In a country where healthy, vibrant churches are all but extinct; God is breathing life into the stifled body of Christ through the ministries of the Willow Creek Association.

The church in Germany is alive, but barely. Consisting of two separate movements, the state church and the evangelical church, most congregations are made up of 60 some members. There may be a handful of children, but generally, as these children grow into their teenage years, they fall away from the church. As the older members of the churches age and pass on, so do the churches.

Enter Doris Kühn, a pioneer of sorts. A petite blonde woman with shining blue eyes, her passion and vision for children’s ministry far exceed her stature. 7 years ago, early on in the Willow Creek Association’s ministry in Germany, Kühn attended a Promiseland conference for the first time. It was here that she was first inspired to dream about what a children’s ministry could be. She left determined to start one of these dynamic, growing ministries in her own church.

Her church, Evangelisch Stadtmission, was a typical German church in the town of Nidda, Germany. About 60 members, with just 10 or 12 children. A volunteer would stay with the kids on Sunday morning, which was usually little more than babysitting. As a result, fewer and fewer children had any interest in coming to their church. But, after experiencing the Promiseland Conference, Kühn knew it could be more, and she had a vision to see that realized in her church.

With the approval of a supportive pastor, she cast a vision to the volunteers of the existing children’s program. They were so inspired by her words that they canvassed the whole town with fliers and banners, placing ads in the local newspaper and going directly to the schools where the children studied to invite them directly. In their very first meeting, there was a huge turn-out of 60 kids. Abenteuerland – literally Adventureland, was born.

Now in its 7th year, the program averages between 40 and 60 kids during their Friday afternoon meeting – roughly the same attendance as the church which sponsors it. 80% of the kids in their ministry are not from the families of the church, but invited by children excited to bring their friends. While most ministries of this sort in Germany usually die out in the first couple of years, the longevity of Abenteuerland has largely been due to the leadership of Kühn, and her leadership has been sharpened by attending Promiseland conferences. “The training I received at the conference has helped me understand how to lead the team,” Kühn tells. “Many of the children’s volunteers I know have stopped doing Promiseland because their teams broke down.” One of the biggest keys in a successful children’s ministry is keeping your team intact. “Training at the conference helped me understand how to lead the team.”

“I never expected that from our small church, something like this could happen,” says Kühn. “It wouldn’t have happened without Willow’s ministry. I am sure that one of the important parts of Promiseland is that the message of the Bible is at the center. Some churches make a good program, but the difference with Promiseland is that the Bible is at the center.”

The ripple effect of this ministry has begun to have its impact. Where initially there were no teenagers at Kühn’s church, the original kids who started in Abenteuerland are now in their teens. Called “Reach Hessen” – the region where Nidda is located, these youth now have their own ministry complete with small groups and an intern. These same kids now serve as leaders in Abenteuerland where they first learned about Christ.

Imagine the impact of a child who finds Christ at a young age in a country where Christ is largely absent. Imagine what could be if that same child spent his formative years being taught by committed, loving volunteers about the love and grace of his Savior and his Savior’s passion to see the rest of his country and the world come to know him. With the help of the Willow Creek Association, Kühn is working hard to multiply the impact of that vision.