New Assistant Pastor in Manhattan Hits the Ground Running
In mid-September, Rev. Demian Dunkley, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA, and Dr. Luonne Rouse, national co-chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), were appointed new co-pastors of the Family Church of New York City (FCNYC), located in Manhattan. The installation included the announcement of a slew of new ministries, with the recently-appointed Assistant Pastor Stephanie Dias at the forefront of these efforts.
At only 20 years old, native-born New Yorker Dias has assumed a multitude of responsibilities at her local church, FCNYC. Some of her current duties include: meeting with FCNYC Unificationists every evening to address their queries, meeting weekly with the core team and staff to work on expanding ministries and improving the community environment, developing the Sunday school program, and initiating outreach work and weekly Hoon Dok Hwe (daily study of scripture) readings. Two years prior to taking on the role of assistant pastor, Dias participated in a year-long European volunteer program called Development of New Environments (DONE) in Europe. She returned from her gap year with new fervor and determination, ready to attend Sunday service every week and helping FCNYC’s ministries grow.
“It was scary deciding to take a second gap year especially since I didn’t have a solid plan,” said Dias. “I did it anyway because I put my trust and faith in our Heavenly Parent and I knew that no matter what happened, this would be the year I grew.”
Her first real taste of ministry work came when a friend asked her to volunteer to assist with outreach for the Peace Starts With Me rally at Nassau Coliseum last November. This prompted her to become even more involved locally, and by April 2019, she took on the first-ever assistant pastor internship at FCNYC. “I saw the potential Manhattan had and I wanted to be a part of it as soon as possible,” said Dias.
When her internship concluded in July, she asked to take on the official role of Assistant Pastor and the community was more than happy to welcome her. Dias now works tirelessly to develop ministries, like the new worship and hospitality ministries, and continually support peace rallies in the New York area. As a currently-enrolled college student, managing her time has become increasingly important.
“Throughout our time working together, I have seen Stephanie grow into a selfless, caring person who looks after local Unificationists and especially our youth,” said Sarah Falconi, administrative assistant at FCNYC. “It makes me really happy to know that she is putting so much effort into reaching out to everyone despite her busy schedule.” Dias works closely with Falconi to prepare for Sunday service each week and support the co-pastors.
“Taking care of people was always something I’ve done throughout my life,” said Dias. “It was hard and uncomfortable, but I knew, through this, Heavenly Parent would open so many doors in my life. I generally am a shy person, but when I do this work, I feel like I can do anything.”
DanieleKen Cohen
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So proud of you ! Thank you I learned a lot from your testimony here
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Galvan family
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Dearest Stephanie, You ROCK! Amazed by you, Amorcita!
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Louise Perlowitz
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Way to go, Stephanie!!
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Van leeuwen Maria
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Great and all the power and love to you.
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Tasnah Bercy
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So awesome to see! Super proud of you Stephanie :)
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