Life Journey Map - Axel Nehlsen

Life Journey Map for Axel Nehlsen

For Axel, moving to Berlin in 1977 was the key point. The wall was still very much intact. The city was surrounded by the wall and security was tight. Berlin was a secular city. At that time the first experiences happened that led to today.

He was suffering in a Lutheran church under the lack of unity among Christians. There was no praying together.

There were first steps in the eighties toward more unity. In 1988, Axel left his church to do city center ministry in a church built in memory of the emporer. He was not the senior pastor, but there to help the poor.

He learned compassion for the hurting in and out of the Christian community. Still he struggled with a self-centered denominations. The average Lutheran pastor never leaves the denomination.

His friendship with other pastors like Peter opened him up to those outside of his denomination.

The the wall came down in November 1989. At that time Axel fell in love with the city and the idea of all denominations reaching the whole city.

There were still difficulties. They did social work, counseling and outreach. They had volunteers from outside the denomination and it did not work.

This led to another level of prayer and strategy. Axel took a sabbatical and heard the Lord say be available for full-time city ministry.

He found the Lord had called others to this same vision. This was exciting and the last three years have been very good.

Kingdom Vision
Relationship Based Unity
Holistic Approach
Growing Expectation.

It is Axel’s birthday.