HJ CheonBo and Cheon Shim Won Grand Opening ‘A Breakthrough’
“Many pastors came nationwide, and they really had a great time,” said Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, chairman of Cheon Shim Won USA. “[They] really understood the CheonBo Great Works and True Parents’ providence to all become CheonBo families.”
In a Nov. 15 leaders’ meeting, Dr. Kim said more than 500 people registered and participated in the grand opening ceremony of the Cheon Shim Won in Las Vegas over the weekend. FFWPU USA leaders, clergy, youth, and other guests were among the crowd celebrating the new training center and taking part in a concurrent HJ CheonBo event Nov. 12 and 13.
“Many pastors shared their testimonies on stage,” said Dr. Kim, who reported some 32 people signed up for a seven-day workshop after the event. “They liked hearing about the Divine Principle and True Parents.” There were also more than 150 liberation ceremony registrations during the CheonBo event, as well as 70 blessing registrations of participants’ family members. Leaders said spiritual preparation created a palpable atmosphere of support during the weekend activities.
“So many great things happened with our CheonBo and Cheon Shim Won prayer condition,” said Dr. Kim. “Around 50 people came for the Cheon Shim Won special prayer. It was packed with people praying outside the hoon dok hae room as well ... The event [overall] went very smoothly and successfully.”
FFWPU USA President Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda said the weekend events were “a beautiful experience” and that he “felt the spirit was very light and joyful.”
“We had a large contingency of clergy who attended,” he said, “and this took a lot of preparation to guide them, educate them, and really support them in having a great experience. We also had some KCLC members there from Korea ... It was really inspiring to see that level of engagement and sincerity from the clergy.”
Dr. Kim reported several ACLC members invited KCLC pastors to join them in Las Vegas after an initial meeting during the ILC Summit held in Seoul in August. “We had 10 KCLC pastors come representing all regions in Korea,” he said. “They had a wonderful time even though they had no [previous Divine Principle] education at the time. [Everyone] was inspiring one another.”
Rev. John Jackson, FFWPU USA South director, said it was due to “an incredible united front” that event organizers could “do amazing work.” He said all of the movement’s national leadership came together to bring about the successful outcome. In particular, he pointed to the 30 clergy guests who came, seven of whom participated in ancestor liberation, he said.
“This was a breakthrough experience,” said Rev. Naokimi. “Two years ago, centered on True Mother’s guidance and Dr. Yong’s vision, we declared clergy to complete CheonBo, and it’s actually happening now ... This will only grow from here.”
Through YCLC, a number of young people participated as well while engaged in an overlapping leaders’ retreat called “One For All.” Min. Joshua Holmes, YCLC national co-director, said the group focused on three main goals of the retreat: to grow, bond, and unite. “At the core of it all, we wanted people to experience God at the Cheon Shim Won,” he said. “That was our primary motivation ... We wanted to understand True Mother’s heart for launching the Cheon Shim Won, and [her focus] on clergy and the youth and raising them up.”
National leaders said the next CheonBo event is planned for spring 2023.
You can learn more about the Cheon Shim Won here.