Christianity around the world is diverse and multicultural, thriving on the differences between people from different countries and continents. These people often organise themselves into comunities based on their native language. There they develop their own community life, but also maintain close contact with local churches.

Stuttgart has become home for a growing number of these communities, reflecting the city's increasingly multicultural and multireligious society. These communities play a significant role in promoting cohesion within their own communities, preserving cultural identity and integration into German society. 

Zahlreiche Christinnen und Christen aus Ghana und Kamerun haben in der Stuttgarter Waldkirche am Kräherwald und in der Rosenbergkirche in Stuttgart-West eine neue Heimat gefunden. Die beiden evangelischen Kirchen stellen den fremdsprachigen Gemeinden nicht nur ihre Räume zur Verfügung, sondern machen sich gemeinsam mit ihnen auf einen interkulturell-ökumenischen Weg. Neben den wöchentlichen Gottesdiensten, die jede Gemeinde in ihrer jeweiligen Muttersprache abhält, feiern sie gemeinsame Gottesdienste, etwa am Ostersonntag oder am Pfingstmontag zum „Fest der Weltweiten Kirche“. Gemeinsam leben sie den christlichen Glauben in unterschiedlichen Sprachen, Traditionen und Ausdrucksformen – und tragen so zur spirituellen und kulturellen Vielfalt der Stadt bei.

Many Christians from Ghana and Cameroon have found a new home in Stuttgart's Waldkirche am Kräherwald and the Rosenbergkirche in Stuttgart-West. The two Protestant churches not only make their premises available to foreign-language communities, but also embark on an intercultural ecumenical journey together with them. In addition to the weekly services that each community holds in its own native language, they celebrate joint services, for example on Easter Sunday or Whit Monday on the “Feast of the Worldwide Church” (Fest der Weltweiten Kirche). Together, they live the Christian faith in different languages, traditions and forms of expression and this contributes to the spiritual and cultural diversity of the city. 

This clearly demonstrates that migration and faith are by no means secondary issues but represent a source of strength for coexistence. The congregations commit themselves to practising solidarity on the basis of the Biblical verse “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12). They aim to do everything possible to avoid divisions and promote unity, "that they may all be one" (John 17:21). They advocate ecumenical coexistence in all its diversity in order to create closer future cooperation between the migrant community and the German community. 

These churches seek to foster a sense of belonging and familiarity for specific ethnic communities while preserving the language and cultural practices of their home countries. While the first generation of immigrants often seek a spiritual home, their children, who identify as German, may not be fluent in the language of their ancestors. Younger generations often feel torn between the traditions of their parents and the cultural norms of their host country.

The Presbyterian congregations from Cameroon and Ghana in Stuttgart are very grateful to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg for its support and cooperation. Through its help, the congregations gain a sense of belonging and hope and have the necessary resources to grow both spiritually and as a community.

Rev. Alfred Moto-po
Alfred Moto-poh is pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC). He works as Secretary for Education and Partnership Work at the Basel Mission – German Branch (BMDZ) in Stuttgart.