and spend an inspiring time there, often with evangelistic programs by the missionaries.

At the end of 2013, the leases for the State's castles are due to expire. The state wants to sell the castles. Countless WDL supporters campaign for an extension of the contract. In the summer of 2012, at a political party event in nearby village of Hohenrain, Bavarian Finance Minister Dr. Markus Soder unexpectedly announces that WDL can stay in the castles after all.
Shortly before the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Wort des Lebens (WDL), Soder signs a new contract on May 22, 2014, allowing WDL at least 18 more years of ministry in the castles.
At WDL Germany Lake Starnberg minister 30 missionaries and 25 young people who do a voluntary service at WDL.

Since 2017, the camps have often been fully booked a year ahead and the waiting lists are sometimes longer than the lists of campers, so we began to dream boldly: We would like to offer every student in Germany within 150 miles a place at a WDL camp.

And while we were still searching for a suitable location, in 2020, in the middle of the Covid Lockdown, a Christian organization approaches us and offers us not only their property but also their ministry. In addition to camps, they do conferences with the awesome goal of challenging Christians in their spiritual growth. On October 15, 2021, we celebrated the ceremonial transfer of the “Dunenhof” to WDL. Since then, we have had a location directly at the North Sea.

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.