Gott’s Haus. That is what Bethel means. Here at the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde in Berlin we find a place where the love of God should be tangible.
The Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde is part of the Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden in Deutschland. Though self-reliant it does not want to be independent. The Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde is committed to its community.
In congregations of the BEFG the members assembly decides on all important questions. The congregation chooses a church leadership for planning and coordination.
Like all Baptists the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde stands up for religious freedom and freedom of conscience. It advocates the separation of church and state.
One can become a member of the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde if one shares their belief and is baptized. The Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde finances its budget from voluntary contributions of its members, friends and visitors.
The Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde baptizes people who share its Christian faith. They request baptism and want to become members of the congregation. Those who feel bound to their infant baptism for reasons of conscience can also become members.
Christians exist in all nations. Berlin is an international place. You can also notice that in this congregation. Sixteen or more languages are spoken. International guests can contribute with their own background. People from Morocco, France, Georgia, Iran, Korea, Malawi, Hungary, the USA and of course Germany belong to the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde.
The Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Gemeinde Berlin-Lichterfelde Bethel received its corporate rights in 2003 by the Berlin Senate. Since then it has been allowed to call itself KdöR.
Looking back into history, in 1887 Baptist pastor Eduard Scheve and his wife Berta Scheve founded the Diakonissenhaus Bethel. It was in their house in Gubener Straße 10 in Berlin-Friedrichshain. Bethel initially had connections with the Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden. These ties dissolved after the leadership excluded Bethel deaconesses from the community.
Accusations arose against Karl Behle. He allegedly brought the Diakoniewerk under his control through corporate restructuring. The BEFG and the Diakonische Werk then separated from Bethel Berlin.
In 1895 their son Alfred Scheve founded a school for missionary workers. Diakonissen were active in Cameroon’s foreign mission since 1893. In 1899 the new mother house was inaugurated. It was located in Emdener Straße 15 in Berlin-Moabit. 67 deaconesses moved in. In 1904 the entry in the register of associations of the district court took place. It was registered as a charity association Diakonissenhaus Bethel e. V.. By the time of Eduard Scheve’s death in 1909 more than 100 deaconesses belonged to the Bethel sisterhood.
During World War I the Diakonissenhaus Bethel provided sisters for use in military hospitals. The association’s assets were destroyed during the economic crisis. In 1932 the Königin-Auguste-Sanatorium in Berlin-Dahlem became the new mother house.
In 1933 it was integrated into the German Labour Front. Buildings were damaged or destroyed during World War II. In 1945 the Wehrmacht confiscated the mother house in Berlin. After the war operations were abandoned.
In 1976 the Diakonissenhaus was renamed Diakoniewerk Bethel e. V.. In 1986 the sisterhood received its own legal form as Diakoniegemeinschaft Bethel e. V..
After German reunification the operations in Berlin-Friedrichshain resumed. In 1991 a Diakoniestation opened in Berlin-Friedrichshain. The Haus Bethel Buckow was returned to the Diakoniewerk Bethel.
In 2011 the Diakoniewerk Bethel e.V. was transformed into a non-profit GmbH. The Eduard Scheve Foundation and the Berta Scheve Foundation were established.
In 2014 the Diakonissengemeinschaft excluded three long-time deaconesses. This is because they no longer participated in the communal life of the sisters. In 2016 the Diakonissen sisterhood merged into the Diakoniewerk.
In 2017 accusations were made against the Diakoniewerk. Allegedly Karl Behle brought the Diakoniewerk completely under his control. He disclosed that he was registered as the founder of the Eduard Scheve Foundation and the Berta Scheve Foundation. His annual salary could endanger the non-profit status. The Diakonische Werk demanded Bethel meet requirements to remain a member. The Diakoniewerk was excluded.
In 2022 it was stated that Behle secretly registered himself as the founder. It was a unique theft in the history of the German welfare sector.
Today the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Bethel-Gemeinde continues its work. It welcomes all who seek a home in Gott’s Haus.