To mark the 125th anniversary of Friedensau in 2024, the film Echo of Faith was produced. Shot in the style of a docudrama, it tells the eventful history of Friedensau—a place that has shaped the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Germany and in Europe.
The screenplay is based on the book Wanderer, kommst du nach Friedensau (Wanderer, If You Come to Friedensau) by the late Wolfgang Hartlapp, a lecturer in church history at Friedensau, and was filmed at around 20 different locations. A team of about 60 people—including professional and amateur actors, extras, and experienced crew members—worked intensively on the project. The film has a runtime of approximately 60 minutes.
Film Content
Echo of Faith tells the story of Friedensau, a place founded in 1899 that celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2024. It is located about 35 kilometers east of Magdeburg, the capital of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. What began as a missionary and industrial school in Friedensau, with several functional buildings, has since developed into Friedensau Adventist University, which received official state recognition in 1990.
The film offers a comprehensive look at Friedensau and follows a primarily chronological structure. It combines historical information with reenacted scenes and features a continuous storyline that illustrates the development of both the place and the university.
Three key stories are highlighted. The first shows the impressive achievements and enthusiasm of the Adventist pioneers in founding the area. The second and third stories are more emotionally driven, portraying life during World War II and the East German (GDR) era, as well as the years following German reunification in 1990.
The stories are made authentic by the people who have shaped Friedensau and continue to move it forward.
Film Team
The directors are Matheus Volanin, head of Friedensau Media at Friedensau Adventist University, and Matthias Reischel, a director of TV series for the German broadcaster ARD. Production management was handled by Simon Knobloch (Skyward Production), who has also produced content for Hope TV. The screenplay was written by Johannes Hartlapp, church historian and theologian at Friedensau Adventist University, who also served as the historical consultant.
The film was produced by Friedensau Adventist University in co-production with the Adventist Church’s Berlin-Central German Conference and the Inter-European Division (EUD). It was supported by the North German Union (NDV) and South German Union (SDV) of Seventh-day Adventists, as well as the Adventist hospital Waldfriede in Berlin-Zehlendorf.
Film Screening at the GC Session
The docudrama Echo of Faith (original title: Echo des Glaubens) about the history of Friedensau and its university will premiere in English-dubbed form during the 62nd GC Session. Public screenings will take place in the Majestic Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel, directly across from the America’s Center.
Screening times are:
Saturday (Sabbath), July 5 at 5:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 6 at 12:45 p.m.
Tuesday, July 8 at 12:45 p.m.
Thursday, July 10 at 5:45 p.m.
About Friedensau Adventist University
Friedensau Adventist University, located in Möckern, Germany, was founded in 1899 and celebrated its 125th anniversary last year. It became an independent municipality in 1920. Due to the territorial reform in 2002, Friedensau lost its municipal independence and became part of the town of Möckern in the Jerichower Land district of Saxony-Anhalt. It currently has around 500 residents.
Friedensau Adventist University is a state-recognized institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It offers 10 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, some of which can be completed part-time, online, or through distance learning, in the fields of Christian Social Work and Theology. Students and faculty come from more than 40 nations.
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