Trials as Springboard for Growth and Victory

In message 29th August, new leader of Family Federation’s South Korean branch emphasizes overcoming trials with faith, transparency, and unity

A speech delivered 29th August 2025 by Dr. Song Yong-cheon (송용천), appointed as President of the Family Federation in South Korea on 26^th August. The occasion was a meeting for leaders and members gathered in Gapyeong, South Korea. Slightly edited unofficial translation of the original Korean. 

See also Special Message: Not Involved in Political Funds

See also New Head of Federation in Korea: Song Yong-cheon

See also Over 30,000 Attend Memorial for Sun Myung Moon

Beloved and respected blessed families, greetings to you all. With a heart of filial devotion toward Heaven, I sincerely pray that great grace and blessings from our Heavenly Parent will be with you, your families, and your churches […].

Recently, according to providential changes, the mission of Cheonmu-won [the central administration of FFWPU] has concluded, and the organizational structure has been reformed with three branches: The World Mission Headquarters, the Central Administration, and the Future Talent Institute.

On 26^th August, I was inaugurated as President of the Family Federation in the “Heavenly Korea”. [See editor’s note 1 below]

I intend to fulfill my responsibilities as President […] based on three standards.

First, centering on True Parents, all members in the “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below] must be renewed and united. In this regrettable situation where the church has suffered both spiritually and physically, we must reform the church and, centered on the True Parents, overcome any challenge and circumstance with one heart and one mind.

Second, through education about the Champumo-ron (Literally: Discourse on True Parents, published in English as The Value of True Parents in Heaven’s Providence) and the Great Epic History of the Chosen Han People of Korea, I hope to expand the status and value of True Parents throughout the “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below].

These teachings are Heaven’s gift and blessing to us. If the The Value of True Parents in Heaven’s Providence is at the center, and the Great Epic History of the Chosen Han People of Korea is spread, then like warp and weft threads, the thought of True Parents will be tightly woven into the history, culture, and faith of Korea. A heavenly culture will take root in our daily lives.

Third, leaders and members of the “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below] must, centered on the True Parents, live in harmony within our relationships (화목) and a deeper, spiritual peace (화평) to welcome a new era.

When our community is harmonious and peaceful in that way, the providence accelerates.

When we practice leadership that prioritizes responsibility over authority, service over command, and community over individualism, the culture of heart and spirit in which Heaven dwells will firmly take root.

With these three points – unity centered on True Parents, education in the The Value of True Parents in Heaven’s Providence, and harmony within relationships (화목) and a deeper, spiritual peace (화평) – the Family Federation of the “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below] will unite with pastors, public officials, and blessed families nationwide to pioneer the future of Cheonil-guk (the Kingdom of Heaven).

If the path becomes blocked, we will open the gates of Heaven through fervent prayer and devotional offering. With God’s word we will create the path, with harmony in our relationships (화목) we will build the bridge, and together we will advance toward a “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below] where there is a deeper, spiritual peace (화평).

“Brothers and sisters”, if you agree, please cry out loudly before Heaven:

Aju! Aju! [See editor’s note 2 below]

Beloved blessed families, today we stand in a wilderness swept by storms. Confusion and anxiety shake our hearts, misunderstandings and distrust cloud our minds. Yet Heaven’s providence is mysterious. The providence has always advanced through hardship and trial toward even greater blessing.

Our True Mother has said that this course is like labor pains before the birth of a precious child. After heavy rains, the ground becomes firmer; the purest steel is forged in the hottest fire. I believe this present crisis is a providential opportunity for us to stand anew before Heaven, transparent and pure, without a single blemish.

For the Family Federation of a “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below], this will surely be a chance to be rebuilt on a firm and proper foundation.

Through this crisis and trial, our hearts will unite more deeply with our most holy True Mother, and we will leap forward into becoming a brighter, more mature, and healthier Family Federation than before.

As I assume the presidency of the Family Federation of a “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below], I wish to share three directions for overcoming the crisis and achieving a new leap forward.

First, the Federation will firmly respond to unjust attacks.

Deviations and lies from a few individuals are being reported through the media as if they were truth. Despite our best efforts to clarify, criticism and attacks continue. At such a time, the most important thing is to strengthen our faith all the more. We will protect members and public officials to the very end, minimizing their difficulties, and respond firmly to unjust attacks. As President of the Family Federation of a “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below], I will surely overcome this difficult situation.

Second, I will devote all my efforts to healing the emotional turmoil and wounds of our members. The key to overcoming crisis is gathering scattered hearts and stopping internal agitation. For this, I will begin sincere communication. By visiting churches quickly, I will share the Federation’s vision and principles of transparency. I will also establish communication channels to listen to members’ questions and opinions.

Third, I promise church reform and transparent financial management. Here, I solemnly vow that the Federation will take the lead in exemplary and transparent financial practices. Until now, lobbying politicians or improper requests have been strictly prohibited, but because of the deviations of a few, the entirety of the Family Federation of a “Heavenly Korea” [See editor’s note 1 below] faces great difficulty. From now on, if any pastor or public official is found lobbying politically or making improper requests, they will be dealt with strictly. We will also promptly establish regulations to eradicate such behavior.

Furthermore, to manage the Federation’s finances fairly and transparently, we will create a transparent system by consulting experts and collecting the opinions of members.

Beloved and respected families, the road before us is clear:
● First, firmly respond to unjust attacks.
● Second, stabilize the church through trust.
● Third, reform and improve church culture.

When we establish these three pillars with our faith and sincere devotion, we will build an unshakable church that withstands any storm. Following the hopeful direction that True Mother has taught us, let us move forward with tears and prayer. United with the World Mission Headquarters, the Central Administration, and the Future Talent Institute, let us restore the honor of blessed families and rebuild the pride of our members.

Beloved families, will you join together?

Let us unite with True Mother in absolute oneness, using today’s trials and suffering as a springboard for growth and victory. The True Parents have said:

“There is nothing that cannot be accomplished with absolute devotion.”

They also said:

“When we become one, our dreams will surely be fulfilled.”

[…] Let us once again overcome our crisis and take a new leap forward. I ask you all to join me in prayer.

Thank you.

See also Special Message: Not Involved in Political Funds

See also New Head of Federation in Korea: Song Yong-cheon

See also Over 30,000 Attend Memorial for Sun Myung Moon

Featured image above: Dr. Song Yong-cheon delivering his message in Gapyeong, South Korea 29th August 2025. Screenshot from live transmission by FFWPU.

[Editor’s note 1: The expression 신한국 (神韓國 – a heavenly Korea) contains the character 神 (shin), which means divine, spiritual, heavenly, godly. It is here used in the sense that Korea one day will become a heavenly or godly world resembling God’s ideal of creation, a Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Sometimes the alternative 신통일한국 (神統一韓國 – shintongil hanguk – a heavenly unified Korea) is used. Both expressions are spoken in the belief that the process leading to a divine Korea has already begun. 神 (shin) is also used in front of the name of other countries or even continents to denote that those nations or continents will become a Kingdom of Heaven in the future.]

[Editor’s note 2: “Aju” (아주!) is mainly a new prayer conclusion. It is used instead of “Amen”. The expression was coined by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han in 2006. “Aju” replaced the traditional “Amen” to signify not just affirmation of God’s power, but a pledge to fulfill God’s will through one’s own responsibility – a move away from simply asking God to act, toward actively committing oneself to act.]

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