2020 GAP4FTT Newsletter

Spring is around the corner. Flowers bloom and new leaves sprout. But there are some trees that cannot do so. Trees whose spring snow has died previous winter cannot bloom even when the new spring comes. Even the leaves cannot sprout. Leaves may wither. The branches may dry out. But when spring snow dies, it cannot sprout. Present is a difficult time spiritually and physically.

It became a challenge to carry on with daily tasks in life.

The church is also having a difficult time including gathering together. We are not able to have worship services. Small group meetings are also unavailable. Especially in times like this, we need to hold onto hope. If it dries out, it’s really over. Even in the new age, nothing can be done. It becomes a really dead church. Let us dream of tomorrow, not today. Let us focus on our Lord’s work instead of ours. The saints and churches with spiritual hope should be the ones to prepare for the new work.

We can’t do it now, but the right time will come.

Let’s talk about that beautiful day.

Let’s prepare for that day together.

“To the Churches…”

The first promotion packet was sent out to about 1,800 carefully selected churches in Korea. (There are 50,000+ churches in Korea.) The packet contains a poster, a brochure and an invitation for partnership.

Above all these, we prayerfully put the heart of Jesus Christ. Please pray with us.

If you’re interested in receiving a promotion packet, you may request one:

Request Promotion Packet

RESPONSE to COVID-19

as of MAR-24-2020

1. 2020 GAP for FTT (October 13-15) will proceed as planned. However, we will keep a close watch as the situation develops and adjust the plan accordingly:

a. The preparatory committee will determine the appropriate size of 2020 GAP for FTT and the convention program after evaluating the overall situation on June 30.

b. In July and August, the size and format of 2020 GAP for FTT will be confirmed and announced.

c. 2020 GAP for FTT (October 13 -15) will be held in the largest number and size possible. If it becomes impossible to hold the conference in Incheon, we will gather by nations or by continents. We will make strategic decisions as we pray together with the pastoral leaders of the preparatory committees around the world.

2. 2020 GAP for FTT will be prepared in three formats to achieve the maximum vision of the 2020 GAP for FTT by flexibly, effectively and efficiently adapting to changes in the global situation.

a. 2020 GAP for FTT will be held in Incheon as originally planned: October 13th to 15^th.

b. National/Continental Conferences: If all the church leaders from all over the world cannot gather for the conference in Incheon, we shall hold at least 30 country-specific satellite conferences for pastors who cannot attend the conference. With all the plenary and main track presentations pre-recorded videos (along with prepared documents), satellite conferences can be held anywhere, in partnership with local church leaders, with small to medium size audiences. They are to invite as many nearby church pastors as possible to the 2020 GAP for FTT Mission Conference.

c. Online Course: Upload all the materials mentioned in 2-b onto a LMS (Learning Management System). Anyone anywhere anytime can register and complete the course in his/her preferred language at his/her own pace.

d. We shall help 500 church planting pastors and 500 partnering church leaders selected from 90 countries to achieve the vision and goals of reaching 5,000 people groups from 2020 to 2030. We shall provide local church pastors and partnering church pastors the world’s best examples and resources online for teaching and training principles and strategies for evangelizing the unreached people groups.

3. Preparation Schedule

a. About 150 churches are already participating in the 2020 GAP for FTT in Korea and the States. Depending on the situation, preparatory committee will contact partnering churches, that adopt and financially support UUPGs, to consult and advise on providing necessary training information in order to devise mission plans for the UUPGs. We will immediately connect partnering churches with 500 UUPG pastors from 90 countries. We will provide mandatory missional training and resources to the partnering church pastors and believers in order for them to start interceding, gathering financial support, and executing short-term and long-term missions for the UUPGs. We will continue to work together for 10 years through 2030 to help effectively and strategically develop and promote UUPG mission plans, so we can grow strategic mission coordinator churches that can train and teach other churches.

b. By the end of June, specific plans for the 2020 GAP for FTT in Incheon and regional mission conferences will be advertised.

c. Collect all materials by the end of June: videos, powerpoint files, documents, etc. All the materials needed for a regional mission conference shall be arranged. All instructors are to submit lecture contents and materials. We shall translate and provide necessary resources in English.

d. From the beginning of July, all the materials of instructors and track class lecturers will be translated and dubbed into major world languages. Where possible, small-scale pilot missionary conferences will be held at local churches.

e. From the beginning of August, all materials will have been collected, translated and dubbed. They will be offered online as part of the World UUPG Mission School.

f. The goal of this mission conference is to spread the 2020 GAP for FTT to all continents and countries- ultimately helping national churches and local churches to reach UUPGs.

”When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The COVID-19 epidemic is spreading around the world, making it impossible for believers in many countries to attend worship services. Too many people are suffering from illness and poor conditions. For “such a time as this” let all the churches and believers around the world fast and pray for three days repenting with one heart and seeking God’s grace.