What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:25) With the words of the watchword for the year 1997 we send you warm and heartfelt greetings, thanking many of you sincerely, who have sent us Christmas cards and letters. We appreciate so much each and every sign of worldwide friendship and fellowship across cultures. Again, we ourselves have not managed to send you our good wishes in time for Christmas, yet it is never too late to wish you God's rich blessings for a happy and peaceful year 1997. The word of Jesus, which was chosen as watchword for this year, speaks to us at a time, when phrases such as ,,economic growth",structural adjustment" or ,deregulation" still remain as magic words.