125 YEARS FACTS FACES FIGURES 1
Our history in a timeline Wilhelm Steinhilber, former head of administration and archivist, was already an old man when I met him for the first time. The noble old librarian was walking his little dog on the Mission Mountain. He greeted me in a friendly manner with his walking stick and asked: “Well, what should we say about this?” At first I didn‘t understand what he meant and said that everything was fine. When we met again, he asked the same question. “Well, what should we say about this?” It slowly dawned on me: his greeting was a question posed by Paul in his letter to the Romans. “What shall we say about this?” The apostle answered the question himself: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). The wise brother Steinhilber wanted me to answer the question. And thus make a basic statement of the Bible my own: God is for us. His heart beats for us. So much so that he gave his own son for us. This knowledge has comforted and strengthened me for 50 years. Even in times of temptation and despair. ERNST GÜNTER WENZLER Whoever is easily offended needs to quit taking offense at everything. ERNST VATTER In a faith, life and learning community of young people, there is not only stress, but also a lot of fun. For over ten years, I lived in the same house as the young women in our seminary, right next door to the matron. After a Bible study lesson on the book of Joshua, I received an unforgettable lesson: the “walls of Jericho” were piled up in front of our flat, and between the walls, i. e. boxes, were tempting Ferrero Rocher sweets. It didn‘t immediately occur to us sisters that these shiny golden delicacies had anything to do with the treasures of Jericho, which a certain Achan in Joshua 7 had unlawfully plundered. The punishment followed immediately – for us too, although not as severe as for Achan: our Rochers were filled with mustard! SISTER IRMGARD WIELAND In the Romans exegesis lesson, Sister Irmgard Wieland explained the principle of sanctification to us: “The cow‘s tail grows downwards!” By this she meant that as sanctification progresses, we realise more and more that we are sinners and in need of grace. STEFAN LANZ Quotes & anecdotes Klaus Hoppenworth in Hebrew class to Dave Jarsetz, a student at the time: “I‘m amazed at the certainty with which you emphasise incorrectly.” ULRICH STEIERT SHAPED FOR LIFE 2 The foundation O The German branch of the China Inland Mission is founded in Hamburg-Uhlenhorst on 13 November. First missionary O Heinrich Witt is sent to China on 31 December as the first missionary of the new organisation. “China‘s Millions” O A dedicated mission magazine is published under the name “China‘s Millions” (today: “Mission weltweit”). 1899 1899 1900
DEAR READERS In 1964, Kurt Koch wrote about the mission in his biography of Heinrich Coerper: “I think with concern and fear of the time when Liebenzell will celebrate its 120th Jubilee. Until now, no kingdom of God organisation has ever reached such a Jubilee spiritually alive.” More than 60 years have now passed and we are celebrating our 125th Jubilee. I find it generally difficult to make a final judgement on our spiritual vitality. Self-glorification, self-promotion and pats on the back are also not appropriate at this point. However, I don‘t think that Kurt Koch‘s worries and fears at the time have come true. On the contrary: I look back happily, enthusiastically and gratefully on the history of our mission; on many things that have moved, grown and changed. Not everything went smoothly. We did not do justice to everyone. There has been pain, loss and disappointment. We did not do everything right. There is no question about that. But we have experienced to this day that the Lord of the mission is also the Lord of our mission, that He stands by us and keeps us on track. He revitalises, moves and empowers us. But He also gives and provides for us in many different and miraculous ways. For me, this is a true God mystery. The Liebenzell mountain has been “breathing spiritual fire” for 125 years. The persistent prayer of Sister Lina Stahl (1842-1924) for a “fire-breathing mountain” has been more than fulfilled: Thousands were trained in Bad Liebenzell. Thousands have been sent to the people in the name of Jesus. Today, thousands support our mission work with their gifts and prayers. Countless biographies have been rewritten because they have come to know Jesus as Lord, Saviour and Friend. Countless churches and projects have been founded. Many people have been invested in and helped. And all because Jesus came to light a fire! Because he goes like a torch from heart to heart, warming the cold, thawing the frozen and kindling the embers beneath the ashes. His love is for everyone. He wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). God‘s mission continues because His heart is unchanged, the mission is clear, the calling is clear, the gospel is good, the need is great and He is worthy. There are 10,000 reasons to rejoice about what God has done in our history. The word jubilee comes from the Latin “jubilare” and means “to shout aloud for joy.” Rejoicing is an expression of joy - and we do this wholeheartedly on the occasion of the jubilee. We look backwards with gratitude, upwards with faith and forwards with courage. That is why I look forward with confidence and hope to the time when Liebenzell will celebrate its 175th Jubilee. Spiritual vitality is not a sure-fire success. However, if we stay with Jesus, we will remain on fire. If we continue to pass on the fire of his love in word and deed, we will remain alive as his ministry. God help us to do this! With heartfelt Jubilee greetings Dave Jarsetz CEO 3 Visit from Hudson Taylor (1832–1905) O The English missionary pioneer Hudson Taylor comes to Hamburg for a short visit. After eleven years of prayer 5 April O Move to Bad Liebenzell. This was preceded by eleven years of prayer by Sister Lina Stahl and many conversations with Rev. Heinrich Coerper. The king comes O King Wilhelm II of Württemberg visits Liebenzell. His royal decree: “One should stop plaguing the mission.” 1901 1902 1904
Words of congratulations to the Liebenzell Mission CONGRATU- LATIONS 4 Foundation of the South German CE Association (Christian Endeavour) O The South German CE Association (later the Southwest German CE Association) is founded in Fellbach. Heinrich Coerper, the founder of the Liebenzell Mission, is elected by the delegates as the first chairman of the association and remains so until mid-1933. New name O The German branch of the China Inland Mission (CIM) becomes the “Liebenzell Mission” (in the CIM association). To the South Seas O The Liebenzell Mission begins mission work in the South Seas. 1904 1906 Since the Liebenzell Mission was founded in 1899, its work has not only included preaching the Gospel, but also numerous valuable social projects. The approximately 250 missionaries also advocate interdenominationally for people in emergency situations and with special needs – in more than 20 countries. I would like to congratulate the Liebenzell Mission on its 125th Jubilee and wish it all the best for the future! WINFRIED KRETSCHMANN Prime Minister of the State of Baden-Württemberg 125 years of Liebenzell Mission – that is 125 years of listening to God‘s word, 125 years of living out of following Jesus, 125 years of passionate mission. During this time, the tranquil town of Bad Lie- benzell has repeatedly sharpened the focus of our entire church: mission is the heartbeat of God‘s children. On the occasion of this Jubilee, we remind each other that God‘s kingdom is international and intercultural, but also wide and diverse. Thank you for all good cooperation. Let us go into the future together and in partnership: with power, love and self-control – in other words: present-minded (2 Timothy 1:7). ERNST-WILHELM GOHL Bishop of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Württemberg On your 125th Jubilee, I would like to send you my sincere congratulations on behalf of the District of Calw. The Liebenzell Mission is highly committed to missionary, social and educational projects. According to Jesus’ statement “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40), you provide practical help for people all over the world. Your selfless dedication has a lasting impact on society, for which you deserve the highest recognition. The traces of your work are visible in many life stories. We are grateful for your contribution to the common good and wish you all the best for your far-reaching work. HELMUT RIEGGER Governor of the District of Calw 1906
5 First mission festival O The first mission festival is celebrated – in the small village of “Siehdichfür”, around ten kilometres from Bad Liebenzell and in the open air in the forest. The mission house is finished O After three years of construction, the mission house is inaugurated. Many missionary friends support the project. Some lend a hand, others donate money, still others bring wood for the house or milk and eggs for the catering. The SV is founded O Heinrich Coerper founds the “South German Association (Süddeutsche Vereinigung) for Evangelisation and Fellowship Care” (SV) in Calw on 6 January with businessman Immanuel Weißer (1877–1944, left) and factory owner Johannes Blank (1863–1934, right). 1906 1907 1910 As Mayor of Bad Liebenzell, I would like to cordially congratulate the Liebenzell Mission on its remarkable 125th Jubilee. Such an event reflects not only the longevity, but also the deep roots and continuing influence of your mission in our community and far beyond. Our collaboration with the Liebenzell Mission has always been characterised by great enthusiasm and a shared understanding of the importance of your work. Your mission to bring hope and practical help has always impressed and inspired me personally. I particularly remember the annual Mission Festival as an event that not only entertains, but also strengthens the community and promotes our shared commitment to good causes. For the future, I wish the Liebenzell Mission God’s continued blessing, strength and wisdom so that it can continue its important work and reach and inspire even more people. May your mission continue to be a beacon of hope and charity. With best regards and best wishes, ROBERTO CHIARI Mayor of Bad Liebenzell We would like to congratulate you on the 125th Jubilee of the Liebenzell Mission and are grateful for our journey to- gether in God’s worldwide mission: be it in the cooperation in the Association of Evangelical Missions (AEM) or the networked mission work of the Liebenzell Mission and the Alliance Mission in Japan. For the coming years, we wish you courage to explore and tread new paths, strength for the worldwide commitment to the Gospel and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as individual employees and as an organisation. THOMAS SCHECH 1st Chairman of AEM and Chairman of the Board of Allianz-Mission Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone of 125 years! As your partner in spreading hope and compassion, SHED Board, we are honored to celebrate this momentous occasion with you. Your unwavering commitment to serving others has touched countless lives around the world, inspiring us all to be agents of positive change. As we reflect on the remarkable journey of Liebenzell Mission International, let us renew our commitment to standing alongside you in your mission. May the next 125 years be filled with even greater achievements, as we continue to work together to make the world a brighter, more compassionate place for all. With gratitude and admiration, MOLINA KARMAKAR Director – SHED, Bangladesh (social branch of our partner church)
Heinrich Coerper was born on 3 March 1863 as the youngest of seven children of a pastor in Meisenheim (Northern Palatinate). After attending Latin school in his home town, he attended grammar school in Cologne from 1877, where he lived with his brother Fritz, who was 16 years older and worked as a pastor. After that, Heinrich Coerper studied theology in Halle, from 1884 in Tübingen, Utrecht, Berlin and from 1886 in Bonn. Initially, faith was a natural part of Heinrich Coerper’s life, but did not play a shaping role. This changed during his studies: He was plagued by growing inner struggles, above all the question of how personal faith, his own lifestyle and the parish ministry he aspired to could be brought together and realised. In Bonn, he got to know the theology professor and university preacher Theodor Christlieb (1833–1889), who had a decisive influence on him. The clear evangelistic and missionary emphasis that he placed in his lectures and in his church work were groundbreaking for Heinrich Coerper. The young theology student was also fascinated by Theodor Christlieb’s interdenominational contacts and networks. The theologian opened up completely new perspectives for Heinrich Coerper; it was here that he first learnt about genuine alliances with Christians from other churches. The fact that the young Heinrich Coerper also saw himself as a fervent patriot and supporter of Prussia and the military was partly due to the fact that his home town was subject to pressure from the superior French military power. After studying theology, Heinrich Coerper volunteered for a year’s military service in Berlin with the Imperial Prussian Guard Fusilier Regiment in 1887/88. At the end of his service, he was promoted to second sergeant. However, his national-patriotic character temporarily faded into the background, probably driven by the conflicting inner impulse to live passionately as a Christian. The theologian suddenly abandoned his career as an officer and only trained as a field hospital nurse. In 1888/89, Heinrich Coerper worked as a lecturer at the Johanneum School of Evangelism in Bonn. From 1890 to 1894, he was a preacher and pastor of the chapel congregation in Heidelberg. There he began extensive work among children and students and became a co-founder of the German Christian Student Association in 1891. During this time, he also came into contact with Hudson Taylor (1832-1905), the founder of the China Inland Mission. At the beginning of the Liebenzell Mission was Heinrich Coerper THE FOUNDER 6 Tent evangelism O The first tent evangelism takes place in Liebenzell. Start on the island of Manus O Start of mission work on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea with the missionaries Friedrich Doepke (left) and Hermann Kraft (right). An incredible gift O Hilda von Diest (1869-1946) donates the Mission Mountain to the Liebenzell Mission. 1918 1914 1913
The Coerper family with Liebenzell Mission employees Heinrich Coerper with his family: wife Ruth and the children Elisabeth, Ruth and Johannes 7 Heinrich Coerper commissions men and women (sisters) for work in Germany for the first time. With sisterhood garb and bonnets O For the first time, the Liebenzell Sisters working in Germany begin to wear the traditional gowns of the sisterhood . 1919 1920 1922 Heinrich Coerper married Ruth Robert (1875–1952) on 18 September 1894. His wife came from Biel (Switzerland). The couple had four children, although Samuel died at the age of two. After his wedding, Heinrich Coer- per held a pastorate in Essen until 1897. He was then head of the deaconess house in Strasbourg until 1899. In 1899, at the request of Johannes Röschmann, Heinrich Coerper took over the “German branch of the English China Inland Mission” in Hamburg-Uhlenhorst, which was in a crisis, and re-established it. On 1 January 1900, he published the first German edition of the mission magazine “China’s Millions”, which was published with up to 25,000 copies and was one of the largest Christian magazines in Germany at the time. On 5 April 1902, the mission family moved to Liebenzell in the Black Forest as they had been given notice to leave their house in Hamburg. The fact that the work moved from the harbour and cosmopolitan city to the idyllic Swabian countryside can be traced back to Sister Lina Stahl (1842–1924). In 1900, Heinrich Coerper began training missionaries and mission sisters, later also for work in Germany. This training continues to this day at the Liebenzell International University of Applied Sciences and the Intercultural Theological Academy. In 1903, the first missionaries who had been trained in-house travelled to China. In 1906, work began in the South Seas (Chuuk, the Mortlock Islands, Palau, Ponape and Yap), in 1914 on Manus (Papua New Guinea) and in 1927 in Japan. For health reasons, Heinrich Coerper was unable to visit any of the mission countries. Heinrich Coerper founded the “South German CE Association (Christian Endeavour)” in 1904 and was also its chairman until 1933, today’s “Southwest German CE Youth Association” (SWD-EC). Furthermore, he was co-founder and chairman in 1910. (Later this association was called the “Southwest German CE Association”). In 1933, Heinrich Coerper founded the “Liebenzell Fellowship Association”, partly because he refused to incur debts for the construction of church buildings. Heinrich Coerper also founded a sisterhood. He had to defend his mission work time and again, as it was completely unusual at the time to send out so many female missionaries. In his striving for faith and sanctification, he was deeply influenced by the Anglo-Saxon revival, the international sanctification, healing and evangelism movement. The First World War and its consequences brought temporarily buried patriotism, nationalism and anti-Judaism back to the surface. This also had an impact on Heinrich Coerper in the later years after 1918. In the debate with the emerging Pentecostal movement, which culminated in the Berlin Declaration in 1909, in which people sharply distanced themselves from this movement, he was considered a “neutral” because he did not sign the declaration. Until 1930, Heinrich Coerper still had contacts with Pentecostal circles. Heinrich Coerper suffered his first stroke in December 1933, followed by a long period of illness. He died in Lahr-Dinglingen on 8 July 1936. He was buried on the cemetery in Bad Liebenzell. His work was continued from January 1934 by Pastor Ernst Buddeberg, the son-in-law of his brother Fritz Coerper. Since April 2002, the street around the Mission and Training Centre on the Mission Mountain has been named after him. The “Klein-Wildbad-Quelle” of the town of Bad Liebenzell was renamed “Heinrich-Coerper-Quelle” in July 2005. Claudius Schillinger Liebenzell Fellowship O Heinrich Coerper founds the fellowship in Bad Liebenzell.
THE GREAT BENEFACTOR AND PROMOTER OF THE LIEBENZELL MISSION HILDA VON DIEST was born on 11 January 1869 in Hamburg, the youngest of nine siblings in a wealthy banker’s household. At the age of 18, she married the twenty years older, aristocratic officer Heinrich von Diest (1849–1924). He owned a family estate in Daber (Pomerania, now Poland), where he moved with Hilda von Diest after his retirement from the army (1904). Among other things, she maintained personal contacts with the devout Empress Auguste Victoria (1858-1921) and exchanged letters with her. The Diests dreamt of having a family. But things turned out differently: they were unable to have children; Heinrich von Diest struggled with a nervous disorder throughout his life, which became increasingly worse. In Strasbourg, where her husband was stationed, the young woman sought the pastoral counselling of a pastor: Heinrich Coerper. He was the head of the deaconesses from 1897 to 1899. Hilda von Diest receives decisive impulses from him regarding faith in Jesus Christ. She describes Heinrich Coerper as her “spiritual father”. A lifelong friendship developed that would have a decisive influence on the Liebenzell Mission. By paying most of the rent for the “Villa Lioba”, Hilda von Diest made it possible for the young mission organisation to move from Hamburg to Liebenzell. When the house was to be sold in 1903 and Heinrich Coerper feared that he would have to look for a new location again, Hilda von Diest acquired the villa and donated it to the Liebenzell Mission. In the years that followed, she bought the entire Mission Mountain, today around ten hectares in size, piece by piece and later handed it over to the Liebenzell Mission. She decrees that “mission pupils are to be trained for the Gentile mission in the houses on the Mission Mountain”. She also acquires several buildings in Ott, which she bequeaths to the Liebenzell Mission. At the first general meeting of the Liebenzell Mission on 7 September 1903, then still called the “Committee”, she was elected to the board alongside Lina Stahl as one of seven women. Women thus formed a majority, which was unheard of in any mission organisation at the time. This made the German branch of the China Inland Mission very attractive to unmarried women who signed up for mission service, as they had greater freedom here than was usual in other mission societies. On 7 November 1946, Hilda von Diest died in “House Bethany”, which she had bought for the Liebenzell Mission in 1916 and where Heinrich Coerper also lived after his stroke at the beginning of 1933 until his death in 1936. Hilda von Diest was the great Benefactor of the Mission; without her financial support, the start in Liebenzell Mission would not have been possible. “Of all the faith Pastor Heinrich Coerper (1863–1936) founded the Liebenzell Mission. But without the faithful woman of prayer Lina Stahl (1842-1924) and without Hilda von Diest (1869–1946), the mission organisation would probably never have come to the Black Forest. missions in Germany, there was not a single one that had such a benefactor at its side in the founding phase as the Liebenzell Mission. The purchase of Villa Lioba along with the grounds and two other buildings was probably the largest donation received by a comparable mission organisation in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. From today’s perspective, the value of this property would certainly be estimated at many millions of euros,” says church historian Bernd Brandl. The Liebenzell Mission still benefits significantly from it today. Hilda von Diest would have had every reason to be bitter because her life did not turn out as she had wished. But she turned her “life wound” into a “life wonder” and used her fortune for mission – with traces of blessings that have continued to have an effect for 125 years. WE WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT TWO WOMEN 8 A warm welcome O The guest house “Pilgerruhe” is built. Today it houses offices and the head office of the Liebenzell Fellowship Association. Po Loges is baptised O Missionary Friedrich Doepke baptises the young man Po Loges: the first person to be baptised on Manus Island – after ten years of mission work. Sister Lina Stahl dies on 17 November O Without her prayers, the Liebenzell Mission would be unthinkable today. 1924 1924 1923
AN ELEVEN-YEAR PRAYER WITH WORLDWIDE EFFECTS TO THIS DAY 24 June 1891: A deaconess from Stuttgart moves into a beautiful villa in Bad Liebenzell. From the “Schlayerburg”, which Mathilde von Schlayer had built from 1886 to 1888, LINA STAHL looks out of her bedroom window at the huge orchard on a small hillside. The builder had asked the Stuttgart Deaconess Institute to take over the villa as a convalescent home for the Stuttgart sisters because she was unable to pay the building costs. Now the deaconess, who was born on 12 February 1842 as a pastor’s daughter in Wippingen in the Swabian Alb region, prays that the “monastery hump” in front of her will become a “fire-breathing mountain”: From here, the fire of the Gospel is to be spread throughout the world. The “Lord” had personally given her the “commission” for this prayer: “I have the certainty from the Lord that this whole mountain will one day belong to the Lord for a special work.” But nothing happened for years - until 1896, when a large building was erected just a stone’s throw away: A silverware factory was to be built on the hill. The foundations for a large chimney were dug. ”Here comes the fire-breathing mountain” her fellow sisters mock. “No, no,” says Sister Lina. “I’m all about the fire of the Holy Spirit.” But then, one year after the start of construction, a big surprise happened: the responsible chief master builder stopped the construction: no factory was to be built in Liebenzell, otherwise the aspiring town’s plans to become a spa resort would fail. It is no longer possible to determine who instigated the building freeze. The new mayor Hugo Mäulen (1868–1955), who was elected to office in 1897, probably insisted on it. Robert Vollmöller (1849–1911), a textile manufacturer from Stuttgart-Vaihingen, took over the construction work and had the building converted into a stately country villa. The father of four children had recently become a widower and hoped that his sick eight-year-old son Hans would find relief in the Black Forest air. And indeed: the future spa resort lives up to its name, Hans recovers – and the factory owner then rents out the villa, which he is no longer interested in. Lina Stahl follows all this closely. And then she learns that Heinrich Coerper, whom she knows from his time as head of the Strasbourg deaconesses, is urgently looking for a new home in December 1901 for his German branch of the China Inland Mission, which was founded in Hamburg on 13 November 1899. The house he had rented in the up-and-coming Hamburg district of Uhlenhorst had to make way for a thoroughfare. Heinrich Coerper then looks at properties all over Germany. And that’s when Lina Stahl gets involved: A suitable property had become available for rent right on her doorstep. Heinrich Coerper hesitates: Why should he move from the cosmopolitan city of Hamburg with over 700,000 inhabitants to a Black Forest town with around 3,000 inhabitants at the time? And the rent is three times as high as in Hamburg – for a work financed by donations, this wouldn’t be justifiable to the supporters. But Lina Stahl persisted: she invited Heinrich Coerper’s wife Ruth (1875-1952) to view the building. But she also hesitated in view of the high rent. “When the Lord gives something, it’s always something good!” – Lina Stahl ends the discussion with this spiritual “word of power”. She asks their mutual and very wealthy friend Hilda von Diest (1863– 1946) to pay the majority of the rent. Lina Stahl also contributed to the rent – and so Heinrich Coerper was able to move into the Villa Lioba in Bad Liebenzell with his family and twelve “mission pupils” on 5 April 1902. Eleven years after her prayers, Lina Stahl experiences the answer to her prayers (which she actively helps with). She is also a member of the first committee and ensures that her friend Hilda von Diest buys the villa in 1905 and bequeaths it to the Liebenzell Mission when the house is to be sold. On 17 November 1924, at the age of 82, she died in the “Pilgrim’s Hut” on the Mission Mountain, which Hilda von Diest had bought for her as a retirement home. Without the tenacity of this deaconess, the Liebenzell Mission would probably never have come to Bad Liebenzell. To this day, she is a great example of what long-lasting prayer can achieve! Claudius Schillinger 9 First Youth Day O For the first time, a Youth Day with 2,000 young people is held on the Sunday before Pentecost to help relieve the very well-attended Pentecost Mission Festival. Mission – now also in Japan O The Liebenzell Mission begins its work in the land of the rising sun. Serving the sick O The “Hudson-Taylor-HospitaI” is opened in Changsha. Many Liebenzell missionaries are involved there. 1925 1927 1927
In 1900, the first “Misses” joined the Liebenzell Mission; they were soon called “Sisters”. In the beginning, only women were accepted who were intended for service in China and later in the South Seas. In 1903, the mission organisation sent three sisters to China for medical missionary work. Soon they were also caring for blind girls who had been abandoned by their families. In 1908, the Liebenzell sisters founded the first school for the blind in Changsha. They worked there with great blessing until 1952, when they, like all other foreign missionaries, had to leave the country after the Communists came to power. When the Chinese authorities celebrated the 100th anniversary of the school for the blind in 2008, they invited the former superior, Sister Erika Leimenstoll, to attend. To her great astonishment, a Christian worship song was even sung in honour of the founders. In 1907, two Liebenzell sisters travelled to Micronesia. From 1913 onwards, sisters were increasingly active in congregational work in Germany. During and after the First World War, Heinrich Coerper ordained and sent sisters to the newly founded fellowships, where they took over the preaching and leadership. This made the Liebenzell Mission very attractive to young women, who were able to develop their gifts in the mission organisation. During the First World War, women replaced many “fellowship carers” (preachers) who were called up as soldiers. However, one can only speak of a “sisterhood” to a limited extent in these early years; there were no special rules, no vows of celibacy or as deaconesses. Most of the women went straight into mission service after their training. Many sisters also worked in hospitals in Germany, including in Calw, Duisburg, Essen, Hagen, Heilbronn and Tuttlingen. As many sisters were repeatedly harassed as single women, they asked for a traditional, modest outfit. This was introduced at Pentecost 1922. Today, it is up to the sisters whether they wear it or not. To prevent the sisters from having to work in armaments factories during the Second World War, the Liebenzell Mission sent sisters to serve in hospitals. Two sisters were killed during their ministry: in 1943, the Hungarian sister Maria Molnàr, who was working on Manus/Papua New Guinea, was murdered by the Japanese on a warship together with the missionary families Maria and Friedrich Doepke and Leni and Julius Gareis. In 1991, 35-year-old Sister Gunhild Rott died in a robbery in Zambia. While there were over 300 sisters until the 1980s, there were 80 at the beginning of 2024. The 15 working sisters are involved in congregational and fellowship work in Germany, Japan and Russia, in a school as well as in administration, housekeeping and nursing care for the elderly and sick on the Mission Mountain. Even in retirement, the sisters continue to dedicate themselves to the mission to the best of their ability, for example through intensive and varied prayer services. Claudius Schillinger STRONG WOMEN LEAVE DEEP TRACES OF BLESSING “Heart and Soul of the Liebenzell Mission”; “The Best of the Liebenzell Mission” – there is no lack of appreciative, affectionate terms for the Liebenzell Sisters Sister Charlotte Hoff out and about on the horse The Liebenzell Sisterhood 2010 10 “Kimife” for the first time O On the Wednesday before Pentecost, there is a children‘s mission festival (Kimife – KinderMissionsFest) in Bad Liebenzell for the first time. LGV founded O The “Liebenzeller Gemeinschaftsverband” (LGV) is founded. The Fellowship Association and mission are still closely linked today. Wilhelm Heinsen (1879–1959) becomes the first Fellowship Director. Change in leadership O Pastor Ernst Buddeberg (1873-1946) takes over the leadership of the Liebenzell Mission after Heinrich Coerper becomes unable to work due to a stroke. 1933 1934 1933
Whether a mission reaches its goal and people hear and understand the gospel also depends on the abilities of the people who bear witness to this gospel. That is why Christian faith cannot be separated from Christian education. From the Christ songs of early Christianity to the letters of the Apostle Paul, the confessions of the early church and the catechisms of the Reformation period, education runs like a red thread through the history of the church and mission. The Christian faith does not only live from knowledge, but also very much depends on it! Christians must know the scriptures in which God has revealed himself. They must know the book that is the basis for faith and action. They need to understand the path that God has travelled and still wants to travel with his people and his church. They must understand the beginning and destination of this story - and above all its centre: Jesus Christ. Accordingly, 125 years of Liebenzell Mission also means 125 years of education on the Mission Mountain and education that has emanated from the Mission Mountain. Literally thousands of people have been trained here over the past 125 years: initially “mission pupils” for service in China, then sisters and brothers for service as preachers, evangelists, youth counsellors and nurses. Training was soon no longer only for the mission, but also for fellowship and youth organisations. Over the years, trainees in housekeeping, administration and trades were added. Today, you can attend a discipleship school (impact-move), technical college (Intercultural Theological Academy – ITA) or univer- sity (Liebenzell International University of Applied Sciences) on the mountain. Here, young people can study theology, education, social work or development cooperation and obtain a state-accredited Bachelor’s or even Master’s degree. For 124 years, the language of education was German and so were the mission pupils, seminary and bible school students and students. Last year, the IHL began the first English-language education programme in the history of the Liebenzell Mission. In the 21st century, mission is no longer just a path that leads “from the West to the Rest”, but an international and intercultural movement from everywhere to everywhere. In the coming decades, students from a wide variety of countries, cultures and peoples will be able to take part in the missionary education programme on the Mission Mountain. For 125 years, the mission has reached the remotest corners of the earth from Bad Liebenzell: the inland of China, the smallest South Sea islands and the heart of Africa. The Liebenzell Mission has also repeatedly set out for new shores through education. It has recognised spiritual and physical needs and necessities and then found ways and means to educate young people in order to meet these needs. We will continue to pursue this mission in the future. Mission is changing, so is education. Standards are rising, methods are changing. Many things will become more digital, more international and more intercultural. But one thing will not change: Liebenzell Mission education, like mission, remains a journey with God from one person to another. Volker Gäckle WE DO EDUCATION – AND YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE 11 Pastor Heinrich Coerper dies O The founder of the Liebenzell Mission dies on 8 July in Lahr and is buried a few days later in Bad Liebenzell. Confiscations during the war O The “Pilgerruhe” building and large parts of the Mission House are confiscated and used to house refugees throughout the war. Foundation of the US branch O The American branch of the Liebenzell Mission is founded in Schooley‘s Mountain. 1936 1939 1941
Thomas, how many donors support the work of the Liebenzell Mission each year? Thomas Haid: We have around 16,800 donors who are known to us by name. But there are also many others who support us through offerings and collections. Our supporters currently entrust us with around 16 million euros. Every year, it is exciting to see how the money for our work comes together. And quite clearly: without the many people who pray, we would not be able to pass on God’s love worldwide! How do you deal with the tension that we see ourselves as an “organisation of faith” that expects everything from God? Thomas Haid: We have defined seven core values. The first is “Trust in God”: “We live trusting in God. From him we receive the reason and gifts for our mission.” We have been experiencing God’s faithfulness for over 125 years now and it is always amazing how things work out: How we are not only provided with opportunities, but also with people and the resources we need. It is great to experience how Jesus is standing by his work! YOUR WORK MAKES THE DIFFERENCE What makes working at the Liebenzell Mission so attractive, what do employees need to bring to the table - and how does the organisation finance its work? Thomas Haid, Chief Financial Officer of the Liebenzell Mission, and his deputy and Head of Human Resources Bettina Heckh talk about this in an interview: Without the many people who pray, we would not be able to pass on God‘s love worldwide. 12 In the turmoil of the Second World War O The Manus missionaries Friedrich and Maria Doepke, Julius and Leni Gareis with their infant child and Sister Maria Molnàr are shot by Japanese marines on the high seas. Missionaries in China have to leave the country O Mission work in China is no longer possible due to the Communists coming to power. The last Liebenzell missionaries return to Germany in December. Start in Taiwan O The Liebenzell Mission begins its missionary work in Taiwan. 1952 1955 1943
You are also responsible for the staff. From your experience, what motivates people to work with us? Thomas Haid: At the Liebenzell Mission, people can put what they believe into practice: They can get involved in spreading God’s good news - the gospel - all over the world. They can play a part in this by contributing themselves and their gifts here in Bad Liebenzell or around the world. Bettina Heckh: Many people work with us because they have experienced a specific calling: God has spoken to them that they should come to us and they have answered his call. Our employees are also motivated by the meaningfulness of the work. That’s why many want to work for us. Bettina, what makes the Liebenzell Mission special as an employer? Bettina Heckh: We are characterised by the fellowship among us. We work together and fulfil God’s mission. This spiritual brotherhood and solidarity is what sets us apart. We know that we are not working for something that often makes no sense. We work together for and with Jesus Christ. So the basis of our work is different. We can therefore approach each other differently in the event of differences of opinion. We are prepared to forgive each other. I also feel that the way we work together is different compared to working in the private sector. I experience that we want the best for each other and don’t assume anything bad if someone disagrees with us. We are united by the fact that we want the best for God’s kingdom and do not want to pursue our own interests or be better than others. That’s what excites me about the Liebenzell Mission. Thomas Haid: What makes us special is that you can make a difference at the Liebenzell Mission through your work: You are part of the largest and most important global undertaking! Here, “One organisation, one operation” applies - regardless of whether you work in the main kitchen or in Central Asia, in the Monbachtal in our guesthouses or in Malawi. What do applicants need to bring with them in particular? Apart from professional qualifications, what do you pay particular attention to? Bettina Heckh: I make sure that future employees fit into the team and our organisation. It is important that they agree with and identify with our beliefs and values: Trusting in God, Loyalty to the Word of God, Serving Attitude, Appreciation, Quality, Competence and Future Orientation. We also always ask why they are applying for a job with us. What motivates them to work here? Thomas Haid: My advice is to simply apply to us and write about what you can offer. Maybe you are the right person in the right place at the right time? We have quite a lot of vacancies. How do you deal with the tension of needing so many employees? Bettina Heckh: Trust in God is also fundamentally important here: God gives us the right employees at the right time. We have experienced this time and again since our foundation 125 years ago. And He will continue to do so in the future. That’s why I’m really relaxed here. Thomas Haid: We have indeed experienced time and again that God has sent the right people at the right time. That may sound very pious, but it really is the case. Thank God! The questions were askded by Claudius Schillinger. At the Liebenzell Mission, people can put what they believe into practice. 13 Rev. Lienhard Pflaum O Rev. Lienhard Pflaum (1927–2018) leads the Liebenzell Mission until his retirement in 1992. New Director of work abroad O Ernst Vatter (1929-2012) becomes “Director of Global Ministries” and is responsible for the work abroad. He remains so until his retirement in 1993. Beautiful holidays and more O The first “holiday brochure” is published and is regarded as the start of the Liebenzell Retreats. The goals: To offer people an enjoyable holiday, to travel in Christian fellowship and to generate interest in mission work. 1968 1971 1966
stroke at Christmas 1933, he wrote several letters to Adolf Hitler and accompanied him “with grateful intercession”. He repeatedly defended Adolf Hitler in letters and leaflets. His successor Ernst Buddeberg noted on 23 October 1940: “The deceased founder and leader of the work, Pastor Heinrich Coerper, was one of the first pastors in Württemberg to openly declare his support for the Führer.” The founder of the Liebenzell Mission recognised his mistake shortly before his stroke. He left the “German Christian” movement in the same month and distanced himself from them when he became aware of their anti- Christian course. Ernst Buddeberg had initially joined the Confessing Church and campaigned against anti-Semitism. When he took over the leadership of the Liebenzell Mission, however, he exercised the greatest political restraint. Nevertheless, he was deeply nationalistic and patriotic; he saw Adolf Hitler as the leader sent by God who, as “God’s instrument, led the uprising of the German people”, according to Helmut Egelkraut, who wrote the standard work “DieLiebenzellerMissionundderNational- sozialismus” (The Liebenzell Mission and National Socialism) in 2015. The Gestapo praised Ernst Buddeberg for his “National Socialist attitude”. He unreservedly sided with Hitler and approved of his political actions. This is how Marianne Baral remembers the former Jewish preacher Samuel Ostrer, who worked in Brucken in Swabia and from whom the Liebenzell Mission parted ways in June 1936 due to his Jewish descent. His whereabouts could never be clarified. Vilma Lasser, a Jewish doctor and missionary to China, also had to leave the Liebenzell Mission in 1938. The Nazi party’s seizure of power in 1933 also had a serious impact on the Liebenzell Mission: in Germany, the mission organisations were subject to increasingly strict fundraising restrictions, and tax breaks were also abolished over time. The restrictions or the blocking of foreign currency in the mission areas had dramatic consequences for the salary payments to the missionaries and the financing of the work there. The missionaries and their families were directly affected by the aggressive behaviour of the NSDAP foreign organisation; in this way, they were controlled by the National Socialists in China. Heinrich Coerper himself was characterised by a strong patriotic sentiment and great rejection of the Jews: he blamed them for Germany’s defeat in the First World War and the difficult political and economic situation in the following years. Until his “It was the Pentecost Mission Festival in 1936, my mother went there by foot ... They wanted to look for Brother Ostrer, but he was no longer allowed among the people, so they didn’t meet him. They sadly made their way home, passing the Kaffeehof (in Liebenzell). Brother Ostrer was sitting on a bench at the top and said to them: “I also have to say goodbye to you, otherwise I won’t be able to leave. The next day he had to leave for Poland, to the camp in Lodsch.” The Liebenzell Mission during the National Socialist era Mission festival with the mandatory flags of the time DARK SHADOWS OVER A GREAT HISTORY 14 Mission festival – now also for teenagers O First teenage mission festival on the Sunday after Pentecost with 500 participants, at that time still on the Mission Mountain, today in the Monbachtal. Start in Bangladesh O The mission work in Bangladesh begins with the departure of Albert and Marianne Rechkemmer and the sisters Charlotte Andres and Gertrud Endlich. 1974 1975 1974 New: The Feierabendhaus O The “Feierabendhaus” on the Mission Mountain is inaugurated. Liebenzell sisters can spend their twilight years there.
Ernst Buddeberg still saw in Adolf Hitler “the saviour of Germany chosen and sent by God, a pseudo-religious figure of salvation, even at the end of 1944 and the beginning of 1945”. He saw God’s guidance in every step Hitler took, even if it obviously violated international law and treaties. Resistance to the Nazi regime in the Third Reich was only mentioned to the extent that God was thanked in events similar to church services on the Mountain for protecting the “Führer” during assassination attempts in which Christians had also risked their lives: “We agree that the influence of the Jews in our fatherland should be suppressed in the most vigorous manner. For we believe that the people under the curse of the murder of the Messiah is a curse for the other peoples of the earth.” “The Liebenzell Mission was nationalist from the very beginning,” explained Ernst Buddeberg in October 1940. The German anthem “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles (Germany, Germany, over everything)” and the Horst Wessel song were also sung by the sisters in the Mission House hall on patriotic occasions. Many of them decided to join the “Brown Sisters”, the Nazi sisterhood of the National Socialists. Ambivalent relationship to Judaism According to church historian Bernd Brandl, Heinrich Coerper and Ernst Buddeberg’s anti-Judaism was ultimately religiously based and crossed over into racial anti- Semitism. The Liebenzell Mission not only separated itself from Jewish employees, but also refused to employ other Jewish Christian doctors in China for biological- racist reasons. One missionary even reported the Liebenzell Mission to the Gestapo because so-called “non-Aryans” were employed. “The state’s actions against Jews were largely welcomed out of blindness and patriotic enthusiasm,” summarises Bernd Brandl. Heinrich Coerper’s relationship with Judaism was ultimately ambivalent, divided and contradictory: on the one hand, there is anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism – but then there are also positive statements from him about “what God will do with his people in the future.” On 12 June 1934, missionary Heinrich Witt (1871–1959), the then head of the Liebenzell Mission in China, summed up the Liebenzell Mission’s silence on the increasingly visible crimes of the National Socialists as follows: “It is best to stay in the background and to push through as best you can, as Jung-Stilling recommended for the time before the appearance of the Antichrist.” The main aim was to manoeuvre the work through the difficult times unscathed in order to remain independent. No admission of mistakes There is no evidence of atrocities committed by the Nazi regime in the Liebenzell Mission archives. According to Helmut Egelkraut in his comprehensive study, no word of remorse or repentance was heard after the Second World War, nor any admission, not even a hint that mistakes had been made. Ernst Buddeberg reacted to the Stuttgart confession of guilt by the Protestant churches on 19 October 1945 with the words: ‘Such a confession of guilt is out of question for us. Claudius Schillinger “We are shocked by the fact that the Liebenzell Mission also succumbed to the seduction of the Nazi regime, resulting in a lack of a clear Christian confession and failures in practical action. It is depressing that Adolf Hitler was seen as the leader sent and confirmed by God and that a completely uncritical attitude was adopted towards him ... We are appalled by the spiritual theological assessment of the Jewish people as “a curse for the nations”, the attitude associated with this and the injustice and harm that Jewish fellow citizens suffered. Full of shame, we apologise for the public statements made by the management at that time ... We ask for forgiveness for the fact that the management at that time instructed employees not to visit Jewish doctors in the future, and that in individual cases they distanced themselves from believing Christian employees of Jewish descent and did not give them the help that would have been in accordance with the love of Christ ... We deeply regret that the Liebenzell Mission has remained silent out of concern for the continuity of the work and the care of the missionaries, where it should have raised its voice ... We want to learn from historical experience and ask ourselves self-critically where we are in danger of succumbing to the spirit of the times in a similar way today ... We live from his mercy and forgiveness. That is why we do not set ourselves up as judges of our predecessors and fathers. But we ask for forgiveness from all those whom we or our predecessors have denied the necessary help and support in their responsibility for the work of the Liebenzell Mission, who have been put under political pressure or have come to har. ” www.liebenzell.org/files/epaper/ stellungnahme_komitee/fb/ At the 2015 Pentecost Mission Festival, however, the Liebenzell Mission leadership publicly confessed after years of research: 15 Start in the Monbachtal O The Liebenzell Mission takes over the Monbachtal from the “Christian Association for Youth Welfare” with the new name “Monbachtal Leisure and Bible Centre”. Welcome, Brother Wang! O The address administration on the Mission Mountain is converted from index cards to EDP. The first computer on the Mission Mountain is jokingly called “Brother Wang”. Start in Zambia O Start of mission work in Zambia. In the 1980s, the number of mission countries grows significantly, especially in Africa. Today, Zambia is one of the countries with the most Liebenzell missionaries. 1975 1981 1985
Her position gave Hilda von Diest the opportunity to confess Jesus in elegant evening parties. An irritated church councillor asked: “Madam, which sect do you belong to?” She replied: “I belong to the Nazarene sect.” Photos and short stories from the early days of the Liebenzell Mission Y During the construction of the mission house The first headquarters of the mission organisation from 1899 to 1902 in Hamburg-Uhlenhorst I U The “Villa Lioba” was built between 1896 and 1898 FROM OUR 16 Off to South America O Ecuador is the Liebenzell Mission‘s first South American country of deployment. It all starts with a shoebox O The start of mission work in France. A shoebox full of money from a wealthy elderly woman from Alsace, which she hands over to Director of Global Ministries Ernst Vatter, helps get things started. Two more countries in Africa O The Liebenzell Mission now also works in Malawi and Burundi. 1989 1992 1989
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