The Evangelical Alliance in Germany (Evangelische Allianz in Deutschland - EAD) is celebrating its legacy this year with commemorative events and a public statement emphasising that peacebuilding is more important than ever amid the continuing war in Ukraine and fears it could spill over into other parts of the continent.
EAD Chairman, Reinhardt Schink, issued a message for “building bridges” as the organization marks 140 years since the Bad Blankenburg Alliance Conference in Thuringia, with celebratory events planned from August 5 to 9. The milestone coincides with the 180th anniversary of the World Evangelical Alliance.
“The history of the Evangelical Alliance reminds us that the Christian faith is always linked to a responsibility for our neighbor and society,” said Schink.
“Whether in the historical struggle against slavery and injustice, in the reconciliation between former mortal enemies in Europe after the Second World War, or in joint prayer in Bad Blankenburg, for 140 years the focus has always been on building bridges, protecting human dignity, and working to promote peace in the world.
“Not through our own strength, but through our connection in Jesus Christ. We recognize this responsibility more than ever in the challenges of our time.”
This August it will be 180 years since 921 representatives from 52 Christian churches, congregations, and movements met in London, England. At the 1846 meeting were 12 representatives from German-speaking countries. The gathering gave birth to the evangelical alliances now found throughout the world, representing hundreds of millions of Christians in 140 countries.
From the beginning, the evangelical groups stressed opposition to slavery and unwavering commitment to human rights. The clear stance of what would become the World Evangelical Alliance championed the freedom and dignity of every human being, according to the EAD.
“The commitment to Jesus Christ has very practical, life-changing effects,” said the EAD. “All these milestones represent the movement's commitment to social responsibility, human dignity, and cross-border networking.”
The Evangelical Alliance in Germany is part of the European Evangelical Alliance founded in 1952, and supports the umbrella organisation’s advocacy work as a unified voice for millions of Christians on the continent, especially on religious freedom and human rights.
It is 140 years since Anna von Weling convened the inaugural Bad Blankenburg Alliance Conference in Thuringia in 1886. What began as a small gathering for prayer and encouragement quickly developed into a central meeting place for Germany’s Evangelical Alliance movement.
Modern Germany itself was not established until January 18, 1871, when independent German states united under Kaiser Wilhelm I and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, following the Franco-Prussian War. The federal republic known today was founded on March 23, 1949 after the Second World War with the west and east of the country divided. The Berlin Wall marking the division between the two territories was pulled down in October 1990 with East Germany and West Germany reunited.
Bad Blankenburg remains the headquarters of the EAD and the location where this year's long-standing conference will take place from August 5 to 9 – a meeting place for “encounters, spiritual renewal, and social orientation.”
“The central theme of the Alliance Conference has always been how faith in Jesus Christ positively transforms personal life and society,” said the EAD.
