08.05.2021

UEM mourns the death of Soritua Nababan

The United Evangelical Mission, Communion of Churches in Three Continents (UEM), mourns the death of Ephorus Dr. S.A.E. Nababan, who passed away on May 8, 2021 in Jakarta (Indonesia) at the age of 87.

In 1996, Dr. Nababan was elected as the first Moderator of UEM. In this capacity, he led the UEM until the second General Assembly in Windhoek, Namibia, in 2000. From 1988 to 1996, Dr. Nababan served as co-chair of the United in Mission Committee. In this capacity, he was decisively involved in the transformation of the German mission into an international communion of churches with the v. Bodelschwingh Foundations Bethel.

This transformation was made possible with a constitution that came into being under his leadership and was adopted at the Assembly of Churches in Ramatea (Botswana) in 1993 and put into effect at the constituent General Assembly of the UEM in Bethel in 1996.

With his rich experience in international ecumenism and his theological convictions and concerns on basic questions of mission, he contributed significantly to the holistic understanding of mission adopted in 1996, which still shapes the UEM and its work today.

He also helped to develop and shape the programs and structures within the UEM and its regions Africa, Asia and Germany aimed at equal participation and cooperation in mission. These impulses were also reflected in the 1996 constitution and continue to have an impact today.

"With the passing of Dr. Soritua Nababan, UEM loses a companion who played a decisive role in the transformation of UEM into the present shape. UEM is deeply indebted to Dr. Nababan and will honor and keep in lasting memory his legacy for the work of our mission," the board said in its tribute to Dr. Nababan's life, sent in a letter of condolence to his wife Alida Nababan and family, to his church, the Toba Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP), and to the Indonesian Council of Churches.

The appreciation letter can be downloaded here.

Martina Pauly (UEM spokesperson)