Claire Rothe
Germany | 37665
Our Story
Claire and Max Rothe both grew up in Europe with very different backgrounds, yet each encountered God powerfully during their formative years. Claire grew up in the Czech Republic as the daughter of Josiah Venture missionaries and was shaped by cross-cultural life and the transforming love and presence of Jesus. Through her studies at Moody Bible Institute and serving Third Culture Kids in Europe, God has continued deepening her love for discipling kids and supporting families. Max grew up in Germany and has a heart for reaching unbelievers and for the local church to become a home for the poor and vulnerable. His studies in theology and leadership inspire him to empower others to live and serve with the freedom that Christ gives them.
They were married in May 2025 and live in Chemnitz, Germany. With their shared background in ministry, they are grateful to partner together now in discipleship and church-centered ministry, walking alongside people of all ages as they encounter Jesus. They are happy to be partnering with Greater Europe Mission and to see God’s Kingdom brought near in Germany and across Europe.
Where We Work
We serve in Chemnitz, a city in eastern Germany shaped by a communist past. Formerly known as Karl-Marx-Stadt, Chemnitz lived for decades under an atheistic system, and the effects remain today. To this day, a giant statue of Karl Marx’s head stands dominantly in the city center, with the Communist Manifesto written in bold gray letters as its backdrop. Currently, around 87% of the city identifies as non-Christian, unaffiliated, or of another faith. For many, faith and the church are unfamiliar, distrusted, or associated with negative history rather than an invitation to knowing God and his kindness.
Our church is located on the corner of a public park in a neighborhood with lower-income housing. Many families in this area face financial hardship and relational challenges, often carrying a sense of hopelessness as they face daily life. We believe that life blossoms through Jesus, so we invite children, families, and individuals to walk with us as we share the love of Christ, build genuine relationships, and create spaces where God’s presence can be encountered in everyday life.
Our ministry focuses on discipleship, meeting the needs of the local community, and building genuine connections rooted in the love of Christ. We long to see people in our city encountering the hope that God brings. Please pray that those we serve would feel seen and loved, and that many in Chemnitz would experience the Lord’s nearness as his Kingdom breaks through into this region of the world.