The National Ministry Team Welcomes New Office
On Wednesday, May 6, 2015, the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA held its monthly national ministry meeting where they shared recent reports and projected plans for the month. Afterward, they celebrated the opening of the new national ministry office in the New Yorker Hotel, as an initiative to create an open and heavenly work environment, with an office-warming party.
Mari Curry, Vice President of FFWPU USA, acted as emcee. The group first took a look at recent happenings and initiatives around the world by watching the latest iPeace TV Weekly Update. Then, specific ministries and organizations shared their news and upcoming events.
After the reports were given, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, FFWPU North America Continental Chair, shared a simple yet profound message with the team.
Read Dr. Kim’s Full Message Here
Below is a brief summary of the reports shared during the national ministry meeting.
National Outreach Revivals
Hiroshi Inose, Itinerary Worker for the United States and Director of Kodan, shared on the progress of national outreach initiatives. He described the Los Angeles outreach revival and informed the group of the language barrier than many Japanese Unificationists had when communicating with guests. Despite these challenges, by embracing guests, asking about their families and relating with the heart, they were able to connect, and many students enjoyed their conversation and began to study the Divine Principle.
At the end of last month, 55 guests joined FFWPU through these efforts, and the goal for the end of this year is to welcome 120 new Unificationists. Outreach programs just began in New Jersey, and already 10 guests are studying the Divine Principle there.
Community Care
Rev. Richard Buessing, Itinerary Worker for the United States, has recently visited families around the nation to learn from them and spread hope and care. In his travels, he was able to talk to Unificationist parents about Marriage Blessing options for their children.
As he shared details of his travels with the group, Rev. Buessing emphasized the importance of caring for the community, and is open to visiting families in the near future as he continues to travel the nation.
The International Peace Education Center
Rev. Michael Jenkins, Chief Financial Officer of FFWPU USA, shared the good news of our fundraising for the soon-to-open International Peace Education Center (IPEC). After receiving education about IPEC, communities were able to significantly boost donations.
There are two weeks left to participate in this offering, a wonderful gift to True Parents as True Mother arrives later this month.
Las Vegas
Pastor Ken Doo of the Las Vegas Family Church shared about the transformations going on in Las Vegas as the community grows and develops. With 120 members currently, the church hopes to grow to 200 by the end of this year.
Rev. Doo described the process that his community has adopted when welcoming guests, comparing it to our development from childhood to adulthood, where the “food” we receive evolves from “baby food” to the more complex “protein.” In this case, affiliate organizations such as the Universal Peace Federation, the Women’s Federation for World Peace, the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) and the American Clergy Leadership Conference are initial steps that guests can take to pursue their interests while learning True Parents’ Vision, while learning the Divine Principle is the “food” that comes later on in their journey.
Another project that has gained traction in Las Vegas is the Shine City Project. Community members and guests participate in cleaning and beautification projects in Las Vegas every week, and have the opportunity to get to know each other through this work. It was inspiring for the national ministry team to hear about the successful projects in Las Vegas and Rev. Doo’s model for integrating guests to the community.
Middle East Initiatives
Rev. Young Tack Yang, former Regional President for the Middle East, summarized the situation in the 21 mission countries of the Middle East. He described some of the challenges of working in these countries, including diverse languages, the prohibition of witnessing in Islamic countries, ethnic and political conflicts and instability. Despite these challenges, this area has a lot of potential to change, and missionaries there have not given up. The Middle East initiatives could use our support and prayers at this time.
The Marriage Blessing Movement
Crescentia DeGoede, Director of the Blessing & Family Ministry (BFM), shared about upcoming events concerning the Holy Marriage Blessing in America. She described the purpose of the Marriage Blessing as to give joy and build connection to our Heavenly Parent, and noted that with the outreach and Tribal Messiahship (personal ministry) initiatives currently taking place throughout the nation, we have tremendous momentum to bring people to the Holy Marriage Blessing.
True Mother has endorsed communities in America to hold a Marriage Blessing multiple times per year with approved officiators representing True Parents. Upcoming national Marriage Blessings are on June 27, 2015 and October 3, 2015. Any community that registers with BFM can hold a ceremony, and District Pastors or recommended individuals are eligible to officiate. These communities and officiators will receive a Blessing preparation packet, including upcoming webinars. The next Blessing Prep Webinar for Ministry Leaders will be on Thursday, May 7 at 9:00pm.
Forgive, Love, Unite – Outreach in District 2
Rev. Andrew Compton, District Representative of the New York area, described recent and upcoming outreach activities and introduced new Unificationists. Last Sunday, the New York community held a kickoff rally for outreach at Central Park, where over 70 people gathered to sing and begin their three weeks of dedicated outreach before True Mother’s arrival later this month.
Every Monday, the outreach team holds Tribal Messiahship education and guidance for reaching out to one’s tribe. They have scheduled outreach events in Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn and the 43rd street learning center. All are invited to join in!
Seven-Day Divine Principle Workshop
Naokimi Ushiroda, Director of CARP USA, invited the group to the upcoming seven-day Divine Principle workshop in Las Vegas from May 22-30, 2015. For the first time, there will be a dynamic of a full range of ages, experience levels and all walks of life. Every participant will have the opportunity to read the entire Divine Principle, in addition to guided lectures.
There will also be lecturers’ trainings and Tribal Messiahship training (training on hosting and caring for people) in the near future.
Get rejuvenated in the Word to kick off your Tribal Messiahship at the seven-day Divine Principle workshop!
Generation Peace Academy
Mrs. Louise Honey, core staff member of the Generation Peace Academy (GPA) introduced the GPA team working in the New Jersey community. This is the third year that GPA has implemented a community outreach program, and this year six communities around the nation are hosting teams of GPA participants who are dedicated to understanding the ministry vision, committing to outreach, contributing to families, building leadership skills and learning to create Sunday services, Sunday School programs and Youth Ministry programs.
Two GPA participants shared testimonies of their experience in New Jersey, and Mrs. Honey provided an overview of GPA efforts in the other five communities. In Ohio, GPA participants are developing an outreach program at the Ohio State University and creating events in the community. In Philadelphia, they created a complete Sunday service including the music and message. In Nebraska, they organized a camping trip with internal guidance. In Las Vegas, along with CARP, two Universal Peace Academy special employs and Japanese missionaries, the GPA team is working on outreach, guest care and the Shine City Project. In San Francisco, the GPA team is also doing outreach, as well as preparing Saturday workshops.
The New Jersey GPA team surprised the group with a dance to the Korean song, “Bounce.” They inspired the national ministry team with the energy and potential of the youth in creating programs, growing communities and welcoming guests.
Barbara Karnowski
| #
Thank you for the report!
Reply