15 August 2025
A DISTINGUISHED CELEBRATION: SUPERINTENDENT REVEREND DIETRICH DENKER’S 60TH BIRTHDAY
A Distinguished Celebration: Superintendent
Reverend Dietrich Denker’s 60th Birthday
On Friday, 15 August 2025, at St. Franziskus Church in Mönchengladbach, Superintendent Reverend Dietrich Denker was celebrated on the milestone of his 60th birthday in an occasion of profound distinction.
Mönchengladbach, 21 August 2025 –
The Task Force United Intercultural Fellowship of The Blessing Church expressed deep appreciation for their venerable chairman’s exceptional spiritual leadership and enduring commitment to the Church and wider community.
Superintendent Reverend Denker received a particularly distinguished recognition: a volume personally authored by Archbishop Prof. Dr. mult. Thomas Paul Schirrmacher, presented on his behalf (Former General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance, representing over 600 million members worldwide), as well as the ceremonial presentation of a commemorative plaque of transparent acrylic, shaped as a cross.
Bishop Michael Chandrathas, co-founder of The Blessing Church, presented these honors in the presence of Minister Wolfgang Röthgens (former Head of the Police Press Office, appointed by the FOKUS Church for the Task Force United Intercultural Fellowship), Brother Titus (member of The Blessing Church), former District Elder of the New Apostolic Church Brother Helmut Pohl, The Rt. Reverend Hans-Ulrich Rosocha (former chairman of the ACK), and Pastoral Staff Member Frank Seeger-Hupperten, Chairman of the ACK Working Group of Christian Churches in Mönchengladbach, Korschenbroich, and Jüchen.
The plaque bears the inscription:
"TO OUR Pastor
In infinite wisdom,
the Lord surely knew,
That we would need a
pastor
as faithful as you.
A love of GOD’S Word
and a heart for His flock.
You give of yourself
and you stand
on the rock.
WE APPRECIATE YOU"
The delegation of the Task Force also included the renowned managing director Wolfgang Riehn, in his capacity as advisor, as well as his spouse, the world-famous Queen of Clowns, Antoschka.
Reverend Friedhelm Holthuis, President of the Federation of Pentecostal Free Churches (BFP), conveyed a written message of blessing, commending Superintendent Reverend Denker as a “blessed man of GOD, uniting the Kingdom of GOD and His people.” He expressed profound gratitude for Superintendent Denker’s tireless dedication to Christian unity and wished him wisdom, grace, and favor in all dealings with offices, authorities, municipalities, and church councils, that the work of GOD’S Kingdom might continue to flourish.
Bishop Chandrathas had the honor, during the thanksgiving service, to offer sermon reflections alongside Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs, Vice-President Reverend Antje Menn of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland, and Prof. Dr. Günter Krings, Member of the German Bundestag, appointed member of the regional synod and patron of The Blessing Church, before a congregation that filled the church to capacity. Distinguished guests from church, society, and politics—including fellow believers, dignitaries such as Reverend Manfred Rietdorf and Reverend Stephan Dedring (host of the main church Rheydt), family, and friends—gathered to honor this extraordinary spiritual leader.
The service was framed by a theme personally articulated by Superintendent Reverend Denker:
"Today, I wished to recall the good that we want to preserve in our hearts—not only in relation to myself as the birthday celebrant, but also regarding you, yourselves, and GOD! Test everything and hold fast to what is good—with this verse from Scripture, I journey through 2025. I hope to share your good with me and to share my good with you. Sharing good—in a world where adverse news often overwhelms us—is a gift of GOD, as vital as the breath of life."
In his sermon, Bishop Chandrathas reflected:
"Esteemed guests, beloved sisters and brothers, Your Reverences, ‘Test everything; hold fast to what is good’ (1 Thessalonians 5:21). It is a special privilege to share with you what I have discerned as the good in my life: the certainty that the LORD JESUS CHRIST is our good SHEPHERD, who promises us His HOLY SPIRIT even today."
Together with the Chandrathas family, the founding family of The Blessing Church, the members of the Supervisory Board of The Blessing Church—including Archbishop Prof. Dr. mult. Thomas Paul Schirrmacher (Germany), Archbishop Dr. G. A. Antony (England), Bishop Dr. Janet Ribeiro-Addy (Ghana), Bishop Dr. Martin Ndongala (Germany), and Apostle Dr. Charles Finny Joseph (India)—confirmed Superintendent Reverend Denker as a “Good Shepherd.”
Today, Bishop Chandrathas emphasizes:
"We experience in Superintendent Reverend Denker a compassionate father, who, through his love and trust, imparts confidence, strength, and healing. As a congregation with a migration background, we cherish him as a patron who participates in both our sorrow and our joy, embracing the KINGDOM OF GOD as a work for all nations. His guiding, admonishing, and uplifting words are an indescribable blessing."
Earlier in May 2025, during the Interreligious Dialogue hosted by the Lord Mayor, Bishop Chandrathas honored his spiritual superior:
"That I may speak before you today—in the esteemed halls of Mönchengladbach City Hall—I owe entirely to my superior, Superintendent Reverend Dietrich Denker, who opened the doors for us to reach this place."
The thanksgiving service united profound sermons with ceremonial moments, creating an unforgettable event enhanced by the presence of numerous distinguished guests. Superintendent Denker expressed heartfelt gratitude in the program to all contributors in music, spoken word, and organization, particularly the Catholic Parish of St. Marien, Reverend Hurtz, and the members of the Blessing Gospel Mission Church (TBC) for their steadfast support during the reception.
Photographs and impressions from the celebration capture the elevated atmosphere of this jubilee and the profound sense of unity among all participants.
