The First 40-Day Witnessing Campaign of the Unification Church

On July 20, 1957, the first 40-days witnessing was started. For this, True Father fasted and directed the members the 7 -days fasting. This is the frrst attempt of fasting in the Unification Church.

However, from I 957, it was changed into systematic and large-scale witnessing. Each pair groups were sent to 120 locations in the 70 main cities. The total number of the members who were sent was 240 people and the witnessing location was decided by the headquarter.

When the members were assigned to the witnessing locations, they did not have anything, just have one set of changing clothes in their backpack. The members were afraid of a new environment, but at the same time, they were excited about it.

Arter fmishing the witnessing, the members reported their witnessing life. Most of the members had a difficult t· e during the witnessing. They did not eat enough for several weeks or they were attached.

Now, there are many local churches. This is because of a 40-days witnessing campaign. This has been settles as the tradition of the frrst witnessing history.

.~ spesial fl.p;;clay _oµtreacij_.C,cillJ.pc1jgn started on July 20, 1Q5,7.. A,11 tlie. members in Korea began a seven-day fast on July 1. Through fasting they made a ne,v start. I fasted with them and announced this special 40-day campaign. In the Unification Church, we hold a 40-day ,vitnessing campaign starting on July 20 every year. This is during the school break, the hottest time of the year. We need to s,veat and ,vork intensely for the providence during the hottest period of the year. This is a good ,vay to pay inde~~ity. Inde•.~.ity conditions have to be set strategically. That was why I chose this most difficult time for witnessing. en you go out ,vitnessing, you are not to carry any money with you. If you have money, you should give it away. You have to go to your assigned area and meet your expenses by doing manual labor or whatever jobs you can do that will help the people in your area. By shedding your blood and s,veat in activities to help the people, you are undergoing training. (167-240, 1987.07.19) T11.1e Pare11ts words [CBG3.3.4:2]

~~~ t12.l~A~~, .!i!.:i:!. Report of Cheong II Guk Providential History

~ 2tQ.1 AtJt1 ~5f:I Sunhak Institute Of History