wfn.org | WCC - Jan H. Kok (1942-2002)

["Sheila Mesa" <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Press Release, PR-02-05
For Immediate Use
8 February 2002

Jan H. Kok (1942-2002)

It is with great sorrow that the World Council of Churches (WCC)
shares the news that its publisher, Jan H. Kok, died on 7
February 2002 at the age of 59, after a long and courageous
struggle with cancer.  

A member of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands, Jan H. Kok
devoted almost half his professional life to the WCC and the
ecumenical movement. He joined the WCC as publications manager in
1973. In 1980 he was appointed deputy director of the Department
of Communication, in addition to his role as publications
manager. In 1987 he took over as Communication director and held
that title until January 1999 when he returned to his first love
- publishing - as publisher of WCC Publications and coordinator
of the Publication and Documentation team.  

Born into a Dutch publishing family, Jan H. Kok began learning
his trade in early childhood. He loved to talk about the many
hours he spent as a child at the printer's, the smell of the ink,
the pleasure of holding a newly printed book in his hands. After
practical training in theological/religious and secular printing
in the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, he worked from 1967 until
1970 as secretary of the direction of J.H. Kok B.V., the largest
theological publishing house in the Netherlands.  

With his love for books, his creativity and interest in theology
and the ecumenical movement, Kok developed and shaped the profile
of WCC Publications worldwide. He initiated series like the Risk
Books, known for popularizing key themes of the ecumenical
movement.  He developed the concept for the Dictionary of the
Ecumenical Movement and shaped WCC Publications into a vital
instrument of the Council's ecumenical strategy of communication.
  

Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, general secretary of the WCC, said:

"The WCC is deeply indebted to Jan Kok.  For more than a quarter
of a century he has decisively influenced the public image and
perception of the Council.  He has generously shared with the
ecumenical fellowship his professional skill and competence, his
passion for the ecumenical cause and his deep and yet sober faith
commitment.  He represented the best of the genuine spirit of
ecumenism and his memory will be cherished by a large circle of
friends and colleagues around the world."

Kristine Greenaway, director of the Cluster of Communication,
paid the following tribute:

"Jan was a valued colleague, a mentor, and a leader in his
field.  He commanded the respect of other publishing
professionals and was able to attract an impressive list of
contributors and partners to participate in WCC Publications. 
Even in the final phase of his illness, he maintained close
contact with colleagues, offering advice and guidance.  But it is
above all the courage and the dignity with which he confronted
his illness which has awed and inspired those who knew him.  He
will be greatly missed."

Jan Kok leaves his wife Birgitta, his two sons Jakob and
Frederik, in Geneva, and his mother and sister in the
Netherlands.  

For further information, please contact Media Relations
Office,Tel.:  (+41.22) 791.61.53   

**********
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of churches,
now 342, in more than 100 countries in all continents from
virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is
not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The
highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately
every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general
secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.

World Council of Churches
Media Relations Office
Tel: (41 22) 791 6153 / 791 6421
Fax: (41 22) 798 1346
E-mail: ka@wcc-coe.org 
Web: www.wcc-coe.org 

PO Box 2100
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland