German Church Grows Despite Persecution and Police Assault

Wera Forum: A Growing Church in Duisburg

• 💡 The Wera Forum church in Duisburg, Germany, is experiencing significant growth despite facing intense persecution.
• 🎯 The church's name, 'Wera,' signifies belief, and its pastor, Alexander Epp, emphasizes the tangible story of its construction.

Overcoming Obstacles

• 🚧 The church faced challenges in obtaining permits to build and a bank loan, and the land was found to be contaminated.
• 🙏 Through prayer and collective faith, the congregation believed God healed the soil, and subsequent assessments confirmed it was clean.
• 🛠️ Unable to secure a church permit, they registered as a tax-free religious organization and built the structure themselves.

Persecution and Police Raid

• ⚠️ Despite its success, the church is sometimes viewed as a dangerous cult by German authorities, leading to harassment.
• 🚨 A false claim about an illegal firearm led to an early morning police assault on Pastor Epp's home and the church.
• 🤕 Pastor Epp was injured, his nose broken, and his wife experienced medical complications during the raid, with police reportedly stating, "Jesus is not going to help you."
• 💻 Church computers were confiscated but later returned, and Pastor Epp was charged with resisting police, despite the accuser admitting to lying.

Faith in the Face of Adversity

• 📈 News of the raid paradoxically led to increased interest and attendance at the church.
• 🧠 Pastor Epp views the difficulties as part of God's plan, fostering reliance on Him rather than self.
• 🌍 The video highlights this as a lesson for Christians worldwide facing increasing persecution, emphasizing the importance of unwavering faith in God.