---

New Apostolic Church

History of the

District of North America

1897 -1977

II

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

The District Apostle G. Rockenfelder is compiling a bookwhich contains the history of the New Apostolic Churchthroughout the world. He requested that we supply him withthe information that applies to the New Apostolic Churchhistory of North America.

I felt it would be of great interest to all of our brothers andmembers to read that which comprises 80 years of ourhistory. From it, we will see the wonderful ways in whichGod has so graciously visited our country. They who opentheir hearts to this indescribably valuable testimony will bemost richly blessed. It comprises the eternal gospel, whichis proclaimed not only in our short span of life, but also inthe fulfillment of the petition "Thy kingdom come", whichuncountable Christians have expressed and still plead for inthe Lord's Prayer. For the sake of this gospel, such a king­dom shall be called into being. Apostle Paul wrote, "For thisis good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; whowill have all men to be saved, and to come unto theknowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2: 3-4). Because this isthe case in this kingdom, all will have an opportunity toparticipate in this offer of salvation.

Those who today are being prepared as the Kingly Priest­hood in the New Apostolic Church will serve with Christduring the 1000 Year Kingdom of Peace. Where there is apriest, there must of necessity be an altar. Where there is analtar, an offer must be made; and the basis of this offer is asacrifice. This is what Christ has made available through Hislife and His sacrifice. And this complete offer of salvationwill be proclaimed and implemented during this 1000 yearperiod.

With our love and best wishes to all,

Yours,II

I August, 1977

- .1

NORTH AMERICA

Toward the end of the last century, several Evangelistswere sent to North America from Europe in order to build upthe work of the Lord. They can only be referred to aspathfinders; because they were unable to surmount themany difficulties which beset them. A few souls, however,who had remained in closest unity with the Apostles inEurope, continued to labor under the guidance of the ElderFreudenberg in Buffalo. In the year 1899, Chief ApostleKrebs sent Apostle Ruff to the United States on a short visitduring which time a number of souls were sealed in NewYork; amongst these was young John Erb (later to becomeDistrict Apostle 1924-1942) and the Fendt family - parentsand three sons (among them the three-year-old John Peter,who later became District Apostle from 1944 to 1966). A yearlater the Chief Apostle sent Apostle Ruff back for severalmonths so that he could seal the souls who had beengathered and prepared in the meantime. The church wasthereby firmly established in the cities of New York, Buffalo,and Chicago.

On March 4, 1901, Apostle Mierau was ordained andcommissioned to care for the children of God in NorthAmerica. Under his leadership, several congregations werefounded within a short period of time. Despite the manyunexpected difficulties that had to be overcome, amongthem the great distances which had to be covered, theblessing of the Most High rested upon his labors in a mostvisible manner. On July 26, 1925, after a lengthy illness, theLord called Apostle Mierau into eternity.

The Chief Apostle sent Apostles Hartmann and Hoelzelfrom Germany to the United States in 1924 to evaluate

conditions there. By commission of the Chief Apostle, theyordained District Elder Erb as Apostle on October 12,1924.He devoted his life's energy to the Lord's work, establishing75 flourishing congregations spread throughout the UnitedStates and Canada. These bore witness of his activity whichhad been so richly blessed by God.

In 1929, Chief Apostle-helper J. G. Bischoff visited NorthAmerica in order to serve the larger establishedcongregations; and wherever he went, God's blessingsflowed in rich abundance. He traveled over 9000 km. by autoand train, an indication of the tremendous distances thathad to be covered.

After the demise of Apostle Erb on October 22, 1942, thespiritual guidance of this widespread district was entrustedinto the care of Bishop John P. Fendt. On July 2, 1944, hewas ordained District Apostle for the United States andCanada by the late Chief Apostle-helper, F. Schlaphof. Thework of the Lord then took on new dimensions and thenumber of new congregations grew rapidly. Up to that time,the services had been held in the German language. Now theservices were conducted in English. This, in turn, opened upa new and larger field whereby many longing souls, who hadbeen unable to understand the German language, could beinvited and added to the family of God. The work of the Lordgrew so rapidly that an assistant was soon needed to helpDistrict Apostle Fendt. The Apostle Ministry was thereforeconferred on Bishop Ewald Hiby on July 27,1947, so that hecould assist District Apostle Fendt in caring for thecongregations, which had more than doubled over thecourse of the years. Apostle Ewald Hiby served the childrenof God with an upright and noble heart until his death onDecember 16,1963.

2.

GREAT BRITAIN

On his way to Germany to visit Chief Apostle Bischoff in1947, District Apostle Fendt spent a few days in Englandwhere he held the first service in that country and the firstsouls were sealed there. A number of German prisoners ofwar, who had married English girls, had settled in England.Several European brethren had also moved there from thecontinent and this formed the basis of the Lord's work inthat nation. District Apostle Fendt arranged for thesemembers to be cared for by District Elder Michael Kraus ofCanada. In 1949, a few souls were gained in Ireland. As ofnow the Lord has greatly blessed the work in the UnitedKingdom and today the district there consists of 1486members, and 35 congregations who are served by 177Administration Brothers in 15 of our own buildings.

In September of 1951, District Elder Kraus was ordainedBishop, and on June 26, 1955, he received the ApostleMinistry. Three years later, on June 21, 1958, he wasordained District Apostle for the newly created ApostleDistrict which, at that time, consisted of Canada, G1reatBritain and Ireland, where services were soon being held inthe cities of Dublin, Belfast, and the Isle of Man.

In May of 1956, Chief Apostle Bischoff gladdened thehearts of God's children in North America by his second visitin 27 years. His great love and many sacrifices for the Lord'swork had so endeared him to the hearts of the NorthAmerican brethren that all were deeply saddened to hear ofhis death on July 6, 1960. In order to strengthen and upliftthe brethren, Chief Apostle Walter Schmidt spent two weeksin the United States and Canada in the spring of 1963. Thiswas the beginning of a new era of blessing; and the Lord's

3

work began to grow and soon started to spread into thedifferent nations.

On July 10, 1966, Chief Apostle Schmidt placed thedistrict of North America into the care of District ApostleKraus, since District Apostle John P. Fendt had retired afterreaching the age of retirement. In 1967, Chief ApostleSchmidt traveled to North America for the second time. At adivine service in Hamilton, Canada, on October 15,1967, heordained Bishop John W. Fendt, son of the retired DistrictApostle, to the Apostle Ministry and appointed him asassistant to District Apostle Kraus. It had become extremelyurgent for District Apostle Kraus to be given a helper as hisdistrict now included Rumania, Jamaica, Venezuela andMexico, in addition to Canada, the United States and theUnited Kingdom.

RUMANIA

In October of 1965, District Apostle Kraus traveled to hishomeland to visit his family for the first time in decades.After landing in Bucharest, Rumania, he went to his nativevillage of Meeburg on October 29, where the villagers had allgathered to welcome him home again. He took advantage ofthis opportunity to tell them about his faith and the manyexperiences which God had granted unto him in the 40 yearssince he had left. They were so deeply impressed that on thefollowing day the superintendent of the Lutheran villagechurch asked him to conduct their Sunday morning service.Smce God, in His holy wisdom, had determined that such aservice would be held at the express request of the Lutherancongregation, the District Apostle brought testimony of theApostles' Doctrine to the 360 people who had gathered in the

.4

50o-year-old church. In 1969, an Evangelist and his wifemoved to that country, where they remained until 1974. TheLord has laid His blessing upon this work despite the factthat the government of that nation prohibits them fromholding services. The brethren, however, assemble atso-called "gatherings", which are held in the homes of theAdministration Brothers, who continue to serve the smallgroup of members as well as the many other longing souls.

JAMAICA

In 1963 one of the Canadian brethren invited Mr. Rutty, anative-born Jamaican, to attend a service in the NewApostolic Church in Toronto. The word of God found aresponsive chord in his soul and District Apostle Krausasked him to return to his country and tell his people aboutthe Lord's work of redemption. In due time, he was ~ealed,

ordained into the Priestly Office, and returned to Jamaica towork among his people. Two years later, in 1965, a smallgroup of Jamaican people received the Lord in grace andApostleship for the first time. The terrible catastrophieswhich had ravished that land in the form of fires, earth­quakes, tidal waves and disease had left their tracesamongst the people. Their hearts were God-fearin.g andbelieving, and thus the Altar of grace found fertile soil. Atfirst, the services had to be held in primitive houses; but in1966 the first church was built in Jeffreytown. Today theNew Apostolic Church in Jamaica consists of 933 sealedmembers, and 38 Administration Brothers. Eight churcheshave been built, and there are now 16 congregations.

5

MEXICO

When the missionary work began in Mexico toward theend of 1966, the blessing of the District Apostle laid thecornerstone for a successful continuation of the Apostles'Doctrine in that land. North American brothers wereassigned to care for this new territory. A translator was soonfound, overcoming the first obstacle in holding servicesthere, which was the language barrier, as Spanish is themother tongue in that country. On December 7, 1967, thefirst congregation was born in the border city of Tijuana,Mexico, when District Apostle Kraus sealed 91 souls andordained several Administration Brothers. In the spring of1969, a sister from Mexico City, together with her husbandand child flew to Tijuana, a round trip of 2600 miles. Thereher husband was sealed and placed into office. A fewmonths later, property was purchased in Mexico City so thatregular services could be conducted there. Services weresoon being held in nine other cities in Mexico. At thepresent time there are 12 congregations, 8 of which arehoused in our own church buildings. 29 AdministrationBrothers care for God's children, who now total 988.

SOUTH AMERICA

In 1966, District Apostle Kraus traveled to Venezuela inorder to establish the work there on a solid footing. About 6New Apostolic members lived in the city of Caracas. Godblessed his labors and within 3 years 8 AdministrationBrothers had been ordained and services were conducted inthe cities of Caracas, Baruta, and Valencia. Services wereheld there in Spanish by an Evangelist from Canada. Beingable to speak the national language is always the key to anation's heart. By 1971, this District Evangelist, together

6

T

,..

..r

with his able assistants, was ready to invade Bolivia,Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and even Panama City, Panama.Many souls were won in those new countries, whose d orsGod had recently opened, so that the living Altar of gracecould also be established there.

By the end of 1975, the work in the northern part of SouthAmerica had grown as follows:

Venezuela - 6 congregations with a total of 342 membersand 32 Administration Brothers

Colombia - 9 congregations with a total of 320 membersand 25 Administration Brothers

Ecuador - 1 congregation of 7 members and 2 Adminis­tration Brothers

Peru - 4 congregations with a total of 179 membersand 23 Administration Brothers

Bolivia - 1 congregation of 13 members and 3 Adminis-tration Brothers .

Panama - 1 congregation of 9 members and 3 Adminis­tration Brothers

JAPAN

In January of 1968, a District Evangelist from the U:S. wassent to Japan to offer testimony of God's work of salvation.The District Evangelist, who had made several previousbusiness trips to Japan, had taken advantage of theopportunity to invite some of the Japanese engineers, whohad come to Chicago on business, to attend our services.One of these men, who had acted as translator, became sointerested in the New Apostolic faith that he wanted to jointhe Church. In this wonderful way, God opened the door to anew nation. On the 27th of January, the District Evangelistarrived in Tokyo, where he had been invited to speak to a

7

d

Christian congregation on the following Sunday. Thisgathering was attended by about 80 people. In the followingweek, much testimony was given and many questions wereanswered. Before leaving Japan, the District Evangelist wasable to baptize one family. Arrangements were made to sendthem the Sunday School lessons, as well as a Biblecontaining the Apocrypha. In 1968, District Apostle Kraushad invited two Japanese families to come to Canada, wherethey received the Holy Sealing. When people in otherJapanese cities showed an interest in the Lord's work, theDistrict Apostle sent a Priest and his wife from Canada toJapan in 1969 to live there. He also made arrangements forthem to take a crash course in Japanese so that they wouldbe able to communicate with the people in their ownlanguage. In October of 1972, the third sealing service washeld in Japan, and by 1973 the congregation in Tokyo wasfirmly established with the ordination of several additionalAdministration Brothers. It was somewhat difficult to workwith the Japanese people at first, as custom and traditionnever permitted them to show their emotions and feelings.However, when those souls, who had been chosen andselected by God, received the Holy Sealing, they could nothold back the tears. Only the greatness of God, through thepower of the Holy Ghost, could cause the crumbling of suchthousand-year-old customs, traditions, and discipline withwhich all human emotion has been kept in check. At thepresent time the 34 members are served by 4 AdministrationBrothers.

KOREA

Soon the Lord's work grew and spread into Korea. A NewApostolic brother, serving in the Armed Forces of the UnitedStates, had asked if services could be conducted in Seoul,

8

where he had gathered a few souls together. The percentageof Christians in Korea was much higher than in Japan. WithGod's help, and the many prayers of the faithful, they wereable to gain a foothold in Korea, where the first service inSeptember of 1970 was attended by 3 Koreans. Toward theend of 1971,48 souls were sealed by District Apostle Kraus,and 9 Administration Brothers were ordained to further thework in that country. In October of 1972, Apostle ErwinWagner, who had been ordained into the Apostle Ministry bythe beloved Chief Apostle Schmidt in Germany on March 26,1972, traveled to Korea in order to develop and produce thespiritual harvest. By 1973 regular services were held in 5congregations and 17 missions. The first Youth Service washeld in Korea in August of 1976 by Apostle Wagner, whichwas attended by 175 young people. In September 1976,Apostle Wagner sealed 77 in a divine service where 366 werepresent. One hundred members formed a mixed choir. Thereare now 587 members, 9 congregations, served. by 36Administration Brothers.

CHINATOWN (NEW YORK)

On December 22,1967, an Evangelist from New York, toldDistrict Apostle Kraus of his Chinese barber, whose childrenwere attending our Sunday School. With the DistrictApostle's support and prayers, this barber agreed to helpand on February 11, 1968, the first service attended by 36souls, was translated into Cantonese. Beginning in April,Chinese translated services were conducted every Sunday inthe Uniondale congregation, and on June 23, 1968, the firstChinese family was baptized. This Evangelist took lessonsin Cantonese three times a week, with an additional fourhours of daily study at home. By the end of 1968, 24 soulshad been adopted into the congregation. One of the adopted

9

brothers from Uniondale moved to Chinatown (in New YorkCity, about 35 miles away, where over 100,000 Chinese live)and a congregation was opened there. The first service washeld on January 26, 1969. The Evangelist was nowconducting services in Chinese. He had thereby gained thekey to the hearts of these people and within a few months 58souls could be sealed. Since many of the members, who hadoriginally come from Hong Kong, had remained incommunication with their relatives, the way was now opento carry the testimony of the New Apostolic Church to theirfriends and relatives in Hong Kong. The 72 Chinesemembers in the New York area are now served by 6Administration Brothers in these two congregations.

HONG KONG

The fir~t visit of the District Evangelist (who was formerlythe priest sent to the Orient) to Hong Kong took place in theearly part of 1972, but it was only in January of 1973 that hefinally came into direct contact with the man who had beendoing Chinese translations of the "Word of Life", and theChief Apostle Services in "Our Family" for the Chinesebrethren in New York. As a result of this concentration intranslations, he had gained a deep insight into the NewApostolic Doctrine and his soul became an open field for thetestimony which was brought to him. A foothold was thusgained in this country and in the summer of 1973 the first 3souls were sealed in Hong Kong. At present there are 8members, who are cared for by 1 Administration Brother.

THE PHILIPPINES

This District Evangelist also made his first unofficial visitto this island in June of 1972. While sitting on a park benchin Manila, he met a young man who spoke English. TheDistrict Evangelist immediately began to tell him about our

10

church. This conversation made such an impression uponthe young man that he asked if he could bring his father withhim the next day. That meeting brought forth the beginningof God's work in the Philippines. This family invited theDistrict Evangelist to hold services in their home. Soon thefirst ten souls were sealed by District Apostle Kraus. TheDistrict Evangelist and his wife moved to Manila in 1973, thecapital city of the Philippines, the third largest Englishspeaking nation in the world, where over 36 million peoplespeak English. By 1976 there was 1 congregation, 27members, who are cared for by 2 Administration Brothers.

TAIWAN

This District Evangelist met a young man at the airport inTaipei, where he had a twenty-four hour stop over in Januaryof 1972. This man was baptized and sealed in the latter partof 1972.

BANGLADESH

This country was first visited by this same DistrictEvangelist, who testified of the Lord's work to a man whomhe met during his travels there.

Concerning the operation in Bangladesh, a District Elderfrom Canada has just begun to establish the Lord's work.And as of this writing, the next few steps, i.e. Baptism,Sealing, Ordination and official establishment of thecongregations are on their way.

INDIA

India is a nation where over 200 different languages anddialects are used. Although the English language is thesecond language in India and is taught to all school

11

children, the New Apostolic hymnal, as well as the book"Questions and Answers" was translated into fivelanguages.

In the early part of 1969, District Apostle Kraus receivedan address from District Apostle Weinmann of a Mrs. AngelRobinson who lived in India. This woman had receivedtestimony of the New Apostolic Church in Copenhagen,Denmark, where she was visiting friends. She immediatelywrote to her son in India telling him about the Church. Hersoul was so impressed by the word of God that she asked tobe sealed before she went back to her home in Abu Road,India. Her only desire was to return to her people and tellthem about God's work of salvation. She returned home onNovember 27, 1969. She was now gravely ill, but despite herillness, her only concern was to see the Church firmlyestablished in India, where the first six souls had beenadopted in April. In 1970, District Apostle Kraus went toIndia where he assigned several brothers from England tocare for the nine missions which had now been established.When Sister Robinson died on January 25,1970, she was theonly sealed member in India. Since it was impossible for herson, who had been adopted into the faith, to contact anAdministration Brother, he prayed fervently and asked Godto shower His grace upon him so that he would be able tohold his mother's funeral service. This service was attendedby about 200 people, most of whom were critical of the NewApostolic faith. But the people were amazed, and thepastors dumb-founded that a person who had neverattended any theological institution could complete such atask so aptly. On the following day, many came andexpressed their willingness to join the New ApostolicChurch. In 1970, District Apostle Kraus held services in 14cities; his journey covered a distance of some 25,000 miles.

12

He returned to India in March of 1971 at which time manyhundreds of souls were sealed; some of the people hadtraveled over 200 miles to see and hear an Apostle of Christ.Marvelous and magnificent progress was made in India andthe New Apostolic Doctrine continued to spread like wild­fire, despite the almost insurmountable obstacles whichwere encountered from time to time. Most of the people hadformerly been members of certain Christian congregations.Many mission~r~es had been sent to that country during the150 years of British rule, but Christianity actually dates backto t.he year 5~ A. D. when Apostle Thomas made his way intoIndia, ~here It took him 14 years to convert a small group ofpeople In southern India to Christianity. The city of MadrasIn southern India, where many Christians live, waspenetrated by an adopted brother living in Agra 1600 milesaway. District Apostle Kraus had asked him to ;eturn to hisformer homeland and to testify to his relatives and friends.These people, who knew of their spiritual origin underApostle Thomas, accepted his testimony in faith. The wordof God thus found fertile soil, even though it had taken 1900ye~rs for an Apostle of Christ to set foot again on IndianSOIl. By the end of 1971, District Apostle Kraus had sealedover eleven thousand souls. In the city of Bombay about98% of the people belonged to the Hindu faith, whi~h wasthen the most prevalent one in India. During the first servicei~ that city, 271 were sealed. At the service in New Delhi, thefirst three young people in India were confirmed. As recentlyas 1.973, the people could only assemble for an Apostleservice where water was available, as they arrived from theirvario~s villages on the previous evening. They campedovernight by a water well, where they waited for thefulfillment of their hopes through the visit of the DistrictApostle. It was not unusual to have a gathering of thousandsof people who had come from forty or fifty different villages.

13

These people, who continue in their primitive mode of livingdating back hundreds of years, had open hearts for theApostles' Doctrine. When the District Apostle heard thatthese families, many with small children, had waited 8 to 9hours to partake in a divine service, he made arrangementsthat these yearning souls now be sealed in their ownvillages. In January of 1973, the first sealing took place inthe city of Calcutta. Due to the tremendous growth in India,and to assist District Apostle Kraus in caring for this nation,Chief Apostle Streckeisen ordained six Apostles for India inLondon, England, on July 20, 1975. Out of six-hundred­million people, six had been selected to become Apostles ofChrist. The District Apostle was now able to subdivide thisgreat nation into six Districts. The district of INDIA NORTH,under the jurisdiction of Apostle Robinson, has 359Administration Brothers who care for 166 congregations.INDIA SOUTH is cared for by Apostle K. Jose, with 133Administration Brothers and 123 congregations. The districtof BOMBAY, under Apostle Jones, consists of 260congregations served by 278 Administration Brothers.Apostle V. Bower has the District of AHMEDNAGAR with154 Administration Brothers and 237 congregations. Thedistrict of AURANGABAD, under the care of Apostle S.Bower, has 276 congregations served by 394 AdministrationBrothers. The district of HYDERABAD, under Apostle J.Thompson, has 431 Administration Brothers and 268congregations.

India now has 126,250 members in 1,360 congregations,who are served by 1,760 Administration Brothers.

14

SRI LANKA (CEYLON)

During a visit to India in 1973, District Apostle Kraus alsoheld services in Sri Lanka, where congregations had beenestablished in both the northern and southern tip of thatisland. The work, which grew out of India in 1972, is nowwell established in this country. Since 1974, the work in SriLanka is cared for by Administration Brothers from NorthAmerica who visit four times a year. Currently there are 285members in 8 congregations, served by 16 AdministrationBrothers, and 1 church has been built.

KENYA

Many Indians also live in Kenya and when DistrictApostle Kraus and Bishop W. Vovak visited there inSeptember of 1974, services were already being held at sixlocations. Through God's blessing, the work continued togrow. By September of 1975, Nairobi, the capital city ofKenya, had a total of 29 congregations. A month later, whenApostle W. Vovak went to Kenya, he established sixgeographic New Apostolic Districts as the Kenyan brothershad been actively engaged in convincing the ministers andmembers of 69 other Christian congregations of theauthenticity and power of the present-day sending ofApostles. As a result, many former Christian ministers withtheir entire congregations were sealed in the latter part of1975. District Apostle Kraus has assigned a number of NorthAmerican brothers to concentrate on this virgin territoryunder Apostle W. Vovak. By November of 1976, the work hadgrown to such an extent that it had to be divided into 21subdistricts. The 10,429 members, and 435 congregationsare served by 674 Administration Brothers. Many villagechurches with mud walls and iron roofs have been built and

15

many more are under construction. Several masonry districtchurches will be commenced shortly. Traveling is verydifficult in that country and many miles must be covered byland rover.

In April 1977, another 8,357 souls were sealed and 382additional Brothers were ordained.

TANZANIA

The work started to spread into Tanzania by the Adminis­tration Brothers from Kenya. By the end of 1976 there were19 members in the capital city of Dar es Salaam and they areserved by one Administration Brother.

MALAYSIA

A flourishing congregation had been established in thecity of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. From there the brotherswere actively engaged in promoting the work in a Christianvillage in southern THAILAND. In the city of Singapore, thesouthern part of Malaysia, the first soul - a young Chineseman - was sealed in 1973. (The population there is about85% Chinese). It was more difficult to gain a foothold in thatcity; but when Chief Apostle Streckeisen visited Australia inMarch of 1976, he was delayed for twenty-four hours inSingapore. His blessed traces were soon felt. A month later,several Singaporeans were present at a divine service. Thework in Malaysia is looked after by Administration Brothersfrom North America since January 1974. Currently there are186 members in this country, 10 congregations, served by 8Administration Brothers. Both Singapore and Thailand areserved by the Administration Brothers from Malaysia. Allservices are conducted in rented quarters.

16

The many thousands of souls in these different countries,who had been willing to leave their old mode of life, theirbackgrounds and cultures, had gladly and thankfullypermitted themselves to be interwoven into the NewApostolic Doctrine by accepting the Lord Jesus in Grace andApostleship. The traveling and work load had therebybecome so enormous that a Chief Apostle found it essentialto give additional helpers to District Apostle Kraus. OnNovember 17, 1974, Chief Apostle Schmidt ordained BishopSchwarzer of Canada, and Bishop W. Vovak of the UnitedStates into the Apostle Ministry. At a divine service inGermany on October 24, 1976, Chief Apostle Streckeisenordained District Elder E. Vovak into the Apostle Ministry.Now the work could be carried into and furthered in thosenations where God had opened the door for His Altar ofGrace to be established.

NIGERIA

Another Chapter was added into the history of the Son ofGod when a contact was established with a Mr. Uwah fromNigeria, who had received testimony during a visit to NorthAmerica in 1975. Upon his return home he wrote inquiringfurther as to the New Apostolic Doctrine and teaching. Thebooklet, "Testimony of the New·Apostolic Church" was sentto him. After reading it, he and his church group made thedecision that they would like to become New Apostolic. InAugust of 1975, District Apostle Kraus, with the expressconsent of Chief Apostle Streckeisen, sent Apostle Wagnerto Nigeria to establish the foundation for such an under­taking. There he found such longing souls that a sealingservice was held and Brother Uwah was ordained into thePriestly Ministry. Services were soon being held in 4Nigerian cities. A guest service, held on December 22,1975,

17

was attended by 300 ministers. In this way, the NewApostolic Church was introduced into the surroundingareas. In May of 1976 the district of Nigeria was divided intoseven sub-districts. By the end of 1976 Nigeria had 4770members, 61 congregations, 148 Administration Brothersand 40 churches have been built.

In April 1977, another 1,601 souls were sealed and 44additional Brothers were ordained.

CAMEROON

The first journey to Cameroon was made in June 1976 tofollow up contacts that came from a student in NorthCarolina, and in answer to a letter of invitation from a manwho had met several New Apostolic Brothers in the churchin Nigeria. On that trip many contacts were made and asecond journey was planned in which a seminar would beheld for those interested. Brothers from the U.S. conductedthat seminar in August of 1976, in which 53 menparticipated. Most of them, active in their own churches,came to learn. Others came from areas that had nochurches; they asked to be served. After the seminar thesemen returned home to spread the testimony they hadreceived and to make preparations to invite the brothersback again to serve their people and to establish the church,in which great interest was shown.

DAHOMEY, TOGO, IVORY COAST

After the visit to Cameroon in June, the brothers visited inthese countries to look for doors that the Lord might haveopened for His work. Many addresses of churches werecollected, so that testimony books and Manifesto letterscould be sent to these clergymen as soon as possible.

18.

PAKISTAN

A young man from Pakistan, who was attending a univer­sity in Canada, was invited by a New Apostolic classmate toattend services in Galt, Ontario, Canada. When this youngman returned to his home in Pakistan in 1975, he told hisfamily of the New Apostolic Church. They were so interestedthat they wrote to District Apostle Kraus to ask if he couldsend someone to tell them more about the Lord's work. ADistrict Elder was sent to visit this family. In May of 1976,Mr. Riaz, father of this young man, came to Canada wherehe was sealed and ordained to the office of DistrictEvangelist. He was ordained to this high ministry so that hewould be in a position to direct the many Subdeacons,Deacons, Priests and Shepherds who were to be ordained ata later date in this fruitful field. Since then, the work of theLord has been started there in earnest. At present there are1,855 members, 33 congregations, and 90 AdministrationBrothers.

ETHIOPIA

In the early part of 1976, by commission of DistrictApostle Kraus, the work in Ethiopia was now able to find itsbeginning. He asked a District Evangelist from Canada to goto that nation and find some way to start the Lord's work.After much pleading and supplication, the DistrictEvangelist went to the main city, "selected" a certain house,and rang the doorbell. A voice from within said: "Enter, yewhom God has sent." He entered and was greeted by aminister, who was awaiting the arrival of a group of clergy­men. When the District Evangelist introduced himself, hewas invited to stay for the prayer meeting. Within a ~hort

time, 25 ministers arrived. Several of these men were asked

19

I:

I,~IiJI', ,

I,to pray, as was the District Evangelist. All of these ministerspleaded for the Lord to send living Apostles again; for theyknew that something was lacking in their churches. MostEthiopians claim that they are direct descendants ofSolomon and the Queen of Sheba; therefore they have thelonging to come ever closer to God. When it was the DistrictEvangel ist's turn to pray, he thanked God for having sentgrace and Apostleship into the world again and for grantingus the opportunity to be His children and heirs of salvation.Needless to say, this prayer meeting lasted longer than hadoriginally been planned by these men since many questionswere asked and answered. In this wonderful way, God hadopened the door to another nation.

While the work of redemption was being established inthese foreign countries, the Lord had also prepared the wayfor other countries, closer to North America, to beinaugurated into His plan of salvation.

DOMINICA

The missionary work was started on the Island ofDominica, about 1900 miles from New York, in the year1969. During the early part of that year, a sister from NewYork went to visit a friend in a hospital. There she met a ladywho was visiting her sick brother in the same hospital. Whenour sister noticed that this woman was searching for someBiblical words of comfort to read to her brother, she quietlytold her that the children of God have the true comforter inthe Holy Ghost, and she invited this woman to service. Thislady, a native of Dominica, accepted the invitation andattended her first service: a District Service for the Departed.It made such a deep impression upon her soul that sheattended 3 services a week for six months. When she had to

20.

return home, she was given the word that if she would inviteguests into her home, a Priest would be sent to holdservices there. Within two weeks, this lady yearned to hearthe word of life and a Priest was sent to Dominica in Octoberof 1969, first every six weeks, soon every three weeks, andfinally every two weeks. At these services attendance rangedfrom 15 to 30. In October of 1970, the first nine souls wereadopted. On December 13, Apostle Fendt held service in thelocal school, where these souls were sealed, and a brotherordained into the Priesthood. That made it possible for threeservices to be held each week, and the blessing of Godbecame ever more visible. In Dominica there is now 1congregation with 49 members who are served by 3Administration Brothers.

GUYANA

During the month of May 1971, while one of our Priestswas returning home by plane after serving the congregationin Dominica, he sat next to a couple from Guyana, SouthAmerica. During the 3112 hour flight, he gave testimony ofthe New Apostolic Church. This couple attended the serviceon the following Wednesday evening. During a six-week stayin New York, they attended as many services as possibleand expressed the desire to be adopted and sealed. On July11, 1971, the first service was conducted in Victoria,Guyana, in the living room of the aforementioned couple,where later they were adopted. Apostle Fendt went toGuyana on July 24 in order to seal this couple and to ordainthis brother into the Priestly Office. 47 guests attended thetwo Apostle services which were held that day in the citiesof Victoria and Georgetown. A total of eleven souls had beensealed by the end of 1971. Within two years, services werebeing held in six cities. In 1974, a church was built in

21

Georgetown and another one in Victoria. Both werededicated in January of 1975. There are now 365 members inGuyana, 9 congregations and 16 Administration Brothers.

PUERTO RICO

In 1968 a Priest moved to Puerto Rico to start the work ofthe Lord in his homeland. The first sealing service was heldin December of 1968 in which 8 souls were added to thefamily of God. In 1975, a church was dedicated in RioPiedras. A District Evangelist (who was formerly the priest)is responsible for this Spanish speaking country which nowhas 1 congregation, 63 members and 3 AdministrationBrothers.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The missionary work began in the Dominican Republicwhen a Brother was sealed in the New York Spanishcongregation, in the fall of 1972. In December of that year,he returned to his native land as a Priest to start the churchthere. The first sealing service was held in July 1973, inwhich 22 souls were sealed. 11 congregations have nowbeen established. The 554 members are served by 26Administration Brothers. Property has been bought in thetown of Guayabal, where a large church will soon be built.

HONDURAS

The first contact was made in Honduras when a Brotherwho had been sealed in France, left Paris in order to returnto his homeland of Honduras, on September 8,1972. Duringa two-hour stopover at the airport in New York he wascontacted by one of our Administration Brothers andarrangements were made to visit him in Honduras. The work

began in the city of Canaveral in October of the same year.The first sealing took place on July 17,1973, when five soulswere sealed. Honduras now has 3 Administration Brothers,75 members, and 4 congregations, as well as one of our ownchurch buildings. The Spanish language is spoken through­out Central America.

GUATEMALA

Early in 1974, a Spanish speaking native of Guatemalabecame New Apostolic. Later that year he was ordained tothe Priesthood, and in December of 1974 he returned toPuerto Barrios, Guatemala, to rejoin his family and toestablish the Lord's work in his country. The same month,an Evangelist, during a stopover enroute from Honduras,met a policeman in Guatemala City. He testified of God'swork and fostered fellowship with this man and his family atevery opportunity. In March of 1975, the first sealing servicetook place in Guatemala: ten were sealed, among them thispoliceman and his family. He now is a Priest and Rector ofthe congregation in Guatemala City. Guatemala now has 3congregations, 5 Administration Brothers and 54 members.

Services are conducted in NICARAGUA and in BRITISHHONDURAS from time to time. Many interested people havebeen found, but thus far no congregations have beenestabl ished there.

MARTINIQUE - GUADELOUPE

In July of 1976, a Haitian Subdeacon was approached bysome ladies in a supermarket. They were lost and asked himfor directions. In addition to giving them the needed

•

I,"

II

22I' 23III

Ii'rI

information, the Subdeacon also gave them testimony of theNew Apostolic Church. When they returned to their homesin Martinique and Guadeloupe the following week, they readthe testimony book and told their friends about it, who werealso very interested. They wrote to the Subdeacon and askedif the Brothers would please come and visit them.

HAWAII

A number of souls had moved to Hawaii from themainland of the United States, a distance of 2300 miles, andthey were being cared for in one congregation. In 1971Apostle Fendt, who had been asked by Chief ApostleSchmidt to visit the congregations in Australia, stopped inHonolulu, where he held the first sealing service on March 9,1971. Since that time, 3 congregations have beenestablished in the islands, which are served by 4Administration Brothers. The 61 members meet in rentedquarters and 1 of our own church buildings which has beenbuilt in Hawaii.

FIJI ISLANDS

In July of 1976, District Apostle Kraus asked a DistrictEvangelist to go to the Fiji Islands to seek a foothold there.When he arrived at the airport he went to the men's room,locked the door, knelt down and pleaded that God wouldpermit him to meet someone with whom he could sharethese glad tidings. The first person he saw was a taxi driver;he immediately went over to him and told him that God hadordained their meeting over 6000 years ago, and asked him ifhe would be willing to help. The man agreed and they droveto a hotel where they prayed in the District Evangelist's roomfor God's guidance and blessing. This driver then drove theDistrict Evangelist to all the churches on the island where he

24

spoke to the ministers and gave them testimony of theLord's work of salvation. Two months later, 2 DistrictEvangelists returned to the island to follow up on thegroundwork which had been laid.

THE CARIBBEAN AREA

In Trinidad, Barbados, Surinam, St. Lucia, Haiti,Bahamas and Bermuda, 1310 members are served by 85Administration Brothers in 29 congregations of which 11 arein our own buildings.

SAN ANDRES ISLAND

A District Evangelist, while vacationing in San Andres,testified of the Lord's work of redemption. In this way a foot­hold was also gained on this island and several brotherswere sent there to water the seed that had been sown .. Todaythere are 21 members, 2 congregations and 3 AdministrationBrothers. One church has also been built on San Andres byour brothers.

Through modern means of transportation, the NewApostolic faith has continued to spread and has permittedthe Apostles and their faithful assistants to penetrate intothe smallest and most remote corners of this world. As of1976, under the leadership of District Apostle Kraus, theNew Apostolic Church has been built on a firm foundation inabout 50 countries and islands, in addition to Canada, theUnited States, and the United Kingdom.

In Canada, 443 Administration Brothers care for the 90congregations, consisting of 6978 members. At present wehave 60 church buildings in Canada.

25

-

In addition to serving the many congregations in theUnited States and Canada, the Apostles also assist theirDistrict Apostle in caring for the congregations andmissions in about 77 countries and islands:

DISTRICT APOSTLE KRAUS

IrelandRumaniaUnited Kingdom

The United States has 24,200 members, 319congr~gations, who are served by 1365 AdministrationBrothers. There are 208 of our own church buildingsthroughout the United States.

By the end of 1976, the entire District, under DistrictApostle Kraus, consisted of 221,302 members, which wereserved by more than 4800 Administration Brothers, in 2413congregations.

The year 1976 was by far the most fruitful of any in thehistory of the Apostle District. A total of 45,957 souls weresealed and more than 1900 ordinations were carried out. The2413 congregations have an average membership of 92souls. The ratio of Administration Brothers to membersindicates that there is one Administration Brother for every46 members. In all, there was a 31 % increase in the numberof congregations from 1975 to 1976, a growth in membershipof 23% in the one year and a 43% increase in the totalnumber of Administration Brothers serving these souls.

APOSTLE W. VOVAK - 6 Countries and Islands

West Africa :CameroonDahomeyIvory CoastTogoMartinique

St. VincentSt. LuciaSt. Kitts

AntiguaBarbadosCosta.RicaEI SalvadorGrenada

A-B-C Islands:ArubaBonnaireCuracao

MalaysiaSingaporeSri LankaThailand

Dominican Rep.Puerto RicoGuyana, S.Am.HawaiiFij i IslandsGuadeloupe

South America :BoliviaColombiaEcuadorPeruSurinamTrinidadVenezuelaPanama

BahamasBermudaDominicaHaitiJamaica

Central America:BelizeGuatemalaHondurasNicaraguaMexico

APOSTLE SCHWARZER - 38 Countries and Islands

APOSTLE FENDT -16 Countries and Islands

Africa:EthiopiaSudanRwandaBurundiZaireGambiaGuiana Fr.GuineaReunionLiberiaMalagasyMauritiusSenegalSierra Leone

East Africa:KenyaTanzaniaApostle L. Jones

Apostle JoseApostle J. RobinsonApostle J. Thompson

IndiaAssisting Apostles:Apostle S. BowerApostle V. Bower

26 27

APOSTLE WAGNER -13 Countries and Islands

Assisting in the United States of America, and all foreigncountries, wherever he is needed,

East Africa:Nigerta

Asia:Hong KongJapanKorea S.PhilippinesTaiwan

Caribbean:Caymen IslandsSan Andres Island

Middle East:BangladeshPakistan

APOSTLE E. VOVAK

South Pacific:Samoa IslandsTahiti Islands

Iceland

CHIEF APOSTLE VISITJune 3-13, 1977

In September 1976, it was officially announced that ChiefApostle Streckeisen, together with all 57 Apostles in theworld, would visit North America June 3-13,1977 with theirwives. This brought great joy to all. The Kitchener MemorialAuditorium in Kitchener, Canada, was rented for the twoSundays of June 5th and 12th. To accommodate all, theApostle District of North America was divided into twogroups, The one group attended the Chief Apostle Serviceson the 5th and the other group on the 12th. On bothSundays, the Chief Apostle also held a service in theevening for the Administration Brothers and their wives.

Our heavenly Father's grace and protection made itpossible that all 22 District Apostles and 35 Apostles, 57 inall, could come from all six continents and meet tog'etherwith the Chief Apostle for these festive days. This historicaland unique event in God's work was under the caption - THECHIEF APOSTLE IS THE CROWN OF THE APOSTLEONENESS.

For the midweek service on June 8th, the Chief Apostlewent to New York, where the divine service was held inCarnegie Hall. He was accompanied by the District ApostlesMarton and Kraus, Apostle Bhulana (South Africa), andApostles V. Bower, S. Bower, Robinson, Jones, Thompsonand Kuthottungal (India).

The other Apostles served in the remaining 16Subdistricts as follows:

Florida: Apostles Engelauf, Bianchi and SiangaBuffalo: District Apostle Gut and Apostle DeLisen

28. 29

Erie: District Apostle Steinweg and Apostles Volz and MfuneToronto: District Apostles Startz, Koehler and TiedtHamilton: District Apostles Karnick and PuschKitchener: District Apostles Bischoff and Kitching and

Apostle AdamDetroit: District Apostles Gerke and WintermantelCleveland: District Apostle Schiwy and Apostles Rocken­

felder and MagneyChicago: District Apostles Rockenfelder and KnoblochSouth Bend: District Apostle Schumacher and Apostles

Haenni and PosDenver: Apostles Mitas, Siabbert and ZimmermannSt. Louis: District Apostle Kuehnle and Apostle TeucherKansas City: District Apostle Urwyler, and Apostles Fischer

and LaubscherLos Angeles: District Apostle Tansahsami and Apostles

Schilling and WargomartoyoVancouver: District Apostle Fernandes and Apostles Bell

and NaudeMontreal: District Apostle Higelin and Apostle Keck

The next day all returned to Kitchener, Canada.

All too quickly these historic days in God's work passed.The joy will Iinger unforgettably in the hearts of all. The richblessing wrought by our beloved Chief Apostle and all theApostles will bear fruit now and forever.

Monday, June 13th, was the day of departure for the ChiefApostle and the visiting Apostles, except those from India,who left for home on June 20th.

30.

That morning all the Apostles met with the Chief Apostlein the large conference room in the Administration Office.After the conference, their wives joined them. Then theChief Apostle celebrated Holy Communion with all of them.The holiness of this unique gathering moved all participantsto the core of their heart and soul. There was no dry eye. Itbrought to mind that Last Supper which the Lord Jesuscelebrated with His Apostles.

31