Lifeline – Healing Unification Church Members

Andy Johnson
June 1989

Andy and Kayoko at daughter Ruth's 100-day celebration.

About two years ago, the assistant of the British National Leader approached me and asked if I would like to be responsible for a rather unusual and exciting new mission: the care of brothers and sisters who have, for one reason or another, found themselves on the fringes of the movement.

This idea was stimulated by President Won Pil Kim's comment that in order for restoration to take place, everyone needs a central figure. I wept with joy.

For a long time I have witnessed the tragedy of old and valued friends leaving our Kingdom. The only way open for them to reconnect has been through personal friendships. Sometimes this does not always seem to help in the restoration of their spiritual lives.

Having gone through a similar course, I can understand the pain that is experienced by some of the brothers and sisters when they leave the movement. During my life in the church I went through a period when I felt terrified of my particular leader and began to distance myself from him. I finally left the church with a sister.

I became very vindictive with my comments, hurting many people. Now I do not understand how I could leave, for I had had a very profound experience upon hearing the Principle. I had felt God's love for the first time in my life and knew my past had been forgiven.

During my time living outside of our Kingdom, I prayed desperately with tears for God to give me a solution to my situation, especially when my relationships broke down and I found myself alone, in London, with no friends.

God had pushed me into a corner and I realized that my only real friends were in the Unification Church. It was only by the grace of God I could come back.

Birthday celebration with friends and Lifeline members.

I received True Parents Blessing in 1982. One night shortly after I was in prayer and Heavenly Father came to me and said, "Remember! You forgot all those prayers, but I never forgot. This Blessing is the answer to those prayers." With these words came such a feeling of love and grace; I cried, realizing that no matter how many years pass, Heavenly Father never forgets our prayers until they are completely answered.

Some of the most valuable lessons for me in the last few years have been in understanding my responsibility. It is so easy to accuse the hierarchy of the movement of not having enough love. I am sure that some people in responsible positions do behave badly. Nevertheless, I think God would say to us, "I can't see anyone but you standing there. How did you lead your life? What was your attitude and heart?"

I am sure that God is a God of justice. He knows our situation and shows a lot of compassion for us. But if we focus our attention on the sin of others, then we forget that in order to become children of God, the changes have to start with me. In one sense we do not have to worry about the sin of others. We must ask ourselves: "How can I love God more? How can I love True Parents more? How can I help to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth?" This all becomes lost in our resentment of others. Is it easy to love? You can say there is no love but who will start to love? It starts with you and me.

My experience of taking care of brothers and sisters who are part of Lifeline has shown me that if people repent and take responsibility for their own actions then God's forgiveness is unlimited. At the moment, the majority of Lifeline members were or are matched or blessed. Their situation is more serious than that of single members. My hope is that one day this will expand to include everyone who has been part of our Kingdom. Since May of 1987 I have contacted over forty former core members of our movement and hold regular meetings every three weeks. Such gatherings create a focus and help people to redirect their spiritual lives. Eight people have been inspired to rededicate themselves as full missionary members. Seven others are tithing or making other efforts to improve their situation. I am constantly seeking to find others who wish to make a new beginning.

The last two years have been the happiest and I feel the most successful in my life. I have seen people transformed. I have witnessed God changing people's lives. I have seen misery change to joy. Through such encounters with brothers and sisters I find God in my own life. President Kim said everyone needs a central figure for the purpose of restoration. It is really true. Center members find it difficult to know how to deal with brothers and sisters who have no easily defined position or who have made mistakes. Even though I had for years tried to help people in difficult situations it was only after I was given my mission officially that success really came.

It is sad that my mission needs to exist at all, but I think that we have to solve the pain and casualties of the past in order for God and the spiritual world to be inspired to bring us new spiritual children. We are all "my brother's keeper."