FAQ
ICF is a Christian free church based on the Bible. It was founded with the vision of making church more relevant to everyday life again – out of a deep conviction that the message of Jesus has lost none of its relevance.
At ICF, we call our worship services Celebrations. In our services, we want to encounter God while also bringing Him honor and joy. The name Celebration comes from the idea that a service is a celebration – we celebrate God and life with Him. And we do that with modern music, dance, and joy.
In our services, we welcome our guests from the stage, followed by a longer musical segment, called Worship. After that, there’s usually a sermon lasting about 35 minutes. The Celebration ends with another musical segment. During the service, an offering is typically collected – giving is, of course, entirely voluntary.
No, everyone is warmly invited to attend our Celebrations, there is no admission fee.
Yes, of course! Everyone is warmly invited to attend our Celebrations. Our Celebrations are places where you can encounter God – often for the very first time.
A Celebration lasts about 1.5 hours on average.
We currently have two Celebrations every Sunday. Both Celebrations have the same content. The first Celebration starts at 10:00 AM, and the second starts at 12:00 PM. Starting in September 2025, there will be a third Celebration at 3:30 PM.
Our Celebrations take place at Emporio Hamburg (Dammtorwall 15, 20355 Hamburg). Within the building, we rent event spaces from Nord Event every Sunday. You can reach the event spaces by stairs or elevator. On Sundays, our Welcome Team will greet you and is happy to show you the way to the hall.
Yes, there is a kids’ program (ICF Kids) every Sunday at 10 AM & 12 PM. You’re welcome to drop off your children before the Celebration and pick them up afterward.
Currently, there are no Celebrations conducted entirely in English, but the 12:00 PM Celebration is translated into English. All international guests are warmly welcome.
Yes, on Sundays you can park for free in the area around Emporio, for example on Drehbahn street.
ICF is a church that is funded entirely through donations. It does not receive any money from church tax and is therefore completely independent of the state. The donations come from the givers within the church.
The tithe is not a law, but a biblical principle: we give 10% of our income to the house of God to honor His provision. Today, it finances the salaries of pastors and staff, building costs, and the various areas of the church.
Yes! We at ICF also give 10% of our income to social projects, partner organizations, and the ICF Movement. We believe that what we sow will bring fruit!
In the Old and New Testaments, God’s people repeatedly made voluntary offerings to build churches and advance the kingdom of God. Through our annual “REACH BEYOND” campaign, we also make strategic investments in churches, social projects, and partners that go beyond our regular budget.
No. The ICF does not have formal membership with financial obligations. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their financial situation.
ICF is committed to responsible and entrepreneurial financial management. Every donation is used in a targeted and purpose-specific manner to support the mission of the church in the long term. We act with foresight, invest wisely, and ensure that funds are used efficiently.
Yes. Transparency is important to us—our finances can be viewed upon request, because trust is built through openness and integrity.
As a Christian church, the central part of our faith is Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but also God Himself. Jesus lived on this earth as a real human being, died like a normal person, but then rose again. Through this, Jesus made the way to God open for every person – all one has to do is accept this gift of God for it to become effective.
ICF is a registered association (e.V.). As a non-profit association, ICF is permitted to issue donation receipts for contributions.
ICF Hamburg was founded in 2017 by Andreas Pantli and Tina.
Who are the leaders / pastors of ICF?
There is no official membership at ICF. The people who feel they belong to ICF and serve within ICF Hamburg are called the “Möglichmacher” (enablers/change-makers). If you’d like to be more closely connected to ICF, we invite you to become part of a Small Group or a team.
You want to know for sure?
Time and again, people are surprised that churches can also be modern. In Germany, it is not yet widely known that there are other forms of vibrant Christian congregations in addition to the two large regional churches.
Our sister church ICF Munich has put together a detailed FAQ on this topic. As part of the same movement — the ICF Movement — we share the same theology, the same values, the same DNA. The answers there apply to us as well.
