Ernst Hermann Graf was born in Zurich, Switzerland, on 20 April 1931. It pleased our heavenly Father to call him home on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. 

Leadership and service in the church

After his employer transferred him to Johannesburg, South Africa in 1954, he later moved to Cape Town, where he served the Church in various ministries. His ministerial activity included serving as a Rector and District Rector in Cape Town and as a Bishop in Johannesburg and Switzerland.

In 1981, at the request of Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler, Bishop Graf returned to Zurich to work for the New Apostolic Church Switzerland. In 1985, he returned to South Africa, where he was ordained into the Apostle ministry and commissioned as District Apostle by Chief Apostle Urwyler in Silvertown, taking over the leadership of the Cape District Church from District Apostle Karl Gut. In leading the church, District Apostle Graf combined deep spiritual wisdom, great administrative competence, far-sighted vision, and courageous decision-making. He developed and strengthened the structural functioning of the church, both pastorally and administratively.

His area of responsibility also extended to the Eastern Cape, Namibia, and the Atlantic Ocean islands of St Helena and the Falkland Islands.

Growth in every aspect

As membership increased substantially, so did the need for pastoral care. Between 1985 and 1996, the number of ministers more than doubled, which provided the much-needed spiritual support required for the growing number of members.

The significant increase in membership created a need for the development and construction of additional church buildings. During his leadership, more than 100 new church buildings were dedicated during his 11-year tenure as District Apostle. A simple calculation would equate this to dedicating nearly one new building every month during his tenure! Some newly built churches in the Western Cape included Lantana, Eisleben South, Colorado, Morgenster, Bonteheuwel Central, Saxonsea, and Strand-Gustrouw. In the Eastern Cape, church dedications included Jeffreys Bay, Nobuhle South, Michausdal, Ecawa, Somerset East, Cleary Park, Palmridge, Motherwell and Mdantsane. In the Zambezi area, Katima Mulilo and Mafuta are among the churches dedicated. “Whenever building projects were undertaken, he wanted only the best for God’s people, often including a pipe organ," says District Apostle Noel Barnes (i.r.).

District Apostle Graf was a zealous servant in the Lord’s work, whose focus on the return of Christ and the preparation of the bride remained paramount. God had blessed him with a unique set of skills as a District Apostle: he was a visionary and long-term thinker, principled yet filled with a deep love for his brothers and sisters. He was an effective and focused sower, and his innovative mind brought a strong degree of commercial and organisational principles to the New Apostolic Church Administration Office in Cape Town, many of which continue to this day.

Vision for unity

District Apostle Barnes explains that District Apostle Graf consistently emphasised to the Apostles the importance of maintaining oneness with the Chief Apostle. He would also share with them what lived in the heart of the church leader. From a pastoral perspective, he reorganised the Apostle areas during the late 1980s and early 1990s across racial lines. He positioned the Apostles and Bishops closer to the communities as rectories were established at various points across the area. To illustrate the visionary aspect of his leadership, this pastoral integration across racial lines was initiated ahead of South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. The fulfilment of the requirements of the gospel took precedence over the prevailing views of the day.

A structured and innovative man

According to District Apostle Noel Barnes, District Apostle Graf was very organised and introduced modern functionalities while also separating administrative duties from pastoral care. “He also brought structure to every aspect of the pastoral side of the work. Notable examples of this included Sunday School and music," says District Apostle Barnes, who also points out that training and the development of the pastoral body were important priorities for District Apostle Graf.

District Apostle John Kriel (i.r.) describes District Apostle Graf as a visionary leader who had the courage to make decisions even when the future was not always clear. He also remembers him as a wise and authentic leader. Above all, District Apostle Graf “served with a unique depth of understanding,” says District Apostle Kriel, describing him as someone who showed “consequential love”. This meant that the love behind his actions was not always apparent at first and could sometimes be misunderstood. However, its true nature became evident in time through the lasting benefits it brought to the Lord’s work and those he served.

Remembering a life of love and service

In summary, District Apostle Graf was an authentic leader. Behind the somewhat austere exterior was a genuine heart of love. His actions were driven by love and the fulfilment of his task as a District Apostle. He strengthened the church’s administrative and legal compliance while placing great value on strong relationships with Apostles and Bishops. He had a unique way of serving in a divine service, characterised by a deep connection and humble submission to the Holy Spirit. After retiring in 1996, District Apostle Graf returned to Switzerland and later moved to New Zealand and then to Australia. Looking back on his life, he expressed the importance of serving God and His people with love, kindness and understanding. With gratitude, we remember District Apostle Graf and the contribution he made to the Lord’s work. The benefits of his leadership continue to be experienced by hundreds of thousands of members today.