Community Welcomes New Leadership in Clifton

Photo credit FFWPU-USA

A celebration of new leadership and gratitude for a beloved pastor left the congregation at Clifton Family Church in New Jersey filled with hope and excitement for its newest chapter. Crescentia DeGoede was appointed lead pastor on Sunday, October 27, succeeding longtime senior pastor Manoj Jacob. “I feel a lot of support and unity,” said Pastor Crescentia. “My feeling is that we’re on the precipice of something amazing.”

A Pennsylvania native, Pastor Crescentia has actively supported her Unificationist community for many years, dedicating two years in ministry at Philadelphia Family Church, and the last six years as the Blessing and Family Ministry (BFM) national director for Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) in New York City. Now, she follows in the footsteps of venerated senior pastor Manoj. “It was an incredible, beautiful spirit that took place as we honored him,” said Pastor Crescentia. “There was just so much warmth expressed by everybody who came.”

Since 2014, Pastor Manoj Jacob served the Clifton community as senior pastor, touching the lives of everyone who met him. A native of India, he quickly gained the affection of community members, as several people shared heartfelt stories about him and his family at Sunday service. Many recalled his attentive, caring nature; however, Pastor Manoj said the community made him feel right at home. “I was totally a stranger when I came here,” he said. “This community became my family. I always came here and left with a more joyful heart.”

While his departure is bittersweet, Pastor Manoj will continue to serve the community as a senior advisor for local outreach through the end of the year. The congregation presented gifts of thanks to him and his wife for their dedication and service. Two celebratory cakes were also presented for him and Pastor Crescentia, as Regional Chairman of Family Federation North America Dr. Ki Hoon Kim delivered an inspiring sermon in preparation for the upcoming Peace Starts With Me rally this winter. “This is not just a rally, this can be God’s dream and a bright light for the country and the sake of the world,” said Dr. Kim.

The rally will launch the World Clergy Leadership Conference (WCLC), which aims to bring together 30,000 Christian clergy and other esteemed guests to hear keynote speaker Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of FFWPU, on Saturday, December 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. “I hope that we can welcome her in a way that we’ve never done before,” said Pastor Crescentia. “So she can really feel the incredible love and support of America and throughout Christendom.”

The BFM Department is currently looking to fill the role of national director. For more information, click here. Interim Director Marjorie Buessing will fill in until a replacement is hired.