Former student resident Karsten Hempelmann shares about his time with us:

After a year and a half at Haus Nazareth [from 2017-2019] I can give a brief insight into what it was like to live there and what this time meant to me in my life.

As a trained ship’s mechanic, I came into the Haus from a kind of “living community” among the ship’s crew of a large container ship to the Christian student community in Berlin-Steglitz.. (I am currently back on a smaller ship.)

A group of young followers of Jesus welcomed me very warmly, invited me to their churches and their small groups, and made it easier for me to settle in Berlin. (I was beginning my studies at the Technical University.)

For me, a new chapter of life began. I had lived for a long time among in mostly “grumpy” communities of pure necessity on ships. (There were occasional breaks when I was studying at vocational schools or was on holiday.) But now I was able to find my way into a stable social network. In Haus Nazareth I found close friends who stood by me and were at my side in many different situations. I was able to pray together with them; they strengthened me in my faith and helped me to grow.

I know that God led me to “Haus Nazareth”, and that this time was one of the most valuable and the most important of my life. Because I lost interest in my studies, I moved out again with a heavy heart and am now recognizing (retrospectively), how important it is to have people by one’s side who follow Jesus – even if it is only one. As a single “sheep among wolves”, one is firmly in the hand of our protector and sent by Him, but we also have to face many temptations then alone. I do not know how I would deal with the huge volume of alcohol consumption and what people like to talk about here on board ship, if I hadn’t been strengthened and nourished during my time in Berlin.

In the last year, I have experienced God’s working in many conversations and situations. My current situation makes me aware that I no longer want to spend my time on “worldly” pursuits, no longer lead a life of compromises, but I want to dedicate myself completely to the Kingdom of God.
What this will exactly look like, I don’t know yet; but I see meaning in the ways that God had led and guided me so far. Sometimes knowledge comes only through difficult experiences, but they then are also clear and permanent.

I know that many people in Berlin pray for me and I get a lot of spiritual support via text and voice messages on my mobile phone while I’m on the ship. Without your prayers, some recent situations wouldn’t have changed me in a positive way. But in times of doubt, God has often spoken His word in a clear and encouraging way to me through fellow residents of Haus Nazareth.

God has changed me through living in Haus Nazareth and gifted me with precious friends.

(July 2019)

Have you stayed in Haus Nazareth for some time and would like to share your story? We would love to hear from you. Please write to us at cp (at) philosophia.org