The Generation Peace Academy's Heavenly USA Team Shares the Blessing

The Generation Peace Academy (GPA) Heavenly USA team set out in New York from January 16 to 24 with the intention to Bless one million couples in America by giving the Holy Wine Blessing from house to house, shop to shop, and church to church for individuals and families to rededicate themselves to God. The Holy Wine Blessing is an extension of the Marriage Blessing Ceremony established by Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founders of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and affectionately known as True Parents.

The Heavenly USA team was established in June 2019, aiming to give second-year GPA students time for further growth in order to support the American providence. In the past, the Heavenly USA team was sent from place to place to help and support the communities involved in the Peace Starts With Me rallies and events in Chicago, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Newark, New Jersey.

Every day, they grouped up and journeyed throughout New York, starting in Brooklyn, to knock on doors and open people’s hearts. “Through this campaign we want to give glory to Heavenly Parent, hoping that we can bring this Blessing to numerous families. Whether it is a Muslim or Christian or Buddhist family, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude to be able to conduct these door-to-door Blessings,” said F. Marsal, group leader and member of the GPA core staff.

Heavenly USA team member H. Nagayama struggled on the first day after being rejected with doors slammed in his face twice. However, H. Nagayama recalled a chapter in Rev. Moon’s autobiography As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen about how he was rejected when pioneering in Japan. “I was so grateful for this experience because it was the first time I could relate to and understand True Father’s heart and dedication!”

During their rounds, H. Nagayama’s team met a lovely woman who recently had heart surgery after having three massive heart attacks. H. Nagayama expressed that she was desperate for a prayer, and it felt like God was waiting for the moment to meet her through the Heavenly USA team! “I really believe God prepared specific people for us to approach, to pray for and to give the Blessing to,” H. Nagayama said.

At the beginning, the team was genuinely surprised when they learned that they would be giving the Blessing, but were also grateful for the first-hand experience. Heavenly USA team member W. Namowicz expressed how he grew up in an area where his family was the only Unificationist family, and how initiating Tribal Messiahship through giving the Blessing would be difficult. But shortly after he joined GPA, his mother was encouraged to begin reaching out and spreading the Blessing, and now W. Namowicz himself is understanding its importance more deeply.

“Through the Blessing, True Parents can connect God to His children, and it was through this realization that I felt an earnest heart to share the Blessing with others. We go out as filial children, desperate to connect the world to its origin, the True Parents,” said Heavenly USA team member M, Teah.

While accompanying the team throughout the week, F. Marsal acknowledged how challenging this Blessing campaign was for everyone. But as the days passed, they learned and grew from their experiences. “I believe this was truly important for our growth, our unity and our love for people beyond race, nationality and religion,” F. Marsal said.

On Saturday, January 18, the team attended a prayer breakfast in New Jersey hosted by the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), where they met Rev. Alfonso Williams of the Aenon Baptist Church in Union, New Jersey. Rev. Williams invited them to his church afterwards to commence the Holy Wine Blessing for himself and a few members of his congregation. Heavenly USA team member A. Takanashi said that witnessing this Blessing reminded him of his parents and their Blessing. He said, “My brother always used to say, that as second-generation Unificationists, we don’t understand just how much our parents have sacrificed for us.” But when A. Takanashi saw Rev. Williams and his wife receiving the Blessing, he was reminded of the sacrifice his parents made.

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a nationally recognized day of service, the team cleaned up the Brooklyn neighborhood by picking up trash, and, continuing in the spirit of service, they co-organized a service project the next day with Pastor Jean G. Calas to clean up his church, The Church of the Good Shepherd, in Brooklyn. The relationship with The Church of the Good Shepherd started in 2017 with the efforts of the Brooklyn Family Church community. Over the years, Pastor Calas and his congregation have attended many events such as prayer breakfasts, True Family Value Awards banquets, and every single Peace Starts With Me rally since the beginning in 2017 at Madison Square Garden.

Later that afternoon, the team helped Pastor Calas reach out to people in the neighborhood to join his Thursday night Bible study, where F. Marsal was asked to give a message. The audience was captivated as he talked about God’s purpose of creation and the Three Great Blessings supported by Bible verses, and the responsibility of having a God-centered marriage and family. With the approval of Pastor Calas, the Heavenly USA team initiated a Holy Wine Blessing ceremony after the Bible study. “Being in that room, it truly felt like everyone was experiencing a new beginning,” said W. Namowicz.

While reflecting upon this one million couples Blessing campaign week, A. Takanashi said, “As I continue going through this year of GPA, I want to constantly learn how valuable this tradition is, so I can share the gift of the Blessing, testify, and be more confident in who I represent.”