New Apostolic Church Establishes Five Congregations on the Canary Islands

The New Apostolic Church maintains a presence on the Canary Islands, where five congregations serve a diverse community of residents and visitors. The archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northwest Africa, is a popular winter destination for those seeking a warmer climate. With over two million residents and 16 million annual tourists, the islands attract people from around the world, many of whom spend extended periods there.

Members of the New Apostolic Church who reside in the Canary Islands for six months or more and attend regular divine services can register as members of the local congregation. Claus Ruthardt, rector of the Tenerife-North congregation and deputy district rector for the Canary Islands, emphasizes the importance of pastoral care. “If brothers and sisters don’t receive pastoral care for six months because they are not in their home congregation, that’s too long,” he explains. Ruthardt has been actively involved in the local church since 2009, when he and his wife, Sabine, moved to Tenerife from Germany.

Ruthardt’s journey to the Canary Islands began during a visit in 2007, when he was encouraged to join the congregation. The couple made the decision to relocate in 2009, and Ruthardt was ordained a Priest for Tenerife in 2012. He has since held leadership roles, including as Evangelist and rector of the Tenerife-North congregation since 2015, and as a District Evangelist since 2017. His schedule involves traveling between the islands, attending Sunday services and visiting other congregations, often by air due to the distance between the islands.

Gerhard Frischknecht, known as Hardy, offers advice to newcomers and visitors. A longtime resident of Tenerife, Hardy moved there from Switzerland in 2011 after spending holidays there since 1993. He served as a Priest for 33 years and has been a minister for 44 years. Hardy encourages visitors to engage with the congregation from the beginning, attend divine services, and build relationships. “If you leave straight after the divine service, you will not make any friends in the congregation,” he says. His wife, Hedy, and their neighbors are also members of the New Apostolic Church.

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