By FFWPU Benin
Saturday, August 29, 2026
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, all churches of the Family Federation in Benin celebrated the Pledge Service commemorative of the 14th anniversary of True Father’s Cheonju Seonghwa. Organized simultaneously across the national territory, this service took place according to the program, which included meditation, the recitation of the Family Pledge, the floral tribute to True Father, the main message, prayers, and the sharing of the offering table. In total, 478 members took part in this celebration across the nation.
At the National Headquarters center, the National Leader, Rev. Woo Sung Gueli, presented a short address on the great works accomplished by True Father during his life of faith and ministry. He exhorted members to continue the work of True Parents with determination, to faithfully follow their tradition and teachings, to show deep gratitude toward Heavenly Parent and True Parents, as well as to become active witnesses of their vision. Following this message, Mr. Pascal DEGBEY, Director of the Blessed Family Department, shared an inspiring testimony about his experience in ABUJA during True Father’s last trip to Africa.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
On Sunday, August 30, 2026, the Family Federation in Benin organized a special service commemorating the 14th anniversary of the Cheonju Seonghwa of True Father Sun Myung Moon. The service, broadcast via Zoom to all centers across the country, brought together 563 participants.
The program included songs of praise, the offering of flowers to True Parents, a time for personal contemplation, an interview-testimony segment, messages of exhortation, the address by the National Leader, and a prayer of resolution in unison.
The highlight of this celebration was the testimony of the couple Felix SONOUME (Benin) and Anne-Marie KALISENGE (Rwanda), from the generation of the 30,000 Couples. This family traced their journey from discovering the movement, accepting the Divine Principle and True Parents, through their 34 years of blessed family life. The couple emphasized that there is no greater grace than knowing and following True Parents, living for the sake of others, cultivating gratitude despite trials, learning to grow with one’s spouse, and consecrating one’s family to the Providence.
They also insisted on the importance of educating the second generation in the heavenly tradition. Parents of five Second Generation children, today they have already succeeded in leading three of their children to the Blessing and recently became grandparents to a third generation.
As the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Pascal DEGBEY, reminded everyone, True Father used to say that if one wanted to know his work, it was enough to look at the families he established through the Blessing. This testimony thus constituted a vibrant tribute to True Parents’ accomplishments.
The former National Leader, Rev. Pierre AMOUSSOUVI, gave a message of exhortation in which he traced the beginnings of the movement in Benin by sharing several experiences lived with True Father and the members. He invited members to move beyond past misunderstandings in order to unite their efforts to support the national Providence and preserve the unity of the movement.
In turn, the National Leader, Rev. Woo Sung GUELI, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to mark one year of service in his current functions. He thanked his team and all members who invest themselves on the front line of the providence. He encouraged young people to walk in the footsteps of True Parents by living a life of dedication in service to the providence and the church.
Rev. Woo Sung Gueli also, on behalf of the nation, gave a certificate of recognition to the couple Felix and Anne-Marie SONOUME for the exemplary life of service they have led and continue to lead, and for their constant commitment to serving the providence in a humble and selfless manner.
Participants took part in this program with commitment and solemnity in memory of Our True Father, with the resolution to strive to meet him personally, as suggested by Rev. Doo Song-yeon.
The entire commemoration took place in an atmosphere of solemnity, gratitude, and reverence. Members participated with great respect in the different moments of the program, expressing their gratitude for True Father’s life, legacy, and accomplishments, renewing each individual’s commitment to pursuing the realization of the ideal of Cheon Il Guk inherited from True Parents. The celebration ended with a moment of fellowship over a warm meal.