In Memorium: Bernd Armbruster, Aletheia Church Munich Pastor, Called Home
Bernd Armbruster, Pastor of FEIC member church Aletheia Church Munich, was called home June 1, 2025, after a diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer.
Bernd, a faithful servant of God, loving husband of Ryoko and wonderful dad of Anna, Noah and Abigail became a follower of Jesus at Shanghai Community Fellowship in 2004 where he had the privilege to serve full time as an outreach ministry leader for five years.
“Our First and Only Choice”
Dale Cuckow, lead pastor at Shanghai Community Fellowship since 2007, first met Bernd when he was volunteering at the church and writing software programs. “When church leadership started talking about adding someone to the staff to direct ‘Alpha and Outreach’, Bernd was our first and only choice,” said Dale.
According to Dale, Bernd loved to say of himself that he came to China as an unbeliever and a skeptic. His intent was to give himself a three-month vacation – a post university graduation gift – then return to Germany to start working. However, along the way he was introduced to Christianity, became a Believer, met and married his wife Ryoko, became a father and discovered a vocation.
“We were delighted to support him when he told us of his dream to return to Germany to launch an international church and reach people for Christ,” said Dale. “Bernd’s passion for the lost was not only inspirational, but he also trained others to build bridges to lost people so that they might find new life in Jesus as he did.”
Ryoko says the family moved to Munich in 2016 and launched the church a year later. “Over the years, we were blessed to offer an explorer’s group, marital counseling, help for refugees, weekly worship service, baptisms and be part of so many faith journeys.”
“All the Days of His Life”
Bernd especially loved belonging to FEIC, which he learned about from FEIC founder Terry Hoggard, whom he met in 2015 when Terry visited Shanghai Community Fellowship.
“At that time, Bernd was on staff with Pastor Dale Cuckow and extremely focused on planting an international church in Munich, Germany,” said Terry. “I admired his courage and faith and celebrated every step he took as he pursued what he knew the Lord had called him to do.”
Terry remembers that at the 2024 Summit in Budapest, he had the opportunity to reconnect with Bernd face-to-face and could see that his passion for the Church was as intense as it had ever been.
“Bernd served the Lord all the days of his life, and with great confidence, we can say that he will dwell in the house of his Father forever,” said Terry.
“Among Fighters of Faith”
God empowered and refreshed Bernd through FEIC, said Ryoko.
”Being among fighters of Faith in Europe kept him moving forward amid balancing work, family and church.”
David Buckley, FEIC director, remembers Bernd reaching out to him asking if he could speak at the 2024 Summit in Budapest.
“He wanted to share his story on what the Lord was doing in his church and in his heart,” said David. “On the last day of the summit Bernd gave a powerful testimony on how the Lord was faithful to him, and how he had blessed him. He reminded us that God never forgets us, that he called us, and he will provide for us.”
“We Want to Live as Bernd Did”
Ryoko wants to thank all of those who encouraged and prayed for Bernd through the years.
“Bernd was a single minded, passionate and relentless God’s Kingdom builder,” she said. “We want to live each day fully as Bernd did. Although God decided to take him home unexpectedly and we miss him so much, we choose God’s joy and hope. And we know that one day we will meet him in Heaven.”
Bernd’s favorite verse was Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
