Embracing the Journey of Faith
“We covered about 12 communities in four to five days, so it was quite a whirlwind,” said Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda, national president of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU). “We appreciate all of the communities who welcomed us and prepared for us on this tour.”
Rev. Naokimi was among a group of Unificationist leaders joining Dr. Chung Sik Yong, regional president of FFWPU North America, on his national tour which covered the Northeast this past week. Dr. Yong visited seven states along the East Coast, where he met with community members and offered prayers at various holy grounds while delivering a message of hope and peace for America.
“We had meetings with different leaders and youth, which was an opportunity for Dr. Yong to greet and listen and respond to these community members,” said Resfred Arthur, secretary general of the FFWPU-USA Northeast region.
Dr. Yong’s tour, which began in early August, aims to revive the spirit of America as the nation faces a range of issues amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Yong met with government and faith leaders as well as American Clergy Leadership (ACLC) pastors who can help revive the spirit of America’s people. The tour has also connected him with many couples and families who are the backbone of society and the nation’s future.
“Though Dr. Yong was talking all day, going from community to community, he was never short on words,” said Arthur. “Dr. Yong shared about his experience in Thailand with the Worcester community and how he was able to build the [Unification] movement’s presence there and that was really moving.”
In addition to Massachusetts, Dr. Yong spoke with Unificationists in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and throughout New York. The tour included stops at the Boston Commons and Boston Gardens; and while in Providence, Dr. Yong discussed the history of Rhode Island’s capital and the community’s vision to start a Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) chapter there.
Dr. Yong discussed embracing the journey of faith, letting God speak through each of us, and the identity of young Unificationists, among other faith-inspired topics. He also met with senior leaders and students of multiple Unificationist institutions.
“Increasing the quality and quantity of our love for others is important,” he said before an audience at the Manhattan Family Church.
Throughout the tour, Dr. Yong and Rev. Naokimi shared the 2021 vision of FFWPU-USA with presentations outlining several goals in preparation for a special year-end event featuring FFWPU co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
“We want to present a healthy and hopeful heavenly USA,” said Rev. Naokimi, as leaders aim to connect more people with the Marriage Blessing movement, corresponding resources, as well as increase local community activities nationwide.
“We shared about our goals with each community and about Dr. Moon’s upcoming visit to America in December,” said Dr. Yong. “We had heartfelt communications that were very beautiful to experience. I was so happy to meet so many people and see that they have great commitment toward reviving the spirit of America.”
Dr. Yong’s national tour is scheduled to continue this month in Pennsylvania and the Midwest region.
Stay tuned for updates on Dr. Yong’s national tour. You can learn more by also joining Morning Devotion here.
