The Words of the Hernandez Family
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The Words of the Hernandez Family |
The following is an interview with the newly appointed National Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) President for America, Hero Hernandez. Hero is an American born second generation who was appointed National CARP President for America by Rev. Sun Myung Moon in August, 2009. He was inaugurated in New York City by Rev. In Jin Moon that same month.
Shin Young: How were you chosen for this position?
Hero Hernandez: I first had the honor of meeting In Jin nim when she visited Dallas, Texas, my hometown, during her listening tour, earlier this year. She spent a great deal of time listening to all the members, and in addition, she even invited all the second generation youth leaders from around our district to have breakfast with her one morning after Hoon Dok Hae. It was there that the youth leaders and I had the privilege of introducing ourselves to In Jin nim, most of us for the very first time.
In Jin nim's desire is to create a spiritually nourishing educational track for Blessed Children, from their birth all the way through adulthood and into Blessed Family life. In her yearning to see Blessed Families live a lifestyle of happiness, prosperity and excellence, she is diligently working to guide the Unification family to the highest echelons of fulfillment. With her new vision for the Unification movement in America, she sees the amazing potential that CARP has to offer to the Blessed Children on the university campuses. Therefore, in accordance with her new vision for a new CARP, she began her search for a new president. I believe my name was recommended and she remembered who I was. She offered my photo and resume to True Father, who made the final decision and approval.
At the time, I was very committed to being the Assistant State Leader for Texas; I was very passionate about my mission there. When I was approached with this new position, I prayed about this decision, knowing that it's a big responsibility and that I would be directly working with True Family. It was a very difficult decision to make knowing that I would be leaving my community, but I decided to take on this responsibility because I am even more passionate about her new vision for CARP and I am very eager to support True Parents through In Jin nim.
Things are happening at lightning speed; I found out on a Friday that In Jin nim wanted to meet with me in person, I left Texas on Saturday, arrived Sunday, and met with her on Monday and things were finalized. My wife, Sylvia Santelli, and I will be moving to the New York area shortly.
Shin Young: Can you tell us in your understanding, the new vision for CARP?
Hero: In Jin nim's sincere desire is to encourage each Blessed Child to realize that they have an immeasurable God-given potential and greatness to achieve their passions and dreams. Her hope is to see our Blessed Children become people who embrace their faith and be able to discover a deep and intimate relationship with God and to create a beautiful, ideal family. In addition, her hope is to see our Blessed Children strive to be the best in their academic studies which will lead to having great careers, financial success, and eventually a significant influence in society.
In Jin nim's vision for CARP is to create a legitimate student organization that provides a spiritually nourishing environment on campus for Blessed Children and guides them in their life of faith as well as in their academic studies. She understands the challenges that young people face in college and hopes for CARP to be there for each Blessed Child.
In Jin nim's goal is to see Blessed Children becoming people who can personify true excellence, spiritually and academically. Once a strong foundation has been established by the Blessed Children on the campus, her goal is that CARP will become a powerful student organization that can influence the university in a positive way.
In Jin nim is very proud of who she is, who her Parents are and the entire Unification family. She is tired of seeing the name of True Parents and the name of our movement denigrated and belittled. We should be proud of who we are and who we represent. Unification family members are such great people with deep and sincere love for God and the world. We've been attacked so much by the media, the government and even some religious groups. CARP will become a recognized student organization that shows the world the quality of our members through their excellence and their service to the country on campus. CARP will stand up and protect the name of our Unification movement. For example, if an inappropriate and prejudiced news article, statement or comment is circulated about our movement, then CARP will be the voice to counter that prejudice. Eventually, CARP can be an advocate not only for fighting injustice pressed on our movement but also for supporting other God-centered causes.
Shin Young: What are your initial plans in this new position?
Hero: I am currently assessing the situation of CARP around country and am working with new and veteran CARP representatives to prepare for the upcoming fall semester of college. In addition, I am working with In Jin nim to create a strategic plan for the implementation of the new vision. Also, CARP headquarters will be moving to headquarters in New York City, and I am coordinating that as well.
Shin Young: Will you also be meeting with people who are trying to organize activities for college-aged young adults?
Hero: Yes, absolutely. Perhaps one can say that the new vision of CARP will include many characteristics of a campus young adult ministry. Therefore, it is only natural that I work with the communities near these campuses that have strong programs for their young adult Blessed Children. In Jin nim applauds and recognizes the hard work of that ministry, and I personally see many great qualities that I can inherit and bring to CARP.
Shin Young: How do you plan on encouraging people to work together with you towards the new vision of CARP?
Hero: I understand that perhaps to a large portion of Blessed Children, the name "CARP" is associated with first generation members coming to campuses, mostly as non-students, and proselytizing. This historically created discomfort as the campus viewed CARP as an illegitimate outside influence on its students. In Jin nim wants to focus on campuses where we have a critical mass of full-time registered students, both first and second generation, and organize and register CARP as a legitimate on-campus student organization. This way CARP, made up of students that have the right to be on campus, will have the right to be on campus as any other student organization. In Jin nim strongly believes that CARP should receive university funding just as other student organizations do. Moreover, I am convinced that In Jin nim's new vision for CARP will change people's perception of the organization.
Shin Young: Can you tell us about future plans?
Hero: CARP's goal is to become a premier student organization that promotes spiritual and academic excellence. CARP will be an organization that truly shares the love of True Parents to Blessed Children and encourages and supports their dreams and passions. By doing this, CARP members will thrive as model students and "naturally witness" to their friends and grow by the law of attraction.
In Jin nim's vision is to have a clear educational track for our Blessed Children from childhood to Blessed life. CARP fits in perfectly at the college level. In Jin nim created Lovin' Life Ministries to be an example to all of the American movement on how to care for our members as well as to show that we can naturally witness through being excellent and inspiring people. Lovin' Life Ministries can be a great resource for CARP for our own spiritual nourishment as well as a place where we can bring our friends and the people we meet on campus. Of course, Lovin' Life Ministries has been established only in the New York area, but I believe In Jin nim's desire is to see all of the movement inherit her vision and implement it in to the local service. Then CARP, Young Adult Ministry, Blessed Families, and any other component of our Unification family can have a place to share the vision with friends and the people they meet.
Shin Young: On a personal note, what has In Jin nim shared with you that has become a driving source of inspiration for you personally?
Hero: What moves my heart is she is quite honest and realistic with people. She understands that the path is not always perfect and if we make mistakes, there is always a way back. I feel this deep love from her for Blessed Children; her love for us is unconditional, passionate and very understanding.
Also, I am moved by her humility. She truly respects and appreciates the hard work and investment of the first generation for their many years of following True Parents faithfully. She understands how much they sacrificed and is truly grateful for their love and commitment to True Parents.