Goldene Hochzeit von Bezirksapostel i.R. Armin Brinkmann und seiner Frau am 30. Mai 2021 in Dortmund

Exactly 50 years to the day after their church wedding, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider bestowed his golden wedding blessing on long-time District Apostle Armin Brinkmann and his wife Brigitte. In his address, he acknowledged the couple's personal commitment over the past decades – to God and the congregation. Fifty years ago on May 28, 1971, Brigitte and Armin Brinkmann were married in a civil ceremony, and two days later in church – this time in the Remscheid congregation. Twenty-five years later, on June 16, 1996, Chief Apostle Richard Fehr celebrated the couple's silver wedding anniversary in the Dortmund-Nord congregation. Blessing in the home congregation Now, retired District Apostle Armin Brinkmann and his wife Brigitte received their golden wedding anniversary blessing during a service in the Dortmund-Wambel congregation on May 30, 2021. Also present were their own large family, fellow believers from their home congregation in Wambel, and the apostles from West Germany. "I don't know how you imagined the future back then, but I am absolutely certain that it turned out completely differently than planned – perhaps even than desired," Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider recalled in his address. But, he concluded: "God has always given more than you imagined. He has always done greater things than anything planned." Ordained to the Apostleship at the Age of 34 Ordination as apostles in 1983 represented a major change for the young Brinkmann couple. The couple moved to Dortmund, and in the following years, the apostle spent many months of the year traveling to visit New Apostolic congregations around the world. For example, Apostle Brinkmann was involved in the founding and development of New Apostolic congregations in Far Eastern Russia, Brazil, Angola, Singapore, and São Tomé e Príncipe. Until his retirement, he undertook more than 400 intercontinental trips. From 2005 to 2014, Armin Brinkmann also led the then District Church of North Rhine-Westphalia for almost nine years as District Apostle and Church President. Continuing to Serve Out of Love Throughout all this time, his wife Brigitte stood by his side, taking particular care of family life. Chief Apostle Schneider expressly acknowledged this in his address. The Apostle's work demanded a great deal from both of them. "From today's perspective, one could say that such a thing cannot be expected of a young married couple, of a young mother. But you accepted it and continued to serve – simply out of love for God and trust in Him, as well as out of love for the congregation." Nevertheless, even after 50 years, no shortcomings are apparent. On the contrary: The couple's close relationship is evident to all. "You can't imagine one without the other. It's beautiful to see that," said the Chief Apostle. No Lack For the time to come, the Chief Apostle gave them a Bible verse from the prophet Elijah's encounter with the woman at Zarephath: "...and the jar of oil lacked nothing, according to the word of the Lord..." (1 Kings 17, chapter 16). "You served with the same spirit as the widow: This is for the good Lord, we are doing this. He is doing it right," explained Chief Apostle Schneider. "God will continue to bless this service, and you will see in the future as well: The jar of oil lacks nothing, according to the Word of God." There will always be enough joy, peace, and blessing. "You should also see in the future, no matter what may come: God is there, He loves us."