The following letters from New Jersey Church and Bamako Church, after being reported to True Mother, were presented during the Cheon Shim Won Vigil Prayer on January 27, 2025, by the World Mission Headquarters.
From Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda (New Jersey, USA)
Beloved True Mother,
I pray that you are in good health. New Jersey has been getting colder recently, with temperatures dropping below zero. Many members of our community start their day by reflecting on Mother’s words with gratitude through Hoon Dok Hae every morning. Currently, we are reading and sharing the words from the first volume of True Mother’s Word Collection, and through this time, we are becoming one with the heart of Heavenly Parent and True Mother. We also hold Cheon Shim Won prayer gatherings four days a week and Cheon Shim Won vigil prayer conditions at night five days a week.
Centering on Mother’s words on the importance of witnessing, I thought about the main purpose of our church. What does the world need and what does God want from us? Is it the Blessing? Is it True Parents? Is it Blessed Families or communities? After much thought, I realized that everything we do is to share and experience the heart of our Heavenly Parent. It is to empathize with God’s dream, God’s joy, God’s pain, God’s determination, and God’s hope. If we can empathize with God’s heart in everything we do and share it with those around us, people will naturally join us.
Based on this understanding, I accept my role as a pastor who represents True Parents, rather than as a manager or leader of a large church. I have been working to help the Blessed Family members become more confident and invite their family and friends to church. Last Sunday, we set a new record with a total of 11 new guests filling out their membership forms!
I meet with the Blessing candidates of our community one-on-one every week to provide education and support in preparation for the Blessing. Last Saturday, we conducted a young couple’s engagement ceremony, and we were moved by their dedication to Heavenly Parent, True Parents, and the ideal of the Blessing. It was a great event that reminded us of the importance of the Blessing and gave us hope for the future. We will do our best to support all candidates in our church so that they can prepare for the Blessings of 2025 and beyond.
Also, last week, we held a special service for the victory of the Cheon Won Gung Entrance Ceremony, and in my sermons, I encouraged all members to make a pledge to support this special project. Currently, we have reached about 65% of our donation goal in New Jersey, but we believe that we will reach 100% or more by April 2025 because many members are continuing to support this initiative. In addition, by sharing this vision and goal with the second and third generation members, many members have promised to take part in the special offering.
Yesterday, there was a Christmas party at the Heavenly America headquarters, and under the direction of Regional President Dunkley, all attendees had the opportunity to sing together under the leadership of Conductor Curtis Farrow. Although singing is not a natural talent for me, conductor Curtis encouraged and guided all us to glorify God through praise and to overflow with the spirit of God through songs of praise. Conductor Curtis Farrow always told us to be proud of God, Jesus, and True Parents. I pledge to develop a stronger alignment with True Mother and aim to become a true son of Cheon Il Guk, confidently and proudly declaring Heavenly Parent and True Parents to the world!
I am sincerely looking forward to meeting you, Mother!
True Mother, thank you, we love you!
From Rev. Jules Demele (Bamako, Mali)
Dear True Mother,
All glory and honor to you for many thousand years 2024.
In Mali, our church is located in Bamako and we are doing our best to get young people for the 2025 Blessing. From now on about 6 candidates are ready. Among them 5 are second generation and 1 first generation. In Bamako church most of the members are young. So it is a church of hope for the future if we raise them correctly.
Many members are participating in the vigil prayers at the Cheon Shin Won and we thank you for this precious gift. One day in the Cheon Shin Won room, one sister received a message from the spiritual world saying that our church is not witnessing. We are sorry for this and we made the determination to start anew.
We have contacted 4 families and the son of a Mayor received divine principle teaching. We are contacting 5 Christian churches pastors and 2 Muslim leaders. They are very happy to receive our teaching and to know about the only begotten daughter, the substantial Holy Spirit.
Our church members are praying for the political situation in Korea, our original homeland. Our deep hope is your victorious Entrance in the Cheon Il Sanctum in the Cheon Won Gung on April 13, 2025. About 7 people from Mali are preparing to be in Korea. Among them the former President Diouncounda Traore and his wife.
Many blessed families in our church are facing financial problems and we are grateful to receive the candle of heavenly fortune. Since 2012 our Nation has been facing political issues and since 2013 terrorism and Jihadism issues. Many people died, but Heaven is protecting our church members. From 2020 our country will be led by a young man (soldier) of 40 years old.
Now we understand clearly that to solve any problem, political, religious, social, family, we must be united with you, our beloved True Mother, sent by Heaven to conclude the sad history of 6000 years and give joy to the 8 billion people on earth and to the many hundred billion people in the spiritual world.
True Mother, Mother of Peace, only begotten daughter, substantial Holy spirit we love you and wish you a very long life on earth with good health. Thank you very much. We love you.