Rev. Andre Jackson and Rev. Carlos Torres, two dynamic pastors from California arrived in Santiago on Friday, Dec. 8th. We were delighted to receive them, but it was the worst possible time, since it was a national holiday (Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary) and the beginning of a long holiday weekend when everyone leaves the city and heads to the beach or the mountains. For this reason, we were very worried whether the events we had planned for the following day would be successful.

The first of two events started at 11:30 am on Saturday, Dec. 9th, at our Family Federation headquarters in downtown Santiago. In attendance were 120 guests, including members of CARP and other young people, together with members of our national WFWP chapter. The second event began at 6:30 pm in a conference hall at the National Teachers’ Center, also in downtown Santiago, with 60 people in attendance.

Pastor Sergio Castillo, an elder member in Chile and former church president, did an excellent job at Master of Ceremonies for both events. The programs began with a beautiful Christian song by a young singer named Jemima Chavez. This was followed by an invocation by Unification Church president Wilson Ruiz and words of greeting from Rev. Thomas Field, national messiah and international director of the UPF in Chile. Next we showed the official tour video. Then came the main part of the program with the reading of True Father´s speech, where our expectations were more than surpassed by both pastors. After the speech, we held the burning ceremony, wine ceremony and blessing with representative couples. With a final song by Jemima Chavez, we concluded each program with three loud and joyful cheers of Okmansei.

Of course, the highlight of each event was the reading of True Father’s speech.

Master of Ceremonies, Pastor Sergio Castillo
FFWPU President Wilson Ruiz giving the Invocation
Rev. Thomas Field greeting the audience

Rev. Andre Jackson, pastor of Carriage Hills Community Church in Richmond, California, was our speaker at the morning event. As he doesn’t speak Spanish, we were worried how the translation would work out. But we gave the job to our CARP leader Omar Halasa, who surprised us all. As he stepped onto the stage behind Rev. Jackson, the Holy Ghost came down and transformed him into a spirit-filled evangelical preacher in perfect synchronization with Rev. Jackson! The two of them became one. With sweat pouring down his face, Rev. Jackson did not just read the speech, but rather preached it. His moving testimony to God moved everyone and tears flowed in the room. The speech was interrupted at least 30 or 40 times with loud applause and shouts of Halleluja, Amen, and Aju! We were honored to have Rev. Carlos Torres, assistant pastor with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Long Beach, California, as our speaker for the afternoon event. This time there was no need for translation, as Rev. Torres speaks perfect Spanish. As he read the speech, he paused many times to add comments and supporting testimony, which helped the audience to grasp the content in a deeper and more complete way.

In both events, after the final three cheers of Ok-mansei, no one wanted to leave. Many people stayed behind to talk with Rev. Jackson and Rev. Torres, taking pictures together, getting their autographs, and even asking for and receiving spiritual guidance and counseling. As this was the last city in the 4th World Peace Tour for these two pastors who went on the entire tour as representatives of True Parents, we could see they felt a wonderful feeling of gratitude, accomplishment and pride.

Rev. and Mrs. Field did their best to embrace and care for Rev. Jackson and Rev. Torres during their time in Chile and to give our church leaders and elder members the opportunity to share with our distinguished guests. From touring the city, to eating dinner with different groups of members, to visiting the beautiful resort city of Vina del Mar with Rev. Jackson who stayed an extra day, we tried to make the most of our time together.

Thank you Rev. Jackson! Thank you Rev. Torres! Thank you True Parents!

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