WCRC mourns passing of South African church leader

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) mourns the passing of Kobus Gerber, former general secretary of the Dutch Reformed Church and member of the WCRC Executive Committee.

“As a member of our Executive Committee, Rev. Dr. Gerber was insightful and supportive, helping guide the Communion through several challenging transitions,” said Chris Ferguson, WCRC general secretary, in a letter of condolence. “As moderator of the WCRC Partnership Fund Committee he was an advocate for supporting member churches throughout the world.”

Gerber was the first general secretary of the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church, serving from 2004 to 2015. Gerber also served on the Executive Committee of the Reformed Ecumenical Council, a predecessor organization to the WCRC.

Expressing his sorrow and condolences, Setri Nyomi, former WCRC general secretary said, “Kobus was a faithful servant of God who provided good leadership as general secretary of the Dutch Reformed Church through some challenging times as we continued to work on the post-apartheid church.”

Gerber passed away on 6 August while awaiting a heart bypass procedure. He will be laid to rest on 23 August in a small ceremony in Wakkerstroom, South Africa.

The WCRC asks its members to be in prayer for the family and friends of Gerber and the Dutch Reformed Church, and to express their solidarity and condolences during this time of mourning.

_{Image: Gerber, centre, with other members of the WCRC Executive Committee at its 2015 meeting in Beirut, Lebanon.}