Dr. Kim Welcomes New GPA Participants
On September 27, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, regional chairman of Family Federation North America, addressed the new Generation Peace Academy (GPA) group during their 21-day kick-off workshop. Earlier in the month, GPA launched the 2019-2020 program, welcoming the largest batch of candidates in the last five years, with over 100 new and returning participants. The workshop was held at the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) in Barrytown, New York, a beautiful setting for the beginning of a year-long journey.
In his address, Dr. Kim shared his insight on why so many youth are participating in GPA this year. According to Dr. Kim, they have been prepared and called by God to support and encourage Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), who is working harder than ever before. Knowing that a large number of young Unificationists are growing their hearts and developing their faith gives her strength. Dr. Kim commended participants on their choice to join GPA and establish personal relationships with God. He referenced his own years of growth and “pioneering” as a youth, which helped him become who he is now.
Following his talk, Dr. Kim had lunch with the staff and third-year participants, listening attentively as each third-year explained why they returned to GPA. The group also discussed updates for the coming year, particularly the changes being made to the Cheon Il Guk Missionary program. “It was a precious time to spend together with our continental director who is so close in heart to True Parents,” said Roland Platt, director of GPA. True Parents is a term affectionately used by Unificationists when referring to Dr. Moon and her late husband Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon.
The workshop included team-building activities designed to challenge participants and bring out their potential, and a Divine Principle lecture training series led by GPA staff members, Rev. Richard Buessing, president of the Senior Pastors’ Association of FFWPU and Dr. Andrew Wilson, professor of scriptural studies at UTS. The 21-day program concluded with presentations by FFWPU USA President Rev. Demian Dunkley and Naokimi Ushiroda, national director of Youth and Students Ministry, preparing participants for their next venture, the Peace Starts With Me Chicago.