Summary: Remembering the life of Peter Wiegand, who was featured in the film Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)
Torchbearers
It is with deep gratitude that we look back on the life of Peter Wiegand, who, after a fulfilled and blessed life, went to be with our Lord Jesus on July 25th, 2025. Peter Wiegand was an exceptional pioneer who founded the Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers – Schloss Klaus with all its areas of work, mission projects and the social ministry “DIG” (Diakonie in der Gemeinde, or Diaconia in the Christian Community), and was a key contributor to the development of the International Torchbearers Movement (Torchbearers International). The reconstruction of the derelict castle and the fortress ruins were only the outer framework for an even greater spiritual growth among countless people. As a leader, he always sought to walk exclusively in the ways of his Lord and to be guided by Him.
Peter’s path to Austria was anything but predictable. He was born in Hamburg on September 3rd, 1936 as the second son of an export merchant. His childhood was overshadowed by the turmoil of war and by bereavement in his immediate family when his father was killed in action. For his mother, these years were a tough struggle for survival, which she ultimately managed well with four children. After elementary school and high school, Peter completed a commercial apprenticeship and followed in his father’s footsteps as an export merchant.
When professional success came and he was offered a tempting career, Peter remained searching and skeptical about this new prosperity. There was no living faith in his family, but on a journey home from southern Germany in 1953, he met the British Major Ian Thomas, who drew his attention to the person of Jesus Christ. This encounter fundamentally changed Peter’s life. He came to a living faith in Jesus and became involved in youth work for the Lutheran Church in Hamburg and the wider area of northern Germany. In 1954, he visited the Torchbearer center Capernwray Hall in England for the first time.
Shortly after Peter became a departmental head in Hamburg at the age of 21, he was faced with the question: Should I stay in business, which I really enjoy, or should I go into full-time ministry? Almost at the same time, he received a request from Major Thomas to come to Capernwray Hall and assist him with administration and caring for German-speaking guests. In addition, he would be able to attend the Torchbearer Bible school for six months. This turned into four years of study and collaboration. On September 8th, 1962, after completing his theology studies in Scotland, Peter married Runhild Kettwig, whom he had met at Capernwray.
Peter knew long before the wedding that his workplace would one day be in Austria, and Runhild had no doubts about it either. “We lost our hearts to this country,” they often said. So in the autumn of 1962, they moved to Schladming, where Peter took a job as a youth worker and religious education teacher. To their great joy, their daughter Karen was born in 1963, followed two years later by their daughter Birgit.
While Peter was considering how to better support the geographically scattered Lutheran youth, he was introduced to Baroness Ursula von Sydow and was made aware of the near-derelict castle Schloss Klaus, which he and Runhild visited for the first time in December 1962.
From 1963 to the end of 2000, Peter was responsible for the development and activities of Schloss Klaus. In the summer of 1963, he started the extensive renovation work with a small team, so that the first youth camps could take place in 1964. Schloss Klaus quickly developed into an international Christian camp and conference center offering a colorful spectrum of conferences, biblical training and a short-term Bible school. The camp and conference ministry developed an increasingly extensive program with currently around 20,000 overnight stays per year.
In addition, the castle became the base for several mission projects. Starting with the first missionary aid projects in Sudan in 1978, this branch of work has expanded to include the projects and project partnerships currently active in Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, India, Micronesia, Albania and Romania. In the meantime, further projects have been accompanied in the Philippines, France, Siberia and the Middle East.
Furthermore, in 1980, the DIG (Diakonie in der Gemeinde, or Diaconia in the Christian Community) was established as a social ministry, which now has four locations and a total of around 100 care places for people with disabilities. Almost 100 employees are currently working in all areas of Schloss Klaus.
In addition to his work at the castle, Peter was the lay elder of the Lutheran parish of Kirchdorf-Windischgarsten for many years.
In Peter’s multifaceted commitment, his wife Runhild was the person who always supported him and made the growing work of Schloss Klaus possible in the first place. Peter always remained deeply attached to her. His two daughters, Karen and Birgit, held a special place in his heart throughout their whole lives. The last few years were marked by much “letting-go” for Peter. It was painful to let these three people who were so precious to him go ahead to their heavenly home – first his younger daughter Birgit in 2016, then Runhild in a tragic car accident in 2019, and finally, on July 1st, 2025, due to health issues, his elder daughter Karen.
As for many people in the Bible, the suffering Peter and Runhild experienced throughout their lives and ministry was no obstacle to their trusting God completely, following him, and proclaiming him. They were aware of the cost of discipleship – and yet they were willing to bear it. For Peter, complete devotion to his Lord Jesus Christ was never in question. It is precisely this that has brought lasting blessings to so many people.
On July 25th, 2025, an important chapter in God’s history finally came to completion. After listening to the words of Psalm 23 shortly before falling asleep, Peter Wiegand closed his eyes for the last time in his life here on earth, only to open them again in God’s immeasurable glory with his Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We can join in this joyful and lived certainty and find comfort in it. Now Peter is experiencing what he eagerly anticipated and therefore chose as a Bible verse for his funeral: “As for me, I shall be vindicated and shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15).
Conclusion
The trail of blessing left by Peter in the lives of many people through his extensive teaching and lecturing activities at the castle and in many field services at home and abroad is still visible today and has multiplied steadily. Through the work of Schloss Klaus, but also through countless people who have come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Peter leaves a legacy that arose from a deep relationship of faith in Jesus Christ that is carried on today by many people whom he accompanied and trained.
The entire Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers – Schloss Klaus, together with all current and former employees, the management and the board of directors, is profoundly and eternally grateful for the life and ministry of Peter Wiegand.
TOP PHOTO: Peter Wiegand interview with Patterns of Evidence. (© 2018 Patterns of Evidence LLC.)
