Four Newcomers Join the Latest IPEC Seminar

From April 18 to 24, 2018, the 26th 7-Day English Divine Principle seminar was held at the International Peace Education Center (IPEC). Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Regional Chairman of Family Federation North America visited the six participants in their journey to learn more about True Parents’ teachings.

Over the course of seven days, participants studied the entire Divine Principle, heard True Parents’ life course, journeyed to Lake Mead to sail on the water and feed the fish, visited the Hoover Dam, and hiked at Red Rock Canyon. The latest seminar marked the first time that two thirds of the participants were there to learn about the Divine Principle for the first time.

Attendees were especially grateful to have Dr. Kim present a 40 minute overview of True Parents’ providence in America, which inspired all six participants as well as a handful of local members and Japanese missionaries.  

This was the first seven-day seminar at IPEC in which more than one day of content was devoted to True Parents’ life course and its application to a personal life of faith. Some of the content was based on presentations that Reverend Kachi has given at similar seven-day seminars for Japanese speakers.  

One attendee was Mrs. Kyoko Bowman, a Japanese-American Unificationist who emigrated to America in 1973. At the end of the seminar, she said, “Through people I will gain God’s heart. I must be active every day.” Mrs. Bowman, who recently completed her goal to Bless 430 people in the Holy Wine Ceremony, certainly has been active.

Mrs. Bowman brought two guests to the seminar: Annie Williams and her adult son Joseph, who came to hear the Divine Principle content for the first time. “I learned that God is real,” said Ms. Williams.

“I learned about the course of Reverend Moon’s life and it inspired me,” added Joseph. “The way that Mrs. Moon embraced his death and faced it was another inspiring lesson learned.” Both Annie and Joseph plan to continue studying Divine Principle in their hometown of Trenton, South Carolina.

Chelly Arancon, a New Jersey resident, was another guest hearing the content for the first time. Ms. Arancon is a Filipino-American who prayed fervently for answers before being led to the seminar. “I still believe that God will not stop teaching me through his sent instruments,” she said. “I know this retreat will be the start of everything.”

The seminar also drew young adult Tamara Mangal, a 22-year old college student who lives in Florida. “I enjoyed being able to share and bond with amazing people who shared my goals,” reflected Ms. Mangal, who plans to pursue a career in medicine.

In addition to the newcomers, Arlene Candelaresi, an Ohio Unificationist, came to hear the content presented at IPEC. “I had three goals at the beginning of this workshop and all have been accomplished,” she remarked. “I can see Him [my Heavenly Parent] working in my life in many more ways now.”

Inspired to attend a workshop at IPEC? Register today!