On April 28, 2024, the Bangladesh Urban Center of Influence (UCI) building’s groundbreaking ceremony was held at an open site within the Bangladesh Union Mission campus. Over 130 people attended this commemorative event, including officers from the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD), Bangladesh Union Mission (BAUM), and Conference staff, school representatives, lay association executives, and local church members.

The solemn ceremony began with an opening prayer by Lee HyungJin, associate secretary of NSD, and was presided over by Timothy Roy, executive secretary of BAUM. Kim WanSang, president of BAUM, gave special remarks highlighting the critical priority of the UCI building. Kim YoHan, president of NSD, speaking at the opening ceremony, acknowledged the importance of this UCI building, stating, “It’s not our plan, but God’s plan. God works miraculously and has given us more than we prayed for.” He also urged all church leaders to create a significant legacy through local contributions. Following these speeches, the ribbon-cutting ceremony and groundbreaking commenced, marking the start of construction for the UCI.

Furthermore, the UCI building project plans to construct a 12-story ‘ㄷ’-shaped building on the existing Union Mission campus, which will house a dental college and expand the existing Dhaka Adventist Pre-Seminary & School. This initiative aims to accommodate over 4000 students and plans to utilize the outreach areas as commercial spaces, among other changes. The center will provide the financial capacity to establish new international schools in major cities annually. Annually graduating 20 Adventist dentists who start their practices could foster healthy church growth from the grassroots by enhancing local church tithing.

The original article was published on the Norther Asia-Pacific DIvision website.