A contingent of Christian clergy from a range of denominations are completing a historic, unprecedented tour of Korea and joining with Father Sun Myung Moon and Mother Moon to proclaim the mission of Korea as God’s central nation of God’s kingdom on earth.
The ministers answered an unexpected invitation sent from Rev. Moon just a few weeks ago. Approximately 172 ministers, who arrived in Seoul on Sept. 10, 2011, attended welcome banquets sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011 at 17 separate locations in South Korea, according to Unificationist sources in Seoul. On Saturday, the delegations of ministers were formally greeted by elected officials and religious leaders in each of the 17 localities and were given tours of the local sights. The ministers are giving brief speeches to their hosts in which they invoke the ideal of God’s Kingdom on earth referenced by Jesus and assert that Korea is the nation destined to be the center of the kingdom of peace that is spreading around the world.
Rev. In Jin Moon, President and CEO of the Unification Church USA reported on the tour in her national broadcast Sunday: “The reason Father asked for 172 Christian ministers to come to Korea to spend some time with him is because he was thinking about inviting ministers from the north, east, west and south of America,” she said in her sermon. She added: “He really believed that the numbers represent the liberation of the course of human bondage, the liberation of the chosen people, representing the liberation of human beings that were bound to the different barriers like denominational barriers, ethnic barriers, racial barriers, national barriers. These are all barriers that really need to be liberated in order for us to reclaim our dignity as heavenly sons and daughters of God.
“Father is also thinking about the number, “43” – 43 from the north of America, 43 from the eastern part of America, 43 from the western part of America, and 43 ministers from the southern part of America. The reason Father is harping on this providential number 43 is that it also represents the 4,300 years of Korean history. Father really sees Korea as the homeland, and that is where the final culmination of the battle between communism and the free world takes place.”
The following report is from Rev. Michael Jenkins, president of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) who is leading the ministers in Korea.
“A beautiful and most historic step in God's providence is unfolding before our eyes in Korea. 172 Clergy have come from the North, East, South and West of America representing the unity of all denominations and the embrace of all faiths. On the foundation of Jesus' victorious resurrection and promised return a transformation is occurring in the clergy, not only for Christians but in all faiths. There is a deep sense that the prophesied last days are clearly upon us and that this is the hour for God's promise to be fulfilled.
“The clergy that have come to Korea are men and women of deep faith who have, over time, come to understand and trust the anointing that is on True Parents to bring the Kingdom of God on earth. Some are clergy that have been educated by Father Moon for 26 years, and some are clergy that got involved with ACLC only weeks ago. Somehow, God knows who is prepared. All in all, the clergy ‘Trust in the Lord.’
“In preparation for this journey, the American Unification movement led by Rev. In Jin Moon as President and Dr. Chang Shik Yang as Continental Director guided America strongly to be united as one to respond to Father's call, and we did. A sudden direction came in Las Vegas when Archbishop [Ki Hoon] Kim, who has been guiding ACLC and the religious leaders was reporting to Father. Father said that "43 should come from the north, east, south and west for a total of 172 to register for God's Kingdom and proclaim the Fatherland !" The fact is, 43 is a significant number in the Bible, as in Exodus 12:40, "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years." The number “43” represents the liberation course from the bondage of the past and the liberation of the chosen people – it represents the liberation of our bondage by denominational, racial, ethnic, religious and national barriers. God's Kingdom has no barriers or boundaries because it is a Kingdom based on True Love. The “43” also represents the 4,300-year history of Korea, which is the final vortex of confrontation between the God-denying communist world and the God-affirming free world.”
On a Mission from God
“Our ACLC Co-Chairs and Executive Directors and coordinators joined with the District Pastors to bring the very best clergy, all of whom had to come on sudden notice for 15 days. In preparing them, they continuously were guided by ACLC Co-Presidents, Archbishop George Augustus Stallings and Bishop Jesse Edwards with the following words: "Pastors, you are not guests, this is not a conference or convention, this is a mission. We will not be staying in hotels, but rather, we will go wherever God calls us, and we will minister to the beloved people of Korea.
“These words of guidance would come to save us after we arrived. It is clear why the religious leaders were asked to come. This was a journey of faith. From the time we arrived, there has been no written schedule. We only knew that Father Moon would guide us to bring love and spiritual blessing to Korea based on the blood, sweat and tears that True Parents sowed in the Second Israel, representing Christianity over the last 40 years. The clergy were coming to demonstrate that they have been brought into oneness on the foundation of God's Word and the experiences they have had in being persecuted and overcoming the trials and tribulations they endured in standing with Father Moon to bless the marriages and end divorce, to bring unity beyond race and faith and to bring peace through True Love.
“The title of the Mission has been ‘Registration for God's Kingdom and the Fatherland - 172 Faith Leaders Stand With True Parents for True Love, Family and Peace.’ When the clergy arrived in Korea, we assembled at Cheon Ae International Youth and Conference Center at Cheong Pyeong Lake for our opening banquet. This was quite a challenge from the very first step. Most of the clergy arrived at In Cheon International Airport at 5:00 p.m., and with traffic arrived at 9 p.m. Many had to go right into the banquet. Originally, it was to be a welcome banquet and a very ‘light’ evening. I'm reminded of the scripture in Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Yes, man's thoughts are that we would have a ‘light’ evening, however God had another idea.
A Christian minister receives his registration document from Father and Mother Moon.
Father Moon(left) affectionately taps Archbishop George Stallings on the head at a ceremony in Cheong Pyeong.
“Father Moon was so excited that because he knew the clergy would be coming in from a long journey, out of love True Parents came together with our International President, Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, to welcome them. It was a very deep experience for the clergy. Father guided them deeply on the course they were on and that represented the fruit of God's religious providence in America. Then he read his speech all the way through. However, the clergy were prepared for their ‘mission.’ Father was very serious, saying that the conditions of faith in God set by the religious leaders at this time will determine the course of world events. Further, he expressed the opinion that if we are faithful at this time, nuclear weapons will not be used at the end time but can be done away with once and for all. With faith the world will be blessed, divorce will dissolve, and the family of God will become one. The clergy rose to the occasion, because they know True Parents. They also know that if Father is going to speak, it is best to just "Let Go, and Let God!" They did, and Father expressed enormous joy. As he was leaving in the car, he said, "They are my family - they understand and are ready!"
The following testimony came from a pastor in Atlanta, Georgia:
“In 2001, when I first joined ACLC, I felt deep in my spirit that Father Moon was right, that he understood God’s heart and was truly guiding us according to the truth. I offered the benediction after In Jin Nim’s sermon at Lovin’ Life Ministries, and I was uplifted and could see my ministry was uplifted when I came back. Being in the presence of her brother, Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, I can feel my ministry is going to be much more blessed when I go back. I’ve seen snapshots of Father Moon’s life, but never saw it all together as in the museum today. I’m speechless. I can see that all Jesus was talking about is being fulfilled right now.”
Edited by Douglas Burton |
