CARP Makes Las Vegas Shine in December Outreach Activities
December in Las Vegas proved to be an uplifting month for CARP Las Vegas members, Las Vegas Family Church and their guests as CARP members answered True Mother’s call for a stronger outreach program.
During her visit to Las Vegas in March 2014, 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 was set on campus ministry, teaching the Divine Principle and a study of True Parents’ words.
Answering this call, the Las Vegas CARP chapter has made it its mission to testify to True Parents and transform lives through the power of Divine Principle.
Following two 2-day Divine Principle workshops held in October and November, a 5-Day Educational and Leadership Divine Principle Workshop was held to bring to a close a whole semester of sincere devotion and witnessing efforts made by CARP Las Vegas, Japanese missionaries and the Las Vegas Family Church community.
During this workshop, the entire teachings of the Divine Principle were covered and followed by an introduction to True Parents’ life course. Attending the workshop as guests were four students from University of Las Vegas, two students from Portland State University (Oregon), two Unificationist-born youth from Belize in Central America, and two young adults from Texas who recently became Unificationists. They were moved to learn about True Parents’ life.
This was an opportunity for the CARP members to learn how to coordinate a workshop and provide spiritual care and guidance for guests who were studying the Divine Principle. With the guidance from Akira and Makiko Watanabe, Directors of CARP Las Vegas, and Christine Froehlich, an experienced educator and lecturer, the CARP members were able to experience how Heavenly Parent could work in educating and raising guests at a workshop setting. CARP members are also grateful for the support from church community who came to cook and offered prayers of support.
Throughout the workshop a strong family spirit was built, breaking down the barriers between guests and CARP members, cultivating the feeling that all are children of True Parents. Many fun activities, such as friendly games of volleyball and table tennis, were played. More spiritual and internalized activities, such as writing a letter to Heavenly Parent, deepened everyone’s relationship with God. Several guests mentioned that the letter-writing activity helped them take those precious first steps in their relationship with Heavenly Parent.
Several of the young guests shared their reflections and plans to continue in their new life of faith.
Kwasi is in the process of moving into the CARP house next semester to experience a Unificationist lifestyle and deepen his faith and relationship with God and True Parents. He reflects: “Some lessons I learned werr about the spiritual world and the Last Days and why I shouldn’t be afraid of it. I learned that God has been reaching out and it was my turn to reach back. I have to grow my spiritual heart, and the path to that just opened. I have made up my mind to accept it. The next step for me is to train my heart to be centered on God and create a new relationship and find God’s truth for me.” Kwasi’s father called from Africa, exclaiming: “What did you do to my son! He is totally transformed! Thank you so much, you did a good job!”
Briana will continue to learn Divine Principle and hopes to understand True Parents more deeply. Kobe shared: “The most valuable lesson I received from the workshop is the concept of our personal responsibility to do God’s will and follow God’s word. I looked back and reflected on my life decisions, only to see how irresponsible some of my choices were and now know how I can do better. I want to be more responsible for the well-being of my spirit-self and my relationship with God. A step I would like to take is to continue to study the Divine Principle in order to become well-versed to teach it to others. I am interested in becoming a mentor when I finish studying the Divine Principle. In this way I can continue to grow myself and my faith.”
On the last evening, Mrs. Mimi Moose, a local Unificationist, told about how her life had been transformed and touched by True Parents’ love and vision, leading her to establish FEEF—Family Education and Empowerment Foundation—to educate youth on sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity within. Then, over the campfire, Dr. Michael Balcomb, president of FFWPU USA, spoke about his experience meeting the Unification Church. Many of the guests could relate well, as they, too, were meeting the Unification Church for the first time.
Overall, it was a very moving workshop for all who attended. All of the guests were inspired to hear about True Parents and demonstrated a desire to take substantial steps forward in their newfound life of faith after the workshop.