The General Secretary of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), Rev. Dr. Dieter Heidtmann, is currently visiting EMS member churches in Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. He is accompanied by Rev. Solomon Benjamin, Head of the Department for India and East Asia, Rev. Dr. Djoko Wibowo, Head of the Department for Indonesia, and Regional Support Officer Sunyoung Huh.

Manifold encounters and topics

“Each church is ‘salt of the earth’ in its own unique way,” says the General Secretary. “Our visits take us into very different social and cultural contexts.”

In Seoul, Christians live in one of the most dynamic metropolitan regions in the world. In Japan, the delegation will meet with church leadership in Tokyo and visit the study center in Kyoto, where interreligious dialogue plays a key role. The Protestant Church in Southeast Sulawesi represents a small minority, yet it is actively engaged beyond its own congregations in improving education and income opportunities in rural areas.

The EMS delegation will participate in the general assemblies of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK), followed by a visit to the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ). The itinerary also includes visits to projects supported by the international EMS community.

In Indonesia, the General Secretary will attend the EMS Regional Forum Indonesia, where all ten EMS member churches in the country and regional project partners will gather. This year’s forum will be hosted by the Protestant Church in Southeast Sulawesi (GEPSULTRA) in Kendari.

Farewell journey for Solomon Benjamin

For Solomon Benjamin, this trip also marks a farewell, as he will retire at the end of the year. Over his nine years as Head of the Department for India and East Asia, he has built strong relationships with many people in Japan and Korea. “Together, we responded to the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan and supported each other during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Benjamin recalls. “We worked for peace and reconciliation in the region and were committed to sharing the Gospel with young people.”

He is especially pleased about the new relationships that have grown within the EMS community – such as through the South & East Asia Regional Forum or the support of the Schneller Schools in Jordan by a Korean foundation.

Churches as agents of hope in Indonesia

In Indonesia, churches are making a significant contribution to improving living conditions – not only within their own congregations – with the support of the global EMS community.

“They reach out to the wider society and support the entire population – through seaweed farming, educational programs, or reforestation with durian trees,” explains Dr. Djoko Wibowo, who is accompanying the General Secretary in Indonesia.