“Revive” Conference Inspires Southern Leadership
Photo courtesy of Dallas Family Church
Unificationists in the South had a recent revival weekend, bringing together the region’s key leaders and pastors for a special “Revive” leadership conference at the Dallas Family Church on Sept. 24.
“Dr. Chung Sik Yong had said a while back that we should become a movement filled with new life during the New Life Campaign [earlier this year],” said Izak Hernandez, FFWPU USA South secretary general, during an Oct. 4 report to FFWPU USA leaders. “We felt we wanted this time to be about revival in our communities, not just for new members, but also for current and distant members, to feel a sense of new life and revival as we develop and grow.”
Among the speakers, the conference featured Rev. John Jackson, FFWPU USA South regional director, who gave a presentation on the heart of a pastor. “This discussed how much care and attention a pastor has for each of his members,” said Hernandez.
Rev. Jackson shared about his personal experience of planting a church and the progression of his journey, as well as some lessons and tips he learned along the way. Pastors Jario and Leena Vincenz-Gavin of Gather Family Church in Mobile, Ala., also gave testimonies of their past experiences, including holding church services in a rented movie theater, and later a brewery. “They shared great ideas and tips for developing small, medium, and large communities ... so that every community gains something,” said Hernandez.
Outlines of a Sunday service program and other pastoral materials were presented by the couple, as well as ways to integrate more guest-friendly language during services. “This makes it easier for guests to attend and feel a part of the community,” said Hernandez.
CARP National President Jinil Fleischman then delivered a presentation on public outreach and Divine Principle education. Dallas CARP has seen steady success this year, doubling its chapters and expanding its impact in 2022. “He shared the strategies that Dallas CARP uses that have been pretty effective,” said Hernandez. “It was a time for all of us to focus and really share with one another.”
Various bonding activities united the participants, who were given certificates and origami pieces crafted by local members. “I’m really grateful [we had] this conference, and to Rev. Jackson and all the district pastors for organizing it,” said Hernandez. “We’re inspired and very hopeful for the future of all of [the movement’s] communities.”
The “Revive” conference came on the heels of national leadership meetings in Korea and Kodiak, Alaska, in August. FFWPU USA leaders aim to empower individuals and families while further growing the movement’s communities nationwide.
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