Spotlight 2021: Christ, our future

“The coming Christ is the goal of our faith,” Chief Apostle Schneider says. This motivates the believer and has an impact on the relationships within our family, our congregation, as well as to our neighbour.

How can we implement the motto that the Chief Apostle issues at the beginning of each year? Our Spotlight series with contributions from District Apostles across the world gives impulses. The articles are linked on the right.

Our motto for 2021 deals with our future, but this future has to be shaped now, in the present, and this is a task that falls upon all of us, says District Apostle Jürg Zbinden (Switzerland).

Love changes a person, as anyone knows who has ever been in love. Also our love for God changes us. District Apostle Leonard Kolb (USA) explains how in his thoughts on our 2021 motto.

The Chief Apostle’s annual motto is a clear call to direct our eyes on a better future. This is the conviction of District Apostle Rüdiger Krause, who lives in Hamburg in Germany.

Spoiled for choice… Sometimes, being able to choose between two alternatives is not easy, especially when it comes to our future. District Apostle Mark Woll from Canada has very clear ideas about this.

As a little boy, Enrique learned to ride a bike. Still today he remembers some advice from his father that helped him. Thoughts on our annual motto from District Apostle Enrique Minio, who lives in Argentina.

The past year brought many new challenges. How did we deal with them? Have they managed to distance us from God? What lies ahead of us? District Apostle Kububa Soko from Zambia answers these questions in his own way.

The idea is not to simply wait for the future, but to prepare for it and shape it. This is the tenor of the New Apostolic motto for 2021. District Apostle Michael Ehrich (Southern Germany) explains why.

An emaciated dog was cowering under a bush and a group of young boys took compassion on the starving animal. Why? A touching story told by District Apostle John Kriel from South Africa.

Ultimately it is His church, District Apostle Rainer Storck (Western Germany) says. Therefore, the Son of God will see to the future of His church. What a comforting thought!

Trust or doubt, forgiveness or bad memories, love for our neighbour or prejudices? When packing for our future with God, let’s only take along what is truly important. District Apostle Michael Deppner from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who worked for the UN refugee agency as a doctor, explains what matters.

None of us know what the future will look like. And yet there is one thing we do know: Christ is our future. District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny of Berlin in Germany tells us about the tasks involved.

A burning bush, thunder, and lightning. Encounters with God are described as terrifying events in the Bible. Yet, District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya from Kenya in East Africa looks forward to it in spite of this.

The COVID pandemic has claimed many lives in South-East Asia, District Apostle Edy Isnugroho says, resulting in a sense of fear and despair. Fellowship in prayer and divine services are helping the faithful in their fight against this threat!

Our motto is not about the future in general, but about the future in Christ. There is a big difference, District Apostle Tshitshi Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo says. We are talking about God’s plan of redemption, the beginning and end of which we know.

What does “future” mean for the individual? While some fret about the future, others are optimistic about it. District Apostle Helper João Uanuque Misselo from Angola shares his perspective.

Twelve eggs for a month’s worth of wages! Unbelievable and yet bitter reality. The only thing that can help in circumstances such as these is hope for a better future. District Apostle Helper John Fendt (USA) reports on his work.

Seasons change life cycles in nature. And also in our own everyday life we experience changing phases of cold and warm, darkness and light. How good it is that Jesus Christ accompanies us on our way. Thoughts from District Apostle Helper Frank Dzur (Canada).

Christian hope is not limited to living as long a life on earth as possible. Christians focus on eternal fellowship with God, which is their future. These are thoughts by District Apostle Helper Robert Nsamba from Zambia on our 2021 motto.

Future can mean the next minute, the next year, or even eternity. This is also true for the future in Christ. District Apostle Peter Schulte from Australia points out similarities and differences.

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Peter Johanning
31.12.2021
International, motto, Christ, our future