Report submitted by Reimi Mizuguchi, Subregion 1, Administrative Assistant.

From January 4 to 6, the Youth and Young Adult Ministry (YAYAM) hosted their first annual Subregion 1 YAYAM retreat at the Belvedere Estates, where 50 young leaders gathered together with their pastors to discuss ways to improve their ministry in the upcoming year.

The group was also joined by Rev. Demian Dunkley, the newly appointed President of Family Federation for a Heavenly USA and Northeast Subregional Director, and Rev. Miilhan Stephens, Secretary General of the Northeast Subregion, who shared their best practices in leadership and their challenges and achievements in their personal lives. They were later visited by Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Regional Chairman for Family Federation North America who spoke about the power of uniting together as a subregional family centered on True Parents.

Much of the weekend was spent in a series of presentations and breakout sessions led by Tasnah Bercy, the National Young Adult Ministry Leader, Kaeleigh Moffitt, the National Youth Pastor, and Cathy Kase, the Subregion 1 YAYAM coordinator, who shared new resources and tools to support the leaders’ growth in their personal lives of faith and relationships with True Mother as well as practical ways to develop their ministry.

Those who participated in the retreat said it was inspiring to be able to connect to their leadership and felt they were no longer alone in their work. After spending this weekend reflecting and learning from one another, the young leaders left with the determination to become more loving and inspiring role models who can connect to True Mother’s vision.

“I was able to overcome my personal limitations and negative internal dialogue to serve at my best and commit to different programs such as Il Shim. I will continue by taking ownership with the intention of creating a culture of Hyojeong.” –Reimi Mizuguchi

“I feel more comfortable in sharing True Mother’s vision to the youth and have the youth build more connection in supporting Christianity.” –Yasutaka Ozawa

“After this weekend I will work on consistency in my life, making sure I am internally and externally active.” –Anonymous

“There are walls and doubts in regarding things like Tribal Messiahship and my relationship with True Mother. I know they are there but it really came out at this workshop and I feel like it is time to really take a look at them and start to identify and resolve them.” –Camrie Eaton

“I feel like President Dunkley and Secretary General Miilhan explained their heart and the why, while Kaleigh and Tasnah explained the how, and really helping us connect to the vision that our President has. Also, seeing the core team so close to President Dunkley made him feel like he is also a family member.” –Takafumi Mashiko