Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on Sep. 28, 2025
Music Offering
Sermon
The speaker shares a heartfelt testimony about his journey of faith, family, and personal growth within the context of the Unification Church. He begins by expressing gratitude and acknowledging the challenges many face, emphasizing that God serves as a guide and companion through life’s uncertainties, much like a guide runner assists a visually impaired athlete. He thanks members of his church community for their warm welcome and support as his family relocated and settled in North Carolina. He then recounts his family’s roots as second-generation church members from Korea, describing his father’s pioneering missionary work in Jamaica, where his father established a successful pottery business despite initial hardships. The speaker’s own journey took him from New York and New Jersey to Korea, Japan, and eventually back to the United States. He describes his struggles adapting to Japanese culture and language, feelings of loneliness, and a waning connection to the church during his youth and young adulthood. A turning point came in 2004 when his mother insisted he participate in the church’s arranged blessing (marriage) ceremony at East Garden in the United States. Despite initial reluctance and cultural differences, he accepted the match with his wife, Minyong, who had a strong and consistent faith background. They faced challenges blending their cultural norms and faith experiences, especially given his intense work ethic shaped by Japanese corporate culture. Their life together evolved as Minyong pursued higher education in the U.S., earning a master’s degree and later being accepted to prestigious PhD programs. The speaker quit his job to support her and moved to the U.S., where he gradually rekindled his faith and experienced spiritual growth. Despite hardships, including personal and communal trials such as the passing of their church founder, they remained united and committed to their family and faith journey. They have now established a stable family life with their son, Takami, and both have achieved significant educational milestones—he as a licensed attorney (though not practicing) and she as a college professor. The speaker closes by expressing profound gratitude to God, True Parents, and the church community for their ongoing spiritual guidance and protection, likening God to a “companion runner” who leads and supports through life’s unseen challenges. His testimony is a message of hope, resilience, and faith for others navigating their own journeys. Highlights - The speaker emphasizes feeling grateful and happy despite the difficulties others may face, introducing the theme of God as a guide runner. - Acknowledgment of community members who helped the family settle in and feel welcomed in North Carolina. - Story of the father’s pioneering missionary work and pottery business in Jamaica, establishing financial stability through faith-driven entrepreneurship. - Personal struggles adapting socially and academically in Japan, feeling isolated due to cultural and language barriers. - The pivotal moment when the speaker agrees to participate in the church’s arranged blessing, despite initial resistance. - Cultural and faith differences in marriage, highlighting the tension between traditional Japanese work culture and family life. - Spiritual revival and family growth after moving to the U.S., overcoming hardships and achieving academic and personal milestones.
Testimony
Summary The speaker reflects on her personal journey of faith, family, and spiritual growth, highlighting the blessings in her life, particularly her husband, whom she describes as a perfect partner despite minor quirks. She shares the story of how she received the blessing through her father after her mother’s passing and how her faith evolved significantly over the past year. The speaker recounts a profound spiritual experience involving her late mother’s soul, which deepened her understanding of the spiritual world and motivated her to perform a liberation ritual for her mother. This experience transformed her prayer life and strengthened her relationship with the spiritual realm and her faith community. Professionally, she is a sociologist with ambitions to write an influential book about her church, inspired by the impact of great thinkers like Karl Marx. She expresses gratitude for her current life situation, including her academic position and supportive community. Highlights - The speaker expresses gratitude for her husband, describing him as nearly perfect and a great blessing in her life. - She discusses receiving her blessing through her father after her mother’s passing, emphasizing trust in parental guidance for finding a partner. - She shares the initial attraction to her husband, highlighting his voice and appearance, and how their personalities balance each other. - The speaker’s faith deepened after a spiritual realization about her mother’s unrest in the spiritual world. - She performed a liberation ritual for her mother, which transformed her prayer life and spiritual connection. - As a sociologist, she aims to write an influential book about her church, inspired by the sociological impact of Marxism. - She expresses happiness with her current life, academic role, and welcoming community.
