(HQ-General Director) Let’s Pray for America and Venezuela to Be Great Missionary-sending Countries
- Jul 10, 2026
- 18 reads
<Chicago UBF's Celebration of America's 250th Independence Birthday>
By Pastor Ron Ward
In America, we have celebrated the 250th birthday of our nation. It was on July 4, 1776, that America declared independence from Great Britain and set our course as a free people. To be sure, this freedom came through the courage and sacrifice of our forefathers. Now the freedom we enjoy is remarkable. We are free to worship and serve God without fear of persecution. We are free to speak the truth without fear of repression. We have access to some of the best educational institutions in the world. Innovation and progress are constant and dynamic. We are free to invest our time and resources in ways that we choose. And if we are successful, we enjoy the fruits of our labor. If not, we are free to try again. We have been reminded how blessed we are by many people who traveled here for the World Cup. They have marveled at the quality of life we enjoy. America remains a land of freedom and opportunity. This is God’s blessing to us through the Bible-believing faith of our forefathers.
However, the greatest freedom we can have does not come from our national heritage. It is the freedom from sin that only Jesus gives. Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn 3:36). Those who enjoy true freedom in Jesus are happy, no matter where they are. Those who do not have freedom in Jesus are miserable, even if they enjoy many other kinds of freedom. That is why there are so many spiritually sick people in America. That is why there are so many horrific crimes in America. That is why America can be a source of anguish to people of other nations. All people need Jesus. Only when Jesus rules our hearts can we have true freedom, peace, and joy. Let’s remember Jesus, who shed his blood to save us from our sins. Let’s thank God for the true freedom that Jesus gives. And let’s use the freedoms our nation provides to spread the gospel, raise Jesus’ disciples, and pray for America to once again be a source of great blessing. May God send missionaries from here throughout the world.
The Living God is Working in Venezuela
Thank you for your prayers for Venezuela. Last week, a memorial service was held for Marisol. It was truly blessed. Though our beloved brothers and sisters are grieving and many shed tears, they are also full of hope. Hugo gave a heart-moving message based on John 11:25-26. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” His message planted resurrection faith in the hearts of all who participated. Many shared memories of Marisol’s faithful shepherding and sacrificial life for Christ. Marisol’s daughter Betsy testified with touching words how the Lord helped her through 2 Kings 13:21. Just as a dead man was raised to life by the touch of Elisha’s bones, so her mother Marisol has been raised to life by Jesus Christ. Betsy wants to follow in the footsteps of her mother’s beautiful faith.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, our brothers and sisters in Venezuela are finding strength and hope in a time of great distress in their nation. They are shining like stars in the night sky. They want to share the love of Christ by providing food, water, medicine, and shelter for their suffering people. They are willing to purchase and distribute these things, but they need money. Latin American UBF, Korean UBF, and the external relief committee of headquarters all sent generous donations to Venezuela last week. Many other people and UBF chapters have stated their intention to donate as well. Anyone whose heart the Lord moves to donate can find instructions here. Venezuelan people have suffered very much due to political strife, economic problems, and now earthquakes. Many wonder why Marisol’s key verse was Romans 8:28, from which we conclude that God is working for good in Venezuela. I believe God will raise Venezuela as a great missionary-sending country and a blessing to the whole world. Let’s pray for the people of Venezuela to fulfill their God-given destiny, even through suffering.
However, the greatest freedom we can have does not come from our national heritage. It is the freedom from sin that only Jesus gives. Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn 3:36). Those who enjoy true freedom in Jesus are happy, no matter where they are. Those who do not have freedom in Jesus are miserable, even if they enjoy many other kinds of freedom. That is why there are so many spiritually sick people in America. That is why there are so many horrific crimes in America. That is why America can be a source of anguish to people of other nations. All people need Jesus. Only when Jesus rules our hearts can we have true freedom, peace, and joy. Let’s remember Jesus, who shed his blood to save us from our sins. Let’s thank God for the true freedom that Jesus gives. And let’s use the freedoms our nation provides to spread the gospel, raise Jesus’ disciples, and pray for America to once again be a source of great blessing. May God send missionaries from here throughout the world.
The Living God is Working in Venezuela
Thank you for your prayers for Venezuela. Last week, a memorial service was held for Marisol. It was truly blessed. Though our beloved brothers and sisters are grieving and many shed tears, they are also full of hope. Hugo gave a heart-moving message based on John 11:25-26. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” His message planted resurrection faith in the hearts of all who participated. Many shared memories of Marisol’s faithful shepherding and sacrificial life for Christ. Marisol’s daughter Betsy testified with touching words how the Lord helped her through 2 Kings 13:21. Just as a dead man was raised to life by the touch of Elisha’s bones, so her mother Marisol has been raised to life by Jesus Christ. Betsy wants to follow in the footsteps of her mother’s beautiful faith.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, our brothers and sisters in Venezuela are finding strength and hope in a time of great distress in their nation. They are shining like stars in the night sky. They want to share the love of Christ by providing food, water, medicine, and shelter for their suffering people. They are willing to purchase and distribute these things, but they need money. Latin American UBF, Korean UBF, and the external relief committee of headquarters all sent generous donations to Venezuela last week. Many other people and UBF chapters have stated their intention to donate as well. Anyone whose heart the Lord moves to donate can find instructions here. Venezuelan people have suffered very much due to political strife, economic problems, and now earthquakes. Many wonder why Marisol’s key verse was Romans 8:28, from which we conclude that God is working for good in Venezuela. I believe God will raise Venezuela as a great missionary-sending country and a blessing to the whole world. Let’s pray for the people of Venezuela to fulfill their God-given destiny, even through suffering.
