MANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GERMANY n GER German Baptists Give Thanks German Baptists expressed this obligation as a part of their

heritage during the festive celebrations on November 9. “It’s our task today to commit ourselves again and again for peace and freedom, for equity and justice,” said Stefan Stiegler, former rector of the German Baptist Theological Seminary in his sermon during a special service to mark the 25th

anniversary celebration.

The congregation responded appropriately by taking an offering to aid refugees and other people in need in the Middle East. Neville Callam, general secretary of the Baptist World

Alliance, who took part in this special celebration, together with Eron Henry, BWA associate director of communications, hit the mark in his words of greeting: “Let today’s celebration remind us of the power of the possible. In the memorable words of William Carey, let today’s celebration remind us of how to expect great things from God and so to attempt great things for God. I greet you all and wish you many more years of fruitful collaboration in which you demonstrate, before the eyes of the world, the undiluted joy of oneness reclaimed and the supreme wonder of the work of reconciliation.”

Hans Guderian, from Germany, is a former member of the

BWA General Council and a past president of the European Baptist Federation

Above: BWA General Secretary Neville Callam with (from left) Hans Guderian, German Baptist union General Secretary Christoph Stiba and Stefan Stiegler, preacher at the 25th anniversary worship service in Berlin

Right: Candle lighting ceremony during the worship service to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

Below: Members of an East German Baptist youth choir that last sang together in 1989, singing at the 25th anniversary worship service in Berlin in November 2014

Bottom right: Stephan Stigler preaching at the worship service in Berlin G

erman Baptists held a moving worship service focused on thanksgiving and praise to God to mark the 25th

anniversary of

the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, at the Baptist church, Berlin-Weissensee. Christoph Stiba, general secretary of the Union of Evangelical Free Churches (Baptists) in Germany, described the occasion as “a very special day in the history of the German people.” It marks not just the “reunification of our country, but it is a day that also changed the lives of many people.” Freedom in Germany now is regarded as a normal experience. “An entire generation does not know any different. And for this we want to thank God.” At the same time, however, Stiba said it is important for Germans to remind themselves of what happened 25 years ago, if only to remember those who played leading and active roles in the attainment of the current freedom so that present and future generations can build on that legacy. “I rejoice with you this morning

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