The work of God has evidently entered a new phase since the close of the war. Whereas formerly it required much effort to find souls willing to serve the Lord, today we find so great an interest that our hands are busy trying to care for all the work involved. The difficult times many have experienced in the past years —the death of loved ones, the loss of all earthly possessions, the annihilation of their very existence—have caused many who felt themselves secure to lose their bearings. We find many who are now looking for security in God. It is not difficult, therefore, to visit inquiring souls. A wave of awakened interest seems to break over humanity today. We feel that this is the case also in the densely populated city of Berlin.
When I returned from the prisoner-of-war camp in the summer of 1946 I was assigned to the district of Berlin-Neuktilln, which includes four churches. Two larger churches are located in the city itself, and two smaller ones are near the city limits. The two smaller churches are under the direct care of a younger assistant, while I personally have charge of the two city churches. One of the four congregations lost its church building at the time of the bombing and found refuge with one of the other churches. where both hold their meetings now. The hall seats 190 persons. Two years ago it was sufficiently large for both congregations to meet jointly. At present this situation has changed. Under the blessing of God it was my privilege to baptize 153 persons during the last two years. For some time now it has been necessary for us to hold two services each Sabbath, and both times the meeting hall is filled to capacity.
This poses a difficult problem. The churches grow, but the places in which they must meet remain the same. It is much easier to promote a healthy growth of the work when each church has its own home. How many ruins we have examined to see whether we could find something that could be rebuilt ! But in spite of all the existing ruins, it is not easy to find a suitable place. Even now some of the members must stand during the services, for all seats have been filled. The work of God, however, has not been completed as yet. There are still "other sheep" which must also be gathered in. So it is necessary that we find a place to which they can be invited. Surely the Lord will help us find such a place.
Our evangelistic efforts enjoy good public interest. As is the case with all our ministers in Berlin, I, too, hold meetings almost the year round, with but short intervals between the series. The meetings are well attended, although many persons spend each summer evening and every Sunday on their little plots of ground, working their gardens. For that reason one hardly could hold a successful effort in the summer, but that, too, has been changed. The ideal summer weather for gardening, which under the present circumstances it is so necessary to do, is no longer an impediment to public attendance. People are just waiting for us to speak to them.
There are other circumstances as a consequence of war which might aid in deterring people from attending, such as limited transportation facilities, which," even when available, do not now operate so late at night as formerly. And there is hardly any street-lighting system. It is therefore necessary for those who attend to find their way along the dark city streets. The electric current is curtailed to the extent that we must hold some of our meetings by candlelight. But no one here taks offense at that any more. The hall is almost always filled to the last seat.
One of the most valuable mediums of visiting the people is our lay members. In one of my churches ten persons were baptized as a result of invitations to consecration extended to them by one sister. Some of these ten have in turn already interested new souls. Another sister. over a longer period of time, helped in the conversion of fourteen people, most of whom were her relatives. Our believers are the ones who invite the people to the meetings. They distribute the two to three thousand invitations for each new series among their relatives and friends, and each time the hall is filled.
Our members often bring friends to the Sabbath services. Not infrequently I am approached Sabbath morning by someone who desires Bible studies. Our members work wholeheartedly in the proclamation of the message. Especially active are the newly baptized members. Their example is often an incentive to the older believers.
Our work permits us many an insight into the great misery reigning in so large a number of homes. How many have lost everything as refugees, or have been completely bombed out ! Mothers and their now grown daughters have for years been sleeping together in one small bed, because no second bed is available. Many possess only that which they wear. It is wonderful to bring such people aid, comfort, and love.
We notice a shortage of Bibles and other good books. We must supply many of our visitors with Bibles. In one of my two smaller churches only three of our sixty believers own a few of our books. All are longing for the time when each member may again have books of his own. We trust God. He knows our lack, and will supply us with that which we need to carry on and complete His work.
