The Church of Berlin City Mission – Karow, Germany

Karow, is a charming, middle-class town in the former East Berlin, eight miles from downtown Berlin. Because of socialism and the absolute limitations of the Berlin Wall (1961-Nov. 1989), few had contact with the Gospel. Today perhaps only 5-8% are followers of Christ.

In 1996, Gerhard Witte, the current pastor, planted a church in Karow to reach persons with little or no contact with the Gospel message. The church building is "seeker friendly" with easy access to the town's main street, with a large inviting courtyard and beautifully renovated farm buildings for the Flea Market, Pre-School, worship, and fellowship.

The three-hour, weekly Flea Market on church grounds attracts upwards of several hundred shoppers. Each week, Gerhard shares a short Gospel message, which provokes a good deal of interaction about matters of faith. Income from the Flea Market provides financial resources for the church's ministries.

The newly opened Pre-School is "Protestant" so that the children with little or no Christian background, may learn about faith in Christ. Several times a year, there's a Christian worship service for the pre-school families.
In addition to the weekly worship services, children's Sunday School and youth groups, there are separate women and men's gatherings connecting those not otherwise "churched."

Gerhard Witte said, "We, the followers of Jesus, must go to where the people are already."

Berlin City Mission – Blankenburg, Germany
Micah Young, an Alongsider, serves as the pastor of the Blankenburg Church, several miles from the Karow Church. The congregation enjoys ministry with many young families. Currently, preparations are being made for a Children's Musical including about 100 kids and 25 support persons in conjunction with three other churches. This and other projects attract families and children not otherwise in contact with the community of faith.

In addition to a Children's Ministry and Sunday worship, the Blankenburg Church also provides a youth group of over 16 High School aged youth, monthly adult education classes and senior's and women's ministries.

Micah Young and her ministry at the Blankenburg Church enjoys a supportive, collegial relationship with Gerhard Witte/ at the nearby, Karow Church.