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Henry Park, Walter Nett

LIVING HOLY AND GODLY LIVES

“You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” (2Pet. 3:11b,12a)

In 2017, Europe saw an increasing shift to right-wing nationalist movements in many European nations. This has left Germany without a stable new government after the September elections. We need to pray for politicians to be ruled by our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this rapidly changing world we thank God for helping us to live holy and godly lives by his grace while we are living. We began the new year with the 2017 European Directors’ Conference in Skopje, Macedonia, on December 27-29, 2016. M. Barnabas and Petra Kang served us whole-heartedly. They also had much support from Bulgaria UBF where they had served as missionaries before, and from Greece UBF, both just across the border.

P. Abraham Kim’s key message on 2 Peter helped us to realize our need for a life different from worldly standards. We were also encouraged through Dr. Henry Park’s lecture on “Three Spiritual Paradigm Shifts” and Dr. Joseph Ahn’s testimonial message on Isaiah 2. Thus equipped, God helped us to persevere throughout the year 2017.

First, the third “Encounter” conference. The conference was held at Nettersheim, close to Cologne and Bonn. This time there were over 170 participants. The conference theme was “True worship.” From the formal preparation team, only Sua Kim (Mannheim) remained. Then Paul Lee jr. (Greece) and Jesin Yu (Cologne 2) stepped in. Seniors among young people, missionaries and shepherds helped a lot in guiding them. We were also grateful for the strong support esp. from Chicago, sending Little Sarah Kim, Mark and Joy Vucekovich.  Podil UBF of Ukraine, came with a huge team again. All the messages were from John 4; Samuel Ryu (Mainz), David Shin (Prague), Sarah S. Youk (Wuppertal), and Matthew Singh (Lisbon) served as messengers. More time was given for writing and sharing reflections, which helped a lot. The program itself was supportive of the theme. The so-called worship night had great music as before. This time the highlight was a long prayer session led by Little-Sarah Kim. It was a decisive element for many young people. They opened their heart and prayed earnestly for the salvation of one soul in their personal environment. It was a moment of true worship.

I thank God that the second gens of UBF in Europe, in general, maintain close coworking relationship with their parents and senior leaders and growing as next generation leaders. Some support the worship service, others bring their friends to Bible studies and worship services and still others teach the Bible to their friends and classmates. Praise the Lord.

Second, the (former CBF) Next Generation Conference in Prague was held with the title “Disciple’s Life.” Among 120 people, 61 were kids and teens. Six (men) missionaries served as messengers and thus set a good example. There were also 3 special lectures: Dr. Y. K. Lee (Norway), Dr. Paul Hong (Toledo), Dr. Peter Chang (Bonn) in order to equip the children in their present and future spiritual lives as disciples of Jesus. We thank God for the whole-hearted service of M. Hannah Shin and all coworkers from the Czech Republic for the last 9 years.

Third, missionary sending, new missionaries and house churches. In February, Heidelberg UBF sent R. L. as a teacher to YUST. In August, M. Paulo and Dr. Sara Neusa Figueiredo together with Little Ana were sent to Mozambique, where Sara’s family originated from. Also in August, Cologne UBF commissioned Dr. Lukas and Dr. Lydia Kim for their future life as silver missionaries after 30 years in Germany. They are now studying English in Korea with the intention of going to Scandinavia (eventually, Finland) or to Africa, according to God’s guidance.

We are also grateful that God sent M. Peter and Susie Han’s family to the Netherlands and Abe Lee’s family to Poland. God sent new missionaries to Croatia: M. Hanna Seo and her children, M. Ezekiel Lee’s family.  M. Esther Choi of Ireland established a house church with S. Seoungsik Choi of Chuan. Rebeca Catalina of Romania established a house church with Isaac Jo of Kwangju UBF.

Fourth, specifically growing ministries. Nantes UBF has been growing fast over the past 2 years. The beautiful coworking of Bruno Aussant’s and Jacob Han’s families is bearing fruit, beginning with their children and now extending to others.

In Germany, Dresden UBF, after one year of being “operating” has brought 8 students to the fall conference of Cologne UBF and pioneering chapters. Two sisters and one brother among the new students are key persons. Frankfurt 2 ministry grew from 1 to 4 families because LG Europe moved their HQ to Frankfurt region. One of the families was a spiritually “dormant” couple but now they are happy to rejoin the life of mission.

God granted Joseph Sohn and his family permanent residency in Israel within 2 years as well as worship services with 5 participants, including the Israeli students.

Fifth, new challenges that need prayer support. In Vienna, M. Daniel Yang’s family has started an independent house church ministry. In Berne, all three families began to have their separate worship services. In Belgrade, Abraham Park’s family has made a fresh start. In Braunschweig, Germany, Jabez Kaleb and Rebecca Hong have joined a local church since serving independently has become too burdensome with M. Rebecca’s recurring cancer struggles.

Sixth, medical mission. Dr. Ulrike Gross (Cologne 1) served with 2 medical mission teams in Uganda, this year. And God had given her wisdom to recruit medical students outside UBF on both occasions. It was a good opportunity to relate one key element of the gospel and to open a door that may have been neglected in the past.

Seventh, leadership transition. With the beginning of 2017, General David Song took over leadership of Freiburg UBF from Noah You.

For the last six years Walter Nett took over leadership in a spiritually sensitive time and helped make a bridge between senior and young people to serve our Lord Jesus side by side. In November, with much prayer support from all over Germany and Europe, Eberhard Gross was established as the new director for Cologne 1 UBF.  In December, Walter Nett also handed over German UBF coordinatiorship to Reiner Schauwienold of Heidelberg UBF, and European coordinatorship to Dr. James Kang of Bulgaria I UBF with the prayer support and full appreciation and blessing of Pastor Abraham Kim, senior missionaries and shepherds.