Report WCLC Gathering - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Report WCLC Gathering Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 20, 2020 By Wim Koetsier and Bert Janssen come that religions start to work together for world peace, while bringing in the fruits of their traditions in the common efforts

A for the benefit of God and all mankind. t this meeting were present Mrs. Amosi, Mrs. Bains, Mr. Janssen, Mr. Koy and Mr. Olowu, who had all been to the WCLC in Newark. Furthermore, were present Mr. and Mrs. Baatenburg, Mr. and Mrs. Campman, Mr. Inikwo, Mr and Mrs Koetsier, Ms. Langenes, Mrs. Olowu and Mr. Perotti. From the Netherlands a group of 9 people has been to the WCLC in Newark, which was held December 26 – 29 2019. At our gathering Monday night January 20, five participants were present, who had been to the event in Newark. Wim Koetsier, secretary of the Universal Peace Federation in The Netherlands, gave a word of welcome. He spoke about how the founder of the Unification Movement, Dr. Sun Myung Moon from South Korea, saw religions as God’s repair shops. They had become necessary after the fall of man in order to bring people back to God. The different religions have a similar The WCLC gathering in Amsterdam mission, but may be busy to repair different parts of the world that came about as a result of the Fall of Man. The more the In Newark Mother Moon and the Unification Movement religions succeed in raising the spirit of people, the more it managed to bring people together from different walks of life. becomes necessary to work together in order to co-ordinate the Our challenge is to do this in our own region, in our nation as repairs and bring everything to a complete repair. Dr. Moon and well as on a European level. Next, as united people we need to his wife Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon always have seen this as a very find ways to have impact in society. We believe that God takes important aspect of their mission. the major part of the responsibility for the restoration of fallen mankind – let us say 95%. Human beings have also Furthermore Mr. Koetsier said that he thinks religions start by responsibility (and freedom) to fulfill the remaining 5%. So if separating people from the secular world and bring them we fulfill our responsibility, God can add His 95%, and in that together in a protected environment. It is like the seed of a case great things can happen! plant, which needs protection to grow until it is strong enough to enrich the environment. Unfortunately, the development of Next Bert Janssen showed a PowerPoint impression of the trip the various religions was accompanied by conflicts within, and to New York and Newark, New Jersey. There were pictures of between, the religions. Nevertheless, people within religions the departure from Schiphol, the convocation of the World became recently more mature and spiritually awakened. Many Clergy Leadership Conference in New York on December desire a deeper understanding, want to be involved more in 27th, and the rally with Mother Moon in Newark on the 28th. . discussions about religious principles and interpretations, as Some pics of the visit of the financial district in New York, well as in decision-making, and are more open to interact with including Ground Zero, were also added. people from other denominations or religions. The time has

Mrs. Kiren Bains came to the front to give some remarks. She ministry of churches, and also that he was really challenged. He had been to the US multiple times, but this time she had a already shared his experiences with ministers of his church. completely different experience. Miss Bains: “Having had the It had puzzled Dr. Olowu that the Gospel of Love so many opportunity to join the WCLC congress in New York in times became the Gospel of Hatred. How could this happen? December last year (2019) and experiencing the great The challenge is how to reverse the hatred. In the Bible we find hospitality, and finally getting a glimpse of Mother Moon for the Ten Commandments and a lot of rules in the Old the first time, I have learned to appreciate people, cultures and Testament. Jesus summarized this: Love God and your religions more. neighbor. Pastor Olowu prays that the WCLC can also have My guru, Guru Ravidass, has taught us to appreciate people impact in The Netherlands, especially for the benefit of public (irrespective of color or creed) and that is why we greet the soul policy. In the U.S. Christians came together and united to first with folded hands and with the salutation “Jai Gurudev” influence the public domain, making a solid base for the (which basically greets the soul and not the person). government. The media does not understand this. As soon as I experienced the visit of Mother Moon in a stadium In Africa there are a lot of Christians. However, there is a lot of full of 30.000 people and felt the positive energy, the following poverty and decline. Christians have to stand together to help to verse came to mind: solve these problems. Two points are important: to have a follow up meeting in Europe, and to help to solve the crisis in Africa. Africa has an abundance of resources and so much Karam bandhan mah ram rahay fal ko tajyo aas. potential to enable people to have a good living. If there is no Karam munukh ko dharam hai sat bhakhai Ravidass. development, there will be many refugees. Therefore, it is important for Europe to support development in Africa. Clergy need to work together to bring solutions. This is a verse in our holy book recited by Guru Ravidass - The Dr. Olowu is inspired by the great vision of Dr. and Mrs. Moon, Amrit Bhani, which means that we should renounce the hope of who have shown that they are thinking far ahead. How do we reward when performing duty to mankind because the respond now? It is a challenge to bring different denominations performance of that duty is the real faith. Mother Moon has and religions together. Unity goes hand in hand with humility. performed her duties, together with Father Moon, throughout Love can work when we are humble. All religions teach about her whole life, without any reward, without expecting anything love, but often small things can disturb co-operation or even in return. This was depicted in the many people that came to see cause conflicts. We need to work together for spiritual and her on that day. She is clearly performing her duty to mankind. material progress. She really is blessed. I also feel blessed with this experience and I hope to personally meet Mother Moon one day. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to expand my spiritual family”.

Mother Moon speaking in the Prudential center in Newark, New Jersey The last to share her experiences was Ms. Kiren Bains. She is a Convocation of the WCLC in the Manhattan Center in New York follower of Guru Ravidass Sabha. His movement is not so much a School of Religion, but more a School of Mankind. In Then the other participants of the WCLC in Newark were asked the first-place people are seen as persons, and not as members to share their experiences. Mrs. Gisèle Amosi (pastor and co- of some movement. All people are seen as souls and greeted founder of the ‘Glorie en Redding’ Kerk) said she was well humbly. She believes that God is everywhere. We can see each received by the staff of the event. She experienced the message other as creatures of God. If you bring out goodness, goodness of Mother Moon as a message from God, and the Peace of God in the end comes back to you. in the gathering of so many people. It was a very meaningful and joyous moment and she said she was very grateful that she With an open mind she went to New York. Mother Moon is a could participate in the event together with her husband. ‘blessed person’, otherwise she could not have brought so many people together. Unity starts with one person, also with a father Pastor Franck Koy Gisèle’s husband and founder and pastor of and a mother. It is a way of life. A lily blossoms in dirty water. the ‘Glorie en Redding’ Kerk) thanked Mother Moon for We need to blossom like the lily, and be strong together in order bringing all kinds of people together: ministers, senators and to bring peace and overcome conflicts and wars. Everybody congress men, leaders of all ranks of society, as well as people responds to love. Eventually you can win people over to from the general public. All were considered equal, all behaved goodness by true love. ‘Go and love the people!’ as such! There he saw love, God and Jesus. Everybody was one. He prays for good health for all clergy involved. These last words were very fit as concluding words. Furthermore, Wim Koetsier said that, based on reactions and Pastor Dr. Dele Olowu (Redeemed Christian Church of God, proposals of participants from Europe to the WCLC, and the assistant overseer Europe Mainland), said he experienced the results of the upcoming World Conference in Korea (beginning team spirit, the entire event and the presentations as a gift from of February), new plans will be developed. God. He said he got a new dimension of understanding the