New Apostolic Church

What New Apostolic Church does

The New Apostolic Church Nord- und Ostdeutschland (NAK Nordost) is a regional Gebietskirche of the worldwide New Apostolic Church, operating as a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (public-law corporation) headquartered at Curschmannstraße 25 in Hamburg, Germany. The organization coordinates over 1,400 local congregations across the northern and eastern German federal states, serving approximately 9 million members globally with a German clergy base of roughly 12,500 (the vast majority in voluntary roles). Its core activities are weekly Sunday worship services with sacraments (Holy Communion, Holy Sealing), pastoral care, Sunday school, youth programming, and life-stage community activities (children, youth, adults, seniors).

The church operates a digital ecosystem anchored by nak-nordost.de (a content-managed website with a Gemeindefinder congregation search tool), IPTV video streaming of weekly services, public YouTube distribution, podcasts ('Minuten mit Gott', 'Liedgedanken'), email newsletters with topic-based subscriptions, and social media presence (Facebook, Instagram). The technology stack is standard — CMS, streaming infrastructure, reCAPTCHA, VG Wort cookies — with no proprietary AI or advanced platform components. The organization also runs three recurring event programs: the Dialogforum series addressing contemporary faith topics, the annual Keynote Kirche conference (held in a cinema), and youth recreation camps across four Apostle areas.

The business model is donation-based. Revenue derives from voluntary tithes and offerings collected during worship services (including a special harvest festival offering), direct donations via the website (often substituting for Christmas cards and redirected to charitable causes), and charitable fundraising through the affiliated humanitarian organization NAK-karitativ (which manages the 'Gemeinsam Gutes tun' grant program and the weltwärts international voluntary service). All spiritual services are provided free of charge; the organization does not publish financial figures. Strategic positioning emphasizes ecumenical engagement (full ACK membership achieved July 2026), sustainability (Initiative Schöpfungsverantwortung and the 'Nachhaltige Gemeinde' certification), and inclusive pastoral care (notably a dedicated ministry for hearing-impaired members co-founded by the late Bischof Rainer Knigge).

Name

New Apostolic Church

Legal name

Neuapostolische Kirche Nord- und Ostdeutschland Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts

Website

https://nak-nordost.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

New Apostolic Church Nord- und Ostdeutschland is a German public-law religious corporation operating over 1,400 local congregations across northern and eastern Germany, serving members of the global New Apostolic Church through weekly worship services, pastoral care, youth programs, and digital media distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization / Christian Denomination Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Religious Music & Worship Broadcasting (MPABALAN), Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Pastoral care programs
• Christian community life
• Spiritual formation
• Ecumenical engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Members contribute tithes and offerings during worship services. The church also collects a special harvest festival offering (Erntedankopfer) on Thanksgiving, sometimes directed toward specific causes such as refugee aid.
2. Donations (Spenden): The church accepts donations through a dedicated donation section on its website. Donations substitute for Christmas cards, with funds redirected to charitable causes such as children's charities, homeless support, and disaster relief.
3. Charitable Fundraising through NAK-karitativ: The relief organization NAK-karitativ raises funds for humanitarian projects, including a donation matching program 'Gemeinsam Gutes tun' aligned with the annual motto, and coordinates the weltwärts voluntary service program.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The New Apostolic Church Nord- und Ostdeutschland is a regional Christian church that conducts weekly worship services with sacraments (Holy Communion, Holy Sealing), provides pastoral care, and runs community programs for children, youth, adults, and seniors across more than 1,400 local congregations in Germany. It complements in-person worship with public video services streamed via IPTV and YouTube, dialogue forums, youth camps, podcasts, and a newsletter. The organization also operates a charitable arm (NAK-karitativ) supporting humanitarian projects and a sustainability initiative (Schöpfungsverantwortung).

Product overview

The New Apostolic Church (Neuapostolische Kirche Nord- und Ostdeutschland) is a religious organization offering primarily spiritual and community services rather than a technology product. The church operates a digital platform featuring Videogottesdienst (video worship services) streamed via YouTube every Sunday, along with Dialogforum discussion events that are broadcast via IPTV and YouTube. Additional digital offerings include podcasts such as 'Minuten mit Gott' and 'Liedgedanken', a newsletter subscription service, and a congregation finder tool. The church also conducts public engagement initiatives including the Keynote Kirche Konferenz (an ecumenical faith conference), poster series for public display cases, and the Initiative Schöpfungsverantwortung (sustainability initiative). The digital infrastructure includes cookie-based services for analytics and security (Google reCAPTCHA, VG Wort) and social media presence on Facebook and Instagram for community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NAK-karitativ: Charitable aid organization of the New Apostolic Church in Germany, providing humanitarian assistance and community support.
• Initiative Schöpfungsverantwortung
• Keynote Kirche

Products and services

• Videogottesdienst (Video Worship Service) Weekly public video worship services broadcast every Sunday at 10:00 AM via YouTube, streamed from rotating German congregations and made publicly available to members and the general public; service has run since 2020.
• Dialogforum (Dialogue Forum Series) In-person discussion events addressing contemporary topics at the intersection of faith and daily life (e.g., 'Angst, Furcht und Glaube' on July 11, 2026 in Braunschweig), held at rotating German congregations and simultaneously broadcast via IPTV and YouTube.
• Gemeindefinder (Congregation Finder) Interactive online tool on the website allowing visitors to search for local congregations by worship day (Sunday/Wednesday/Thursday), congregation size, accessibility, and children's programs.
• Newsletter Subscription System Email-based notification service providing updates on church priorities, developments, press releases, and events, with topic-based categories (Fortbildung, Meldungen, Musik, Veranstaltungen) and Double Opt-In confirmation.
• Podcast 'Minuten mit Gott' Audio podcast featuring religious content and spiritual reflections, previously started as radio contributions and now produced as an independent podcast series at minutemitgott.de.
• Kirchenmusik-Podcast 'Liedgedanken – mit Liedern predigen' Church music podcast featuring musical reflections and sermon ideas conveyed through song selections, distributed via the regional church's website and podcast platforms.
• Keynote Kirche Conference Annual public ecumenical faith conference hosted at a cinema, featuring keynote presentations, music, and speakers (e.g., Torsten Will in 2025) discussing faith and modern life; open to all.
• Initiative Schöpfungsverantwortung (Creation Responsibility Initiative) Church sustainability initiative promoting environmental responsibility and creation stewardship within the New Apostolic Church, including the 'Nachhaltige Gemeinde' (Sustainable Congregation) certification label.
• Plakatserie für Schaukästen (Display-Case Poster Series) Monthly poster series for church display cases aligned with the annual motto; the 2026/2027 series is themed 'Glauben im Alltag sichtbar machen' (Making Faith Visible in Daily Life).
• NAK-karitativ 'Gemeinsam Gutes tun' Grant Program Charitable grant program from NAK-karitativ supporting humanitarian projects initiated by church members or affiliated organizations, aligned with the annual motto.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full membership in the ACK (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen) achieved July 1, 2026 — marking official recognition among Christian churches in Germany.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland (ACK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026The Neuapostolische Kirche became a full member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen (ACK) in Germany on July 1, 2026. This marks official recognition of the church within the German ecumenical landscape. The church had previously been a guest or partial member in most of the federal states in its area. The regional church Nord- und Ostdeutschland is now a full member in almost all federal states within its territory.
• NAK-karitativ Förderprogramm — 'Gemeinsam Gutes tun'minorOthers · 1 January 2025NAK-karitativ launched a new grant program titled 'Gemeinsam Gutes tun' (Doing Good Together) in 2025, aligned with the annual motto 'Es ist Zeit, Gutes zu tun!' (It is Time to Do Good). The program supports charitable projects initiated by church members or affiliated organizations.
• Initiative Schöpfungsverantwortung (Creation Responsibility Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014The Initiative Schöpfungsverantwortung was founded after the 2014 International Church Day in Munich. Since 2019 it has operated as a registered association with approximately 80 members in German-speaking countries. The initiative's goal is to make sustainability and creation stewardship more visible within the New Apostolic Church and to support congregations with the 'Nachhaltige Gemeinde' (Sustainable Congregation) label. The Ilmenau congregation was the first to receive this label. The initiative is independent from the church administration but aligned with it.
• NAK-karitativ (NAK Charitable Aid Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014NAK-karitativ is the official humanitarian relief organization of the New Apostolic Church in Germany. It raises funds for charitable projects (e.g., the 'Gemeinsam Gutes tun' grant program aligned with the annual motto), coordinates the weltwärts international voluntary service program, and supports projects in southern Africa. It operates as a distinct charitable entity affiliated with the church.
• Kirchenbezirke (District Churches)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe regional church is organized into multiple Kirchenbezirke (district churches), each covering a geographic area. These districts implement worship services, pastoral care, and community programs under the direction of the Apostles and the Bezirksapostel. The districts collaborate on special events such as the annual youth camp across four Apostle areas.
• Kulturkirche Chemnitz 2025minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhen Chemnitz was named European Capital of Culture 2025, the local churches collectively organized the 'Kulturkirche Chemnitz 2025' (Culture Church 2025). The New Apostolic Church Chemnitz participated with a pavilion at the Culture Church Festival and contributed program points throughout the year, including the Nagelkreuz von Coventry ceremony.
• Nagelkreuz von CoventryminorOthersThe Nagelkreuz von Coventry (Nail Cross of Coventry) is a symbol of reconciliation originating from Coventry Cathedral in England. On September 28, 2025, it was ceremonially handed over to a delegation of the New Apostolic Church in Chemnitz's St. Jakobi city church during the harvest festival service. It remained there until November 23 (Remembrance Sunday) before being returned to the city church.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Siebenten-Tags-Adventisten in Deutschland (Seventh-day Adventists): A worldwide Protestant denomination with German presence (~35,000 members) emphasizing biblical literalism, distinctive lifestyle practices, and active publishing/broadcasting ministries. Comparable as a smaller global Christian denomination with strong media outreach.

Others

• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland (ACK): The ecumenical council of Christian churches in Germany, of which NAK became a full member in July 2026. Comparable as a coordinating body for German Christian churches, and relevant given NAK's recent deepening ecumenical engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Roman Catholic Church in Germany (Deutsche Bischofskonferenz): The largest Christian denomination in Germany with ~20 million members, organized into dioceses with parallel governance, public-law status, tithing, charitable (Caritas) operations, and a digital outreach strategy. Comparable in scale, public-law structure, and service-based ministry model.
• Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD): The umbrella organization of Germany's mainline Protestant (Lutheran, Reformed, United) churches, with ~19 million members. Directly comparable as a major German Protestant denomination operating regional churches, public-law corporation structures, and member-funded welfare, education, and broadcasting activities.

Direct peers

• Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden in Deutschland (Baptists): A federation of German Baptist and evangelical free churches with congregational polity, baptism by immersion of adult believers, and active missionary/charitable programs. Comparable as a smaller Protestant denomination outside the EKD with member-funded operations and youth-focused ministry.
• Neuapostolische Kirche Westdeutschland: A sibling regional church (Gebietskirche) covering western German states; part of the same German three-region rotation for hosting the weekly video worship service. Most direct operational peer in structure, staffing, and programming.
• Neuapostolische Kirche International (NAK International): The worldwide parent body of the New Apostolic Church, headquartered in Zurich, providing spiritual leadership, doctrine, and international coordination across ~9 million members globally. Directly comparable as the umbrella organization of which NAK Nord- und Ostdeutschland is a regional Gebietskirche.
• Neuapostolische Kirche Süddeutschland: The third of the three German regional NAK churches, covering southern German states. Directly comparable as a sibling Gebietskirche with the same organizational structure, congregation model, and digital ministry infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/NeuapostolischeKircheNordundOstdeutschland
• Facebookfacebook.com/NAK.NordundOstdeutschland
• Instagraminstagram.com/nak_nordost/?hl=de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/neuapostolische-kirche-nord--und-ostdeutschland

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about New Apostolic Church