Chung Sik Yong and Naokimi Ushiroda replace Crescentia DeGoede as Pastors of the Clifton Family Church

The Pastor Search Committee members, Council members and I would like to sincerely thank you for all you have done to support the process of securing our next Pastor. Thank you so much for your prayers, devotions, and the completion of the survey. God has answered our prayers in a mighty way, and I am excited to share the results of our search.

At the request of True Mother, who recently gave a direction for all the top leaders in America to be pastors of “model communities”, and focus on local church growth, Dr. Chung Sik Yong and Pres. Naokimi Ushiroda have decided to be the Senior Pastor and Pastor of the Clifton Family Church. Dr. Yong will be the Senior Pastor of both CFC and KEA NJ. President Naokimi will be the Pastor of CFC.

As they will be retaining their continental and national positions, to support them in the day-to-day running of the community, they have made a selection from among the candidates our Pastor Search Committee and Council recommended, to be the Associate Pastor. They will announce their selection once the details have been confirmed. A job description for this position will be outlined shortly. More details about the specific roles and responsibilities of Dr. Yong and President Naokimi will also be forthcoming. They have also requested that all our Clifton Family Church Ministry Leaders remain in their current positions.

A few practical details regarding the changes: • Dr. Yong and President Naokimi will retain their positions on the continental, national and subregional levels and receive their salaries from the national church. • The Associate Pastor will receive his salary from the Clifton Family Church and District 3 for the amount budgeted by our Council. The start date is yet to be determined. • Pastor Crescentia will remain as an advisor to all the new pastors until the end of the month. • An Installation Ceremony for the Associate Pastor will be held later this month, and a Farewell Ceremony for Pastor Crescentia will likely be held on Sunday, May 22nd.

Even though it is very short notice, at Dr. Yong’s request, an Inauguration Service for our New Pastors, Dr. Chung Sik Yong and Pres. Naokimi Ushiroda will take place this Sunday morning, May 8th at 10:00am at our Clifton Family Church. As such, we would like to cordially invite you to join us for this historic moment, and support their inauguration as our new pastors. Come hear their inaugural messages, and offer your prayers and encouragement for success in their new roles. Doors will be open from 9:30am, seating in the Chapel will be on a first come, first serve basis, with overflow seating in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday School will be offered as usual.

I would like to sincerely thank our Pastor Search Committee Chair, Christl Brunkhorst, and CFC Council Chair, Tyndol Baynes, as well as, the PSC members: Dohi Ang, Josephine Gimay, Manoj Jacob, Shogo Nakaza, Joe Leonard, Brian Sabourin, and Terry Hasegawa for the many months of sincere investment they made to search for, review, interview and recommend candidates for our next pastor. We could not have come to this point without them.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the transition process or installment of the new pastors, please feel free to contact me or our Council.

Please join me in prayerfully receiving our new pastors, and approach them with an open heart and mind, and readiness to receive what they have to give and work together with them to continue to build the community our Heavenly Parent and we all hope for. I sincerely appreciate your continued prayers and support as we make this transition.

May God’s abundant love and blessings be with you!

Sincerely, Pastor Crescentia DeGoede