The Words of the Henning Family
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The Words of the Henning Family |
Los Angeles was blessed this weekend to receive a visit from the new Continental Directors, Rev. Dr. Pyung Hwa Kim and Dr. Julia Kim, with their son Justin Kim. They truly moved the hearts of the members to create a witnessing renaissance and left the footprints of God’s providential activity and the vision of God’s hope for revival and renewal here in the City of Angels.
Immediately after arriving in Los Angeles, their very first concern was to find out the details of True Parents’ situation having heard an early report of the helicopter accident in Korea, not far from the hospital in Cheon Pyung. Dr. Yang in Korea assured them that True Parents really were all right. Then, after a lunch meeting with Rev. Sheri Rueter about the development of the witnessing pilot project, they visited the video center in Santa Monica, where they investigated the system of contacting and educating done by Mr. Fujita’s group. They listened to new members’ testimonies and encouraged them greatly by explaining the meaning and significance of the Global Peace Festival providence and helped members understand the True Parents’ work in creating so many providential declarations. They testified to the dawning of a new era of hope and renewal, an era of the fulfillment of God’s sovereignty.
A short side trip to Hollywood on the way to the church center provided a symbolic metaphor for the resurrection of America’s youth. After touring the sites of “tinsel-town” that glorify the culture of wild and crazy living, we stopped and took a picture of the famous Hollywood sign on the hillside. Ironically, from our vantage point, below the Hollywood sign was a sign for the building across the street that read, “Museum of Death”. Visually it provided a statement of transition. Because of True Parents’ foundation, the media, the technology and the fashion that have fascinated youth as tools of an evil purpose will now be creatively transformed by our second generation to manifest the vibrant new culture of Heaven. This insight shared by Dr. Kim Saturday evening sums up their purpose and policy in visiting the West Coast: to advance renewal though a “Witnessing Renaissance”. Ares Meyer and Justin Kim each performed heavenly “rap” songs at the dinner meeting with the leadership that night that conveyed the heart of loyalty and dedication of true sons of God.
Several other memorable performances by the second generation took place at the Sunday service at the Los Angeles Family Church the following morning. Dr. Kim spoke on the four pillars of the church: witnessing, education, public relations, and finance. His message highlighted the way of witnessing through his own couple’s testimony as missionaries in Asia. He articulated his vision for a new movement of youth rising in America led by the True Family to fulfill the hope of one family under God. Around 600 members filled the sanctuary, while many came forward after the benediction and embraced the Continental Directors with tears, rejoicing in the new beginning and sharing their hopes and aspirations. Several members who have not been active attended and promised a closer and more active role in the future.
Sunday afternoon provided a chance for an on-site visit to a property that could potentially become a Peace Center and church home for the congregation. Following that visit, the Korean Evangelical Association welcomed the Continental Directors to their worship facility and provided refreshments with some lively discussion. Later, a dinner meeting with Ms. Norma Foster, President of the United Nations Association and a Hollywood producer, provided some helpful advice to advance the work of the Global Peace Festival and to encourage second generation students to gain experience and training as diplomats and ambassadors of the future. The day concluded at the “Coffee House” witnessing program in Monrovia, California, where a unique style of introductory program welcomed six new guests and encouraged them to experience further educational programs.
In this short weekend I feel we have experienced blessing and guidance from God through the visit of our new Continental Directors. They shared their hope and vision for us. They helped our local church family understand how to save precious time and resources by focusing on God’s purpose with truly united effort that comes through a unity of heart. Although their ability to communicate in English is surprisingly good, their message and purpose is most clearly demonstrated and expressed in the way they relate together as a team, a heavenly and loyal couple before Heaven testifying to True Parents’ tradition. I feel new hope now that America can fulfill its role as an elder son of Heaven and Los Angeles will become a “Mecca” of witnessing in this new era of witnessing renaissance.
Sincerely,
Timothy Henning
District Director, District 12