Global Top Gun Workshop 2016 in Korea

As our pilgrimage is organized into two groups of 600 participants, each group ended their pilgrimage where the other group began. Twenty-six buses carried participants, Universal Peace Academy (UPA) cadets, and FFWPU International staff to the Cheongbok Gung, Chungpa Dong, and Paju Wonjeon (Group 1), as well as Beomneggol, Mungyeong Sae Chae, and Ocean Resort (Group 2). UPA and FFWPUI staff did a fantastic job with logistics, handling the timely movement of over 1200 GTGY participants, and planning the route, meals, and even first aid kits for each group.

On the third day of the pilgrimage, we were greeted with very high temperatures. At several stops, including Yamok Church and Beomneggol, local Unificationists passed out water. “They are so serving- minded,” noted staff member, Shinyoung Chang. Each location also had a local Unificationist dedicated to giving group tours and explanations. These Unificationists are dedicated to educating youth, families

and guests about the foundation True Parents laid in Korea to do their mission.

“It feels spiritually powerful and a lot of history happened here,” said G. Roberts from the USA, upon visiting the Yamok church. “It’s pretty amazing to be here. I think GTG Youth is an amazing opportunity for young people to come together and just be able to share in their faith. I think it’s really powerful when a whole bunch of second generation Unificationists come together to create something amazing. For this, in particular, I want to be able to establish a lot of friendships with my brothers and sisters here.”

Bus rides provided a great opportunity for international bonding. Participants played games together and sang, and after the pilgrimage, participants gathered in the main hall at Chung Pyung in their bus teams and played more team-building activities.

For many, the Paju Wonjeon was an unforgettable experience. Ten members of True Parents’ family who have ascended to the spirit world are resting there, including True Parents’ children, parents, and grandchildren. The many levels of ground allowed everyone to travel to these resting places in groups, paying their respects at each location and then making their way to the next resting plot.

“We saw the resting places of True Parents’ relatives,” said K. Michimasa, a participant from Malaysia. “This is my first time here. I feel amazing and excited to be here and able to bond with my Global Top Gun Youth peers in front of True Parents’ ascended loved ones. It was the most exciting moment I think I ever had.”

“I feel like this is a really good opportunity to connect with True Parents’ family and to understand the roots of our church and our movement,” said J. Pecarsky from Canada. “These are really important people and they’ve supported us so much, so I really feel a sense of gratefulness to them right now.”

“I feel enriched,” said V. Bidard from England. “Everyone’s connecting, being able to bow, being able to pray, and just being able to smile and feel the love and warmth from True Parents and how they’ve been able to really take care of their children. This is empowering to me and I’m sure it’s empowering to all of us. There are hundreds and hundreds of people here at this moment in time. It’s an amazing feeling. The grounds are beautiful, with so much greenery and so much nature. I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t heard about the Global Top Gun Youth workshop to find out more about it, stay connected, and become a part of it the next chance they get.”

“This whole trip really helped me really understand True Father’s heart,” said M. Windman from Los Angeles. “It’s the second time that I’ve gone on this pilgrimage, and I feel like every time it just gets better. I really feel True Father’s hard work that he put into this whole Unification movement, and that he did so much for us.”

The great news for everyone reading is that GTG Youth will happen every year! Come and experience this life-changing pilgrimage for yourself!