German Protestant Church Congress: "It's all about the encounter"

From May 24 to 28, 2017, the German Protestant Church Congress attracted over 100,000 people to the various venues in Berlin and Wittenberg. Many helping hands are needed to ensure that everything runs smoothly. A good 5,500 volunteers ensured that the many visitors experienced four unforgettable days in Berlin.

via Sabrina

06/09/2017, 14:54

Zwei Jungs in Pfadfinderuniform hängen ein Banner über einem Kirchentor auf. — Nils and Niklas are among around 5,500 volunteers at the German Protestant Church Congress in Berlin and Wittenberg.

Junge in Pfadfinderuniform steht auf Leiter und befestigt ein orangefarbenes Banner — "We're scouts, we can do that," explains Nils after successfully attaching the banner.

"The smiles on their faces"

Nils Jacobsen and his scout team are there as volunteers. The 23-year-old and his friends have already traveled from Hamburg to Berlin the day before to support the Kirchentag. "It's all about the encounters. The best thing about volunteering is seeing the smiles on people's faces when you help them," explains Nils.

"You get a lot."

His friend Niklas was already at the church congress in Hamburg last year. "Back then, I looked after the helpers in the accommodation. Now I wanted to be there as a real helper myself," he explains while holding an orange banner to be attached between two lanterns in front of the church. The fact that he won't be paid for his work over the next four days doesn't bother him. "It's not as if you don't get anything for it," he says. "You get a lot. I get to meet so many people here and get to know new people. That's great."

The TV lottery has been a sponsor of the event for many years, supporting the work of the many volunteers on site, among other things. Their most important distinguishing feature: The gray shirt with the lettering "You are a win", which Nils and his team also wear.

Read here what Nils and his scout team experienced at the German Protestant Church Congress and whether everything went smoothly: www.du-bist-ein-gewinn.de/projekte/freude-am-helfen.