New Support for International Diaconia

Since June 1, 2026, Birgit Steinheuer (60) has been working as an assistant in the UEM’s International Diaconia Department. A trained wholesale and foreign trade specialist, she brings many years of experience in administrative and support roles. At various companies, she was responsible for event organization, travel planning, and accounting, among other tasks, and also gained further qualifications in financial and payroll accounting.

A Personal Connection to UEM

Birgit Steinheuer has long had a personal connection to UEM. As a child, she heard about the experiences of her aunt and uncle, who served as missionaries in the Congo with UEM in the 1980s and 1990s. So when she read the job posting, she knew right away: “This is exactly the right fit for me.”
Many of her current responsibilities are already familiar to the Wermelskirchen native from her previous jobs. However, the international dimension of her work at UEM makes it particularly exciting for Birgit Steinheuer. Among other things, she oversees the Master of Diaconia program. She manages budget planning and accounting for scholarship recipients and maintains communication with funding agencies. In addition, she is currently organizing the alumni conference in Bielefeld and assisting with many other aspects of day-to-day international operations.
Her start at UEM was unusual: Many colleagues were away on business trips at the beginning. “That gave me the opportunity, however, to read up on things at my own pace and get to know the processes,” she reports. She was particularly struck by the friendly tone and open atmosphere in the office.

A Communion of Equals

At UEM, she particularly values the international community. “I enjoy the different cultures and perspectives,” says Birgit Steinheuer. One of the organization’s guiding principles has especially resonated with her: “We’re all on equal footing.”
When she’s not working, Birgit Steinheuer enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, biking, or gardening.
We wish Birgit Steinheuer all the best and God’s blessings in her work at UEM.