On January 5th, 2003 from 15:10 to 18:00, True Parents made a sudden visit to Heukseok Church (South Seoul Region). Upon entering the church, True Parents asked for the name of the church leader (region director) in charge. After hearing that the leader was in Chung Pyung True Parents quickly went to see Elder Bak Gubae. True Parents went up to the podium and prayed silently for a few minutes and then had Hoondokhwe for 30 minutes. After Hoondokhwe, True Parents gathered all the members of Heukseok church and had a delightful time with them for about 2 and half hours.

Amidst singing and dancing of members, the itinerant missionary of Heukseok church (South Seoul Region), Lee Sangdae gave an on-the-spot report on the recent conditions of the Holy Grounds in Heukseokdong and voiced her distress concerning the city's re-development plan. Due to the city's decision to re-development certain areas, the Heukseokdong Holy Grounds had to be transferred to a different location. She stated that it was possible to purchase an alternative location; a hill was available some 50 meters from the church. True Parents asked how much it would cost and said that donations from members were essential since this was a Holy Ground, but that he would pay for 50% of the cost.

Ever since Young Jinhun, the newly appointed region director took charge of Heukseok church in October 2002, the church had went through a 40-day all-night vigil revival condition, initiated Service for Peace at activities at nearby Joongang University with 65 outside students, and fundraised with the Japanese wives to help the needy and were in the middle of other conditions and activities. In particular during the 40-day all-night vigil condition, all members from the South Seoul Region gathered every night to do a 120 bowing condition, Hoondokhwe of True Parent's life course and early-morning prayer.

During this condition one member had already begun to donate money to transfer and preserve the Holy Grounds; passionately stating that if Jeongjoo in North Korea was the #1 Holy Ground, then we HAD to defend the #2 Holy Ground in Heukseokdong. During all of this, True Parents visited the church. This occasion had considerable meaning in particular in that during True Parents' first schedule in the 3rd year of Cheonilguk to tour the major regions in the Seoul area; the first stop had been to the Heukseok church of World CARP Korea South Seoul Region.

True Father has great attachment to the Holy Grounds in Heukseokdong. When he first left home in Jeongjoo, North Korea in 1938, he came to Heukseokdong. During the 3 years of middle school, Father moved 6 times-at times living alone, at times living in a boarding house-until he finally ended up living under the roof of landlady, Lee Gibong.

Here he studied at the Gyeongseong School of Commerce and Industry for 3 years and set up the Myeongsoodae Church where he taught children on Sundays. He also designated a Holy Ground in Mt. Dalma, located behind the market. Although he was just 18, he mobilized many elderly church members after Sunday service to the Holy Grounds to pray and convey God's words to them.

There isn't a place in the area around the Hankang River and Heukseokdong where Father hasn't been, and the area is filled with Father's fingerprints. It is a historic place where Father devoted much of his time helping needy students and orphaned children.

In his lodging house, he offered intense conditions of prayer. Even in the middle of winter, he prayed so hard that his cotton-padded trousers were drenched and overflowing with his sweat and tears. Witnessing the intensity of his prayers, Rev. Gang Sookgyeong , the church leader of a spiritual group in Naejadong and the mother of the landlady Lee Gibong, was so inspired that she made up her mind to build Myeongsoodae Church.

In this way TF lived in this place for three whole years. After studying in Japan, he returned and stayed for another 3 years and 8 months. Therefore this place is soaked with 6 years and 8 months worth of True Father's tears and prayers.

Even after returning from Japan and taking up a job in a electronics company, Father worked hard to establish a foothold centering on Kim Baekmoon, Bak Jaebong and other 'John-the-Baptist- type Christian spiritual groups that were located in this place. In particular the wife of Shin Seongmo, the Minister of National Defense for the Syngman Rhee administration at that time, was an avid church-goer of Kim Baekmoon's group.

It was an excellent opportunity to lay the foundations for Father to be received by all of Christianity. Moreover, President Syngman Rhee had wanted to include Father's grandfather Moon Yoonguk, who was then living in Jeongseon, Gangwondo in his Cabinet.

A golden chance to restore the nation had been prepared in Heukseokdong. But all the important figures failed to fulfill their responsibility, and Father had to move Providence to North Korea. Such historical and meaningful events are concealed in the Holy Grounds of Heukseokdong.

True Father had twice before visited the Holy Grounds in Heukseokdong, but this was the first time he visited the Heukseok Church which is situated about a kilometer away from the Holy Grounds. His visit this time holds great significance in the light that this was where during his middle school years, he had dreamed of and prayed for the restoration of this nation. Furthermore, this is the only place where his mother, Choongmo Nim ever set foot on in South Korea.

Becasue of the city's re-development plan, the actual house where Father had stayed will no longer stand in its original location, but will be moved to a nearby hill that was always in True Father's sight. It is indeed fortunate that this alternative location could be found to preserve the Holy Grounds.

I believe that the fact that World CARP - Korea Regional Center is situated in this very site where Father stayed during his middle school years and invested his youthful passion after his high school years in Japan has tremendous educational importance. It would be absolutely wonderful if we could transfer the Holy Grounds intact next to the regional center, make it into a park, and setup a memorial hall displaying Father's historical articles where we can teach the significance of this place to the generations of young people to come.

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