A missionary church
Everything we do is geared toward the transformation of people through an encounter with Jesus Christ. Because we believe that Christ is the answer to the deepest longings of the human person. We believe that societies and structures are transformed through people deeply transformed by the Gospel – transformed people transform people. We believe that the local Church is the ideal place where this transformation and the realization of Christ´s great commission to make disciples of all nations can happen practically. We believe that secularized Europe is in urgent need of vibrant church communities, authentic homes for encounter with God, discipleship formation, and Gospel proclamation. We want to raise up a house of prayer, a place of encounter, a wellspring of growth, a movement of Church revitalization. We want to capacitate the unchurched for missionary discipleship and assist other Catholic communities (above all parishes) to do the same. A former hotel becomes the new home for the John Paul II. Center and the platform and hub for further revitalizing efforts.
New life, not just for an old house
We believe in the power of God´s Spirit to renew his Church.
A Message from Fr. James Mallon to the Zentrum Johannes Paul II.
Public area
Open doors, open heart
Prayer, the relationship with Christ, precedes and gives life to every missionary activity. Accordingly, the centerpiece of the new location is the two-story chapel. Our Masses or Eucharistic Celebrations (Roman Catholic worship services) are the heart of the Center. Each weekend there are four opportunities for different audiences to attend Mass. However, the church doors should be open at all times for those seeking God.
A home takes shape
We are planning an inviting café in the entrance area. The café is intended to be a meeting place for people with different backgrounds and views, inviting them to go deeper. Precondition for all evangelization efforts is an honest and sincere interest in and for people. Our Café wants to be a place of encounter, for making new friends, a place where people meet in a casual setting to discuss and get to know each other.
Church for the next generation
„The future of humanity passes through the family.“ (John Paul II) Sometimes it gets quite noisy in the Center: then it is probably Sunday morning and the first children trickle in with their parents. The Family Mass has been a fixed part of the Center since the beginning. Special attention is given here to the Kids Ministry – faith and discipleship training, as well as fellowship for our youngest members.
A space for growth
The music rehearsal room is closely related to an important component of our mission, „Music Ministry.“ In our experience as a growing Congregations, we have been witness to the important role played by music. A pool of 40 musicians help to form our worship services and Eucharistic Celebrations. Worship leaders from the Congregation are requested for large diocesan events, worship conferences, and television masses. In the new center we want to create even more space to make music together, to learn from each other and to offer a sound training for worship leaders.
Advanced training and discipleship
„Forming apostles to transform the world“ is more than just a motto for us. This vision permeates all of the Center’s activities. It begins with the worldwide proven Alpha faith courses, through our Leadership Academy to the „Living Love“ marriage preparation seminars. Each course or workshop we offer is designed for personal growth, to make the content of faith understandable, to relate it to one’s own life and to enable people to pass on their own experiences. According to the biblical principle: sow – grow – multiply.
Office area
Space for development
When a congregation grows, one has to make sure that an inefficient organizational structure does not begin to stifle this very growth. We are happy that our staff team is growing with the congregation. Many are volunteering, but some key positions are held by full-time staff. In order to be able to expand our missionary activities and to be financially sustainable in the medium and long term, we are introducing the so-called „MPD“ (Mission Partner Development) model, whereby staff members build up their own circle of sponsors, but at the same time receive institutional employment through the Center.
Mission online & offline
As a young church, the John Paul II Center has been thinking digitally since the beginning. Sermons are available online, talks are published as podcasts, there is an organic social media activity – and the live streams of the services were already established as missionary impulses even before this was no longer an option. We see the digital world as a place of proclamation, and we know the importance of a well thought-out web presence. We are happy to be able to set up a real studio in the new building to make our work in this area even more professional.
Living together, growing together
Whether young people find a way to Church often depends on whether other young people are there. The experience of not being alone in faith plays a role that should not be underestimated. It has always been important for us to give young people enough freedom and a safe space where they can develop and try things out. The BeFree Saturday evening Mass plays an important role here. Other events such as community celebrations, small groups etc. are geared towards promoting healthy friendships and relationships.
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