Rev. Dr. Ulrich Beyer passed away

Dr Ulrich Beyer, who had a significant impact on the UEM, has passed away on 29 August 2016 in Bielefeld. U Beyer was born on 3 July, 1936 in Hagen, Westphalia, Germany, held a Ph.D in theology and taught as a lecturer at the Nommensen University of the HKBP in Pematang Siantar (North Sumatra, Indonesia) from 1966 to 1974 on. After his return back to Germany, he worked as the head of the Indonesia department in Wuppertal from 1974 to 1980. Then he left Wuppertal for being Oberkirchenrat (leading church official) in the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, Bielefeld, responsible for mission and ecumenical movement. From 1991 to 1996 he became the Präses (head of a church assembly) of UEM and from 1996 to 2000 he was elected vice-moderator of the international UEM. In all these positions Dr Beyer contributed immensely the development of the UEM to an international communion of churches in Africa, Asia and Germany, being introduced 20 years ago. The idea and the work of mission has been newly defined by him. Referring to his merits spread over the church levels and his long and confident engagement, Dr Ulrich Beyer will therefore always be remembered will great respect. Dr Ulrich Beyer leaves his wife Renate, his daughters Annika and Susanne with her husband Friedrich Geiger and two granddaughters, Lelia and Maria.