The Grand American Journey Reaches its Halfway Mark!

The God’s Hope for America pilgrimage completed its Civil Rights mini tour, passing by Stone Mountain and making its way up the East Coast to Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, where they visited the National Wonjeon to pay their respects to ascended Unificationists. The end of this mini tour marks the half-way point for this momentous journey.

Stone Mountain

In Georgia, the God’s Hope for America bus travelers took the opportunity to hike up Stone Mountain, the site where once was held secret rituals and meetings of the Ku Klux Klan. Once at the top, their intentions were to pray for forgiveness and repentance for so much suffering endured in this state.

God’s Hope for America hikers stand atop Stone Mountain.

Prayers for forgiveness are said on Stone Mountain.

Read more about Stone Mountain here.

Stone Mountain Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Columbia, South Carolina

Approximately 70 people gathered at the Columbus, South Carolina Holy Ground. Among them were Unificationists that had backed away for the last 30 years, and, because of the pilgrimage, decided to join that day in reviving America. The South Carolina Unificationists set up a plaque with the names of those who had ascended so that they too, could be present.

A sense of community is felt with lively music and singing at the Columbia Holy Ground.

The group gathers at the Columbia, South Carolina Holy Ground to pray.

It was in this well-prepared environment that everyone sang a hearty rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Down By the “Holy Ground,” and then local pastor Tim Murphy, who had guided the bus to the Holy Ground, shared these words: “South Carolina is one the original 13 colonies of the U.S. Starting here, you will be moving through all 13 original colonies up the East Coast. South Carolina claims home to four signers of the Declaration of Independence.” Unificationists here took claim of the great merit of this state as their own and spoke with great pride.

Read more about Columbia here.

Columbia Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Raleigh, North Carolina & Richmond, Virginia

Approximately 65 people came to the Holy Ground in Raleigh to gather and pray. Following this event, a celebration was held at the local church. Then, in Richmond, the bus riders were greeted by local Unificationists, their guests and a handful of curious Christians prepared to witness to them. Several were approached by these friendly few, and found themselves in deep dialogue with them as everyone else gathered at the Holy Ground location and began to pray. They learned this Richmond Holy Ground is also used by a group of local Christians as their witnessing ground. 

Approximately 65 people attended the Holy Ground prayer in Raleigh.

The music is festive and rich at the Richmond Holy Ground.

The Richmond Holy Ground gathering ends with a unison prayer.

Read more about Raleigh and Richmond here, and enjoy Dr. Michael Balcomb’s blog entry for this day, as well as an update on the road to the next stop: West Virginia!

Raleigh & Richmond Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Martinsburg, West Virginia

At the Martinsburg Holy Ground event, everyone including the local guests wore their blue tee shirts.

The event was attended by four families and friends. They sang the beautiful “Song of the Banquet”, which set a festive and joyous atmosphere, and later enjoyed a delicious lunch, prepared by the local families and hosted by Pastor B. and his wife of the United Methodist Church.

Bus travelers in Martinsburg share news of the pilgrimage with local people.

Every generation is represented in Martinsburg, as they pray for America to fulfill God’s Hope.

Read more about Martinsburg here, and tune in to an update on the road to the next stop: Washington, D.C.!

Martinsburg Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Washington, D.C.

One of two Holy Ground sites in the nation’s capital, White House lawn hosts a second round of prayers and songs. Dr. Bishop Kim shares some opening words.

The pilgrimage reaches Washington, D.C., the halfway point of the tour.

Washington, D.C. is the halfway mark of the tour, the 25th and 26th Holy Ground located at the Capitol building and the White House, respectively. As True Father said years ago in this very city, “The United States of America, transcending race and nationality, is already a model of the unified world. ‘One World Under God’ is the unchanging, eternal and absolute desire of God. This goal will be realized; yet, in order to accomplish this goal, the unity of religions is the first and essential task.” Read the blog recounting this important city for this momentous pilgrimage.

Washington, D.C. Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!