By Rev. Dr. John Jun, UBF General Director

St. Luke said the following when he recorded Luke’s Gospel. “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4)

St. Luke felt the strong need for a historical record about Jesus’ ministry. Therefore, Luke’s Gospel records in detail Jesus’ life and ministry from its origins. Accordingly, a history book which records the work of the Holy Spirit through people is very important and necessary. In the Old Testament, the history of the Passover (Lev 23:5-8) is recorded in detail so that the Israelites would not forget God who rescued them when they were suffering under the rule of Pharaoh by revealing his power to Moses. He did the same at the Feast of Tabernacles and Harvest (Ex 23:16) so that they would not forget the history of God.

In this perspective, publication of the history of the last 40 years containing detailed accounts and a photo album of how God sent out three nurse missionaries to Germany and many others following them and started evangelization of Germany and Europe is essential. Especially, publishing the 40-year history on the occasion of 2009 UBF European Summer Bible Conference is very important. We have to publish such books to teach our second generation how God used us and to help them serve the ministry of God with a clear identity. Also, our first generation may reflect on the past and receive God’s direction according to His will. UBF is a professional self-supporting mission organization. God has blessed the German disciple-making ministry since 40 years ago through the nurse missionaries who came to Germany, conquered the German language, and preached the gospel through one-to-one Bible study to German intellectuals. Afterward, many foreign student missionaries came to Germany and they have been serving the German campus disciple-making ministry effectively. God has blessed our forefather missionaries’ five loaves and two fish and accomplished pioneering ministries not only in Germany, but in 23 European nations.

Missionologists are saying that the number of believers in Europe is decreasing nowadays and that Christianity is backing off gradually. However, UBF is challenging these tendencies and is increasing by 10% every year. I pray that we may learn how God worked through our forefathers and accomplished great things and serve the campus pioneering ministries in 40 countries in Europe. So much effort and material have been put into this book. I would like to thank Europe UBF Director Dr. Peter Chang and all the European national directors for their labor.