Langenselbold welcomes new pastor Benedikt Kaloudis – a breath of fresh air!

Langenselbold welcomes new pastor Benedikt Kaloudis – a breath of fresh air!

In Langenselbold, the Evangelical parish has a new pastor: Benedikt Kaloudis. The 27-year-old took up his first pastoral position on June 17, 2025 and takes over the responsibility from Pastor Rainer Setz, who retired in autumn 2023. Kaloudis, who was born in Kassel, spent his childhood and youth in the Spessart and in Aschaffenburg, where he completed his high school diploma. He began studying theology in Marburg and completed his vicariate there. “I am very happy to be back in the Rhine-Main area,” says Kaloudis, who is very familiar with Langenselbold. He will work closely with Pastors Solveig Engelbert and Till Martin Wisseler to enrich the community.

Benedikt Kaloudis brings a breath of fresh air and new ideas. He has already gained experience in pastoral care, having conducted two baptisms and a funeral. Personal contact with families is important to him and he sees the church as a place of hospitality. He is also planning special events, such as a public baptismal celebration on August 17th in Großauheim, to bring the community closer together and give new momentum.

A look into the future

Kaloudis, who has Greek roots - his grandfather came to Germany as a guest worker in the 1960s - is not only an enthusiastic priest, but also a sports enthusiast. His hobbies include sports, traveling, music and even discussing political issues. In his free time, he was a successful rower as a student. With this wide range of interests, he would like to support and accompany the people who belong to his community in their individual needs. “I’m looking forward to working with the community and getting to know them better,” says Kaloudis optimistically.

For Kaloudis, the pastorate is not only a professional decision, but also a life's work. The path there is not easy for many, but according to the Evangelical Church, studying theology is accessible in many ways. Prospective students should have a passion for theology and philosophy and be willing to communicate with people from different faiths. At German universities, theology studies can be completed at 21 locations, which makes it easier to access the profession of pastor.

The vicariate that Kaloudis completed usually lasts two years and offers aspiring pastors the opportunity to grow directly into pastoral life. This is also one reason why the prospects for church employment are particularly good due to the age structure of the pastorate. “It makes me happy to see how many young people are choosing this career,” says Kaloudis, adding that personal questions of faith are taken into account in the job, but are not mandatory.

With his fresh approach and joy in collaboration, Benedikt Kaloudis wants to promote the diversity and dynamism of the Langenselbold Evangelical Church Community. The community is ready to welcome him with open arms and take the next steps together. It will be exciting to see what positive response he will trigger in the community and how he wants to shape cooperation. His message is clear: “I want to listen to people’s needs and work together to create a place where everyone is welcome.” [op-online] reports that the first steps have already been taken.

If you would like to find out more about the Langenselbold parish, you can find more information here.

For further insights into studying theology and the professional prospects therein, visit ekd.de.