The Words of the Rahman Family
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The Words of the Rahman Family |
Arizona resident Nadeem (Sean) Rahman, the son of a Muslim mother and a Roman Catholic stepfather, is a student at Arizona State University, where he studies electrical engineering and proudly practices the Unificationist faith. Troubled with a difficult relationship with his parents, Sean moved out of his home at eighteen years of age, and through the guidance of Lovin' Life Pastors Staffan and Jane Berg, joined the Unification movement in 2009.
Sean shares a deep connection with the Unification community in Tempe, Arizona, having grown up with young Unificationists from a young age and regularly volunteers at Lovin' Life Ministries in the Arizona Church.
"Growing up, I was always around the Unification Church," said Sean, the son of Bangladeshi parents. "When I was about seven, I was invited to a birthday party hosted by Staffan Berg's son and we got along really well. We became best friends and hung out every week. From there I went to workshops and seminars, and I closely related with the church through the sense of family and the brother-sister relationships it had. However, the relationship between me and my parents was struggling, and as soon as I turned 18, I moved out.
"Lovin' Life Ministries has opened the doors for me to live a life where I can live for the sake of others and be closer to God. In Jin Nim's sermons have brought light to the fact that the relationship between parent and child is so important. So, after hearing many tear-moving sermons, I became closer to my parents, even though our relationship has been devastating at times. Through In Jin Nim's services and Sonic Cult, my heart is really moved each and every Sunday. I'm so grateful for it.
"What really made me want to join was the hearts of the members and the love that I had between my spiritual brothers and sisters growing up. They always supported me in whatever I did, and I truly want to help and play an active role in the church to create a better life for me and those around me."
According to Mrs. Jane Berg, Sean is a "self-studier," having researched the teaching of the Unification Church without being pushed to do so. "Sean went online himself, he read the Principle himself, he has come to different workshops, he has gone to New York, to CARP meetings, and to Ignite [a motivational youth program]. He does hoon dok hae [scripture study] by himself," said Mrs. Berg. "He also practices his Muslim faith. He's really deepened his own faith's spiritual practices."
Sean continues his religious practices in college, a place he characterizes as the most difficult in which to maintain a life of faith.
"I really identified with who True Parents are when I went to a CARP [Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles] workshop, and when I heard the presentation of the True Family from Jin Sung Nim [Rev. In Jin Moon's husband], I realized my mission and my destiny. So, at Arizona State University, I'm the president of CARP and am trying to bring this whole new world of living for the sake of others to people and really love each and every one of God's children. College is a rough time for us all, and that's where you really identify your faith. We've delivered more than 300 of True Father's autobiographies to students and faculty, but we're also trying to give our hearts, to really love. That's really what the Unification Church is about. We try to make them realize that True Parents really love them.
"I went to an Islamic school on Friday and a Catholic school on Sunday. The Unification Church brought unity for me and the Divine Principle brought connection to all the different religions. I truly believe that each religion is right, and wherever you come from, religions are ways to resonate with God."
"He has been the catalyst for bringing Blessed Children together," said Rev. Berg. "He was really confronted by his parents about his faith, but this challenge just strengthened his faith. He feels like any first-generation member with a conversion experience. He has that internal fire. Many of our second-gen are not as committed as first-gen because they have no conversion experience – they go along with activities but they are not self-propelled. We are very happy for Sean and all he does. He can give his perspective to other second-gen."