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<Hangang UBF chapter in Korea>

I began this journey with Dervilla about two weeks ago. Since then, we have been constantly on the move. For example, to travel from Sydney, Australia to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we took an 8-hour flight to Singapore first. Upon arrival, we had to cross the large airport quickly. If not for the electric cart provided for special assistance, we would have missed our connecting flight. We made it just in time for boarding. The flight to Johannesburg lasted over ten hours. After a short layover, we flew to Victoria Falls and arrived at the conference site. Three flights, Ten thousand miles. Twenty hours in the air, thirty hours of travel time. Crossing nine time zones. And this is just one part of our journey around the world. Honestly, it is disorienting and quite tiring. Yet, we are joyful and strong. The Holy Spirit upholds us, guides us and strengthens us through the prayers of his people. We are deeply grateful for your constant prayer support.

During this journey, we are attending three major events: the New Year Korean Staff Conference, the Oceania Summer Bible Conference, and the African Leaders’ Conference. Other leaders will report on these conferences in detail. In this newsletter I will share news, thanksgiving and prayer topics that you may not otherwise hear.

We arrived in Korea on November 30th and were warmly greeted at the airport by Pastors Moses Yoon and Spurgeon Lee. We headed for the Centennial Building near the Jongno Center, where we would stay. Along the way, we had to detour on local roads. It was because active protestors made routine travel impossible. For a while, we could hear loud shouting. We did not know it then, but just a few nights later, Korea’s president would declare martial law–a decree that would be rescinded in a matter of hours. It was quite surprising to us all and destabilizing for the nation. Yet we were reminded that the UBF ministry began in just such a time. Though there is no hope in the world, there is hope in Jesus. It is time for the young people of Korea to turn to Jesus once again.

The Sunday before the Korean staff conference began, I and Dervilla attended the Hangang UBF worship service. Dervilla had visited this chapter once before, in 2006 after the World Mission Report in Seoul. For me, it was the first time to visit. The director of this chapter is Deuk-Hyeon Kang. His Sunday message was on 1 Samuel 4:1-6:21 with the title, “God Will Not Be Taken Advantage Of.” It was a convicting message, full of the Holy Spirit, that led us to repent of our sins of trying to get something from God instead of living in pure, reverent obedience to his word. Members responded passionately with many cries of “Amen” said in unison. It is noteworthy that the members recite the Ten Commandments every week. They do so with speed and power like soldiers. It was the first time for me to experience this in a UBF Sunday worship service.

After the service, while the members met in small groups, Sh. Deuk-Hyeon shared with me a well prepared history of Hangang UBF, written in Korean and English. Hangang UBF was pioneered in 1986 through Peter and Christine Cho, who were sent out from Anam UBF. There are now 13 families and about 40 Sunday worship attendants. They have sent many missionaries: Peter and Christine Cho to New Jersey, Paul and Hannah Jin to George Mason University (near Washington), Andre and Hannah So to Moscow, Joshua and Ruth Ahn to Brazil, David and Esther Hong to Mexico, Isaac and Rebecca Sung to London, Canada, John and Grace Kang to Calgary, Canada, and Seonju Kang (Deuk-Hyeon’s son) to Sapporo, Japan. In addition to overseeing this chapter, Deuk-Hyeon Kang also teaches systematic theology to many missionaries from all over the world every week. He and his wife Sh. Insook will lead Bible studies at the CIS Director’s Conference, and he will give special lectures as well. I was impressed by his scholarship, diligence and passion for Christ and encouraged him to publish his lectures and other material in English if possible.

Following a joint lunch, I and Dervilla met with a group of young people called the Morning Star Fellowship. They were inquisitive and full of spiritual desire. We saw a great hope for the future of Korea through these young people. Then we shared fellowship with the senior leaders. They asked many questions to both of us about our conversion to Christ, family life and ministry experience. We responded with honest and detailed accounts. It was a joyful time, full of laughter. The members of this chapter pray to raise Jesus’ disciples from Chung-Ang University. It is a most influential in Korea, especially in the field of arts. They also pray for the students of Sookmyung Women’s University. Please join me in giving thanks to God for his great work in Hangang UBF.

The Korean Staff New Year’s Conference was held at the Pilgrim House in Gapyeong, Korea from December 2-4, 2024. It is a beautiful retreat center with a themed course that depicts the scenes of John Bunyan’s book, “Pilgrim’s Progress.” Caleb Choi reported on this conference in the last newsletter. Personally, I was deeply moved by the powerful words of God spoken through the messages and the gracious testimonies and mission reports. In the midst of that spiritually charged environment, I could meet the Lord very personally and deeply, repent the shallowness of my shepherd’s heart and find new strength and vision for the new year. Korea UBF is truly the power center for UBF ministry and for the support of missionaries and leaders around the world.