The Words of the Cotter Family
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The Words of the Cotter Family |
Mr. Kook Jin Moon, Chairman of the Tongil Foundation, and Rev. In Jin Moon, President and CEO of HSA-UWC USA visited Malaysia's Parliament and had lunch with Parliament members on Monday, June 20, 2011. After first attending the sessions of parliament in both the upper and lower houses, the delegation met with the Speaker of Parliament in his office and exchanged views on several issues affecting Malaysia and the region.
Chairman Moon and Rev. Moon then had a private lunch with the Speaker. Chairman Moon presented the Speaker with a copy of As a Peace Loving Global Citizen, their father's autobiography.
The final event of Mr. Kook Jin Moon and Rev. In Jin Moon's visit to Malaysia was a Universal Peace Federation (UPF) banquet, where more than 100 VIPs gathered to hear from Rev. Moon and Chairman Moon. Sonic Cult wrapped up the evening with powerful renditions of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released," "Wonderful World," and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." We were told that Malaysians are reserved people and rarely ask for encores, but after hearing Sonic Cult, the crowd was electrified, the applause deafening, and the audience insisted on the encore.
On the previous day, more than 600 brothers and sisters from Malaysia, including 100 from Singapore, and many from India, Nepal, Thailand and other Asian nations packed the second-floor ballroom of the Crystal Crown Hotel to attend the Lovin' Life Ministries Sunday service on June 19, 2011. This was the first visit to this great nation by Chairman Kook Jin Moon, Rev. In Jin Moon, and Lovin' Life Ministries (LLM).
There was great excitement and anticipation on the part of the families, because many shared that they have been watching Rev. In Jin Moon's sermons for months and have been following the development of Sonic Cult.
The Sunday service opened with welcoming remarks from Rev. Jeong Shik Yong, the Continental Director for Asia. He thanked Kook Jin Moon, chairman of the Tongil Foundation, for organizing this important visit to Malaysia by members of True Parents' family. He praised the ministry of Rev. In Jin Moon in America and thanked her for bringing members of Sonic Cult to uplift and inspire everyone with their music.
Sonic Cult, featuring Ben Lorentzen, Joe Young and Joshua Cotter, performed three songs prior to the sermon: Lorentzen's "Naked, Homeless and Hungry," a composition based on True Father's words, "Sailing Ships," and "With Everything," by Hillsong. The response of the congregation was enthusiastic. One of the local pastors remarked, "It's great to have Sonic Cult here! We have never had a band for Sunday service. It opens up many possibilities." Many young people in the audience (both second- and first generation Unificationists), were familiar with the band and showed their support with enthusiasm.
Rev. In Jin Moon's sermon focused on the importance of having our True Parents here with us on earth at this time. She stated that Jesus had hoped to complete "the movie of his life" by finding his wife and creating the true family and giving the [Marriage] Blessing to all mankind. Now, True Parents have accomplished it all and we have the great historical blessing and honor of being able to work with them to build God's Kingdom on Earth. Her sermon was very powerful and she spoke with passion and conviction, encouraging unity with our True Parents, and exhorting the families in Malaysia and surrounding countries to set the highest example of living for the sake of others. She broke down the word "Malaysia" (in the beautiful way that she always does), saying that Malaysia is the land of mountains, but it also needs to go down to the basement and humbly serve other nations, centering on God's Word (the Korean word, "mal.") In Jin Nim lifted up the great work of her brother, Rev. Dr. Hyung Jin Moon, as the leader of our international church and the UPF. She then praised the incredible foundation that has been made by her brother, Kook Jin Nim, in turning around the overall situation on Korea and Japan.
Malaysia is a very providentially prepared nation in that it is a nation of moderation, where all faiths and cultures are welcomed and encouraged to work together for "One Malaysia, One World."
Following In Jin Nim's sermon, Mr. Kook Jin Moon, chairman of the Tongil Foundation, gave stirring remarks to the congregation. In Jin Nim introduced him, again praising his great work in Korea and Japan. Kook Jin Nim used himself as an example: "True Parents are my boss. I'm just doing what they have asked me to do. If we focus on their words and directions and follow absolutely, incredible success and victory will come!"
Following the service, all of the families came to the stage and took historic pictures (one family at a time) with Kook Jin Nim's couple and with In Jin Nim. They were all so thrilled to have this chance. Meanwhile, Sonic Cult was in the back of the room, signing CD's and T-Shirts and taking pictures with families and excited youth, who mobbed their table for a chance to get their music, signatures and photos. The band members were humbled and overwhelmed at the great response from our members.
In the evening, a banquet was held at the Mandarin Hotel, featuring Chairman Kook Jin Moon and attended by 25-30 parliamentarians. The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament spoke and delivered a message from the Speaker of the House, emphasizing the need for good governance, interfaith cooperation and religious freedom. Dr. Thomas Walsh shared about the mission and work of UPF International and introduced Chairman Moon. Kook Jin Nim spoke about True Father's providential significance and read a long excerpt from True Father's autobiography, emphasizing the need for inter-religious, interracial and international cooperation.
Rev. Joshua Cotter, Vice President of the Unification Church USA, in Kuala Lumpur.