ACLC Clergy Couple Begin 12-city Tour to Revive America
Rev. Michael Sykes and Minister Zena Sykes are the co-pastors of the United Missionary Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey. Rev. Sykes is also the New Jersey State Co-Chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC). As is one of the founding members of the ACLC, both he and his wife are part of the 172-clergy who met with True Parents in Korea and later among the twelve who met with them in Las Vegas. At these meetings, True Father challenged each person to take responsibility for saving America, to not only follow Jesus, but to be another Christ themselves.
The father of Minister Zena Sykes, Rev. Chee from Hawaii, was an ACLC minister, and before he ascended, he encouraged his daughter to work with ACLC and True Father. Through ACLC she and Rev. Sykes met. They received the Holy Marriage Blessing on the first Foundation Day in 2014.
Rev. Sykes has been associated with the Unification movement and ACLC for 20 years, during which he studied the Divine Principle. He now teaches the Divine Principle to other pastors at the monthly ACLC Pastors Forum in New Jersey, and in his own church at weekly Bible studies. He also taught the sections on the Mission of Jesus and the Fall of Man at two national ACLC programs.
Recently, the couple felt compelled to travel across America to thank the members of the Unification movement for their support of Christian clergy throughout the years, to teach the Divine Principle to other clergy, and to encourage pastors to teach the Divine Principle to their own congregations.
On August 21, Rev. and Minister Sykes embarked on their first missionary journey in order to help True Parents save America. It is a historic tour since they are doing this on their own initiative and at their own expense.
The kick-off program was held at the Clifton Family Church on Friday, August 21 with 80 participants. The United Missionary Baptist Church choir performed, and Rev. Allen Tamelessio was the emcee.
Congratulations were given by Dr. Dolores Harrison of Riverside Church in New York; Rev. Barry Geller, the former District Pastor of District Three; Dr. Michael Jenkins, ACLC Chairman Emeritus; and Bishop Jesse Edwards, National ACLC Evangelist. Also present from the ACLC national office were Rev. Bruce Grodner, the National Outreach Director, and Rev. Tom Cutts, National Executive Director of the ACLC. Rev. Cutts lead the assembly in a closing prayer.
The Sykeses expressed their heart felt gratitude to God, True Parents, and Unificationists for their investment for the sake of saving America. They were especially thankful for the Japanese pioneers who left their country to come to America. Rev. and Minister Sykes presented certificates of gratitude to several Unificationists, including Dr. and Mrs. Ang, two of the earliest to join the movement.
Rev. Tom Cutts, National Executive Director of ACLC remarked, “I saw tears streaming down the faces of several Japanese sisters. I know they were moved to be thanked for their sacrifices, but I also believe their tears of joy were because finally a Christian clergy husband and wife, on their own initiative and at their own expense, were stepping up to help True Parents to save America.”
The Sykeses presented Hawaiian seashell leis to each member of the audience, and all pastors attending the program were invited to sign a proclamation thanking Rev. and Mrs. Moon for their investment in America.
Below is the complete list of tour dates and locations. Attend an event near you!
August 21 – Clifton, NJ – Kickoff
August 22 – Jamaica, NY – ACLC Prayer Breakfast
August 23 – Tarrytown, NY – Three District Youth Program
August 26 – Warren, MI – ACLC Interfaith Blessing
August 27 – Detroit, MI
August 29 – Cleveland, OH
August 30 – Chicago, IL – Sunday Service
September 1 – Chicago, IL – ACLC Pastors Forum
September 2 – Milwaukee, WI
September 4 – Minneapolis, MN
September 6 – Sioux Falls, SD
September 8, 9 – Killdeer, ND
September 11, 12, 13 – Seattle, WA
Scott Dolfay
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This is a late comment (better late than never). I was moved to tears when they came to Seattle. Unlike many, I was never a Christian before being “born again” through True Parents. As a Unificationist I’ve had to use my 2nd amendment rights to defend my 1st amendment rights when Christians burned crosses (yes more than one) on our lawn and then burned down our building in Illinois.
Christian ministers have been involved in the kidnapping of thousands of our brothers & sisters (including Mr. Goto) for 3 generations now in Japan. MAy God keep the Sykes healthy and strong as they make straight the way of the lord. Jesus is smiling.
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Catherine ono
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What a wonderful report! Thank you!!!
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Rebecca Rosado
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What a beautiful couple. I saw their presentation at the youth service in Tarrytown last Sunday and felt their sincerity as well as their love.
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Migliore Gennaro
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Thanks for taking this responsability .
Rev. Michael Sykes and Minister Zena Sykes may HP help during this jorney and in the future .
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Richard Moore
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This is fantastic. It reminds me of when Father sent out missionaries. But what is most amazing is that they are doing it on their own!
It is very humbling, because as Blessed members who’ve been in the church and with True Parents for 40 years, how can we do less?
We need to support them!
When are they coming to Los Angeles?
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