Many people in East Germany are atheists, with little to no exposure to church or Jesus—the concept of faith is entirely foreign. Yet, despite these challenges, something powerful is happening at Zeal Church. When people walk through the doors, they immediately sense something different—a hunger for something more is stirring in their hearts, and revival is taking root.
Recognizing their work to restore hope to the world, we forged a deep and growing partnership with Zeal Church in 2018. Our passion for planting churches in spiritually underserved, population-dense, and ethnically diverse areas drew us to the work René and Deborah, Zeal Church’s founders, were doing in East Germany. We knew we wanted to be part of their mission to make Jesus known.
Our most recent trip was centered around a milestone moment for Zeal—their first-ever Big Team Night. Designed to unite volunteers from all their campuses for worship, training, and encouragement, the event was a significant step forward in their ministry. We had the privilege of leading staff trainings, coaching volunteer leaders, and witnessing firsthand the incredible ways God is moving through Zeal Church in Germany.
Throughout our time there, we saw undeniable evidence of God at work. Nine people gave their lives to Jesus. Their Leipzig campus, which had been averaging 220 attendees, saw a surge in attendance, with 268 people filling every available seat. Many signed up to serve for the first time, eager to step into the mission. Pastor René’s vision for a multicultural church took a beautiful step forward as Midtown Campus Pastor Alex Diaz translated for their growing Spanish-speaking community. It was a glimpse of heaven—different languages, different backgrounds, all united in worship.
Every time we step beyond our borders, we are reminded of how vast and beautiful God’s Kingdom truly is. The church is not defined by geography, culture, or language—it is a global movement of people committed to making Jesus known. While we came to Zeal Church hoping to encourage and support them, we left feeling like we had received far more than we gave.
This trip reinforced a powerful truth: God is moving across the world in ways we could never anticipate, and there is so much to learn from the faith, perseverance, and boldness of our German brothers and sisters. When we step out of our comfort zones, we allow God to expand our vision and deepen our faith. Our partnership with Zeal continues to be a source of mutual encouragement, and we are expectant for what God will do next through this incredible church.