Police Raided His Church With Machine Guns. Attendance Went Up.
Pastor Alexander Epp of Wera Forum in Duisburg says a raid over a firearm allegation — later admitted to be false — left him injured, and his congregation larger
The short answer
According to CBN News, German police raided Wera Forum church in Duisburg in summer 2025 after a former attendee alleged that Pastor Alexander Epp possessed an illegal firearm — an allegation the accuser later admitted was false. Epp reports suffering a broken nose and bleeding in his right eye. He says the church has since grown to more than 1,000 members across four locations, and that no apology or compensation has been offered.
Pastor Alexander Epp grew up under Soviet persecution. He says what happened at his church in Duisburg, Germany, was the worst he has experienced.
What He Describes
According to Epp's account to CBN News, an armed police unit stormed Wera Forum in summer 2025. The stated basis was an allegation from a former attendee that Epp possessed an illegal firearm. That allegation, CBN reports, was later admitted to be false.
"A church raided on a false allegation grew rather than shrank. The account is one-sided and deserves careful handling — but the pattern it fits is as old as the church."
Click to copy and shareEpp says he came out of it with a broken nose and internal bleeding in his right eye. He recalls one officer telling him: *"Jesus is not going to help you."*
He says no apology or compensation has followed.
Why Care Is Needed Here
This account comes from one side. German authorities' reasons for the scale of the response, and whatever they understood about the risk at the time, are not part of the reporting we have. An armed response to a firearms tip is not, by itself, evidence of anti-Christian intent — and it would be irresponsible to present it as one.
What can be said plainly is narrower and still serious: a church was raided on the word of an accuser who later withdrew the claim, a pastor was hurt, and the matter, by his account, has not been put right. That warrants attention wherever it happens.
What Happened Next
This is the part that turns the story.
The church did not shrink. Wera Forum has grown to more than **1,000 members across four locations**, and Epp says the raid itself drove people toward it rather than away. His standing invitation to the curious is simple: *"Come to our building, touch it and listen to the story."*
The congregation's response has been prayer. One phrase comes up again and again: *"God, heal the soil."*
A Pattern the Church Knows
Opposition growing the church it was meant to diminish is one of the oldest patterns in Christian history — from Jerusalem after Stephen, to China after 1949, to Iran now. It is not a guarantee, and it is never a reason to welcome injustice. But it is a reason not to despair when injustice comes.
A church raided on a false allegation grew rather than shrank. The account is one-sided and deserves careful handling — but the pattern it fits is as old as the church.
Biblical Perspective
Paul, writing from chains, told the Philippians that what had happened to him had served to advance the gospel, and that others had become more confident to speak because of it. Scripture never calls injustice good. It does, repeatedly, show God turning what was meant for harm into the growth of His church.
"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."
— Philippians 1:12 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord, we pray for Pastor Alexander Epp and Wera Forum. Heal what was injured. Bring truth and fair resolution. Give the congregation grace toward those who wronged them, and keep them growing. And protect churches across Europe that face suspicion simply for being serious about You. Amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›What was meant for harm, God can turn for good!
- ›The church grows under pressure!
- ›Truth will come to light!
- ›God is healing the soil of Europe!
Take Action
- 1Pray for Wera Forum and Pastor Epp — for healing, for justice, and for grace toward the accuser.
- 2Hold accounts like this carefully: pray and advocate on what is established, not on what is assumed.
- 3Pray for churches across Germany and Europe that are growing in a sceptical culture.
- 4If you face opposition for your faith, answer it the way this church did: an open door and a story.
"A German church was raided over a claim its accuser later withdrew. The pastor was hurt — and the church grew past 1,000. Share this and pray for them."
Pray & Speak Life Over This Story
Don't just read — respond in faith. Click below to declare that you have prayed over this story and spoken life into it. Our prayers and words have power to change the world.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
Your Prayers & Words Have Power
Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
What happened at Wera Forum church in Germany?
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According to CBN News, police raided Wera Forum in Duisburg in summer 2025 after a former attendee alleged Pastor Alexander Epp had an illegal firearm. The accuser later admitted the allegation was false. Epp reports a broken nose and bleeding in his right eye.
Did the church shrink after the raid?
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No. Epp says the raid increased interest, and the church has grown to more than 1,000 members across four locations.
Was the raid anti-Christian persecution?
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The reporting reflects Pastor Epp's account, who describes it as the worst persecution he has experienced. German authorities' reasoning is not included in that reporting, and an armed response to a firearms tip is not by itself proof of religious motive. What is established is that the allegation was withdrawn and, by Epp's account, no apology or compensation followed.
Sources & further reading
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."
Philippians 1:12 (NIV)
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