Distinguished theologian, committed human rights defender, and advocate for justice, peace, and care for creation, Pastor Dr Jochen Motte passed away on 8 January at the age of 63. Motte headed the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation department of the United Evangelical Mission for many years, was appointed to the United Evangelical Mission Board in 2008, and later served as deputy general secretary. From 2013 until his retirement in 2025, he was a member of the board of the Evangelical Mission Worldwide, the association of Protestant churches and missions in Germany. Motte played a crucial role in shaping the United Evangelical Mission international advocacy and human rights work. He was responsible for projects in Germany, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, and represented the United Evangelical Mission in national and international networks such as the ACT Alliance and World Council of Churches. Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, worked closely with Pastor Dr Motte over many years. “Jochen’s commitment to advocacy for human rights, justice, peace and the integrity of creation and his belief in its fundamental importance to churches’ witness in the world was deeply personal, determined, and inspirational,” said Prove. “He was an example and a leader for many of us in the ecumenical movement. I consider myself privileged to have worked alongside him in this ministry. His passing is a profound and irreplaceable loss, but I pray that his memory will strengthen us all in the struggle to defend the values to which he devoted his life and ministry.” Dr Mathews George Chunakara, moderator of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs and general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, said he had numerous opportunities to work closely with Motte ever since they first met in 1998 during a fact-finding team visit jointly organised by WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia to Indonesia, immediately after mass violence and civil unrest triggered during President Suharto's regime. "We travelled together during those days in Indonesia when the Reformasi movement was still spreading across the country,” said Chunakara. “He was a committed ecumenical human rights defender who was consistently advocating for the rights of self-determination of the West Papuans in international fora for decades.” Chunakara also recalled working with Motte in organising side events at UN fora on a number of occasions, as well as during World Social Forum meetings. “He took an active role in coordinating an ecumenical coalition to facilitate the international advocacy on human rights in West Papua,” said Chunakara. Dr Fransina Yoteni, from the Evangelical Christian Church in Tanah Papua, and a member of the WCC central committee, expressed sadness at the passing of Motte. “I recall my first meeting with Brother Jochen in 2004,” she said. “His vision for an ecumenical movement that sides with the oppressed was crystal clear.” Yoteni commended Mott’e understanding of what it means to be a church that raises its prophetic voice in the midst of injustice. “How rich were the talents God bestowed upon him,” she said. “He instilled in us the self-confidence to keep fighting.” His commitment to Papua was so genuine and could be felt by all circles, Yoteni added. “At all strategic levels—national, regional, and international—he placed Papua at the center of his vision and work.” Condolences, expressions of gratitude, and prayers for his wife and son have poured in from various groups. “I am grateful to God that his home church offered its best son, and that his wife and son provided the tangible support that enabled him to fight until the end of his life,” said Yoteni. Rev. Leonora Balubun, from the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Synod of the Evangelical Christian Church in Tanah Papua, reflected that Motte leaves behind a profound legacy of exemplary dedication. “I knew him as a person of firmness and principle,” she said. “Whatever he believed to be crucial and important, especially for the marginalized, he would champion with all his heart and capacity.” That firmness was born from a heart fully committed to humanity, Balubun added. “Particularly for Papua, he never stopped discussing and thinking about the best steps that could be taken,” she said. “He was not a leader who worked from behind a desk.” During his several visits to Papua, he always longed to meet directly with the people. “He did not hesitate to go down to the field, to see, to listen, and to feel for himself the pulse of life among the congregation and community amid various challenges,” said Balubun. "Personally, I felt extraordinary appreciation from him.” Balubun expressed gratitude for her longstanding collaboration with Motte. “This sense of loss is shared by many,” she said. | 
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