(UBF HQ-General Director) God's Light Shines in the Darkness: A Letter From Pastor Ron Ward
- by ubfhq
- Aug 26, 2025
- 1252 reads
God’s Light Shines in the Darkness
We give thanks and praise to God for his abundant blessings on all of the conferences and special events over the summer.
Personally, I attended the Vision Camp in Korea the first week of July. About 80 second generation children from 15 countries met together under the leadership of Missionary Abe Lee for Bible study on the God of Joseph, corporate worship, engaging fellowship, and many fun activities. There was a great work of the Holy Spirit among them, and many met Jesus personally. Also, though I could not be there in person, I heard of the great work of God through the recent Encounter Conference in Europe also.
I also attended the Canadian Summer Bible Conference in Calgary from July 24-27. Canadian leaders delivered powerful gospel messages and shared gracious life testimonies. Praise and worship sessions were inspired by the Holy Spirit and led by his young servants. A special drama recounted the great work of God through 23 sewing machine operator missionaries many years ago, and reminded us that “everything is possible for him who believes.” Mission reports revealed a worldwide vision that is growing in Canadian young people. Attendance was surprising: 318 persons came–more than ever before. God’s blessing was poured out in answer to prayer. In the same way, God blessed the conferences in all regions of North America and throughout Korea as well.
The light of Christ is shining in this dark world, driving out darkness, and leading people back to God. Nothing can stop our Almighty God. He will surely save and raise young people in our times as powerful disciples of Jesus who carry out his world mission task. As we begin the new fall semester on our campuses, let’s share the Gospel boldly and diligently and pray for raising Jesus’ disciples.
Founders Day 2025
“...but the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:24)
Chicago UBF and HQ will host Founders Day on October 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Chicago center. This year, we want to focus on God’s work among young people as they read the Bible and listen to God’s words. So many other voices clamor for their attention. These other voices tempt them to pursue vanity and pleasure without God, and in the end, rob them of the blessing God intends. Only the word of the Lord endures forever and gives life to their souls. The late Dr. Samuel Lee often quoted 1 Peter 1:23-25 in his messages and emphasized “the word of the Lord endures forever.”
In these times, God is working in the hearts of young people all over the world. One way is through the Bible Reading Project, initiated by Missionary Jean Kim of France. We have invited him to testify about God’s work. We have also invited young representatives from around the world to share their testimonies. We pray that this Founders Day may inspire many young people to read the Bible, hear God’s voice, and grow as Jesus’ disciples.
Russian Conferences and Prayer for Moscow
This coming week, on Tuesday, I will travel to Russia to participate in a regional summer Bible conference in Yekaterinburg. Shepherd Spurgeon Lee will also join to represent Korea UBF. Afterward, we will stay in Moscow for one week to study Revelation chapters 2, 3, and 4-5 with the leaders. If my wife Dervilla’s visa is processed in time, she will also come to Moscow on September 1 to spend time with the Russian women leaders. We pray that all of us may “hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” repent, and come to Jesus. We pray especially to restore our first love for Jesus and to love one another.
Moscow UBF is extremely important in God’s world mission work. The late Dr. Samuel Lee prayed passionately and visited the leaders there many times to serve them. Korea UBF has also prayed for Moscow faithfully and sacrificially and sent many missionaries. Moscow UBF members are all so precious in the sight of God that Jesus shed his blood for them. They are all great servants of God. They all want to be faithful to Jesus and carry out campus evangelism and world mission. Yet some difficult issues could not be resolved among them, as was the case with Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15. So with the help of HQ, they separated into two fellowships: Kolomenskaya and Yakorniy. Since July 2024, they have had two separate worship services. Both are blessed and struggling to please God. Still, a few practical matters remain to be resolved. We pray for our journey team to assist them in completing a peaceful separation and that this may prepare the way for even more fruitful service in the years to come.
This past week, I met with Pastor Mark Vucekovich and leaders from Chicago UBF to renew our prayer for Moscow and for Russia. They will pray passionately. I also ask the worldwide UBF community to pray for Moscow: for a peaceful separation; for fruitful ministry in both chapters; and for future reconciliation from heart to heart, for the glory of God. May God use Moscow UBF as a blessing to the whole world.
New Year’s Key Verse: John 13:34
Through the prayers of God’s people, the Lord has given me one clear word for 2026: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Please pray for the new year’s message and for all of the continental coordinators as they prepare for the new year. The new year’s conference schedule for 2026 is as follows:
Korean Staff: December 1-3
Africa: December 12-14 (Kenya)
C.I.S.: January 2-4 (Baku, Azerbaijan)
Asia: January 15-17 (Taiwan)
Latin America: January 23-25 (Santiago, Chile)
M.E.: January 30-February 1
Europe: February 5-7 (Croatia)
North American Leaders: February 26-28 (Chicago)
World Mission Congress 2026
Let’s continually pray for Pastor Nehemiah Kim (Korea UBF Director) and Shepherd Spurgeon Lee (Korea World Mission Chairman) and all leaders in Korea as they prepare the World Mission Congress 2026. There will be a World Mission Report on May 17 and a Missionary and Shepherd’s Conference from May 18-20.
May God raise proper representatives from each continent to share messages, testimonies, and mission reports. May God move 1,000 attendants to answer God’s call, saying: “Here am I! Send me!”
Pastor Ron Ward
