How did we begin?

Back to the source

Klara Schlink was born in Braunschweig, Germany in 1904. In 1921 her father was offered a professorship at the technical university in Darmstadt and moved there with his family. At age eighteen Klara gave her life to Jesus. She continued her education in Kassel, Berlin, the Malche Bible College and in Hamburg.

In 1935 Klara Schlink returned to Darmstadt bringing Erika Madauss with her in obedience to God’s call. Twelve dark and doubt-filled years followed as all of their hopes were dashed. Although the Bible classes for girls they had been asked to lead continued to grow despite the political climate, the ministry they had planned failed to materialize. But the apparent hopelessness laid essential spiritual foundations in preparation for the Sisterhood of Mary. Mother Basilea shares personally … (joint BBC/ZDF documentary from 1963)

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Birth and early history

“New life from ruins” – quite literally! The disastrous air raid over Darmstadt marked a turning point in the lives of the young people as that night they were confronted by eternity. Repentance and conversion led to revival and to a life of reconciliation with God and one another as well as to uncompromising discipleship of Jesus. Right from the start, the Lord taught us to live by faith, depending only on God. Poverty compelled the sisters to build the chapel and motherhouse themselves, re-using bricks from the Darmstadt’s ruins. In stark contrast to the Germany of World War II, they longed to erect a place where God would be worshipped.

Growth of our ministry

A small print shop was built, and later a publishing house so that the message of Jesus’ love and salvation could be shared more effectively and bookshops all over the country were visited. Soon a steady flow of guests from Germany and other countries visited Kanaan for retreats and festivals. Yet the business of our days of service for Jesus is interspersed by our ministry to Jesus, that is by times for prayer and meditation.

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Into all the world

Jesus instructed His disciples to, “Go into all the world… (Mark 16:15). As requests for a Kanaan centre came from other countries we knew that we could not turn them down and gradually sisters moved out in all directions.

continue to Kanaan-centres →
  • Klara Schlink 1906
  • Klara Schlink 1909
  • Klara Schlink 1917
  • Klara Schlink 1921
  • Klara Schlink 1940

Klara Schlink (later Mother Basilea)

  • Erika Madauss 1906
  • Erika Madauss 1907
  • Erika Madauss 1917
  • Erika Madauss 1921
  • Erika Madauss 1936

Erika Madauss (later Mother Martyria)

Guidelines for service in the Kingdom of God

Short and concise, these guidelines for service in the kingdom of God were written early on, – here are just a few samples for your encouragement.

  • True servants of God are prayer warriors. God’s glory will be revealed in your service in proportion to the time spent in hidden communion with God.

  • To serve means to love. To the extent you perform your service out of love for Jesus, committed to Him, you will help build His Kingdom, and your service will bear fruit for eternity.

  • The power and authority of your service will correspond to your dedication to a hidden life of prayer. The fruit you bear will correspond to the time spent in true prayer.

  • It is in prayer that the battles for your service will be won.

  • As a servant of God you must step back, if the Lord is to reveal Himself through your service.

  • Realize the tremendous honour of serving the King of Kings! Serve Him worthily, not as an unwilling slave, but as one chosen by His love.

  • A hidden sacrifice is the secret of a truly empowered ministry – the sacrifice of time, energy and honour to name but a few.

  • You can only lead souls on to the point you have reached in your own spiritual life.
    Where do you stand?

  • Your ministry does not bear fruit according to your speaking and preaching, but according to whether God dwells in you and radiates from you.
    Divine authority lies in essence and being.

M. Basilea Schlink