ⓒ 2019 WATV

An event was held for the members who were preparing for the overseas preaching to keep pace with the mission of preaching to seven billion people. It was the 16th Foreign Language Bible Preaching Contest held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute on May 26. More than 6,000 Korean members, including the pastoral staff members who have the great will of world evangelism and the 74th Overseas Visiting Group, gathered at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute.

At the worship service, the first part of the event, Mother said, “Those who have faith and keep in step with the prophecy are the workers of the new covenant pleasing God.” Mother prayed that all Her children would be able to display the glory of God with great faith enough to surprise the world. “Blessed are those who take to heart what is written in the Bible, as well as reading and hearing the prophecy. In order to preach the gospel to all nations as written in the Bible, languages are important along with faith. As you have prepared foreign languages with faith in the prophecy, take the lead in spreading the gospel to the whole world, clothed with the Holy Spirit, just as it was in the days of early Church,” said Mother, encouraging everyone (Rev 1:3; Mk 16:15–16; Mt 28:18–20; Mt 24:13–14; Dt 28:1–6, 13).

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol gave thanks to God for allowing the Foreign Language Bible Preaching Contest 16 times and the members’ steady interest and participation in them. He wished that all participants would have the same faith as Peter’s and fervor as Paul’s so that God-given language abilities can be used for the valuable work of saving souls.

ⓒ 2019 WATV

The second part of the contest began with Mother’s opening declaration. The atmosphere was full of fervor. The participants, from male adults with gray hair to students, were all enthusiastic. The participants were divided into 249 groups and preached the truth boldly in 26 languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, and Mongolian. The number of participants in unfamiliar languages, such as Bengali, Cantonese, and Khmer (Cambodian), increased greatly, which showed their wish to deliver the good news of life to every city and continent.

The overseas members joined groups of their native languages. They listened to Korean participants’ sermon preaching and gave example presentations. “Hungarian is not easy to learn because of its difficult pronunciation and grammar. I was impressed by the Korean members who prepared their presentations at the level of a Hungarian native speaker,” said Brother Gergely from Budapest, Hungary. “The fact that there is a contest for 26 languages itself is great enough. When I return to my country, I, too, will preach the gospel with all my strength just as Korean members are doing,” said Sister Itzel from Queretaro, Mexico.

While the contest was in full swing at the main hall, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol gave a special lecture to the members who attended the language education. “All things are the fruit of your plans. If you keep making efforts with a definite goal in the gospel, you can fulfill the goal completely, clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit,” he said, planting confidence in their hearts.

ⓒ 2019 WATV

Sixty participants were honored with awards through this contest. Mother presented the award certificates to each and every awardee, and congratulated them, holding their hands. “I experienced that when I relied on Father and Mother, I was given ability. I will accomplish the mission of the gospel, earnestly asking for God’s power without being arrogant,” said Brother Yu Jeong-su (Chuncheon, Korea; awardee in English language), who had prayed with tears every day, realizing his lack of language ability while preaching the gospel in the Philippines. “I carefully practiced grammar so that I would not distort the truth. I believe that God granted me this award to encourage me more. I will prepare myself more and preach the Passover, the way to escape disasters, in Japan where many disasters occur,” said Sister Song Ji-ye (Bucheon, Korea; awardee in Japanese language), who majored in Japanese.

At the end of the contest, Mother cheered everyone up: “I thank you for making much effort for your presentations with the mind to follow Father’s life of the gospel work. Father said, ‘My sheep listen to My voice.’ Let’s preach the truth with confidence to whomever we meet.” The participants confirmed the gospel vision and plucked up their courage. Their eyes shined with the resolution that they would surely deliver the news of salvation to seven billion people quickly.