More than 3,000 people attended a 75th anniversary event hosted by the German missions organization DMG on May 10, as the group transformed its headquarters in southwest Germany into a daylong showcase of international worship, mission work and community activities.
According to a press release from the Deutsche Missionsgemeinschaft (DMG), visitors gathered at the Buchenauerhof near Sinsheim for what the organization called an “Experience Day,” featuring multilingual church services, cultural exhibitions, food stands and presentations by missionaries serving in more than 60 countries.
The event reflected the organization’s emphasis on intercultural engagement and practical forms of mission work, while also highlighting concerns among some Christian leaders about declining church participation in Europe.
Three international worship services — Latin American, African and Arabic-language gatherings — were each held twice during the day. Organizers intentionally did not include a traditional German-language service.
During the African service, a Kenyan Christian identified only as Dan commented on Christianity in Europe.
“Germany has many large churches, but there seem to be few people inside them,” he said. “Many years ago, it was Germans who translated the Bible into my country. Today, I hope that people here in Germany and Europe will once again engage with this message.”
In the Latin American service, the youth band from the Iglesia de Mannheim led Spanish-language worship songs. Former DMG missionary and pastor Bernhard Grupp spoke about 25 years of ministry among the indigenous Canela people in Brazil, describing how local cultural concepts helped shape conversations about the Christian message.
An Arabic-language service with live translation focused on biblical parables and the meaning of mission work. A speaker identified as Baker, from the Middle East, said Christian mission involves both international outreach and engagement with people in local communities.
Throughout the grounds, visitors encountered displays designed to simulate aspects of missionary life and service. Missionaries demonstrated activities ranging from teaching and bicycle repair to pizza baking and taekwondo instruction.
One exhibit challenged participants to place their hands in ice water to experience the cold temperatures of Alaska’s Yukon River. Another featured discussions about agriculture and irrigation projects in North Africa.
According to the organization, about 200 visitors joined guided tours tracing the 75-year history of the Buchenauerhof and DMG itself. Local official Manfred Wiedl of Sinsheim-Weiler said the growing campus had effectively become “a real little district of its own.”
DMG mission director Simon Bohn said the organization wanted visitors to experience mission work firsthand rather than only hear about it.
“Many people long for hope, love and forgiveness,” Bohn said in the statement. “Mission does not mean that we know something better, but that we invite people to encounter God.”
Children’s activities included a LEGO city, escape room, inflatable games and tree climbing exercises organized with the Adelshofen Life Center. The children’s choir “Königskinder” from Hüttenberg performed a musical based on the life of the Apostle Paul.
The organization also noted that some visitors questioned the concept of mission work during conversations with DMG staff, while others asked about the organization’s Christian identity. Organizers described the event as an opportunity for open discussion alongside presentations about Christian faith and missionary service.
According to DMG, the organization currently has around 430 staff members serving in more than 60 countries. The morning after the anniversary event, the organization commissioned 10 new missionaries for overseas assignments following their preparation period.
