Confidence, Belief and Responsibility
The National Ministry Team gathered at the New Yorker Hotel on May 9 for their monthly meeting to discuss the preparations and outreach efforts for the Hyojeong Benefit Concert on May 25 and Las Vegas rally on June 22.
Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Regional Chairman of Family Federation North America, highlighted the success of the April 6 Los Angeles Peace Starts With Me Rally. “We made another historical moment on that day,” Dr. Kim said. “I see True Mother all the time, but when she stood on the podium and spoke and saw the spiritual power around the church and around Bishop Noel Jones, she had the most beautiful smile.” The event brought “the spirit of Christianity back on track.” Dr. Kim then excitedly promoted the upcoming pastor convocations and the Peace Starts With Me Rally in Las Vegas on June 22. He also emphasized the importance of Cheon Il Guk, God’s Kingdom of Eternal Peace. “One person can be a great man or a great women, but two people can establish Heaven.”
Rev. Demian Dunkley, President of Family Federation for a Heavenly USA, also commended on the success of the April 6 Peace Starts with Me Rally in Los Angeles. He spoke briefly about the Nipsey Hussle vigil coinciding with the Rally, and urged the audience to not only pray for peace, but act for it. “True Mother is bringing us together. Bishop Noel Jones has been talking about this for weeks, and now we are seeing it harvest. We are allowing them to be a part of that victory and they feel it.”
He emphasized how these events, and his experience at the City of Refuge church, inspired the Hyojeong Benefit Concert. “Every dollar will go to reduce crime in Los Angeles and send awareness to the nation about it,” said Demian. “We are celebrating Hyojeong culture, and with that kind of heart, let us raise money for a good cause.”
Dr. Michael Jenkins, Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) USA, began by praising True Mother. “True Mother is doing everything that True Father planted the seeds for.” Dr. Jenkins asserted that the main objective of UPF is to educate people about True Mother and bring people to True Parents. He mentioned the recent UPF World Summit, and emphasized that everyone should now focus on the upcoming Las Vegas rally.
Dr. Luonne Rouse, National Co-Chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), gave an impassioned speech on preparations for the upcoming rally in Las Vegas. He is currently working with ACLC to gather more than 1200 clergy to attend the rally. “We are going to make sure we have an increase in participation every time we gather. We want to encourage anybody who is even considering what the true word of God is to join us on June 22,” said Dr. Rouse. “Let us go out and tell everybody, come to Las Vegas and let us be Blessed to tell the world.”
Archbishop George Augustus Stallings Jr., Chairman of the International Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), discussed the role of IAPD in preparing for the upcoming Las Vegas Rally. “True Mother has tirelessly provided leadership that is a continuation of True Father’s work,” said Archbishop Stallings. “We as members of the IAPD can follow the vision of True Mother in connecting not only Christian ministers, but religious leaders around the world, to focus on building the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth for God.”
Margaret Repke, a new staff member and representative of the Generation Peace Academy (GPA), gave an update on GPA activities over the past few months, emphasizing their fundraising initiatives, the annual family workshop held on April 26, and a three-day workshop on True Parents taught by Rev. Hideyuki Sakai. “Everyone was really able to receive and inherit the heart of understanding of True Parents,” said Ms. Repke. Ms. Repke also announced that GPA is launching a third branch in the upcoming year, which will focus on GPA participants traveling to different communities and bringing energy and spirit to local events.
District 4 Pastor Mika Deshotel shared about Bridgeport’s annual Art and Mind Contest and Celebration, which took place on Easter Sunday, April 21. She spoke about the importance of Hyojeong and how the art pieces are beautiful expressions of it. “Sharing this presentation with the National Ministry Team, my hope is for them to elevate it, and be able to advertise it more and really build this excitement,” said Pastor Deshotel. “Through this, brothers and sisters everywhere can really share their hearts of filial piety.” Dr. Kim and Rev. Dunkley were inspired by her presentation and hope to incorporate the Art and Mind Contest on a national level.