Please Pray for Reiner Vincenz
“Marching on.” This was Reiner Vincenz’s famous phrase when facing any new challenge. Reiner Vincenz life is a testament to a living relationship with God. His passion, his life has always been for True Parents and the victory of God’s providence, and nothing was ever too big of a mission for him.
Reiner Vincenz is the first person to have joined the Unification movement in Europe in 1963. He joined under the mentorship of Peter Koch, who would later become his brother-in-law. They had a small church center outside of Frankfurt, Germany which included; Peter Koch, Barbara Koch (Vincenz), Ursula Schuman and Reiner Vincenz. Just six months after joining, the group decided to send missionaries to three other countries: Austria, Spain and France. They quickly had two missionaries for Spain and Austria but there was no one to pioneer France.
Reiner then volunteered himself to go. Peter refused him as the members thought he was too young in his faith to survive. Reiner was persistent and finally asked if he could write a letter to True Father asking for permission to pioneer. They agreed, thinking surely True Father won’t let him go, but True Father was in fact enthused to hear of Reiner’s determination and blessed him to become a missionary to France.
Peter said he would agree to send him then if Reiner could pass a Divine Principle test. Reiner agreed, not knowing that Peter intended to write a test that Reiner wouldn’t be able to pass. Reiner was determined to pass and so he rented a room at a hotel in Schmitten, Germany where he stayed over during Christmas for three days. He came back to Frankfurt after studying and passed the impossible test.
Reiner was sent to Paris shortly after to learn the language and begin finding disciples. After three long years of searching, Reiner found a young man named Henri Blanchard. He would become the first Unificationist in France. Upon the shoulders of these two men would be seven new churches in France and north Africa in four years.
To make a long story short, Reiner’s faith in God and True Parents has allowed him to always overcome his difficulties and claim victory for the providence. Reiner still has this same determination.
Over the past four years, however, his body has not matched his will. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and it quickly progressed leaving him with little mobility. He has been staying near his family’s home in a nursing home where his wife, Barbara Vincenz, visited him every day for the past two years.
This past Sunday, January 11, he had a severe choking incident. It was determined then that he is no longer able to swallow anything. He is in no pain, but is passing soon.
Our family would like to ask for your prayers at this time to support Reiner as he faces this new mission.
A year and a half ago, True Father appeared to Reiner in a dream and explained to him that he had a mission for him and asked that Reiner come with him that night. True Father said he need another rally done in Yoido, Japan, and it needed to be bigger than the first. Reiner was shocked. True Father came to him again later and said, ” Reiner, I see you need more time, I’ll come back for you later.”
We believe that True Father is calling him now and asking him to begin his mission in the spirit world.
Please pray that he can have strength and courage during his last few weeks.
Please pray for Barbara Vincenz, who is faithfully by his side, that her health can be sustained and her spirit comforted.
Please pray for us, Leena, Jario and Mirelle, that we can cherish these moments we have.
We are so proud of Reiner and the legacy he leaves behind. We’ve received already many well wishes and are amazed at the lives touched by Reiner. We thank you for your support at this time.
Marching on and God Bless,
Leena and Jario Vincenz-Gavin
Bob Exler
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Reverend Vincenz was our IOWC First Global Team commander in Japan and Korea exactly 40 years ago 1975.
We traveled all over Japan and Korea from City to City in preparation of True Father’s Day of Hope Speech. At that time the Communist were very active especially in Japan. Reverend Vincenz always gave us incredible spiritual guidance and was completely aligned with our True Parents and God’s Providence. He understood the danger of communism coming France but also understanding it from East Germany. Reverend Vincenz was the right man at the right time for this task and our Heavenly Commander. The Yoido Island Rally turned out to become a tremendous victory. Over a million people gathered on Yoido Plaza which was an former Air landing strip for the UN UN Air force during the Korean War, despite overhanging of thick clouds. the sun broke through the clouds as soon as True Father started to speak. It was a miracle. God was right there.
Kim Il Sung was planning to invade South Korea at that time. Reverend Vincenz absolute unity with our True Parents and love and care and devotion was felt deeply by all of our IOWC brothers and sisters. We often were in tears when he spoke to us in the morning sermons. The Holy Songs we sang always set the stage for his early morning messages.
After all the tremendous victorious rallies all over Korea, where we filled up one stadium after another and we were able to bring incredible Victories despite a lot of persecution of Korean Christians. Kim Il Sung must have thought twice to invade South Korea. As final note Koreans at that time were riding bikes or riding the bus and incidentally there was the first Hyundai Pony driving through the street which must have been called after the many Ponies used at that time to transport almost anything. South Korea is now one of the most prosperous countries in the World and our prayer is for the Unification of North and South Korea as we always ended
the days Reverend Vincenz had us sing the Song Tongil Urie so wonun tongil,
Ggumedo so wonun tongil
I mogsum bachoso tongil
Ton-gi-ri yoo-ra
I kyo re salinun tongil,
I nara chanunde tongil
Tongiriosoora
Ton-gi-ri yoo-ra
Our cherished hopes are for unity
Even our dreams are for unity,
We’d give our lives for unity,
Come along unity.
Unity saving the people,
Unity saving all nations
Come here quickly unity
Come along unity
Thank you Reverend Vincenz for everything you have done for the providence we love you dearly.
Bob and Sue Exler
Houston Texas
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Robert Caron
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Dear Reiner,
Your faith and strength has helped many to move from our little Family (“La Famille”) in France to the IOWC army of God and True Parents in the US and across the world.
Personally, simply thinking of you has been a source of strength in many occasions throughout the past 42 years. Thank you. I know, you are ready for your wonderful new mission.
God Bless,
Robert Caron
Bowie, Maryland
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Nenad Butic
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Dear Vincenz and Family
I remember Vincenz speech in about 1989, the year when I joined the church. Some new members and me, was so blessed and excited at the same time to hear words of older members. For all of us, it was so refreshing and was heeling our spirit self. I just want say THANK YOU SO MUCH! You gave us new life!
All the best wishes for Vincenz and your family.
God’s blessing forever. .
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Annerose Adams
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Dear Rev. Vincenz, sending our greetings, very best wishes and warm thoughts of gratitude and wishes of strength, that special strength, at this special time! Never had the opportunity and privilege to come to know you more closely or see you ‘at work’ but always remember the one breakfast at the Frankfurt HQ in June 1981, when I could sit with both of you for a time of brief sharing. Thank you so much for your faith and suffering for Our Heavenly Parents, long live your legacy, with love, Annerose Adams & family
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Mai Cuc MOINE (NGUYEN)
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Dear Rev. Vincenz,
The first time I met you in the center of Lille, France, you were translating Father’s speech from English to French. I’m very grateful that you have chosen the right speech from Father, which has moved my heart deeply and I decided to join our movement. You’ve tested me for 40 days before accepting me in this wonderful Family.
I was most deeply grateful to work, under your guidance, for Heavenly Father’s Kingdom during the 1st IOWC. You’ve taught me to build up my faith stronger each day. I could also have some telepathy experiences with you, which I cherish dearly.
You’ve also chosen me to represent Vietnam and speak at Yoido Rally. It was such a fond memory.
Dear Rev Vincenz, please go in peace as you little by little leave this earth. May all the angels with trumpets sounds great you and bring you to our beloved True Father. You’ve given your life for this world and many of us will foundly remember it!
Mai Cuc Moine (Nguyen)
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David Phelps
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Dear Reiner
I remember the kindness and love I felt when you took the time to take our IOWC team to the Grand Canyon. It was a privilege to know you.
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Luemba Kajeong
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Dear family,
With deep emotion we received this message from you. As true love has been the motto for the long years of the providence centered on TP, we share with you these moments of difficulty, with our love, we pray that God in infinite mercy can still revive our brother for his mission here, as many have gone and came back with their health restored! I wish and I pray for miracle in the life of brother Reiner, may he receive healings in my name and of my Bl.central family! I pray that all is well and we shall receive testimony from him as we believe in God our heavenly Father, the owner of our life. May he bring peace to the family as we unite in one heart. I believe he is still alife as i write this. Bless you. Ajuuuuuu!!!
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Ernesto Gomez
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Dear Rev. Vincenz
I will never forget your kindness and yet strong true love for me, specially during difficult times in my life of faith, me and Hiroko will be eternally grateful to you.
As you always told us to be grateful for everything I am grateful to have the opportunity to work and be guided by you and your beloved wife.
Rev. Vincenz congratulations on your victorious foundation here on earth. You have touch our hearts deeply and to many of us you have help us change our life’s for good. I thank you sincerely and until we see again, bye we will always love you Rev. Vincenz.
Ernesto & Hiroko Gomez
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Hiroko Gomez
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Dear Rev.Vincents,
Thank you very much for your guidance and love that you shard with us when you are in Minneapolice as Pastor.
You are true soldier of God and True parents and true family example.
Your fruit blossomed with your loving daughter Leena and her family.
I know you will marching on as you did every day.
I love you and thank you again for all your have done for me. You and Mrs.Vincent took care of me as your own daughter.
My all family are grateful to you. Thank you. I am sending a Big hug and a lots of kisses.
Hiroko Gomez
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laura
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our deep resoect and thank you for all the live and teaching and much more that we received from rev.vincenz during the time in minneapolis..i remember him sharing with us incredible story of faith.thank you so much .god bless your family john laura
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Gloria Barber
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When I met Rev. Reiner Vincenz I had been in UC only a few months. It was during the time of preparation for Father’s 8 city tour, coming to Los Angeles very soon. There were hundreds of European members everywhere, and Reiner was leading the campaign to invite as many people as possible to hear Father speak. The first feeling I had of Reiner was how determined he is, how focused, how centered on the spirit, and getting the spirit right. He was completely immersed in this.
When I saw him again years later, he had returned from the IOWC in Japan and Korea, and my feeling then was that he had changed. He came back from immersing himself in appreciation of the Korean and Japanese culture; while leading hundreds of members on this witnessing adventure, side by side. He expressed such a heart of appreciation, and I was moved because I saw how God can lead a person when they are sincere. My ultimate feeling about Rev. Reiner Vincenz is that he has never been anything less than sincere; and always very focused & centered on the spirit, and above all, staying on the path to get it right. I feel gratitude to God, for filling Reiner’s heart with so much. I see proof through Rev. Reiner Vincenz’ example, that God certainly touches and moves and fills us up when he sees we are sincere. Thank you Reiner for helping us to see this, thank you for opening your heart to be a vessel for God to love through you. God bless you here as we have you on earth, and on your journey towards heaven!
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Marc Zimmerman
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God Bless you Rev. Vicenz. You were an amazing elder brother at Dae Mo Nim’s 40 Day workshop at Chung Pyoung. Rock on, brother!
Marc Zimmerman
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Olga
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That he will be in heaven with Heavenly Father and heavenly true father we will miss him but never forget him. Thank you for all that you have done.
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JESSE JOSEPH REALMO
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TO REV REINER VINCENZ FAMILY
MAY I TAKE THIS MOMENT TO EXPRESS MY HEART-FELT SADNESS THAT THIS GREAT MAN WHO HAS SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR GOD & TRUE PARENTS IS LEAVING US TO GO TO HEAVEN.
BEING A MEMBER OF THE 1ST IOWC TEAM, HAND PICKED BY TRUE FATHER, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH THRU WORKING W/ REV VINCENZ FROM NEW YORK CITY TO JAPAN. THE STRUGGLES WE ALL ENDURE FOR GOD & TRUE PARENTS WILL EFFECT THIS WORLD & HUMANITY IN A POSITIVE WAY, FREEING THIS WORLD FROM THE GRIP OF SATAN FOREVER. PLEASE ACCEPT MY PRAYERS AT THIS TIME, I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE & TO KNOW THIS MAN.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
JESSE & ATSUKO REALMO
HOUSTON, TEXAS
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