Mobilizing ‘Myself’ for Madison Square Garden

On June 21, 2017, the fire of the National Ministry team was at its height at their monthly meeting, as they gear up for True Parents at the Garden. With True Mother’s upcoming message just a few weeks away, representatives from Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) affiliates and Unificationists from the tri-state area inspired one another with their efforts and determination to build this historic event.

FFWPU Vice President Mari Curry emceed, while Dr. Hugh Spurgin opened the meeting in prayer. A heartfelt desire to prepare a great event for America to realize its need for God and True Parents was palpable as they sang together, “Open the eyes of our heart, Lord…” 

Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, the Continental Chairman of FFWPU North America, amplified the passion in the room, emphatically encouraging all Unificationists to fully commit and take complete ownership of their faith to True Parents in preparation for July 15. “You are an owner, not an employee who works here and there,” Dr. Kim said. He echoed the theme of the upcoming Madison Square Garden event, “Peace Starts with Me,” as he insisted that its success begins within ourselves: “You must first inspire yourself. You must first mobilize yourself. True Mother, our True Parents, the Messiah, are coming to the Garden!” Dr. Kim proclaimed with joy.

Reinvigorated by Dr. Kim’s words, Archbishop Dr. Sulanch Lewis-Rose, National Co-President of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) expressed her limitless desire to bring joy to True Mother through this event: “When I speak about her, I feel like fire!” Archbishop Lewis-Rose declared.

FFWPU Vice President Miilhan Stephens read an excerpt from the Chambumogyeong. In the passage, True Father also emphasized the importance of commitment to early Unificationists who were preparing for True Father’s New Future of Christianity speech at Madison Square Garden in 1974:

“If you meet someone just once on the street, they will probably drift away no matter how sincerely you talk to them. In order to influence people, you need to make considerable effort, so go to their homes with the same commitment you have for meeting people on the street. At their homes, people will not run away. If you go to people’s homes two or three times with that commitment, they will recognize your attitude and purity of heart as just what today’s America needs from its youth. As an exemplary young person, your warm-hearted entreaties will move everyone to accept you. This is because they will feel that you are like their own son or daughter.” 

District pastors in the northeast then provided updates on the increasing momentum in their local communities for True Parents at the Garden. Rev. Manoj Jacob, District 3 Pastor, discussed a recently implemented strategy in which each family reached out to another family, spreading the word about True Mother coming to the Garden. Read more about how communities across America have been preparing for July 15. 

Naokimi Ushiroda, the National Director of the Youth and Students Ministry, described his experience attending the rallies celebrating the inauguration of Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) in Thailand. Through this experience, including True Mother’s speech from the rally, Naokimi realized that the main mission of YSP–to cultivate a heart of filial piety and a heart of siblings’ love–resonated deeply with his hopes for the National Youth and Students Ministry. 

To help cultivate this heart, the opportunity for youth and young adults to spend a weekend with True Mother from July 14-16 was also announced. Read more about registration to spend your weekend in New York City with True Mother! 

Tomiko Duggan of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) then shared her achievement of Blessing 450 couples prior to the Madison Square Garden event. She shared that her inspiration to do so emerged from the recent Famicon, where her desire to bring success to True Mother was deepened. Stay tuned later this week for more updates on Tomiko’s moving story behind her achievement. 

Other ACLC leaders expressed their enthusiasm for America’s first real introduction to True Mother, as well as their excitement for the 2000 Voice Choir that will be performing on July 15.  As a beautiful rendition of “Every Praise” played in the background, the ACLC leaders sang praise to True Parents. If you or your choir would like to be part of this historic event, sign up today to join the choir!

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing to True Parents at the Garden by praying, planning, sharing, and spreading the word. Be sure to check familyfed.org daily for the latest mobilization resources and stories, and if you haven’t already, be sure to get your tickets!