After landing in Berlin, I sprinted out of the airport. Once my plane touched the ground, I only had two hours to sign my apartment lease. Berlin is infamous for having waitlists of over fifty people for one apartment. Even getting an apartment in Berlin was a blessing from the Lord.
This was the beginning of a new life serving the Lord in the atheist capital of Europe. Coming from a small town in Alabama with churches on every street corner, Berlin felt like a different world. The city is inundated with unbelief, celebration of sin, and a shortage of gospel-believing Christians to spread the good news. However, despite a history rooted in opposition to religion, God is at work in Berlin.
Berlin is an Unbelieving City
As I walk the bustling streets of Berlin, it feels vastly different from the small town where everyone knew me and I was the pastor’s kid.
As I walk the bustling streets of Berlin, it feels vastly different from the small town where everyone knew me and I was the pastor’s kid.
With a steady decline in religion, only about 26% of the German population identifies as Protestant, but far less regularly go to church. Due to the rise of protestant liberalism––rejecting several essential Christian doctrines to make beliefs fit with the culture – and the influence of other religions due to the increase in immigration, Germany is not the same country that it was during the Reformation. In fact, there’s even a building being built in Berlin that will include a synagogue, a church, and a mosque under one roof.
If you look deeper at the history of Berlin, you’ll see the divide of religion between Eastern and Western Germany present in the city today. While they are no longer under the communist suppression of the German Democratic Republic, a time of state-sponsored atheism, the pews in Eastern Germany’s churches still remain rather empty. The older generation remembers what it’s like to be under communist rule and the younger generation consists of third and fourth-generation atheists.
Only about 26% of the German population identifies as Protestant, but far less regularly go to church.
This is why I came to Germany. My heart breaks for the vast amount of people who don’t know the hope and salvation of the gospel. For me, obedience and faithfulness to the Lord is what motivated me to do something to change this (Romans 15:20–21). I knew it was time to step out of my comfort zone and trust the Lord to equip me to live on mission.
Berlin is a Global City
Berlin is a global city with over 190 countries represented. This means that there are an abundance of worldviews and religions present in the city, making it important to be well-trained in sharing the gospel.
I have had to learn about other religions so I can better understand the questions they may have, but I also rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me.
For example, you might need to explain more in detail what sacrifice means to someone who comes from the Islamic faith. Someone from the Hindu faith might need more explanation on what eternal life in heaven means. I have had to invest time learning about other religions so I can better understand the questions they may have about the gospel message, but I also rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me as I initiate gospel conversations.
Berlin is a Sinful City
The most challenging part about serving in Berlin, for me, is being surrounded by so much unbelief and sin. Relying on God’s character and promises shown throughout Scripture and spending time in prayer have been reminders to remain close to God.
The promise stated in Psalm 16:1–2 has reminded me of God’s goodness and protection. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
So as often as I am homesick or as often as I long for an oatmeal cream pie, I am reminded that, just like in my hometown, there is nothing good in me besides what comes from the Lord. And he is with me now. He has sustained me and given me endurance.
Berlin isn’t only known as the atheist capital of Europe, but also a lonely city. So many people are trying to self-medicate with sinful addictions to combat this. When you are surrounded by loneliness and sin, you are in desperate need of something more to fulfill you. So I’m continually learning how vital being part of the local church is in my life. My church family encourages, equips, and prays for me. When I am discouraged, I am reminded that being a member of the local church is vital to my longevity on the field.
My hope for Berlin is that there would be a healthy church in all twelve districts. I pray that the gospel would go forth and people would know that they don’t have to turn to sin to numb the pain, but instead come to realize that there is hope and a future in Christ (1 Peter 1:3).
Through the body of Christ, we can have a community that will live life alongside us. Where hopelessness and loneliness are consuming, I pray that others will join in this mission to spread the gospel which is the only true remedy for the aches and wounds raging in Berlin.
