English (United States) 
District Apostle Kolb's introduction letter from the Spring 2018 Vision Newsletter
Recently, Kathy and I had the opportunity to see the church in this picture built on a mountain in Arizona. As I looked at how impressively this building was founded between the rock in this mountain, instinctively I began to hum an old choir hymn:
On Rock that stands forever, the church of Christ is built…
Jesus Christ is the rock...as Apostle Peter states in Acts 4:11-12 -
This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Thus, on His life, teaching, sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension, the church of Christ is established on an unshakable foundation. Mountains and rock evoke a feeling of permanence, continuance, and resilience. Therefore, we are wise to build our life firmly on Him, our Rock.
This image also connects with this year’s work to be faithful to Christ. We believe Jesus Christ is in His church and that He, alone, will finish the church.
…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ… (Philippians 1:6)
This means:
• He has allowed us to be in His church for a purpose, and He will help us to fulfill that purpose, if we want this.
• We believe in His omnipotence and that, despite conditions without and within, He will accomplish His intentions.
• We realize Christ does not measure by numbers and success as we see it.
• We remain resolute in our determination to continue serving and giving, and are not discouraged by setbacks. In our love for Christ, we continue.
Being faithful to Christ means we will endure, as our brethren in the first church, without wavering. So the hymn completes with a firm resolution…
…nor shall Thy strength diminish, nor we forget our aim, we know that Thou wouldst finish the church that bears Thy Name!