(HQ-General Director) African Directors Conference: Be Strong and Courageous; Love One Another
- by ubfhq
- Dec 26, 2025
- 255 reads
By Pastor Ron Ward
An HQ delegation (Pastor Ron & Dervilla Ward, Dr. Augustine Suh) returned from the African Directors Conference (ADC), titled “Be Strong and Courageous.” It was followed by the Pan Africa Cohort (PAC), a two-day intensive session in Kenya. Pastor Nehemiah Kim and a delegation from Korea attended, as did Pastor William Larsen and Troy from North America (LA UBF). From the time of its founding pastor, Missionary Isaac Kim, LA UBF has had a special concern for Africa. We could all see God’s love and hope for Africa.
Missionary Jackie Yoon went to Kenya as an embassy worker in 1989. She was followed by her husband Mark and many others over the next few years. It is remarkable that these missionaries went to Africa. Life in Africa is especially challenging. Basic things are often lacking: clean drinking water, food, electricity, drivable roads, educational and governmental institutions, Internet access, and more. In many cases, it was the children of missionaries who suffered most. Yet they endured all these difficulties, in addition to those common to any missionary. Undaunted, they preached the gospel to students on campus, taught the Bible, worshiped the Lord faithfully, and prayed earnestly.
After three decades, most of the missionaries had to return to Korea–in many cases involuntarily, due to visa expirations. However, they left behind men and women who had grown as leaders. It was God’s blessing. At present, 14 African chapters are led by African natives. Many African house churches have been formed, which are Christ-centered and mission-oriented. Standing on the shoulders of the missionaries, these leaders and their families carry on the mission to raise disciples of Jesus. They are overcoming hardships and preaching the gospel on campuses.
At the conclusion of the Sunday worship service, there was a time of special recognition and prayer for three national leaders: Steven Sebbale (Uganda), Blessed Funigrayi (Zimbabwe), and Tsibela (Lesotho). We especially prayed for Dr. Oyor Moses, who was ordained as a pastor for South Sudan, Africa, and the world. Please pray for these men of faith to be strong and courageous as they lead gospel ministries in their countries.
At the end of the Pan Africa Cohort seminar, I was inspired by 2 Timothy 4:2. I shared this word with 12 African leaders in a final blessing prayer: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” Like Timothy, these leaders are inheriting the gospel faith and mission of their predecessor. Though they have many things to struggle with, one is most important for them all: preach the word. It means to meet Christ personally through deep Bible study, and to preach Christ in all of their messages. When the word of God is living in leaders, the Holy Spirit works mightily through them. God’s time is ripe in Africa. After much suffering, Africa can rise as the most powerful missionary-sending continent in the world. During this blessing prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit was powerfully evident. We all said, “Amen,” together with one heart and voice. Please pray that the Lord may use these precious African leaders powerfully to preach the gospel and advance the kingdom of God.
After three decades, most of the missionaries had to return to Korea–in many cases involuntarily, due to visa expirations. However, they left behind men and women who had grown as leaders. It was God’s blessing. At present, 14 African chapters are led by African natives. Many African house churches have been formed, which are Christ-centered and mission-oriented. Standing on the shoulders of the missionaries, these leaders and their families carry on the mission to raise disciples of Jesus. They are overcoming hardships and preaching the gospel on campuses.
At the conclusion of the Sunday worship service, there was a time of special recognition and prayer for three national leaders: Steven Sebbale (Uganda), Blessed Funigrayi (Zimbabwe), and Tsibela (Lesotho). We especially prayed for Dr. Oyor Moses, who was ordained as a pastor for South Sudan, Africa, and the world. Please pray for these men of faith to be strong and courageous as they lead gospel ministries in their countries.
At the end of the Pan Africa Cohort seminar, I was inspired by 2 Timothy 4:2. I shared this word with 12 African leaders in a final blessing prayer: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” Like Timothy, these leaders are inheriting the gospel faith and mission of their predecessor. Though they have many things to struggle with, one is most important for them all: preach the word. It means to meet Christ personally through deep Bible study, and to preach Christ in all of their messages. When the word of God is living in leaders, the Holy Spirit works mightily through them. God’s time is ripe in Africa. After much suffering, Africa can rise as the most powerful missionary-sending continent in the world. During this blessing prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit was powerfully evident. We all said, “Amen,” together with one heart and voice. Please pray that the Lord may use these precious African leaders powerfully to preach the gospel and advance the kingdom of God.
Thank God for using Dr. Livingstone Kang, the Africa Continental Coordinator, to organize the ADC. We deeply appreciate the Kenya UBF ministry, led by Pastor Juma Fuchingo, who co-worked closely with other Kenyan leaders (especially Kevin Namudeche and Otieno Nikson) and missionaries, to serve the ADC attendants and the PAC. Kenya UBF is a vibrant, healthy and growing ministry, approaching 100 regular Sunday worship service attendants. There are several generations of leaders who are working together to worship and serve the Lord. At the conclusion of our Sunday worship service, four new Kenyan fellowship leaders were recognized, and 13 young people received baptism. It was a very special moment in the history of Kenya UBF, marking the spiritual growth of the ministry.
Before leaving Kenya, we were hosted for a day by Missionary Natan and Stephanie Beket, who are UBF missionaries from North America (York, Canada, and Chicago) to Kenya. They are both teachers at the West Nairobi School (a Christian school) and are learning how to serve the Lord in Kenya UBF from the senior leaders. They have three lovely daughters: Sana, Sepphora, and Serafina. Stephanie has just recovered from a prolonged case of pneumonia. They treated us with special love and grace, which strengthened us to make the long journey home. Please pray for them to continue to be strong and courageous in their faith, and to be a powerful source of blessing in Kenya and in Africa.
