Preface
Abraham Hwang and Raul Munoz reviewed the history of each chapter in Mexico and wrote a brief history in 2015. This is an excerpt from the Raul's lecture during Mexico Night. The original in Spanish is translated into English by Karina Baustista.Overview
Key verse Matthew 12: 28, 29Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
The ministry of Mexico UBF was started in 1982 by M. Joseph Ahn, when he left his family and came as a diplomat of the South Korea Embassy. Abraham and Sarah Hwang arrived in 1983, a year later, M. Timothy and Hannah Rhee came. For 7 years both families co-worked beautifully and humbly in Mexico City UBF ministry. In 1991, Timothy’s family and their sheep’s pioneered the second biggest city called Guadalajara. In 1994 Rodolfo Blas went to pioneer Acatlán City. He was a man prepared for the ministry of Mexico because he had a big company. Through Shepherd Rodolfo, Missionary Abraham Hwang was able to obtain his visa. When the Korean missionaries were poor, he had a good heart to help the missionaries support the ministry. Despite his age and high position in society, he led an example in inviting students on campus. Since 2002, his sheep Shepherd Serafin started to pioneer his hometown Morelia. Even after his wife Juana went to be with the Lord, they kept their faith and faithfully maintained the Sunday worship service. This is how the pioneering ministry continues through Mexican shepherds. In 2000, the family of Shepherd Pedro went out to pioneer Saltillo despite of the difficulties of changing his job.
In 1999 M. Barnabas Choi went to National Polytechnic Institute University and later invited M. Isaias Rho, who then went to Santa Tomas in 2008. In 2000 M. Barnabas Kim pioneered Monterrey and his partner M. Josue Lee pioneered the department of medicine because the campus was in a different location. In 2002, M. Isaac Park pioneered Iztacala through his job in the LG Company. He invited M. Daniel Baik to accompany him. The missionaries raised many leaders and established 4 house churches. Although M. Isaac was in a different country for 5 years because of his job, the ministry grew steadily by the labor of M. Rebeca Park. Now, 35 people attend the Sunday worship service. After M. Daniel Baik collaborated with him for 10 beautiful years, he pioneered Cautitlan. M. Sarah Baik has a weak health, she still serves God’s sheep, by fishing and raising them as leaders. After serving 10 years in the city of Guadalajara, M. Josue Bae pioneered Tepic in 2008, but he is now serving in Puebla. M. Gideon Kim also served for a long time in Guadalajara and then pioneered Zapopan city in 2009. In 2010 Caleb Lee pioneered Queretaro through his job in the Samsung company.
This is how 14 UBF chapters have been established in Mexico. I praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the pioneers. In Mexico the Korean missionaries are struggling for self-support and a lot of crime such as assassinations. However, our missionaries are striving to first serve the ministry of God despite the financial hardship. God marvelously protects the missionaries from all danger. I'm very thankful for the missionaries who sacrifice their lives for Mexico. We are constantly praying to plant chapters in all 32 states.