Purpose: The purpose of the workshop was to help the 2nd generation of our region to better understand ways that they could practice the theme in their daily lives. Our goal was to help them realize that dedicating one’s life to Heavenly Father is a process of steps and not always, and not only, a single declaration at one moment in their lives. Dedication to a cause comes from a time period of building up one’s conviction to support it. We wanted the youth to know that making a commitment and practicing a life of faith in service to Heavenly Father and True Parents could be done in the small experiences of each day. It could be made in the small moments where one is faced to make decisions of either conscience or selfishness. Furthermore, that little by little one could make stronger and deeper commitments as they grew, instead of the common belief that dedication and motivation must automatically be set at the level of our True Father and True Mother.

Workshop: To fulfill our purpose of "Father, My Life is for You," we as staff felt it was important to first give the youth a testimony of an exemplary person who embodied our theme. We could think of no one else except Heung Jin Nim, the son who had given his life in place of True Father’s. The testimony covered main points in Heung Jin Nim’s life that revealed his love and concern for True Parents and his willingness to lead others to them. Also, the youth heard about his care for all 2nd generation and how he challenged them become people who could give their lives for True Parents. He knew deeply and intimately the heart of True Parents, the heart of his True Family, and the hearts of the members.

Perhaps one would expect more education on Father’s life to help the youth understand how to practice the theme, as we all can agree that True Parents are the ones who fulfill it to the utmost each day. However, our staff, composed mostly of 2nd generation, agreed that hearing Divine Principle lectures would be the main part of the internal guidance in the workshop. Our desire was to show how to make Principle more real and applicable in their daily lives. Moreover, learning how to practice it would in turn be the way one could fulfill the theme of "Father, My Life is for You." The staff took the initiative to lecture the content, and afterwards, our teams would practice with in their groups, re-reading the material and making effort to give a Divine Principle lecture themselves. There were many mixed feelings to such a new idea as "lecture practice." Some of the youth found it insightful and a learning experience, however, others weren’t as enthusiastic, and were reluctant to lecture in front of others. Still, it was a chance to humble ourselves and to realize how much each of us lacks in truly understanding Principle and its applications. At the end of our workshop, we held a lecture contest made up of volunteers from each team.

Other guidance through out the workshop came from a personal testimony sharing an experience with True Parents in East Garden upon their return from the 100-city tour. The staff member shared how she was so moved by True Parents’ constant giving and loving. Also, we had a lecture about tips on prayer, and the importance of how one’s actions in our day directly affect the depth and effectiveness of our prayer. Our final activity on the last night of the workshop was a candle prayer. It began with a letter-writing exercise with the goal of having the youth imagine how God would see each of them. "Is He proud of me? Does He love me? What is Your desire of me?" Youth wrote the letters addressed to themselves while making effort to take the perspective of God. Afterwards, we lit the candles and read aloud a revelatory letter from God. We wanted the youth to see how much God was loving them and to compare their own letters with the revelation. It was a tearful prayer, a chance to repent, to show our gratitude, and to re-determine ourselves for the new year.

Besides internal guidance, we had many outdoor activities to further support our theme of "Father, My Life is for You!" Sports games were created with the goal of building teamwork and trust among members. On our second day of the workshop, the youth worked hard at a Service for Peace project called Shoes for Souls. There they sorted and boxed shoes that were to be sent to children in poverty-stricken areas around the world. The final activity was an exciting game of paintball.

It was a learning experience for all participants and staff as well. All the team captains and assistants testified to how they learned so much from their members. Also, members were given a chance to offer their own personal testimonies. Though they were short and simple, they revealed a sincere heart of gratitude as well as inspiration. They shared their heart, and, at times, touched upon the difficulties a member of our faith might be confronted by. It further helped to bring our small group closer together. There was such a strong feeling of family. Furthermore, the leadership was unique in that it was made up of a combination of Korean and American members. Though both serve our True Parents, it is a reality that both are quite segregated by culture and language. However, thanks to the efforts of our regional director Reverend Shin and our youth minister Rev. Shinchun Lee, our workshop could be successful because of the good teamwork of both groups of Dallas church.

The workshop, which started from December 26 and ended on the 30th of December in Dallas, TX was everything it could have been. As much as I hate to admit it, the workshop was truly inspirational and I say that I hate to admit it because I think the word inspirational is such a hackneyed phrase within the church. However, I cannot find a better word that describes what people go through at workshops. Together, Hero Hernandez and I directed this workshop under the guidance of our very wise older brother, Shin Chun Lee. The task of directing was something that Hero and I faced for the first time because we were used to being captains before.

Being the fifth workshop we’ve had in Texas, I had found myself quite familiar with the entire process. In spite of this, whatever I thought I knew flew out the door as I faced the challenges of directing something as extensive as a five-day workshop. The first night was absolutely lovely as we all joined together for the workshop. Many of the participants were friends by now and were immersed in the pleasure of being in each other’s company. For many of these participants, these workshops not only provide a place for spiritual nourishment but also a forum for meeting friends that live far away. This is one of the reasons why workshops are so important. There are blessed children who live in towns where they may happen to be the only blessed family. This can be incredibly difficult for someone so young, especially when they are in the process of forging their own identities.

It struck me that so much preparation goes into making a workshop yet the workshop itself goes by so fast and as soon as we’ve said our hellos we are already waving farewell. This workshop was great because the older second generation really took ownership in their role as older brothers and sisters by involving themselves in the entire process from start to finish. Hero and I lectured from the DP and we later found out from the participants’ reflections that they really liked our lectures. Who can better relate to their struggles than the people who’ve already gone through them? I found it very important to make myself open to all the participants. It was also very important for me to open myself up to change since it is impossible to follow the schedule perfectly during the entire workshop. As a co-director I also realized how important each member of the staff was. A workshop is a team effort and while leaders may be necessary to guide the way, every staff member had to be there for the workshop to really work. It was imperative that the staff unite together in order to lead the rest of the participants. When accomplished, everyone in the workshop can come together to form a beautiful cohesion of togetherness and through this cooperative relationship spiritual enlightenment was attainable. This is something I believe to be true and I think I can safely say that we were all able to unite and accomplish a successful workshop.

It was very important to me that I was involved in guiding my younger brothers and sisters. Growing up in Texas, there was no education for the youth here and as a result many were forced to struggle in identifying with the church and True Parents. I didn’t want the BC generation here to have to go through the struggles I had to go through. Through this desire, I really had so much fun in this workshop.

It is so great to watch everyone grow and change for the better. I really want to be there to help the second generation find happiness in their lives within the doctrines of the church. I find our roles as older siblings one that must be taken with a whole heart. While there are certain things to improve, we all acknowledge that workshops are a part of the growing process here in Texas. Workshops keep getting better and better. We’ve created a great foundation and I hope that I can continue to be involved in the workshops and play a role in letting the second generation flourish here in the mighty state of Texas.

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