Presentation of the mission work »Free people’s mission Krefeld Inc.«

The Mission Center in Krefeld was built in the course of a few years. On the compound is the church, which seats over 500 people, where three times per week services are held, and the other buildings with offices, with the printing and the despatching rooms and with a number of dormitories. Quite a number of visitors who attend the first weekend of a month meetings can stay over night in the rooms of the Mission Center. Because the mission work has grown so immensely ten years ago another building had to be erected. That is the publishing house with the adjacent printing facilities. We can accommodate 300 guests and also have the facilities in the dining room for them to take their meals.

No one of the 12 persons present in the house meeting at the eve of the year 1959/60 who were invited by Rev. Ewald Frank for a prayer meeting could imagine that God in this way would start a worldwide mission work.

Rev. Frank began to preach in 1953 and then attended the meetings of Rev. William M. Branham in Karlsruhe, Germany, from the 12th to the 21st of August 1955. What he experienced at that time he only knew up till then from the reports of the New Testament. Blind could see, lame were made whole instantly and could walk, the deaf could suddenly hear end so forth. The lasting impression on the young preacher was the healing of a blind-born girl being eleven years old. From that moment it became clear to him that William Branham must be a man sent from God for no one could do the works of Jesus unless God be with him.

Only a few months later in March 1956 Rev. Frank left Germany for overseas, also with the desire to know more about the ministry and also about the teachings of William Branham. From the 6th to the 15th June 1958 he participated in the international »Voice of Healing«-Conference in Dallas, Texas. Rev. Gordon Lindsay had invited all the US-healing Evangelists who had received their inspiration in one of Rev. Branham’s meetings and were encouraged to start their ministries. Among them were Oral Roberts, T. L. Osborn, Morris Cerullo and many others. They all testified that the break-through of the mighty healing revival after Word War II came about through the extra-ordinary ministry of William Branham. Most of them spoke in the morning and afternoon services and Rev. Branham was the main speaker in the evening services.

During this conference Rev. Frank could very clearly see the difference between all the evangelists and the prophetic-apostolic ministry of Rev. Branham. He also came to know about the divine commission William Branham had received on 7th May 1946 in a similar way as the Apostle Paul. Now time had come to know more about the belief and the teachings of this man of God. He left his address behind so all the sermons preached by Rev. Branham would be sent to him. He also spoke with Rev. Branham during those meetings. The natural humility of this man made a lasting impact on him.

In August 1958 Rev. Frank returned to Germany, thinking that the believers who confess the full Gospel would just as gladly receive the spiritual enrichment as he did. But very soon time came when the leading ministers rejected the preacher they before had esteemed highly. Therefore only this small prayer group was left with the intention to return to the Bible teachings and practice of the original church in apostolic days. The leading theme was from the beginning »sola scriptura« — only the Holy Scripture should be the guideline for faith, teaching and life.

From this small fellowship, which came together with the brothers who shared in the ministry, Ewald Frank. Leonhard Russ and Paul Schmidt soon grew and a meeting place had to be rented. On 2nd April 1962, just at the break of a new day, Rev. Frank received his commission from the Lord with a tremendous audible voice to go to other cities and preach His Word. Within a few years this independent mission work spread beyond the European boundaries. Only a few years later a larger hall had to be rented.

In April 1964 the »Freie Volksmission Krefeld« = »Free Peoples Mission Krefeld« was recognised as a non-profit organisation. In October of the same year Rev. Frank made his first missionary trip to Asian countries. In India thousands attended his meetings. From 1966 the German speaking countries Austria and Switzerland were included into scheduled services from time to time. From 1968 to 1978 he had twenty minutes speeches via Radio Luxembourg whereby all European countries were reached by short and middle wave. From the same year he began to visit the Eastern European countries including the Soviet Union. Finally, at Easter 1974 the church could be inaugurated. In the following years the other buildings of the Mission Center were put up. From here the whole world is being served with biblical literature, audio and videotapes.

The brochures and books dealing with Bible topics are now being printed worldwide in 20 languages and new ones are being added. In the Mission Center we print in 10 main languages and serve over 130 countries. That is also about the number of countries Rev. Frank has personally preached in. This international and independent mission work is being financed only by free will offerings. In the true sense of the word this is a faith work existing in confidence towards God because of the direct commission received. Everything, the books, the brochures, the audio and videocassettes are sent out free of charge, never was a bill included or payment mentioned. In the local church we do not have a membership register. Special offerings are not solicited. Mission programs are not presented money is not mentioned. Tithing is not requested but generally practised. Everyone decides for themselves, how to participate with prayer, offerings and in other ways in the mission work.