ⓒ 2017 WATV

On March 12, 2017, when yellow-green buds were coming up, receiving spring sunshine, a variety of foreign languages were heard unceasingly at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute, where the 12th Foreign Language Bible Preaching Contest was held. The contest was attended by over 5,000 members of Zion, including university students, workers, and the pastoral staff members who have prepared themselves to speak foreign languages, hoping for overseas mission.

Prior to the main contest, Mother prayed for the heavenly children that they would fulfill their dreams of the gospel work with God-given talents. “Many people in the world have not yet heard the gospel because of language barrier. Let us deliver the spiritual food enough to all nations, following the command, ‘Feed my sheep,’ with the words of the Bible in each language you have learned so far,” said Mother (Jn 21:13–17; Mk 16:15).

“God will be pleased with the efforts, time, and devotion you make for the gospel,” said General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, encouraging the participants. “Now is the time to fulfill the world evangelism by practicing the teachings of the Bible. You’ve studied difficult foreign languages for a meaningful challenge. Today, however, we are here not to compete our language skills but to take the steps toward the world, gaining wisdom and courage to save souls,” he said (Jas 2:14–26).

ⓒ 2017 WATV

The contest participants were divided into a total of 160 groups of nine languages, including English, Hindi, and Russian. Most of the participants were in their 20s to 30s, and their foreign language skills ranged from the native level of communicative competence to the novice level like little kids who just started learning the language. But their courage and fervor were all the same.

“Dios nos hace comprender que somos sus hijos” (in Spanish, ‘God let us know that we are the children of God’). “新しい契約は、魂を生かす命の法です” (in Japanese, ‘The new covenant is the law of life that saves souls’). “Мы наследуем Плоть и Кровь Бога через Пасху” (in Russian, ‘We inherit God’s flesh and blood through the Passover’).

The participants presented the Bible truth, writing in a foreign language clearly on the whiteboard; they demonstrated all their preparations for two hours. Hovar Iryna, a professor at Department of Russian, who graded Russian preaching, said, “I appreciate their faith andwillingness to learn a foreign language to preach the gospel in other countries. The efforts of those who convey the gospel even to my homeland will lead many souls to salvation and have a positive effect on their future, too.”

After the contest, 78 final awardees were selected after adding their scores of sermon preaching and written test conducted in advance. Mother presented award certificates to the winners, extending congratulations, and gave applause to all the participants and wished them all the best for their future.


“Although I even had bought books to study, I couldn’t. For this event, however, I could profitably spend even my spare time studying by setting a specific study plan. I want to use the Japanese language I’ve learned hard for the gospel work,” said Sister Wang Ga-ram (a university student from Busan), who was awarded in the Japanese language. “Sometimes I face a high language barrier, but in fact, a foreign language is a steppingstone that connects me with the world. I would like to be a gospel worker prepared with language and faith, so that I can go to a place that needs love and work there, leaving no regrets,” said Sister Hwang Yi-hyeon (an office worker from Gunpo), counting her volunteer service experience in Mexico as a memorable memory.

So far, the Foreign Language Bible Preaching Contest has played a role not only in improving the language proficiency of the members but also in broadening the view of faith and encouraging them to have enthusiasm for overseas mission and volunteer services. This contest is scheduled to be held regularly, as the mission to preach to seven billion people is heating up.