Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Minnesota Family Church Building

After Sunday Service on May 20, the Minnesota Family Church held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the construction site of their new church building. Over 100 people were pleased and honored to be joined by Regional Chairman of Family Federation North America and Midwest Subregional Director Rev. David Rendel.  Among the other audience members were former District 8 Pastor Rev. and Mrs. Swearson, National Council Chair Mr. and Mrs. Jessen, and several ACLC ministers.

The groundbreaking ceremony began with a welcome message by District Eight Pastor, Rev. Hyungtae Ha, and a musical offering by the choir. It continued with a Holy Salt Sanctification officiated by Dr. Kim.

The official “groundbreaking” was joyfully performed by Dr. Kim, Rev.  and Mrs. Rendel, Rev. Ha, Rev. Swearson, Rev. Jessen and local council members along with ACLC Minister, Rev. VJ.

The ceremony concluded  with cheers of Eog Mansei (victory for ten thousand years) after congratulatory words by Reverend VJ, Reverend Rendel, and Dr. Kim.

Dr. Kim shared that this building is not just for us but for all people to feel the love and presence of our Heavenly Parent and True Parents.

Afterward, participants enjoyed a picnic at the beautiful park right next to the new church construction site. There, they played volleyball, walked along the trail, and enjoyed the company of their children at the playground. The sunny weather warmed the spirits of everyone there, making it the perfect day to hold the groundbreaking ceremony.

In the morning, before the Sunday service began, the Minnesota active Heavenly Tribal Messiahs held a breakfast meeting with Dr. Kim. Several Tribal Messiahs shared their testimonies and Dr. Kim shared his heart toward our Heavenly Parent and True Parents before giving his encouragement to the Tribal Messiahs.

During the Sunday service Dr. Kim also gave an inspiring message, saying “The number one most important thing is commitment; money is secondary.” Later, he remarked, “The Minnesota Family Church and its members can proclaim in confidence that the building will remain consistent, providing activities under direction of True Mother and giving stability for the next generation of people as a building that will stand for a hundred years.”

The day before, Rev. Ha, Denise To, local council members, and Project Manager Keith Anderson gathered to present the Minnesota Family Church vision and building status. Rev. Ha emphasized that our members are not only constructing a new physical church building but also creating a new vision for our future by supporting True Mother’s direction on witnessing, blessing and youth education. The building will support this vision and provide the environment to fortify a growing church.

Mr. Keith Anderson also shared detailed design drawings and his plans to support the vision through a new sanctuary, social hall, and youth education zone.

Dr. Kim expressed his enthusiastic support for the new Minnesota Family Church and repeated several times that the Minnesota Family Church is the first ground-up build, making this congregation an example to the American movement and the world.

Dr. Kim’s remarks at the service and at the ceremony united the Minnesota families with True Parents’ vision, inspiring the members and giving motivation to build a great Family Church in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Family Church will finish the construction by the end of September, and hold the opening (dedication) ceremony in early October.

This is the first Unification church building to be built from the ground up in America! Support the fundraising campaign today.