By Daniel Yoon
Hyde Park UBF joyfully celebrated its 20th anniversary, reflecting on God’s grace and the transformative impact of the ministry over the past two decades. The event began with a biblical reflection on the "Kernel of Wheat" principle from John 12:24, which is Hyde Park UBF's founding key verse. Pastor Joshua Hong recalled the ministry’s humble beginnings from a small group of families meeting in his family's Hyde Park condo as they ministered to students at the University of Chicago. Other leaders, including Missionary Joseph and Faith Wang, also shared prayers and perspectives on their faith journeys and testified to God’s work in the ministry over the past 20 years.
The celebration included a beautiful musical meditation by Mary Yoon and Anna Toh, while the congregation also celebrated Pastor Joshua Hong's 60th birthday, which coincided with the anniversary. J. Daniel Yoon shared how he renewed his commitment to seeing Hyde Park UBF bless the whole Body of Christ by following the "Kernel of Wheat" ministry principle, as embodied by John the Baptist: “Christ must become greater, I must become less...The Body of Christ must become greater, Hyde Park UBF must become less.” Pastor P. Dang (Living Word Community) concluded the gathering with a heartfelt benediction.
Looking ahead, Hyde Park UBF’s vision is to see God’s kingdom realized by the power of the gospel at work in the lives of young people in Chicago and around the world. This ministry prays to catalyze a Gospel movement where young people learn to love Jesus with their whole being (Matthew 22:37) and to love the whole Church with a generous spirit (John 17:21).
