Reflecting on a fresh start, the L\u00f6we von Juda Gemeinde Frankfurt e.V. emerged. It is a vibrant church with a unique story. This is more than just a church. It is a community born from a vision.
In 1987, Alice Van Menxel, working with Jugend mit einer Mission, moved to Frankfurt. By 1991, she was in the Bahnhofsviertel. This area was known for its challenges. There were drugs, prostitution, and poverty. Alice felt called to serve here. She even had a vision of the exact room where her work would begin.
Soon, Alice started a “Freundesabend”. This evangelistic service was for people in the neighborhood. It grew rapidly. Eventually, it moved to a nearby church. Attendance reached 70 to 80 people each evening. They offered food, evangelistic talks, music, and practical help. Later, Alice lived near the Römer. She worked as a painter. She continued her evangelistic work.
A weekly prayer meeting began in her apartment. This small gathering would become the L\u00f6we von Juda Gemeinde. The prayer meeting grew to 37 people. They met in a small 25 square meter space. It became a weekly service. In 2001, Jugend mit einer Mission commissioned Alice. She was to found the L\u00f6we von Juda Gemeinde. She was also appointed as its pastor.
Jesus showed Alice that the Bahnhofsviertel should be the location. In 2001, the new church moved to Niddastraße 58. This was a former storage space. Greek fur traders had used it. In June 2002, the L\u00f6we von Juda Gemeinde Frankfurt e.V. was officially established. The space soon became too small. In late 2005, they moved to Niddastraße 49. They also opened a café for those in need. This marked the start of the church’s social outreach.
In 2008, God told Pastor Alice about the Westhafen. He said that something new would emerge there. In 2014, while Alice was at a conference in the USA, the church received notice. The city of Frankfurt would buy and renovate the building. Their lease at Niddastraße 49 would end. Two days prior, God had shown Alice that the church would enter a new dimension. This new dimension would include financial blessings.
Only one place had been revealed to them by God. It seemed impossible because there were no suitable spaces. It was also known as an expensive residential area, the Westhafen. God showed Pastor Alice a path to new church premises. She found the location on Werftstraße 2. It was an auto repair shop with a sign. The sign said “We have moved”. The L\u00f6we von Juda Gemeinde has been there since November 2015. The auto repair shop underwent extensive renovations.
The L\u00f6we von Juda Gemeinde wasn’t just continuing the old church. It was creating a new one. Longtime members became leaders. Besides the church, a training center may also be established. The goal is to help the body of Christ. They want to help it grow to maturity and stability. They will offer larger seminars and training sessions. These will feature speakers from Germany, international guests, and their own members.
Now, the L\u00f6we von Juda Gemeinde is well-established on Werftstrasse. They have been taking their promised land and many seminars are held.