It is not easy to receive new missionaries from Korea because of a severe economic recession and the strict immigration laws of England. However, it is an open mission field for anyone from America who has no language problem. Professionals such as teachers, doctors, and nurses can get a job easily here and live as a lay-missionary.At present, one Second-Gen missionary from America who graduated from Princeton University with a major in English, finished a Master’s at Cambridge University and is now working as a private school teacher and participating in London ministry.  

1. That God may send missionaries from America
2. For M. David’s self-supporting business
3. Health of M. Rebekah Suk

By Rebekah Suk

May13, 2013

Seed Sown on Good Soil

“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” –Mark 4:20

Cologne UBF had their spring conference on May 3-5, 2013, along with participants from Düsseldorf, Freiburg, Wuppertal, Frankfurt II, Wiesbaden, and Cologne II. The spring conference was held in Oberwesel, Germany, a beautiful town on a mountain near the Rhine River.  The theme of the conference was, “Seed Sown on Good Soil, based on the parable of the Good Sower in Mark 4. 

Four messages were shared by Sergej Levitsky (Cologne), David Song (Freiburg), Rene Richelshagen (Cologne), and Jonathan Hong (Wuppertal).  On Friday evening, Sergej Levitsky delivered a message entitled, “The Two Lost Sons” (Luke 15:11-32). He shared how he personally learned of the Father’s love through God’s Word. Sergej had experienced a painful loss during his childhood when his brother passed away. After moving to Germany from the Ukraine, he struggled to adjust to life in a new country. He was later invited to Bible study and was moved by God the Father’s love and grace for him, and he prays to live his life for God and share the Bible with others.

M. David Song preached on Mark 4:1-20, “Seed Sown on Good Soil.” Through this passage, we thought about what kind of heart soil we may have. M. David confessed that his heart was sometimes a combination of both the rocky and thorny soil, and he sometimes forgot the meaning of the grace of Jesus because of the worries of this life. We prayed to trust in God’s Word and to have hearts of good soil, where God’s Word can take root and bear fruit for Him.  On Saturday evening, Rene Richelshagen gave a message on Psalm 1:1-6, “He is Like a Tree, Planted by Streams of Water,” where he talked about the blessings of delighting in God’s Word and remaining faithful to Him.  Jonathan Hong preached on Luke 5:1-11, “But Because You Say So, I Will Let Down the Nets.” In his message, Jonathan emphasized the importance of trust when we want to follow Jesus' words, saying that when it comes down to it we don't have anything to lose except maybe a little laziness, but we have so much more to gain.

Testimonies were shared by students Chansik Seo, Esther Nett, Elise Jeong, and JBF students Paul Gross and Dongyoon Yu. Their sincere reflections on the passages were encouraging.  On Saturday night, the CBF performed a sweet drama that emphasized the value of one person before God.  The JBF also created a cartoon based on the Prodigal Son and sang, “How He Loves Us.” They ended the program with words of thanksgiving to JBF leader Sarah Jeong, who will be moving to America this year.

Throughout the conference, we were reminded of the strength and power of God’s Word and the importance of trusting in His promises.  We were blessed to have good weather at a beautiful conference site, where we could spend time in God’s Word and have fellowship with Him and with each other. We pray to remain faithful to God and to have hearts of good soil, bearing fruit that is pleasing to Him.

May 3, 2013

Paris UBF Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of LIKE

On April 14, Paris UBF had a special worship service to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of LIKE (an accessories company), established and headed by M. Rebecca Choi.

From Germany, Dr. Peter Chang, M. Stephanus Park, and I attended.

The service began with a joyful sing-along, led by Shp. Thierry Clio. Shp. Eric Nicolle presided over the service. Before the message, we listened to a beautiful duet of "Via Dolorosa" by M. Rebecca and Shps. Florence (she had been baptized during the summer conference 2012).

Dr. Marc Choi spoke on Matt. 8 – 9. It was a very long passage, but very meaningful and interesting. The title was, “Knowing How to be Healed and How to be a Disciple.” Dr. Marc focused on these two aspects: Jesus' healing ministry and the challenge to be disciples. The key verse was Matt. 8:17, "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'" The message was clear and also humorous. Dr. Marc challenged us to come to the cross of Jesus in order to receive healing. He also pointed out that as disciples of Jesus we have so many spiritual riches to gain and also some human riches, like brothers and sisters in Christ; we are definitely not losers!

After the worship service and a short break for refreshment and small talk, M. Rebecca shared her testimony of 10 years of LIKE. It was heart-moving and meaningful, leading us to praise God over what he has done in and through this family and ministry. After making a good profit in the first year, Dr. Marc Choi used all this money to buy the present center in the heart of Paris. Still God continued to bless them. God has used this company also to grant proper jobs for missionaries. Not least of all, being a businesswoman also earns M. Rebecca respect among tough French students. Although the present economic situation doesn’t seem inspiring, Dr. Marc and Rebecca Choi have a vision that God may use LIKE to support 100 missionaries to Africa.

Shps. Ene Leppik explained the Bible school to be held the following week (April 15-19). They would use 3 locations (the present and the former center plus the apartment of Eric Nicolle's family at Nanterre) for independent meetings of 2 days each.

On June 2, they will celebrate the 30th anniversary of UBF in France. And the French-speaking summer conference will be held July 5-7.

I am indebted to Shp. Marc Choi Jr. for English manuscripts of the message and testimony, while M. Gabriel Choi served Peter Chang and Stephanus Park with simultaneous translation in Korean.

All the coworkers were joyful and thankful to God. I was encouraged seeing that most of the students I met last summer were still around and even some more. Dr. Marc and Rebecca Choi extended greetings to our coworkers and gave us precious presents from their company. Their whole-hearted labor of love is truly exemplary.

I am also thankful to Dr. Peter Chang and M. Stephanus Park for driving me 13 hours to Paris and back with such calmness and for being good spiritual fellowship along the whole way.
Please, pray for France UBF to experience the healing power in the cross of Jesus and to raise many disciples, even beyond French-speaking nations.

In Christ,

Walter Nett

April 27, 2013

Genesis 15:5, “He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’”

God blessed the Easter Bible School and gave us vision and hope in him. The main theme of the Bible school was the vision of “Countless Stars.” S. John served the message, revealing the vision of God who asked Abraham to count the stars in the sky. The messenger praised God for transforming him into a composer and a shepherd. The music he made and posted on YouTube became an instrument of God’s glory. He testified that God granted him many creative ideas whenever he asked for help and wisdom, reading the word of God posted on the wall in his room. He held on to God’s word, “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7). He concentrated hard to listen to God while also studying diligently in his major, Computer Science Engineering.

S. Tomas shared his reflection based on Luke 5, “From Now on You will Fish for People.” He learned piano for 13 years at an international music school during his middle and high school years. He also served as a chorus leader at church. However, his father’s car accident made him wander aimlessly. Thankfully, the prayers of his family and brothers and sisters at church helped his father to accept and believe in Jesus, witnessing the living God. His problem was that he could not find the foundation for his faith when he did not know the Bible. But by God’s grace, he entered a college, met M. Jebez, and started to study the Bible. Matthew Bible study and Friday disciples’ meeting helped him to experience the work of the Holy Spirit. He prayed that he may learn Jesus more, obey and follow him through Bible study and reflection writing.

S. Jeremiah decided to resume his Bible study again after a one year pause, after being so moved by others’ reflections.

S. Janis was a special sister in God along with other brothers in our chapter. May God bless her faith and raise her as a mother of faith like Sarah.

S. Tomas was planning to go somewhere after his graduation in February so he could not focus on Bible study. However, God loved him so much and his professor asked him to prepare his thesis for one more semester. May God bless Bible study for one more semester and help him to accept God’s calling personally.

By Kaleb Hong

April 9, 2013

It is finished

“It is finished (John 19:30)”

From March 31 to April 1, 2013, nearly 50 people from UBF Mainz, Darmstadt I, Wiesbaden and Frankfurt I, II gathered in Bad Homburg Germany at Youth Hostel Conference Center for the Rhein Main Easter Conference 2013 which was titled “It is Finished!” (John 19:30)

We heard powerful and inspiring messages delivered by M. Peter Kim (Frankfurt I, Opening, 1Cor. 15:22) M. Hudson Kim (Mainz, Main I John 19:16-42) Sh. Stefan Elsholz (Bonn, Main II  1Cor. 15:35-58) on Sunday and  M. David Cho (Frankfurt I, Main III John 20:1-31) and M. Moses Lee (Darmstadt I, Closing John 21:15-17)  on Monday morning.

In addition, there were 7 testimonies sharers: Sh. Joy Kim (Frankfurt I) Sh. Samuel Kim ( Mainz) Sarah Kim (Mainz) Josef Lee (Darmstadt I) Hanna Cho (Frankfurt I) Sh. Rabekka Ryu ( Mainz)  M. Hanna Lee ( Frankfurt I, 2^nd generation missionary recently sent to Germany from UBF Odessa) who shared from their hearts and praised Jesus who took away all our sins away and announced “ It is finished!”

On Sunday night we celebrated Jesus’ victory at the cross with further programs, for e.g. a professional ensemble performance of Mainz UBF, a piano Solo presented by Darmstadt I and Cantata ( It is finished!) by Frankfurt I. Each program was well prepared and yet the work of the Holy Spirit was taking place in our hearts throughout the final night of the conference.

Through the closing message, M Samuel Peter Ryu (Mainz) encouraged us to pray for campus pioneering and disciple-making ministry, especially among the Rhein Main UBF chapters in Germany and also, for the upcoming 2013 UBF International Bible Conference, Indiana University, PA, USA.

Praise God who sent us M. Grace Lee ( UBF Odessa) as a precious international guest for the conference wh shared prayer topics of Odessa UBF in detail with us.

We could renew our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, having heard and deeply accepted a shout of victorious confidence by our Savior Jesus:  “It is finished!”

Praise Jesus who set us free and enabled us to live happy, meaningful lives before God as witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus!

Johanna Cho, Frankfurt I UBF

1. Regular outreach and daily bread;
2. Message writing by English co-workers;
3. Abraham's serving leadership;
4. Loving spiritual community;
5. 12 disciples (Ronnie’s growth as a shepherd);
6. Raise 10,000 Bible teachers and pioneer 100 universities by 2025.

March 21, 2013

Thank you for your prayer support for Samuel Kum in Köln Germany. During the last 5 months, he has received rehabilitation therapy in walking, bicycling, and speaking so that his body muscle may gain enough strength to lift up his arms and to walk a short distance.  May Jesus, the Great Physician, restore his body and spirit completely for the glory of God.

Köln II News

God gave us a new Bible house next to the campus and dormitory in which we could have worship service.  Uwe Schwarz, Anderas & Martina  are growing as Abrahams of faith along with two Chinese students .

By Markus Kum

March 18, 2013

John 3: 8 "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Last year God taught us four things: faith, hope, love, and thankfulness. In our Sunday worship services, we shared three messages. Psalm 23, Psalm 103 and a main message. During the past year, we heard at least 40 times Psalm 23 and 103. The word of God helped us to have faith, hope, love, and thankfulness in God. Paul Jr. and Sarah Jr. were beautiful co-workers, and Missionary Sarah prepared feasts for lunch.

We especially prayed a lot for the worship servicse. On Saturday, we prayed an average of three hours for the worship service. In April, with three days fasting, we prayed seven hours. On Sunday, we prayed about two hours for the worship service. Before worship service, my co-worker placed her hands on me and prayed for the message. During worship service, we are encouraged and give thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit. Two brothers are growing through SWS and three brothers and sisters are growing through Bible study.

Through early morning prayer, God renewed in us faith, hope, love, and thankfulness. Sometimes when I had no hope, I cried only. But Hosea 12: 6, “But you must return to your God…wait for your God always.” helped me to place always my hope in God. Faith, hope, and love came also through the morning Bible meditation time. Sometimes, life was full of fear. But when I was passing 40 minutes beside the quiet waters of the Bible, faith, hope, love, and thankfulness were filling my heart again.

Missionary Sarah visited the campus at lunchtime, to spread the words of God, to place and to distribute about 2000 Gospel booklets on campus. At this Christmas time, we wrapped beautifully 270 Bibles and gave them to the students as Christmas gifts.

Last year, several precious servants of God came to Switzerland and supported us with prayers and Bible studies. Missionary Samuel and Anna Lee served us with Psalm 119. Through CME ministry, Dr John Jun, Dr. Peter Chang and Missionary Stephanus Park came to Switzerland and served Ephesians Bible study. Thanks to this encouragement, in November all Swiss missionaries and children had a three day retreat in the Alps. From early morning until late evening, we prayed and studied the Bible. It was very graceful.

In May we attended a French-speaking evangelical leaders' conference organized by the Geneva Bible Institute. 700 evangelical leaders were there and we had good fellowship with some local evangelical ministry leaders. In the summer, Greece UBF second generation visited Switzerland and had good fellowship with our children. Paul Jr. stayed two months at Hanyang Center receiving a lot of love and returned to Switzerland as a new person.

Our 2013 key verse is John 3: 8. « The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. » One morning, I saw the branches of the trees in the front of the house shake. The wind was blowing. Then a few days after, the trees did not shake at all. There was no wind. We pray for the wind of the Holy Spirit in 2013. We have one direction; to pray more for the worship service–for a real worship service to worship God; for the worship of listening to the word of God that comes from the mouth of God; for a Worship service where more than 20 people attend.

One Word: We will pray and evangelize for the wind of Holy Spirit

By Paul S. Lee

1. About the Conferences and the Work of the Word

1. We want to look for the sheep whom God has left for campus mission;
2. The growth in faith of Maja, Katarina und Andrej;
3. For financial independence for Abraham Park’s family; visa extension, solution for a long term residency permit for the missionaries through business ideas;
4. For all missionaries to grow as capable Bible teachers;
5. Early morning prayer and Daily Bread.

 Braunschweig UBF, Germany

March 8, 2013

Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I. Living in darkness

I had been living in the darkness for 28 years before I met Jesus. I was born as youngest among 3 brothers and 3sisters. My grandfather had many servants and my father was a leader of many small towns. When I entered elementary school, I was wearing a red leather backpack and red shoes, while other students only had a black cloth bag. In a rich family, I was living like a princess. When I was 8, my father passed away and my situation changed. My brothers and sisters who were studying well were recognized by my family and relatives, but they were ashamed of me. My mother told me to get a nice job and marry to a rich guy instead of going to a college. In the 70's and 80's, the best job was to work at the Korean National Bank. I submitted my resume to the Korean National Bank with a recommendation from the president of Korean National Bank. I expected that my life would be so much better. After a month, HR cancelled my work approval due to a conflict between headquarters and  branches. My family encouraged me to try again and again, I failed. My family said that I was the unluckiest person in the world. I also had fatalism that nothing would be good with me and lived under darkness. However, God shone his light on me and became a rising sun on February, 1982.

Ⅱ. Living as a blessing to shine the light of life.

God invited me to UBF 1:1 Bible study through my friend. I studied with Msn. Mark Hong in Madison, U.S.A. and learned that there was a spiritual world. Through Genesis 1:31, God taught me my true identity and set me free from fatalism and comparison with my siblings. Genesis 12:2 changed my view of life and I accepted that God made me a blessing. Holding on to God's promise, I was full of hope and faith that I could do everything in God. Sh. Bona Hong who was a director at that time anointed me as a missionary candidate although it had only been 4 months since I started Bible study. After 7 months of Bible study, he encouraged me to pioneer one campus. I obeyed his direction and started 1:1 Bible study with campus students and raised 3 shepherds after one year. Next year, God established a house church with Msn. Jabez Caleb Hong and sent us to America as a missionary family. I believed that God fulfilled his promise and made me great in him. I didn't have much time to be trained as a campus shepherd, but God trained me through my family. They thought that I became crazy because of Jesus and kicked me out. It was painful to be alone without any support from my family, but God was raising me as a disciple through this time. I tried to deny myself and take up my cross to learn from Jesus, but God trained me again. I had a still birth for my first child. At that time, God granted me 1Th. 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." It was a difficult time, but I decided to accept God's sovereignty and his love in that situation.

God took my first child as an offering and blessed our campus ministry. God comforted me through raising 4 shepherds. After 3years, God granted us a son named John. One day, sh. Jin-young was hit by a car on the way home after Bible study at the bible house. She was brought to the hospital, but passed away. While looking at her at the hospital, I cried out for my sins. At that time, I was sorry for my poor shepherd life and decided to save money, expecting a better life since msn. Jabez Caleb got a government job. I used to give money for taxi to the shepherds, but encouraged them to ride a bycycle in order to save money. Sh. Jin-younhg wouldn't have gotten in an accident if she took a taxi. Through this, God taught me that one soul is much more precious than money. I made a decision not to seek a comfortable life, but to live as a missionary following Jesus' example.  God sent Msn. Jabez Caleb Hong in 1989, and me in 1991 to Stuttgart, Germany 'for His name's sake.'

Ⅲ. God who is stronger than the law of Germany

My missionary key verse was Acts 3:6, "Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'" God helped me to enter Nursing school although I was not good at studying. After one year in a language course, I joined regular classes, but couldn't understand at all. I was not sure whether or not I would be able to finish the program. God showed me his almighty power in my school studies. Teachers underlined important things in my text book. For the exams, I just wrote what I memorized without understanding the questions.  Then ,the teachers corrected the order of my answers. Only by God's grace, I passed every semester without fail. I experienced that God works for the good for those who love him.

God trained me through my visa problem. According to the law, I had to go back to Korea after 3 years of studying. I tried to extend the period, but failed. I reecived notices twice to go back to Korea, but couldn't leave because I believed that God had sent me to Germany. I prayed hard believing God's sovereignty and absolute calling to experiece John 15:6.  Msn. Jabez Caleb tried to get a job giving up his studies, but he failed again and again. It seemed that God was sleeping without answering our prayers. Even the director of Stuttgart ministry told us that God didn't want us to stay in Germany and to go back to to Korea. However, I simply believed God's promise and made a plan to get a job at Samsung by holding on to Hebrews 11:1.

First, we set up a specific date of entering Samsung. We prepared a nice suit, shoes and bag. Msn. Jabez Caleb wore glasses to make him look smarter. I believed that he would be a manager, so I called him "Manager Hong".  We looked crazy and stupid, but Jesus saw our faith. After two months of our plan, God granted him a job at Samsung in Braunschweig. He was offered the same salary as a manager. Through this, God solved our visa problem and granted us German citizenship in 2002. God is more powerful than German law and showed his almighty power to those whom he called. I thank and praise Almighty God!

VI. Mission field, Braunschweig

1. Pioneering history

God started pioneering ministry in February, 1998 in Braunschweig. We held Mark 3:13-14 and prayed to raise 12 disciples in 10 years. Braunschweig campus is the first engineering school in Germany which has 240 years of history. There are 15,000 students. The architectural engineering, mechanical engineering and civil engineering schools are well known in Europe. While serving Braunschweig disciple raising ministry, we have been learning the widow's persistent prayer. Msn. Jabez Caleb devoted himself to studying the word of God and prayer. God granted us several sheep who had spiritual desire. They attended Sunday worship service and testimony sharing meetings faithfully. After graduation, they left the ministry for a better job and future. We were left with an empty net. They was no one left for 8 years and we started doubting God's promise.  I wanted to be free from God's mission and promise. God knew my doubts and showed me his hope. God helped me by sending sh. Hanes on the day of freshman orientation in 2006. He started Bible study from the first day we met. He simply obeyed Jesus' calling through the first bible study. After 2 weeks, he had bible study every day. God restored our hearts through his spiritual growth. He accepted Luke 5:10 and made a decision to be a campus shepherd. God blessed our ministry through raising him as an Abraham of faith.

2. Disciple rasing

In 2008, my son John Hong entered Braunschweig majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Sh. Hanes who was studying Educaction coworked well with John. John took care of sh. Hanes' weaknesses through helping with his presentaion and seminar. Whenever I studied with John, I emphasized God's will for us to serve German campus mission. I taught him that our mission is to raise German shepherds and prepare a spiritual enviroment until they grow as spiritual leaders. John was not mature enough to fully accept this mission, but he has been growing through self-denial. God blessed disciple raising ministry through our coworking. Last fall, we met Thomas Akuman (Edu. 1) and Thomas Ob (Architecture 4). Thomas Akuman loves the word of God. He attended Matthew Bible study and Friday Discipleship meeting. He also invited his nephew and two friends to Christmas worship service.

Thomas Ob doesn't have spiritual background, but simply accepts the word of God with a pure heart. He learned about the biblical meaning of marriage through attending UBF wedding in Koln. God bore with my lack of faith and sent many students. They come to disicpleship meeting and have spritual desire. To take care of them, we have to pray hard. It is not easy for one family to take care of 6 German students and raise them as disciples of Jesus. I pray that God may grant Msn. Jabez Caleb his word and wisdom, so he may able to adjust 1:1 schedule based on his ability.

3. Coworking

We have prayed to have beautiful coworking in the love of Jesus. Six years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. I was worrying, but not fearful because I had real hope for the Kingdom of heaven. This hope made me follow Jesus for the last 30 years. I have wanted to hear from Jesus, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you." But, I was worrying about Msn. Jabez Caleb and my son John and sh. Hanes who will be left without me. They were trying to help me in many ways. Msn. Jabez Caleb played guitar every evening to cast away the darkness which was in me. Sh. Hanes and John were with me in turn whenever I received Chemotherapy. Doctors and nurses thought that sh. Hanes was my son because he was taking care of me sincerely. Sh. Hanes was with me during my therapy for 7 months although it took 7 hours every time. Through this difficult time, we all became one and served each other with the love of God. Last year, the doctor told me that I was completely healed. I learned that neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God.

4. World Misson

We have prayed to devote ourselves before God holding on to Isaiah 54:2, "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes" for the last 3 years. Especially, we financially supported other mission fields and missionaries once a year becasue we wanted to share God's blessing. God helped us to purchase a new Braunschweig center with 100% our own finances. I struggled for this and calculated. It was not easy to do so after Msn. Jabez Caleb's business went bankrupt. However, Msn. Jabez Caleb, John and I prayed together to follow what God wanted. We saw vision that 15,000 campus souls will be fed in this center and many sheep will be sent to other nations for the gospel. We learned that faith is to seek God's kingdom and his righeousness instead of our own situation. We made a decision of faith based on Hebrews 11:6 believing that God's reward. God was pleased with our faith and granted us an apartment within 10 minutes of the campus. We now worship God in the best environment. I thank and praise God!

One word: "God works for the good of those who love him."