For many Americans, Germany conjures up images of David Hasselhof-loving beer drinkers in lederhosen. These stereotypes do not do justice to the rich heritage and complex nature of Germany. It is the land of our spiritual heritage as well as a modern international crossroads teeming with a multitude of ethnic and cultural influences.

Germany today is a diverse cosmopolitan center of 82 million people. As Europe's most robust economy, Germany is the strategic cornerstone of the expanding EU. Overall the country produces some of the world's most influential people in areas ranging from politics to fashion. The influence of the country on the rest of the world is tremendous.

The past fifty years have seen a massive influx of immigration resulting in a wide range of ethnic groups. Poles, Russians, and other Eastern Europeans have significant minorities in Germany. However, the country's largest minority ethnic group are Turks, who emigrated during the 1950's and -60's to fill labor shortages. Today, Germany is home to the largest Turkish population outside of Turkey.

Spiritually, the people of Germany have by and large turned their backs on their deep Christian heritage in favor of secularism. While most Germans still maintain an official connection to the church, a fuzzy spirituality and practical atheism are much more prevalent. The church itself has lost its credibility among the average Germans. Currently evangelicals make up only 2.9% of the total population. Despite the trends of the past half-century, there is a renewed openness and curiosity about spiritual things. It is this void that the Church so desperately needs to fill.