What Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum does

The Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum is a Protestant church district within the Evangelical Church of Westphalia (EKvW), part of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). It serves approximately 75,000 registered members across 13 Kirchengemeinden (parishes) distributed throughout Bochum, Germany. The district provides a comprehensive portfolio of religious, educational, and social welfare services, including 23 evangelical kindergartens (Kitas), pastoral counseling (Seelsorge), sacraments (baptism, marriage, burial), worship services, youth and family programs, cultural events (Stadtkantorei, Christuskirche), cemetery services, and social welfare through Diakonie Ruhr and the Integrationsagentur for migrants and internationals. It employs over 1,000 staff and is supported by approximately 4,500 volunteers. The organization is led by Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hagmann, who also chairs the supervisory board of Evangelischer Verbund Augusta Ruhr, one of the largest confessional healthcare and social welfare companies in the Ruhr Valley operating seven hospitals.

The district operates a community-led and event-driven engagement model, reaching members through parish networks, word-of-mouth, and city-wide events such as the mass 'Einfach Heiraten' (simple wedding day) program that blessed 95 couples in a single day without prior registration. Distribution is exclusively physical and relational: 13 parish offices, 23 Kita locations, the district headquarters at Westring 26a (Haus der Kirche), and Diakonie Ruhr service points. Technology infrastructure is minimal and off-the-shelf: the ChurchDesk platform manages website content, event listings, and administration; KitaPortal Bochum handles kindergarten enrollment; Immobilienscout24 lists church-owned properties; and Google Analytics plus Cookiebot support web analytics and GDPR compliance. There is no proprietary platform, no API, and no AI/ML capability — the district relies on standard church-management tooling.

Revenue is primarily derived from Kirchensteuer (church tax), an 8-9% surcharge on income tax collected from registered members by NRW state tax authorities and remitted via the EKvW. This is supplemented by regulated Kita and OGS (all-day school care) fees, voluntary donations and offerings, and limited targeted government grants such as the BMUV National Climate Protection Initiative funding for the Klimaschutzmanagement office (Nov 2023–Oct 2025). The district does not disclose financial figures publicly, but the combination of 75,000 tax-paying members and 1,000+ employees implies an operating budget in the tens of millions of euros. Strategic priorities evidenced in the data include modernizing child protection (KGSsG compliance, shared Präventionsstelle with neighboring districts), reaching non-member populations via events and integration services, and institutional climate action.

Name

Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum

Legal name

Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum

Website

https://kirchenkreis-bochum.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum is a Protestant church district within the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, serving 75,000 members across 13 parishes in Bochum, Germany, operating 23 kindergartens, pastoral counseling, social welfare (Diakonie Ruhr), cultural programs, and cemetery services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Religious community services
• Evangelical church administration
• Pastoral counseling support
• Church daycare education
• Social welfare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bochum

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Kirchensteuer (Church Tax): The primary revenue stream for the Protestant church district comes from church tax (Kirchensteuer), collected as a percentage of income tax from registered church members. The church tax is collected by the German state tax authorities on behalf of the church and remitted to the Evangelische Kirche von Westfalen.
2. Donations and Offerings: Voluntary donations and church offerings from members and visitors support local congregation activities, social services, and community programs.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum is a Protestant church district that organizes and delivers religious, educational, social welfare, and cultural services to approximately 75,000 members across 13 parishes in Bochum, Germany. It operates 23 evangelical kindergartens, provides pastoral counseling and sacraments, runs social services through Diakonie Ruhr, manages cemeteries and church-owned real estate, and offers cultural and educational programming. The organization is funded primarily through church tax (Kirchensteuer) collected from members and through voluntary donations.

Product overview

Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum is a Protestant church district serving approximately 75,000 members across 13 congregations in Bochum, Germany. The organization operates as a multi-service religious and social institution offering a comprehensive portfolio centered around Christian education and community care. The core offerings include 23 Kindertageseinrichtungen (evangelical kindergartens/daycare centers) serving children ages 0-6, Kinder, Jugend und Familie programs spanning Kitas, OGS school care, youth centers, and family education. Pastoral services encompass Seelsorge counseling, Amtshandlungen (sacraments including baptism, marriage, burial), and Gottesdienste worship services. The Bildungsangebote includes Evangelische Stadtakademie, Erwachsenen- und Familienbildung, Schulreferat, and Mediothek for religious education. Kultur offerings feature the Stadtkantorei choir, Christuskirche as a cultural venue, and various churches open for reflection. Social services include Diakonie Ruhr (family, youth, homeless, addiction, refugee support), Integrationsagentur for immigrant support, and Friedhöfe cemetery services. Additional services include Immobilien (church-owned housing), Wiedereintrittsstelle (church re-entry counseling), Klimaschutzmanagement, and protection services against sexualized violence with prevention training programs. The district uses ChurchDesk for wedding management and KitaPortal Bochum for kindergarten registration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kindertageseinrichtungen (Kitas) Evangelical daycare centers and kindergartens operated across 23 locations in Bochum, offering childcare for children ages 0-6 with Christian education and developmental programs.
• Kinder, Jugend und Familie Comprehensive services for children, youth, young adults, and families including Kitas, OGS (extended school care), open youth centers, family education courses, and youth ministry programs.
• Seelsorge, Beratung und Begleitung Pastoral counseling and emotional support services provided by trained professionals and volunteers for individuals facing difficult life situations.
• Bildung (Education) Educational offerings including Evangelische Stadtakademie, Erwachsenen- und Familienbildung, Schulreferat, Mediothek, and religious education at vocational schools.
• Kultur Cultural programs including open churches, Stadtkantorei (city choir), Christuskirche (cultural venue), Dorfkirche Stiepel, and Melanchthonkirche with concerts, art exhibitions, and cultural events.
• Integrationsagentur Integration agency supporting international students, promoting diversity and anti-discrimination through seminars, training, and networking, particularly at the Thomaszentrum in Querenburg.
• Diakonie Ruhr Social welfare services including family and youth assistance, counseling for homeless and addiction support, refugee services, disability support, mental health services, and senior care.
• Friedhöfe (Cemeteries) Evangelical cemeteries across Bochum offering burial services with various grave types including Wahlgrabstätten, Reihengrabstätten, and Wahlgemeinschaftsgrabstätten.
• Immobilien (Real Estate) Management of church-owned residential and commercial properties providing affordable housing, with listings available through Immobilienscout24 portal.
• Wiedereintrittsstelle Low-threshold service for individuals seeking to re-enter or join the Protestant church, providing counseling and guidance on membership paths.
• Einfach Heiraten Simple wedding and blessing service offering spontaneous marriage blessings at Pauluskirche, organized by the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) initiative.
• Gottesdienste Worship services held across all Bochum congregations with schedule listings and open church program for quiet reflection.
• Schutz vor sexualisierter Gewalt (Prevention of Sexualized Violence) Comprehensive protection concept with prevention, intervention, and support services including mandatory staff training ('hinschauen-helfen-handeln'), reporting hotline, and victim support contacts.
• Klimaschutzmanagement Climate protection management with integrated climate protection concept covering buildings, mobility, and spirituality, funded by Federal Ministry for Environment through National Climate Protection Initiative.
• Amtshandlungen (Sacraments) Church sacraments including baptism (Taufe), wedding (Trauung), and funeral/burial (Bestattung) services.
• Schulreferat School reference office providing religious education at vocational schools, family primary school centers, and extended school care (OGS) oversight.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95 couples received blessings or marriages at a single 'Einfach Heiraten' event on June 26, 2026
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Diakonisches Werk Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Integrationsagentur of the Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum operates as a free provider in cooperation with the Diakonisches Werk Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe e.V. (Diaconic Works of Rhineland-Westphalia-Lippe). This partnership enables the church district to carry out integration, diversity promotion, democracy support, and anti-racism work across Bochum.
• Church Districts Herne and Gelsenkirchen-Wattenscheid (Gestaltungsraum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum cooperates with neighboring church districts in Herne and Gelsenkirchen-Wattenscheid within the 'Gestaltungsraum' (design area). This includes joint implementation of the Kirchengesetz zum Schutz vor sexualisierter Gewalt (KGSsG), shared prevention training programs ('hinschauen-helfen-handeln'), and a shared Präventionsstelle (prevention office) with one prevention specialist, one administrative staff member, and five multipliers.
• Kita Portal BochumcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe church district participates in the Kita Portal Bochum, the city's official online kindergarten registration system. Parents register through this portal to apply for spots at any of the district's 23 Kitas.
• Evangelischer Verbund Augusta RuhrminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuperintendent Dr. Gerald Hagmann serves as Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender (Chair of the Supervisory Board) of the Evangelischer Verbund Augusta Ruhr, one of the largest confessional healthcare and social welfare companies in Germany, operating seven hospitals and numerous social facilities across the entire Ruhr Valley.
• Ökumenisches Studienwerk für ausländische StudierendeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated near the Thomaszentrum in Querenburg, the Ökumenisches Studienwerk provides support for international students and is part of the broader integration ecosystem that the church district's Integrationsagentur participates in.
• CVJM Bochum (YMCA Bochum)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe CVJM (Christian Youth Movement) Bochum is listed alongside the church district's own job listings, indicating a cooperative relationship for youth work and staff placement in the Bochum Protestant community.
• Wildwasser Bielefeld e.V.minorOthersExternal counseling contact for victims of sexual violence, referenced in the church district's protection against sexualized violence program. Provides telephone, personal, and online counseling for affected individuals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest social lottery and grantmaking organization, funding inclusion, disability, and youth welfare programs nationally. Comparable as a large-scale German social welfare nonprofit with a comparable mission overlap with the Kirchenkreis's Diakonie work.
• Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO): One of Germany's six major welfare organizations, operating childcare, elderly care, refugee support, and family services. Operates Kitas and social services across the Ruhr area in direct competition with the Kirchenkreis's Diakonie Ruhr and Kindergartengemeinschaft.
• Caritas Deutschland: The Catholic counterpart to Diakonie, providing family, youth, refugee, addiction, and elderly care services nationally. Operates the same welfare programs as the Kirchenkreis's Diakonie Ruhr through a parallel faith-based model.
• Evangelische Kirche von Westfalen (EKvW): The parent regional church body of which the Kirchenkreis Bochum is a subdivision. Provides the governance framework, Kirchensteuer allocation, and doctrinal oversight, and serves as the broader institutional layer above the Kirchenkreis.
• Diakonie Deutschland: The national federation of Protestant social welfare organizations. Diakonie Ruhr, the social services arm of Kirchenkreis Bochum, operates under this umbrella, providing the overarching social welfare infrastructure comparable to the district's Diakonie services.

Others

• Stadt Bochum (City of Bochum): The municipal government in whose territory the Kirchenkreis operates. Provides overlapping services (childcare, social welfare, cultural programs) and partners with the Kirchenkreis on Kitas and integration work, serving as the public-sector counterpart in the local welfare ecosystem.

Regional players

• Bistum Essen (Catholic Diocese of Essen): The Catholic counterpart covering the same Ruhr region. Operates parishes, Kitas, Caritas social services, cemeteries, and schools under the Catholic Church tax system, providing a near-mirror institutional model in the same geography.

Direct peers

• Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Gelsenkirchen-Wattenscheid und Herne: A neighboring Protestant Kirchenkreis within the Evangelische Kirche von Westfalen that operates the Gestaltungsraum together with Bochum, sharing KGSsG compliance, Präventionsstelle, and joint programs. Directly comparable in scale, structure, and service portfolio.
• Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Dortmund: Another Protestant Kirchenkreis in the Ruhr area within the EKvW, operating parishes, Kitas, Diakonie, and cemeteries in a comparable urban setting. Provides direct like-for-like comparability on scale, services, and Kirchensteuer funding.
• Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Münster: A larger Protestant Kirchenkreis in Westphalia, operating a similar multi-parish structure with Kitas, Diakonie, education, and cultural programs. Comparable for benchmarking scale, governance, and service breadth within the EKvW.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/ev.bildung_bochum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/evangelischer-kirchenkreis-bochum

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bochum