New Apostolic Church Southern Germany Appoints Martin Rheinberger as New Leader

Martin Rheinberger has been appointed as the new leader of the New Apostolic Church in Southern Germany. The transition took place during a divine service at the Karlsruhe-Mitte congregation, where Rheinberger was commissioned to take over from Michael Ehrich, who has led the region since 2006. Helge Mutschler, head of the New Apostolic Church International, officially appointed Rheinberger as District Apostle and President of the New Apostolic Church in Southern Germany.

Rheinberger’s responsibilities encompass the New Apostolic congregations in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, as well as some in Hesse. The region is home to nearly 100,000 adherents. Additionally, the Southern Germany branch supports congregations in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa, where over one million New Apostolic Christians are active.

Rheinberger’s administrative base is the VDZ (Administrative and Service Centre) in Stuttgart, supported by approximately 70 employees. He is also a member of the New Apostolic Church International (NAC), an independent association under Swiss law. In May 2026, he was elected Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the NAC during a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.

Born on 14 September 1967 in Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg, Rheinberger is married and has two children. He began his spiritual service in 1989 and worked as a commercial director in a family business before transitioning to full-time ministry in 2017. He was ordained an Apostle for Karlsruhe in 2019 and became a District Apostle Helper in 2025. His appointment as District Apostle followed on 21 June 2026.

Michael Ehrich, who has led the Southern Germany region for two decades, was born on 19 September 1959 in Karlsruhe. He received his first spiritual office in 1982 and was ordained a District Apostle in 2006. His leadership marked a significant chapter in the region’s history, and his successor now carries forward the church’s mission and growth.

Source: Read the original report (translated from German)