UPF Event "The Path to Peace and On to Religious Freedom"

UPF Event "The Path to Peace and On to Religious Freedom" on Oct. 4, 2025

Photo Album

Introduction of Ceremonies and Toast for Peace

• Importance of Community Gatherings: The assembly fosters unity and encourages participants to engage in the collective pursuit of peace, highlighting the significance of community support in addressing societal issues.
• Role of Spiritual Leadership: Pastor Bob’s toast underscores the power of spiritual leaders in guiding communities toward peace, emphasizing the need for faith-based approaches in conflict resolution.
• Vision for a Unified World: The call for building a world under God reflects a desire for harmony across different backgrounds, advocating for inclusivity and mutual respect in diverse societies.

Peace is defined as the presence of freedom by Immanuel Jarvis

• Peace is defined as the presence of freedom, not simply the absence of conflict.
• Religious persecution is a global issue affecting diverse countries, including democracies like South Korea, violent conflict zones like Nigeria, and authoritarian regimes like China.
• Persecution involves harassment, violence, imprisonment, cultural suppression, and even inhumane practices such as organ harvesting.
• Solidarity with persecuted communities requires awareness, advocacy, prayer, financial support, political engagement, and compassionate action toward refugees.
• Protecting religious freedoms at home is critical to maintaining the ability to defend those freedoms internationally.

Religious Persecution in Japan by Luke Higuchi

• Religious freedom is under crisis in Asia, especially in Japan and South Korea, due to political pressures and misinformation campaigns targeting religious groups like the Unification Church.
• Kidnapping and forced confinement of religious members is a documented human rights abuse in Japan, with thousands affected.
• The media’s portrayal of religion as evil has deeply influenced public opinion, contributing to religious disaffection.
• Communist influence, particularly from China, is seen as a growing threat to religious and democratic freedoms across Asian countries.
• Religious leaders and members face detention or imprisonment, including elderly leaders under poor health conditions.
• The United States remains a bastion of religious freedom, with some political administrations actively supporting this cause.
• Social media is viewed as a critical battleground for defending religious freedom against left-wing and communist ideological control.
• Individual participation on digital platforms matters, regardless of age or physical capacity.

Christian Persecution in Nigeria by Doug Burton

Christian Genocide in Nigeria Report

• The Power of Faith: Despite the atrocities faced, faith remains a source of strength for many Christians in Nigeria, inspiring advocacy and resilience.
• Growing Awareness: Increased media coverage is crucial for raising awareness about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, potentially leading to action.
• Legislative Action: Legislation, such as Senator Cruz's bill, can create international pressure on the Nigerian government to address the genocide.
• Ethnic and Religious Dynamics: The conflict is deeply rooted in ethnic and religious tensions, particularly between Islamism and Christianity in Nigeria.
• Importance of Education: Education is vital for the future of displaced Nigerian children, providing them hope and opportunities for a better life.
• Community Support: Organizations like Truth Nigeria and advocacy groups play a crucial role in raising funds and awareness for those affected.
• Call to Action: Individuals and communities are encouraged to get involved, whether through donations, advocacy, or prayer, to support persecuted Christians.

Falun Gong Persecution in China by Winston Liu

• Religious Persecution and Genocide: The CCP’s campaign against Falun Gong represents a systematic effort to eradicate a spiritual group through propaganda, imprisonment, torture, and legal harassment.
• Loss of Spiritual and Moral Values: The speaker links CCP’s destruction of traditional culture to the moral confusion and selfishness prevalent in modern Chinese society.
• Transnational Impact: The repression of Falun Gong is not confined to China but actively continues abroad, particularly in the US, through covert operations and media manipulation.
• Cultural Revival as Resistance: Shen Yun embodies the Falun Gong community’s effort to revive and share pre-Communist Chinese culture worldwide.
• Hope in Democratic Systems: Despite challenges, the speaker expresses faith in the American legal and social system’s ability to protect individual freedoms against foreign repression.

Peace Starts with Me by Pastor Davetta Morgan

• Religious Freedom is Essential: The ongoing persecution of believers globally highlights the urgent need to advocate for religious freedom, reflecting the fundamental right to worship without fear.
• Empathy for the Suffering: Recognizing the plight of those facing violence for their beliefs fosters empathy, reminding us of our shared humanity despite differing faiths.
• Personal Responsibility in Peace: True peace begins within; individuals must confront their selfish desires and commit to self-reflection and personal growth to contribute to a peaceful society.
• Hope as a Driving Force: Maintaining hope is crucial for peace; despair leads to inaction, while hope inspires individuals to strive for a better world.
• Nonviolence as a Strategic Choice: Embracing nonviolent methods is not just a moral stance but a necessary strategy for achieving lasting peace and justice in society.
• Inner Peace Fuels Action: Cultivating inner peace enables individuals to face external challenges and contribute positively to their communities, emphasizing the connection between personal and societal harmony.
• Unity for a Common Goal: Achieving world peace requires collective effort and unity, as exemplified by the call to work together as one family to fulfill the dream of universal peace.

Appointment of Ambassadors for Peace

• Diversity in Unity: The Ambassadors for Peace program embraces individuals from all backgrounds, highlighting that unity can exist despite differing beliefs.
• Living for Others: The core principle of the initiative is to inspire individuals to prioritize others' happiness, fostering a culture of generosity and compassion.
• Global Reach: With a presence in 160 countries, the program demonstrates the universal desire for peace and connection beyond borders.
• Family as Foundation: Strong family values are seen as a cornerstone for creating peaceful communities, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships.
• Recognition of Efforts: Honoring those dedicated to peace encourages more community involvement and highlights the significance of grassroots initiatives.
• Interreligious Cooperation: Promoting dialogue and understanding among different faiths is crucial for overcoming divisions and achieving lasting peace.
• Empowerment Through Sharing: By sharing personal stories and experiences, ambassadors can inspire others to engage in peace-building efforts in their communities.

Sunday Service on Sep. 28, 2025

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.