Five for USA
On June 12, the National Ministry Team gathered at the New Yorker Hotel for their monthly meeting full of hope for the future, as the five subregional directors delivered updates on their community activities throughout the past month, many of which were frequently referred to as miracles.
“Miracles can take place when we have a foundation,” said Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Regional Chairman of Family Federation of North America. One miracle Dr. Kim particularly was overjoyed to hear that the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) members fulfilled their promise to True Mother, gathering 360 people to attend the upcoming Hyojeong trip to Korea and Japan. Dr. Kim enthusiastically announced that True Mother, in return, invited the 360 people to a prestigious hotel in Japan as she promised she would.
With the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un having just been completed, Family Federation for a Heavenly USA President Rev. Richard Buessing read about the path to unification from True Mother’s Anthology. “The unification we hope for can only be met through sacrificial love,” said Rev. Buessing. “And no one loved North Korea and the world like True Father and True Mother. This is a historic day, and we can bring victory to Heavenly Parent.”
Northeast Subregional Director Rev. Demian Dunkley focused his speech on recognizing our heroes. He commended the staff and performers at the recent Hyo Jin Moon 10th Memorial Concert as well as Hyo Jin Moon’s children. Notably, Toshi Tagawa, a longtime video producer for the National Ministry Team and former graphic designer who worked with Hyo Jin Moon, was commended for achieving his dream of bringing True Parents’ son back on the Manhattan Center stage through the recent memorial concert. Rev. Dunkley also acknowledged Dr. Kim, Rev. Ki Yeal Lee from Korean Evangelical Association (KEA) church.
Southwest Subregional Director Rev. John Jackson spoke highly of the progress in his subregion. Their community was excited to see many young second generation Unificationists joining programs and workshops such as Generation Peace Academy (GPA) and the Divine Principle lecture training. Rev. Jackson congratulated two recent GPA graduates from the Southwest subregion and noted the revival in their spirits. “GPA really teaches our young people to internalize the heart of True Parents,” Rev. Jackson said.
Rev. David Rendel, Midwest Subregional Director, provided updates on the developments in the local CARP chapter, which has recently grown to an astonishing 40 members. Rev. Rendel identified the success of the CARP Camp KOHOE workshop, where two college professors and 15 college students attended and felt motivated by the end of it.
Rev. Larry Krishnek, Western Subregional Director, traveled to California with Rev. Jackson from May 20 to the end of the month. There, they engaged with the local Unificationists and aimed to improve other church communities to foster unity within the subregion.
Southeast Subregional Director Rev. Ernest Patton was inspired by the dedication of a local Christian Pastor, who recently came to support the Holy Marriage Blessing Ceremony. Since then, he has welcomed 18 guests to the Unificationist community. Rev. Patton also mentioned the progress of the North Virginia church community who connected with a group of Pakistani people. This group openly received the Marriage Blessing and the Unificationist community joined to serve humanity and help refugees.
District 3 Witnessing and Education Coordinator Mr. Atsushi Takino presented members of CARP to speak on behalf of the organization. Takafumi Mashiko, President of CARP at the New Jersey Insititute of Technology, stated that their chapter has many new enthusiastic members and has had much success in fundraising and witnessing.