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Rob Norris (left) presents Luder Whitlock with a momento in recognition of his instrumental role in the founding of the WRF.
The World Reformed Fellowship (WRF) honored Luder Whitlock, Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of Florida and the Caribbean, for his contributions in founding the Fellowship in 2000. Whitlock was recognized during the business session of its sixth General Assembly on October 28 at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, Fla.
“Thank you very much for this unexpected honor, which I will treasure,” Whitlock said. “I recall that first meeting, which was significant. You are my good friends, and the Lord is using you to do great things around the world for which I am grateful.”
In presenting the resolution, WRF Board Chairman Rob Norris said Whitlock “is a man with an enormous capacity for vision. The Lord has gifted him in that way—he sees what God’s Kingdom can be like. We are the product of that vision, though we have not yet fulfilled it.”
Whitlock was instrumental in the founding of the WRF in 2000 when he hosted the organizing meeting in Orlando with leaders from the World Fellowship of Reformed Churches and the International Reformed Fellowship, which he co-founded. He was President of Reformed Theological Seminary for 23 years and has served on the EPC National Leadership Team, as well as the boards of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), the World Evangelical Fellowship (North America region), Mission America, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, and Greater Europe Mission. He was the Executive Director of The New Geneva Study Bible and The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, and also served on the editorial council of Eternity Advisory board for the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible translation. He and his wife, Mary Lou, have three grown children and eleven grandchildren.
Resolution 2022-01 of The Sixth General Assembly of the World Reformed Fellowship
In Thanksgiving to God for the Pioneering Contribution of
Dr. Luder G. Whitlock
Whereas, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10);
Whereas, Dr. Luder G. Whitlock is a beloved member of the World Reformed Fellowship, whose pioneering contribution to the formation of the World Reformed Fellowship is recognized by its members and leaders;
Whereas, Dr. Luder G. Whitlock has given testimony through his life and ministry that giving honor and thanks to God surpasses the joy afforded by simple human recognition; and
Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize and celebrate the role played by Dr. Luder G. Whitlock over two decades ago, in this city of Orlando, as the host of the organizing meeting of the World Reformed Fellowship.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the sixth General Assembly of the World Reformed Fellowship, as follows:
- That Dr. Luder G. Whitlock be recognized in honor through heartfelt thanksgiving to God, the King, for his important collaboration in the life and ministry of the World Reformed Fellowship;
- That Dr. Luder G. Whitlock receive from this assembly a token that shall mark this, our act of thanksgiving, to God for his ministry;
- That the text of this motion be registered in the minutes of this First Business Session of Sixth General Assembly of the World Reformed Fellowship.
Orlando, Florida, USA
28th of October, 2022
The WRF has grown to comprise more than 73 denominational members in 30 countries, 54 congregational members in 26 countries, 114 organizational members in 30 countries, and 374 individual members in 53 countries.
Designed to offer a gathering point where Reformed leaders can work out mutually beneficial cooperative agreements, the WRF focuses on the contemporary needs of the international Reformed community, such as the plight of persecuted Christians, religious freedom, societal changes, incorporation of theological education, missions, publications, and the expansion of evangelical fellowship into all parts of the world.