By James Rarick
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Acts 20:28
Praise God who blessed the 2026 North American UBF Representative Members Meeting. It was held at the Chicago UBF Center on February 14, 2026. 52 Representative Members from throughout North America, as well as Department Chairs, the General Director, and other staff attended the meeting. James Rarick presented a message on Acts 20:28 titled, “Be Shepherds of the Church of God.” As five North America Elders were stepping down due to term limits (James Rarick, Luke Hong, Joseph Chun, Abraham Lim, and Luke Moon), we remembered Paul’s final words to the Ephesian Elders, “Be shepherds of the church of God.” The Members may continue to shepherd the church of God in North America.
Four new Representative Members were introduced: James S Kim (New York), Joseph Han, Sr. (New York), Dawn Pitts (Triton), and Dr. Daniel Lee (Shippensburg). We heard reports from the IT, World Mission, Education, and External Relief committees and departments. The 2026 budget for the North America Ministry was presented and approved. Several policies, such as the new ECFA Leadership Care policy, were discussed and voted on.
An election for the North America Elder Board was held. Five continuing Elders—Dr. Charles Kim, Peter Park, David Jumeau, David Cho and Dr. Elijah Park—were confirmed. Five new Elder candidates—Dr. Joe Wert, Dr. Bill Pottinger, Dr. Liz Lincoln, James Ahn and Moses Kang—introduced themselves and were later confirmed as North America Elders by paper ballot. Dr. Joe Wert was also elected as the Board President. We pray that God blesses them as they serve our North America UBF Ministry for the next four years.
We then heard the North America and General Director reports and prayer topics. After two-by-two prayer, we joined for dinner. We thank God for the many servants from Chicago UBF who prepared a wonderful environment for this event, making it more meaningful as it happened to be on Valentine’s Day. God may bless these precious stewards of God’s ministry to continue as good shepherds for the church of God.
