This place has a name: home. Because there you can be yourself. Thoughts on this year’s motto by District Apostle Michael Deppner from the Democratic Republic of the Congo-West.

Freedom is a free gift of God. But He does not impose this freedom upon us. He only liberates those who want it. This is the experience of District Apostle Edy Isnugroho (Indonesia).

What does freedom have to do with an eagle? Well, watching such a majestic bird soar higher and higher into the sky with just a few flaps of its wings is a fitting image to describe unlimited freedom, says District Apostle Rainer Storck of Western Germany.

What are people held captive by? If we know, it is only a small step to freedom through Christ. For only then can His nature unfold in us. Here are some answers from District Apostle Michael Ehrich from Southern Germany.

Freedom does not fall from heaven. The spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ our Lord is brought about by man’s conscious decision: for Jesus Christ and against sin. District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny from Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany explains this in his article.

Lifelong freedom through Christ is not a given. Sometimes people have to fight to be able to stay free and keep themselves from being taken captive again. District Apostle Joseph Ekhuya, who lives in Kenya and looks after East Africa, has some enlightening thoughts about this.

Many people think they are free if they can do whatever they want. Yet often such supposedly free decisions lead to new dependencies, says District Apostle Leonard Kolb (USA).

Is it better to pick a beautiful flower and take it home or water it so that you can have the pleasure of admiring it all the time? District Apostle Enrique Minio from Argentina has an answer to this question.

In order to attain freedom in Christ, there must be a relationship between mankind and the Lord. This is the foundation of spiritual freedom. That is how District Apostle Kububa Soko from Zambia describes it.

God wants us to decide for Him. This requires a spiritual dynamic, a stated will to change. District Apostle Mark Woll from Canada offers some thoughts on the annual motto.

Jesus makes free — but what happens if a person fails to realise that he is still bound? For example, in thoughts or in prejudices? Some reflections from District Apostle John Kriel, South Africa.

The battle for freedom is, above all, an inner battle, writes District Apostle Jürg Zbinden (Switzerland). What counts is to subject our own will under the will of God.

From a human perspective, limitless freedom is unachievable. The only limitless freedom that exists is through Jesus Christ. Following are some thoughts on the annual motto for 2020 from District Apostle Rüdiger Krause (Northern and Eastern Germany):

Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider kicked off the year 2020 with a divine service in Neuchâtel, the French-speaking capital of the Swiss canton of Neuenburg. His core message: “Christ makes free!”

A single thought brought to life in many cultures—the diversity of logo ideas for the 2020 annual motto “Christ makes free” is as colourful as life itself. What stands out this time: many of the designers have given the motto graphic wings.

The motto for the year 2019 has exposed a true vein of gold: the annual watchword “Rich in Christ” has inspired many valuable thoughts. Here are some highlights from Spotlights as we bid farewell to the old year.

God is rich, and He wants us to benefit from His wealth. What does this wealth consist of? How can we acquire it? These are the questions we will occupy ourselves with over the coming weeks and months, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider says in his New Year message.

Rich in Christ? District Apostle Kububa Soko of Zambia found riches aplenty, seven to be exact. In his contribution to our Spotlight series, he tells us how and where to find them.