True Mother Organizes New Outreach and Education Team in LV

During her most recent visit to Las Vegas, True Mother shared her vision for creating a new set of outreach initiatives that would combine the strengths of the local Las Vegas Family Church, Generation Peace Academy (GPA) and the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP). The overall focus will be on campus ministry, teaching the Divine Principle and a study of True Parents’ words.

Roland Platt, the current Director of GPA, and Akira Watanabe, a senior Group Leader in GPA,  will take the lead with this new project.

“I can’t stop feeling so humbled to be called upon for this important task, and honored that True Mother has recognized the quality of education that GPA provides to young Unificationists,” said Roland in reaction to the exciting changes to come.

“True Mother’s top priorities in this new year are outreach and youth education,” said Akira Watanabe. “Las Vegas is a strategic location where True Parents poured out an incredible amount of energy and dedication aimed at moving the city towards a new and Heavenly reputation. True Mother has committed to continue investment in this city, with the goal of creating a model of outreach and education that can then expand to the rest of America.”

True Mother advised Roland and Akira to work closely together to support these efforts. Akira will lead a CARP center at the University of Las Vegas (UNLV). True Mother’s vision for this Las Vegas CARP chapter is that it will testify to True Parents and transform lives through the power of Divine Principle.

GPA as an organization will support these efforts by including Las Vegas in their “30 days of community outreach,” a Spring program that takes place starting in April. GPA graduates will be encouraged to study at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) and to take advantage of some new scholarships offered by True Mother. Later, second- or third-year GPA participants who feel called to outreach efforts will have the opportunity to work with Akira in Las Vegas.

True Mother’s full support, thoughts and prayers are behind Akira and the Las Vegas CARP team which will work in partnership with the national CARP program, while remaining functionally independent. During the transition time, Akira will continue his current GPA activities and make the transition to his new role after the annual GPA Family Workshop which takes place next month in Colorado.