How a Visionary Act in Switzerland Sparked a New Era of Christian Fellowship in China and Continues to Inspire the World.
The Visionary Leader: Remembering Chief Apostle Richard Fehr
We pause to honor Chief Apostle Richard Fehr, whose extraordinary legacy continues to shape millions of lives. Born in the Swiss village of Flaach in 1939, Fehr’s early years were marked by loss, his mother died when he was a child. This early pain would later instill in him an abiding compassion for those on the margins, a trait that would define his ministry.
His rise from typesetter to the seventh Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church was never about ambition, but about a calling to serve. From 1988 to 2005, Fehr steered the Church through turbulent change. Under his leadership, membership doubled from 5 million to over 10 million, and the Church expanded its presence to 118 countries, a transformation few could have imagined decades before.
But numbers only tell part of the story. At the heart of Fehr’s leadership was a simple yet radical principle: “If we want to preserve what we have, we will have to change many things.” He modernized worship, launched satellite ministry, and, most importantly, opened the doors of fellowship to those once kept outside by geography, politics, or doctrine.
The China Mandate: One Decision, Countless Lives Changed
Perhaps no decision better exemplifies Fehr’s bold leadership than his mandate, in the late 1990s, for District Apostle Noel Barnes of South Africa to lead efforts for the New Apostolic Church’s legal recognition in Mainland China. At a time when international faith work in China was fraught with complexity, Fehr’s approach was both pragmatic and deeply empathetic.
A South African Family and the China Connection
Among those deeply touched by this mandate was a South African family. Responding to Chief Apostle Fehr’s request to District Apostle Noel Barnes in 1999, the family became closely involved in efforts to support and legally register the New Apostolic Church in China. The wife, mother and grandmother, a pillar of faith, lived and eventually passed away in Beijing, China, a city that had become a second home through her service and dedication. Today, her daughter carries forward that legacy, serving as a Deacon in the New Apostolic Church, Switzerland.
This personal connection is not just history; it is a living legacy of international faith and service that binds continents and generations.
A member of NACIC World, a witness to this era, recalls:
“In those years, believers in China felt spiritually isolated. Many of us, now living in Switzerland, saw the struggle of our brothers and sisters in Beijing and beyond. When Chief Apostle Fehr empowered a non-European leader, District Apostle Barnes, it signaled a new era. It told us: every nation matters, and the Body of Christ is truly global.”
Though the original hope, to establish Hong Kong as the mother congregation for Mainland China, was never fully realized, the wheels of history had turned. The decision created a network of support and cross-cultural dialogue, laying the foundation for what would become NACIC World.
Personal testimonies from China echo this. One member shared:
“There were days when Christian gatherings were a risk, when just owning a Bible was an act of faith. The knowledge that the Chief Apostle himself was praying for us, working for us, this gave us hope. The Church in China would not be forgotten.”
Bridging Continents: Personal Stories and Shared Faith
For the Swiss members who were involved from the earliest days, Fehr’s legacy is more than organizational. One member who has worked in South Africa, Switzerland, and China, says:
“Fehr’s servant leadership was not just a slogan. It’s something we experienced, especially as we helped facilitate connections between communities who had never met. Whether it was sending Sunday School materials or recording a choir in Cape Town to send to Beijing, the idea was always: nobody should feel alone in faith.”
Meanwhile, in China, the groundwork laid by Fehr’s mandate grew into quiet, courageous networks. Members describe clandestine worship and prayers, often supported by resources, music, and encouragement funneled through international connections.
A Proverb and a Promise: The Fire of Faith in China
The importance of this cross-continental support is beautifully summed up in a report by Priest Colin Jooste, who was part of the New Apostolic Church delegation visiting China in October 2000. He closed his report with a reflection that remains true for the global church today:
“An old Chinese proverb goes: ‘If everyone puts some wood in the fire, – the fire would have a greater flame’ – thus if every believing sealed New Apostolic Christian assists with their fiery prayers, soon a major fire with flames touching the heavens will spread like wild fire through China having been ignited by the faith and prayers of all who ‘also want to’ become part of the final onslaught on those who have been earmarked for the Kingdom of God – China.”
The Ongoing Mission of NACIC World
This spirit of unity, prayer, and global fellowship is at the heart of NACIC World today. Founded in Beijing in 2015 by those who experienced the challenges of separation firsthand, NACIC World is a living answer to the question of how we remain connected, across distance, language, and circumstance.
Our mission is to build a united global Christian community, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that stands strong against division and isolation, nurturing fellowship and connecting believers worldwide through music, shared faith, and digital outreach.
As we look to the future, we carry forward both the faith of Chief Apostle Richard Fehr and the legacy of families like the Julius family, reminding us that every act of service, every prayer, and every connection adds another piece of wood to the fire.
May the flames of fellowship and faith continue to burn bright.
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