Inheriting True Parents’ Vision
Photos courtesy of Tomiko Duggan
“The beautiful brothers and sisters of GPA are truly the hope for America and God,” said Mrs. Tomiko Duggan, UPF USA senior vice president. Several GPA team members recently visited Washington, DC, for a week-long trip sponsored by UPF’s Religious Youth Service (RYS) program. Duggan said in a Sept. 27 report to FFWPU USA leaders that the GPA crew learned more about True Parents’ vision for UPF, “centering on True Parents’ hope for [the youth] to inherit this commitment.”
While in the nation’s capital from Sept. 18 to 24, fifteen GPA participants, ages 18 to 24, received a briefing about the global and national activities of UPF. In 2013, UPF chapters around the world, from Honduras to Sri Lanka, began organizing RYS projects. “Nine years ago [RYS] became a program under UPF,” noted Duggan. “I started reorganizing RYS, and in addition to being a traditional service project over many years, we added meetings with leaders of America — visiting the White House, State Department, and the Department of Education, because each agency has an interfaith network outreach committee working together to make a better society.”
The GPA group heard from speakers including Dr. Michael Jenkins, chairman of UPF North America, and Larry Moffit, secretary general of UPF USA, among others. A special appearance from Bishop Dr. Patra Kidwell of God’s Ministry International in Maryland also left the group inspired. “[Kidwell] shared how her life changed by having met True Mother,” said Duggan. “That was really encouraging, as she shared her life’s transformation experience through the Marriage Blessing as well. She is very passionate about sharing her experience.”
Elder Unificationist couples from the community happily opened their homes to host dinner each night, giving GPA members an opportunity to also hear their personal stories and experiences in the movement. “The youth can inherit from [our elders] and pass this on to the next generation,” said Duggan.
The group also toured the city, visiting the National Mall, Capitol Hill, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Museum of the Bible. “It was incredible to learn how the Bible impacted the history of America and see how science and religion really come together,” said Duggan. “It’s where we can really learn how the spirit of Christianity is rooted in human history.”
The itinerary included a stop by the offices of an Ohio Congressman and Illinois Congressman; a service project planting apple trees at the Mid Atlantic Community Church (MACC) property; a special award ceremony for UPF’s 2022 National Parents of the Year, as well as a gun violence prevention briefing from Prince George County police at the Master’s Touch Praise Ministries.
“This was an incredible education [trip], and GPA had an amazing experience,” said Duggan. Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda, President, FFWPU USA, noted the powerful impact of RYS, calling it “a great partnership” with UPF.
You can learn more about the Religious Youth Service program here.