Bluntly Honest
The last time I was at a dance school was 47 years ago. So it’s time for a little refresher. And the ADTV dance school “Balance” at the Waldstadt Center in Potsdam is the perfect place to go. I climb the stairs. What awaits me is a real club atmosphere with seating areas along the walls and a dance floor in the center under a array of LED spotlights. As I set my books down on a table in the foyer, I start practicing my hip swing. Whether I’ll be able to showcase my rhythmic talents on the dance floor today (as if anyone would believe that) remains to be seen. First, though, we’re holding a worship service here at 11 a.m. in the “erlebt congregation.” The name refers to the founder, whom many believe is still alive, even though he was laid to rest some 2,000 years ago. It’s a real contrast to the funeral home less than 100 meters away. So far, no one has climbed out of their grave after a Deutschmann funeral.
After two songs, it’s my turn. I glance briefly around the room. Between 70 and 80 people are looking at me expectantly. So I get started. My talk seems to confirm the view that He is indeed alive. That’s pretty strong stuff. Could there possibly be further evidence to support this bold thesis?
I actually find these clues at the very end of the event, when I strike up a conversation with Maximilian, Jens, and his wife Alva. Max (29 years old, center top in the photo) tells me, fresh off the press, about his unusual life story. I was right near the Ballermann on the beach in Mallorca. I felt like I was in an inner dungeon—trapped, hopeless, and desperate. As I stood there—completely disillusioned—two young girls approached me. They invited me to a church service!”—“And did you go with them?” I asked. “No, not at first. I stayed where I was, and that feeling of inner emptiness immediately came back. It was unbearable. But then two other girls came by and invited me to a church service again. This time I went with them!”
It’s 1:00 p.m., and people have been dancing next door for quite a while now. But what I’m hearing here is much more exciting. So I’d rather talk to Jens now. The 39-year-old software engineer in the beige T-shirt (top left) was a staunch atheist. He stumbled from one broken relationship to the next. He’d thoroughly exhausted the topic of “women” in his life and then, feeling powerless, reached the end of his options. Having hit rock bottom, suicide suddenly became a real option. But then, in his desperation, he turned to someone he wasn’t even sure actually existed. “God, if You exist, please set my life right!”—“And did you receive an answer?” I ask curiously. “Yes, right then and there, I felt God’s presence. That was just under four years ago!”
Alva’s wife grew up in South India. From what I’ve heard, her family belongs to the Thomas Christians. Thomas was the skeptic who voiced aloud what millions of people think today: “Either I can see, measure, feel, and analyze it, Otherwise, I’ll never, ever believe that Jesus rose from the dead!” A week later, he was given this special opportunity. “Thomas, look at the marks from the nails in my hands and put your hand into my side—where a Roman soldier thrust his spear!” That’s what a certain Jesus Christ said. The chronic doubter examined and believed. Today, 7 million people in India belong to the Thomas Christian community.
I hope you won’t be disappointed when I confess that I didn’t get to go dancing yesterday. Instead, I met the most amazing people and absorbed stories that are out of this world. Many people have found their inner balance at the “Balance” dance school. Because He lives, Maximilian Bittner, Jens Mittelstädt, and his wife Alva have a unique perspective on life. In any case, I was deeply impressed yesterday. If you live in the Berlin area, I can absolutely recommend a visit to the “Balance” dance school in Potsdam. Perhaps you, too, will discover that He truly lives. Pastor Christoph Funk would certainly be delighted to have you visit. /KDJ
