GPA Concludes Kickoff Workshop
A New Generation Sets Out
Following the Washington Monument anniversary rally and a few days spent fundraising on the road, Generation Peace Academy (GPA) reconvened at the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) for the final part of our kickoff workshop.
The main purpose for coming together again was to have three days of Divine Principle education. For most of our first-year participants this was the first time they heard presentations on the Divine Principle from the beginning to end. Lectures were followed by animated Q&A sessions that went late into the night.
“I am so grateful for the chance to finally ask questions that have always been on mind in such a safe environment, knowing that they’ll be wisely and sincerely answered.” –Gerlyn Quilates, CA
The lectures were given by Christine Froehlich and Rosia Schmidt. Special guest visitors to the workshop were Naokimi Ushiroda and Teresa Rischl, President and National Program Director of the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) America, who gave a hopeful message about the latest developments in CARP; and Leighton and Crescentia DeGoede of the national Blessing and Family Ministry, who shared their Blessing testimony and discussed the latest scientific discoveries about the destructive effects of pornography.
A big highlight of the workshop was an evening visit by Dr. and Mrs. Balcomb. After spending some time getting to know everyone, Dr. Balcomb shared very personally about his own experiences joining the Unification movement in 1976 and being matched by Father in 1981. Dr. Balcomb also expressed God’s heart for second-generation Unificationists, explaining how though Adam and Eve fell at the age of 16 “for the first time in human history, God has His children who say ‘Yes!’ to him, particularly with the Generation Peace Academy.”
“You hold the key,” Dr. Balcomb said. “True Mother believes in this generation, that they are the ones who will get the uncompleted task done, just as it was the new generation of Israelites lead by Joshua and Caleb who were able to finally enter Canaan.”
“I felt so loved and trusted through this very personal message from Dr. Balcomb. We now really feel hope for God’s Providence.” –Hayato Takahashi, MI
The theme of our kickoff workshop and first 21 days of the year was “Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind.” From here, we will depart from UTS and head out in teams to all parts of the country, exercising faith and stretching our hearts by reaching out to serve a wide range of very diverse people.
Stay tuned for more information at familyfed.org as GPA sets out on a brand new year of adventures in faith, heart, and love. We wish them safe travels and much growth on their journey!