On Tuesday evening, January 23rd, Gloryland Baptist Church in Houston was the setting for a joyful celebration of God's love. Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, third son of Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, came to Houston with his beautiful wife Jun Sook as part of his 12-city tour of America. He came to meet religious leaders and Ambassadors for Peace from the area who had traveled throughout the world in 2006 as part of the 4th World Tour for Peace. Dr. Moon, affectionately known as Hyun Jin Nim, wanted to meet them, as well as their colleagues and members of their congregations.

Pastor Dr. Bennit Hayes and First Lady Ethel Hayes hosted the gathering with obvious pride and joy. They hold a deep appreciation for Father Moon and the revelations he has given his life to share. Pastor Hayes requires his leaders to study the Divine Principle as the key to unlock the Holy Bible. When one of his elders passed away recently, the man's dying words to Rev. Hayes were to thank him for teaching him the Divine Principle so that he could be better prepared for spirit world. The successful outpouring of attendees this night would clearly be the result of this spirit in Gloryland's leadership and the same kind of heart-felt effort made by other ACLC Clergy and FF members. Despite heavy rain throughout the day which peaked from 6-9pm, Gloryland's large, modern sanctuary -- seated for 580 -- was nearly filled upon Hyun Jin Nim's arrival to the pulpit. The audience was on its feet to greet him with a joyful noise. Rev. Hayes was so happy he did a little jig. The Gloryland choir offered powerful songs to lift and unite the spirits of everyone.

Two ministers shared powerful testimonies of their World Tour experiences. Pastor Carolyn Sion of Houston, who had traveled to 10 nations, spoke passionately about people's hunger for the word of God. Rev. William Ephraim of Denver, who had greeted Father Moon when he came out of Danbury in 1984, spoke of traveling to Africa. One night as he listened to a group of African singers, a profound sense of homecoming began to overwhelm him. He suddenly heard the rejoicing cries of his ancestors: We're home! We're finally home! Finally home! They had traveled on his back all the way to their homeland. He asked us, "Who made this possible? -- Rev. Moon."

Hyun Jin Nim came to the pulpit exuding palpable electricity: he was so real, so clear and penetrating. "It is significant" he stated, "that this message is being delivered in 'Gloryland'." He shared that of all the many 'hats' he wears, the most important was that of being his father's son. That should have been true for Adam and was certainly true for Jesus. Jesus' only desire was to see his Father's 'Dream' fulfilled. What is that dream? To establish a true family and expand that foundation to the world. His dad, Rev. Moon received this same mission directly from Jesus.

He stepped freely into the audience, smiling and looking into everyone's eyes as he gave his message. He spoke about how easily religion can create problems, tending to divide rather than unite the family of mankind. He drew an example of young children playing together in a sandbox. They don't care about their playmates' skin color or religious doctrine. Rather, they just want to play and share each other's company. However, as they grow older, they are taught to separate and judge one another based on religion and race. This is not from God. Where is this from?

He went around the room taking the hands of different people, having them stand, embracing them and asking them to repeat into the microphone three times: "One Family Under God! Aju!" Christians, Asians, a lady from the Order of the Eastern Star, American and Middle Eastern Muslims, old and young were all embraced by Hyun Jin Nim and joyfully repeated the phrase, "One family under God!"

He reminded everyone that Jesus' message and his life were, at their core, about love, and that this is actually the deepest message of all religions. So if we are to be true believers in any religion, we must practice love for the entire human family. In other words, we must come to see all people as brothers and sisters, regardless of their religion, race, or ethnic background.

Most of District 9's Ambassadors for Peace of the 4th UPF World Tour were in attendance, despite the distances they had to travel: Rev. Calvin Kelly, Rev. William Ephriam, and Mr. Sum Nguyen from Colorado; Rev. Marilyn Kotulek from Oklahoma; Rev. Ronald and Tessie Willis from Waco, TX; Imam Marzuq Jaami and his wife Alexis from Dallas, together with Houston's Dr. Bennit Hayes, Min. Ethel Hayes, Min. Priscilla Chillis and Pastor Carolyn Sion. After concluding his speech, Hyun Jin Nim presented each of them with a beautiful Crown of Peace lapel pin or necklace, designed by Mother Moon. Also awarded were Family Church of Peace Flags.

Hyun Jin Nim exhibited great love for one and all throughout his visit to Houston. During lunch on Tuesday with various local people, he asked questions about Texas and was especially interested in the Hispanic population. He shared that he has studied US history extensively. He listened intently as Rev. Mark Hernandez, himself the son of Mexican immigrants, described the state and its history. Upon seeing him near the door, Mark called Gregorio Villafana, a member, who lives in Mexico and had traveled hundreds of miles to hear Hyun Jin Nim, into the room to add his thoughts on the subject. Hyun Jin Nim immediately asked the wait staff for an extra chair and serving. Hyun Jin Nim sat for quite a while over coffee with him and several others, discussing Mexico and fishing. Though his flight from Seattle had been long and tiring, he made time for people, reminiscent of the earliest days of our movement when Father would invite an elderly lady to come and talk, and he would sit and listen for hours.

At Hoon Dok the next morning, more pastors shared their inspirations from the World Tour. An STF choir sang a special upbeat arrangement of "Unified Soldiers," which was praised by Hyun Jin Nim. The Hoon Dok, well read by Stacy Cho, was from Father's speech about Absolute Morality. Then Hyun Jin Nim told about an incident that happened in the Green Room the night before at Gloryland when one its elders, (Minister Kinchen, performing the duties that evening of a security guard), asked him to sign his book. Hyun Jin Nim assumed he was handing him a copy of the Bible, but when he looked closer it was the man's Divine Principle. Clearly moved, Hyun Jin Nim reminded us that when Father began his ministry in Korea, his revelation was rejected and he was harshly persecuted by Christian pastors. The same pattern occurred in America. But now a Christian elder held Father Moon's revelations in such high esteem, that he wanted his copy autographed by the son of Rev. Moon. "We have come full circle," said Hyun Jin Nim.

He also spoke about the need for a sparkling and youthful spirit. We should not let our dreams be tinged by the fallen world, but rather ground our dreams in the will of God. When he first came to America, he observed members working for Yankee Stadium and Washington Monument. He saw the sparkling, hopeful eyes of people working together for God's will. Now he sees that same sparkle in the eyes of the second generation. He feels encouraged about the future and urged the first generation to become young in spirit again.

Before he left to go to Minneapolis, Hyun Jin Nim, again, made himself so accessible. Over breakfast, more than thirty ACLC pastors, Ambassadors for Peace and area leaders had an opportunity to introduce themselves, share about experiences on the world tour, MEPI, studying DP and have real lasting memories made with him. All expressed their deep appreciation to True Father for inaugurating the tour and giving them the chance to participate. There was no rush in Hyun Jin Nim's spirit. As, our Father says, when in the embrace of true love, it is enough to be in each other's company forever; and so it was, a bit of heaven. He and Jun Sook Nim blessed us with a time so precious, breathing in this level of give and take, tasting Cheon IL Guk.

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