“Leading courageously. Shaping the future.” This was the central theme of the biennial Congress of Christian Leaders (Kongress Christlicher Führungskräfte/KCF), which brought together 3,000 participants from Germany and abroad this past week. Organized by the evangelical news agency IDEA, the event explored how Christian values can help shape leaders to successfully navigate challenging times.
The 14th non-denominational and nonpartisan event took place at the Dm-Arena in Karlsruhe from Thursday to Saturday (March 6-8). KCF25 featured discussions on leadership, faith and professional challenges, IDEA reported.
Some 60 experts in business, politics, science and society led sessions, sharing their experiences in leadership. The event also featured 200 trade fair exhibitors and a section for younger professionals under age 35 to network. Participants were offered opportunities for prayer, pastoral care and coaching.
Helmut Matthies, chairman of IDEA, recalled how the congress began 25 years ago “without experience, office or money” but still drew 1,000 participants at its first event in 1999, according to a commentary published by IDEA.
“The idea came from two devout Swabian entrepreneurs: Karl Schock and Jörg Knoblauch,” Matthies said. “They visited me in 1997 at the headquarters of the Evangelical News Agency IDEA in Wetzlar. Their wish: in a time of increasing secularization, Christians who bear responsibility should meet. The goal: to encourage each other professionally and spiritually.”
Schock and Knoblauch convinced Matthies that IDEA had influence among evangelical leaders and was well-positioned to take responsibility for the congress.
“As the head of IDEA at the time, I was quickly convinced,” Matthies said. “Our board agreed, and our chairman, Horst Marquardt, now retired, made the initiative his last life’s work. Jörg Knoblauch supported him enthusiastically as his vice chairman with his company, Tempus.”
After the first event in 1999, organizers asked participants if another congress was desired.
“They… wanted to, and have done so ever since—now for the 14th time,” Matthies added.
Values Award 2025 goes to entrepreneur in Thuringia
Entrepreneur Georg Jahn, from the spa town of Bad Blankenburg in Thuringia, received a “Values Award” at the congress, IDEA reported.
“The prize belongs to Jesus, who determines my life. I give my life to him anew every day,” Jahn said upon accepting the award, which honors individuals who express Christian values in their workplaces.
Jahn took over his father’s craft business as a sole trader in 1990 and now employs more than 500 people with a large turnover. He credits ownership of the business to Jesus, according to evangelical theologian Hans-Martin Stäbler, a former secretary general of the Association of Christians in Business from Nufringen near Stuttgart, who presented the award.
Stäbler recalled how Jahn persisted through difficult economic times by relying on the prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10): “Bless me and expand my territory. Stand by me and keep misfortune and pain away from me.” He prayed the same prayer daily and later won a contract with a service provider on Germany’s motorways.
Jahn has also supported local initiatives, including the construction of the four-star Hotel Morgenroth in Bad Blankenburg, which is set to open in summer 2025, while also supporting missionaries abroad.
“He wants to be an ambassador of God, personally, but also with his company,” Stäbler said.
“When he goes to a construction site, the sun comes up,” he added.
“I accept this award with great humility,” Jahn said during the congress. “I want this award to help us to move this company forward and for us to be able to build a future with Jesus Christ.”
In a closing service at KCF25, Anglican Bishop Yassir Eric of Korntal-Münchingen, originally from Sudan, called upon participants to boldly stand up for their faith and honor God where He has placed them, showing integrity, according to IDEA.
He warned of the abuse of power in business and politics and encouraged attendees to follow Jesus’ example of courageous and visionary leadership.
“He was the perfect leader because he was the perfect servant,” Eric said.
KCF25 aims to be broadly ecumenical, with support from a range of professional organizations, including the Working Group of Evangelical Entrepreneurs and the Association of Catholic Entrepreneurs.
The next KCF has already been announced and will take place in Leipzig, Germany, from June 10-12, 2027.
