I know; this can only serve as a poor substitute to the real thing, but what can we do?  You get a photograph and a short resume.  A better way to learn more would be a visit to our Sunday service.

 My name is Thomas Hildebrandt.  Born in 1954 in Darmstadt, Germany.  I am a Hessian.  We are supposed to be stubborn.  I hope that my life's journey has smoothes away some of the rough edges.  Since my birth a few things have happened.  I received my Abitur (High School) in Darmstadt. Then I went on to study electronics. For the compulsory service I had to interrupt my studies.  I did not return to my previous studies, I had the calling to become pastor. 

I grew-up in the tradition of the Methodists.  During my "Sturm und Drang" period I connected with the Jesus People movement and formed a personal relationship with God.

Since my ordination and start of ministry I have been active in Baden-Württemberg for most of the time. It has become my second home.  My first internship was in Pforzheim, my studies in Reutlingen.  After graduation I was assigned for five years in Mainz, followed by a thirteen year assignment to Baden-Baden/ Bad Herrenalb/ Loffenau.

I am by nature conservative, which is reflected in my lifestyle that mirrors that of the old preachers: During my student years I remained single, but before I filled my first post I got married.

(www.atlas.emk.de/emk_mainz_wiesbaden.html),

My first congregation was in Mainz, I had members to minister too, as far as sixty miles away.  The second post was in Loffenau (northern part of the Black Forrest).  That included a youth-vacation home with approximately 4000 stays per year, a  congregation in Loffenau (www.atlas.emk.de/emk_loffenau.html), another in Baden-Baden  (www.atlas.emk.de/emk_baden_baden.html ) and one in Bad-Herrenalb.  This last church had to be closed.  The mailing list was about 250 souls.  In Los Angeles we have four times as many.

My hobbies, I like to listen to the music of the fifties through seventies, especially Latin Rock.  I pluck the guitar, enjoy riding my bike, and love to make myself busy with saw, wood and laquer.

I am on 'loan' from the South German Annual Conference of the Evangelisch- methodistischen Kirche in Deutschland  to the congregation of Christuskirche.  My salary is paid by the members of this church, although I remain part of the church in Germany. I celebrated 25 years of service In May of 2000.  This celebration made it clear to me, that we are, and remain, even across the 'herring pound' one communion in the Body of Christ.

I pray for a union imbued with the spirit of God and a church growing in discipleship of Christ.  

Yours,

Thomas Hildebrandt