In Holzhausen, Markus Tempel is already known as the leader of the EFG Hickengrund. The trained industrial clerk lives with his family in Oberdresselndorf. After 26 years in commercial vehicle field sales, he has now moved his place of work to his home region – as director of the International Conference Centre Karimu.
An Interview in Summer 2025
Markus, you have officially been the director of Karimu since January 2025. What motivated you to apply for the position?
When I was first approached about Karimu looking for a new director, I thought I wasn't the person they were looking for. The ideal candidate was supposed to have experience in the hotel industry.
When I was approached about it several more times, I decided to submit an application and go for an interview. Previously, I had worked as a sales representative in field sales, selling commercial vehicles. Through that, I had seen many accommodations and knew what to look out for at Karimu. In my spare time, I voluntarily lead a large congregation, the EFG in Holzhausen. This has given me a great deal of experience in dealing with people. I believe that ultimately it was the combination of working with numbers, people, leadership responsibilities, and local connections that led to me being chosen. Looking back, I see it as God's guidance that I ended up here. I have the feeling it's the right place.
You've now had a little time to settle in. What is your most surprising discovery about Karimu so far?
I am particularly impressed by the diversity of people who come here: Wycliffe staff from around the world travel here for home visits or events, congregations hold their retreats here, organizations and companies from a wide variety of industries host conferences or training sessions here. In addition, there are guests for individual overnight stays.
Where do you see the biggest challenges?
The structures in the house need to be revised and partly rebuilt. Karimu has existed for 9 years already. Yet the house is little known in the surrounding area. It turns out, for example, that most people don't even know that you can privately book a room here for a night. I want to change that.
What do you wish for regarding Karimu?
I wish that Karimu truly becomes a point of contact for everyone. And I wish that Karimu, as a service provider for the Hickengrund, becomes a place where people can find a good opportunity to stay overnight or also conduct their meetings and training sessions. That we can render people an important service by offering them accommodation. I wish that they can find a piece of home here in an unfamiliar environment.
What is welcome to stay as it is?
I appreciate the friendliness of the staff towards guests and the cleanliness of the house. I have seen many hotels on numerous business trips, and I would have been glad if they had all been like this.
Finally, two personal questions:
What do you do in your free time when you're not in the congregation?
I try to go to the stadium once a year.
Do you have a favourite sweet?
Yes, bologna!
The interview was conducted by:
Ramona Eibach, Press Officer at Wycliffe Germany