By FFWPU Philippines
The Opening of the 21-Day FGD National Youth Leadership Workshop was held on April 8, 2026, at the UPF Peace Embassy (FFWPU Philippine Headquarters), organized by the Future Generation Department (FGD) of FFWPU Philippines. The workshop gathered 35 youth participants and marked the first in-person national 21-day leadership training program since the pandemic, signifying a major step in rebuilding and strengthening the national youth formation system.
The program is designed as an intensive leadership training initiative aimed at developing young leaders in the areas of witnessing, lecturing, and fundraising, with the long-term goal of raising future church leaders in the Philippines. The 21-day workshop is structured in three phases: the first week at UPF Peace Embassy, the second week at the International Peace Leadership College (IPLC) for practical leadership training and nature immersion, and the third week focused on community immersion and fundraising activities, culminating on April 28, 2026.
The opening program began with an invocation led by Jovencio Gulayao (CARP Ministry Philippines President), followed by welcome remarks from Jun Young Teves (FFWPU Philippines FGD Director). In his message, he emphasized the purpose of the workshop as a platform to raise a new generation of leaders and challenged participants to discover and develop their true potential in the context of the current providence and rapidly changing world.
A special message was delivered by Rev. Ronnie Sodusta (Regional Director, Philippines), who spoke on the importance of leadership and expressed the vision of FFWPU to see more young people take ownership and responsibility in the movement. Rev. Yutaka Yamada (Continental Director, Asia Pacific) also shared an inspiring message on the importance of having a dream and the determination to fulfill it, encouraging participants to envision and pursue a hopeful and meaningful future for the movement.
Following the messages, participants had a group photo session and proceeded to team-building and self-awareness activities, preparing them for the internal and external demands of the workshop. An orientation was conducted to outline the program structure, expectations, and disciplines. As part of their spiritual condition, each participant committed to a 12-day personal condition within the 21-day training period.
The first phase of the workshop includes lectures on Chambumoron and the Divine Principle, along with daily practices such as cleaning, community service at the headquarters, and martial arts training and physical exercise, fostering discipline and holistic development. In the succeeding phase at IPLC, participants will undergo practical leadership skills training and daily nature immersion, further strengthening their character and leadership capacity.
Overall, the opening program set a strong foundation for the 21-day journey, establishing clear direction, spiritual motivation, and a unified commitment among participants to grow as future leaders of the movement.