Outstanding Families Honored Across the Nation

Beginning in 2016, the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA National Ministry Team has presented Family of the Year Awards to outstanding families who have worked tirelessly to serve their communities. Five families, one from each subregion, were honored in regional celebrations taking place primarily on Sunday, December 8. 

This year, each awardee was presented with a one-of-a-kind gift from the Cheon Jeong Gung (peace museum): souvenirs from Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her husband, the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, co-founders of the FFWPU and affectionately referred to as True Parents. “We are with True Mother wherever she travels,” said Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, regional chairman of Family Federation North America. “Even when she’s suffering, she smiles. A smile saying, ‘thank you for being with me.’”

Photo credit FFWPU-USA

The Northeast region presented the 2019 Family of the Year Award to Thomas and Rita Baldwin during the National Ministry Christmas party on December 4. The Baldwins traveled more than five hours from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to join the festivities and celebrate their achievements. “All these years, I felt like God never saw us over in the corner of Pittsburgh,” said Mrs. Baldwin. “But now I know God sees every corner of the world.”

FFWPU USA President Rev. Demian Dunkley spoke on how the Baldwins welcomed him with open hearts when he visited them during his America is God’s Hope Presidential Prayer tour. The Baldwins have attended nearly every national and regional event and have worked tirelessly in their community for over 20 years, serving as an outstanding example of faith, love and commitment to their community.

In the Southeast region, the Family of the Year award was presented to Tony and Mieko Adamson of the Baltimore Family Church by Rev. Ernest Patton, director of the Southeast Subregion, and his wife Mrs. Keiko Patton.

With continuous support from his wife and family, Mr. Adamson volunteers full-time as the assistant pastor for the Baltimore Family Church, supporting all of the families from the Baltimore community. The Adamsons have worked tirelessly as Heavenly Tribal Messiahs, giving the Marriage Blessing to more than 430 couples. Mr. Adamson also works to support the growth of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) in Baltimore and has helped to expand the food ministry, a branch of the Baltimore Family Church that distributes 2,000 pounds of food weekly to churches in the greater Baltimore area. Mr. Adamson’s resumé does not end there—he also helps elderly Unificationists in Baltimore by driving them to church on Sunday and taking them grocery shopping throughout the week.

In the Midwest region, the 2019 Family of the Year Award was presented to Kurt and Cilene Garrison and their son, Sean. The Garrisons all lead the music ministry at the Chicago Family Church. Together, they choose songs, organize singers and practice every Sunday. Mrs. Garrison also works as a parental advisor to the Chicago youth ministry. 

“We received this award for our passion, but our passion stems from what we see around us in our community,” said Mrs. Garrison, when presented with the award. “One thing that inspires me is Mrs. Maria Sagisaka making coffee for us every Sunday, which keeps us, the band, going and running. It’s little things like this that we see in the community that inspire us to give back.”

In the Southwest region, Ken and Ann Marie Morgan from Austin, Texas received the 2019 Family of the Year award. Rev. Hideyuki and his wife Toyoko Sakai, state leaders in Texas, presented the Morgans with the award. “We are just doing our part as best as we can,” said Mr. Morgan, who continued on, humbly bringing attention to the hard work of everyone in the Austin Family Church community. “I am grateful to Southwest Subregional Director Rev. John Jackson and to True Parents for giving us this opportunity to serve.” 

The Morgans are hard workers, who offer everything to God and seek no credit for themselves. They work tirelessly on their ranch, which lent itself as a summer and winter campground for young Unificationists from across the country for the past 15 years, and also work every day as Heavenly Tribal Messiahs in their community.

In the Western region, the 2019 Family of the Year Award was presented to Michael and Marienne Irwin from the Los Angeles Family Church. “The Irwins have provided the vision and the substance for our families in the Los Angeles area,” said Rev. Mark Tengan, senior pastor of LAFC. “With unflagging determination, high spirits, and bright smiles, they work to create opportunities for people to get started and continue working as Heavenly Tribal Messiahs.”

The Irwins have built a team that sets up Blessing tents in flea markets, which has greatly increased the amount of Los Angeles Unificationists involved in Tribal Messiahship. 

Congratulations to all of the families that received the 2019 Family of the Year Award!