HJ International

Faculty Roundtable: The Unification Church Movement: Shaping the Public Narrative
2023-05-17 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
We are pleased to announce that the next Virtual Faculty Roundtable event will take place on Wednesday, May 17 from 7-8 pm ET, featuring Dr. Michael Mickler, Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies, on the topic “The Unification Church Movement: Shaping the Public Narrative.”
Dr. Thomas Walsh, UTS President, will serve as host for the program.

47th Annual Commencement Ceremony
2023-05-27 14:00 - 17:00 UTC
Unification Theological Seminary’s 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be held at our main campus in New York City on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 2 pm ET. In addition to the presentation of the master and doctoral degrees, an honorary doctorate degree will be conferred upon Former European Commissioner and Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, Hon. Ján Figel’.
For those unable to join us in person, we invite you to register to receive the Zoom link for the livestream.
We look forward to having you join us in celebration of this year’s graduation class on May 27!

The Fraudulent Myth of the "Cult Expert": Factors Contributing to the Wrongful Indictment and Imprisonment of Sun Myung Moon
2023-07-20 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
We invite you to join us on July 20, 2023 at 7 pm ET, as we commemorate the 39th Anniversary of Reverend Moon’s entry into Danbury Prison.
HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh will host HJI Professor Dr. Thomas Ward who will speak on The Fraudulent Myth of the “Cult Expert”: Factors Contributing to the Wrongful Indictment and Imprisonment of Sun Myung Moon.

Constitution Day - The US Constitution and the UN Charter: Key Similarities and Differences by Dr. Thomas G. Walsh
2023-09-28 17:00 - 18:00 UTC
HJI Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership commemorates the U.S. Constitution
Join us for this important event on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 5 PM ET.
HJI President, Thomas Walsh will be speaking on: “The US Constitution and the UN Charter: Key Similarities and Differences.” HJI Provost, Thomas J. Ward will be the host, and welcoming remarks will be given by HJI Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Life, Steven Boyd.

Faculty Roundtable "The Life, Beliefs, and Dreams of China's President Xi Jingping" By Dr. Thomas J. Ward
2023-10-05 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Join us for the first Faculty Roundtable event of the academic year on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 7 PM ET, hosted by HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh.
HJI Provost, Dr. Thomas Ward will be speaking on “The Life, Beliefs, and Dreams of China’s President Xi Jingping.”

Joint Presentation of HJI and the Higher Purpose Forum: Individual Sovereignty & Social Institutions
2023-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for “Individual Sovereignty and Social Institutions” to be held on Tuesday, October 24 at 7PM ET.
HPF Chair James Edgerly will be the host for this insightful evening with a presentation from President of Paragon House, Dr. Gordon Anderson, followed by response from President of SunHak UP Graduate University, Dr. Thomas Selvover, and comments from President of HJI, Dr. Thomas Walsh.
Based upon his 2023 book, titled Integral Society, Dr. Anderson will present his Principled understanding of individual sovereignty. Individual sovereignty, as envisioned in our country’s founding documents, should be upheld and served by social institutions, not exploited by them. However, the scale and scope of leading social institutions in contemporary society have expanded so as to threaten individual sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and human rights. Of primary concern are major financial institutions, political parties and government bureaucracies.
We look forward to seeing you at this unique event.

Economic Democracy
2023-11-07 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
“HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF) and the Center for Economic and Social Justice (CESJ). We invite you to register for “Economic Democracy” to be held on Tuesday, November 7 at 7PM ET.
HPF Chair James Edgerly will be the host for this engaging program with a presentation from North American Coordinator for the International Association for Peace & Economic Development, Alan Jessen, followed by his respondent, Director of Communications of CESJ, Dawn Brohawn. The program will conclude with Q&A from the audience and comments from HJI Provost, Dr. Thomas Ward.
The modern formulation of free market economics has consistently yielded unprecedented creativity, productivity, and wealth. Yet is this system optimal for maximizing a broad distribution of prosperity? Or can reforms be made, within the free market system, such that future prosperity will be less disproportionately concentrated in the hands of an economic and political elite?
Alan Jessen’s presentation is Part II of a discussion on achieving economic democracy congruent with Unificationist ideals of “interdependence and mutual prosperity”. He will present a new paradigm, developed over the past forty years at the CESJ, called Binary Economics.”

Faculty Roundtable, Dr. Perrottet
2023-11-15 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
“Join us for our Faculty Roundtable on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 7 PM ET, hosted by HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh. HJI Adjunct Professor, Dr. Claude Perrottet will be speaking on “How Positive is (Galtung’s) Positive Peace?” Dr. Keisuke Noda, HJI Associate Provost, will be the emcee for the evening.
The concepts of Positive Peace and Negative Peace, popularized by Johan Galtung, have dominated the discourse of Peace Studies over the last few decades. Even the newcomer quickly understands that Positive Peace refers to peace as “more than the absence of war.” But what that “more” consists of is less obvious. Establishing social equality and justice, economic equity, ecological balance, civil peace and more have been suggested as key requisites. The aim of this presentation is to suggest further clarification that might be useful to Unificationist and other peace practitioners.
We look forward to an insightful and engaging event. ”
Register here!

Perspectives on the Crisis in Gaza
2023-11-21 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
“HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a panel discussion with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for “Perspectives on the Crisis in Gaza” to be held on Tuesday, November 21 at 7PM ET. Our three panelists will present principled perspectives on the recent tragic events in Southern Israel and the Gaza Strip.
HPF Chair James Edgerly will be the host for this important event. Panelists include Dr Drissa Kone, HJI Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution and the Ministry, Dr. Andrew Wilson, HJI Professor of Scriptural Studies, and William Haines, Universal Peace Federation, UK. The program will conclude with Q&A from the audience and comments from HJI President, Dr. Thomas Walsh.
We look forward to seeing you at this event!”
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Faculty Roundtable: Viktor Frankl's Hermeneutic Space and Belief Systems
2023-12-15 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
“Join us for our Faculty Roundtable on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7 PM ET, hosted by HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh. HJI Associate Provost, Dr. Keisuke Noda will be speaking on “Viktor Frankl’s Hermeneutic Space and Belief Systems.”
Viktor Frankl, a holocaust survivor and a psychiatrist, is known for his ‘Man’s Search for Meaning.’ Frankl identifies self-transcendence as the essence of being human and the key to making life meaningful. The presentation articulates the philosophical characteristics of Frankl’s hermeneutic space and its relation to a religious belief system, briefly commenting on its implications for Unificationism.

Dr. Noda is a philosophy professor at HJI, holding a BE in Applied Physics from Waseda University, Japan, and MA and Ph.D. in philosophy from the New School for Social Research, focusing on phenomenology. Additionally, he possesses a diplomate credential from the Viktor Frankl Institute. An accomplished author, he has written three books in Japanese, including a two-volume work titled “History of Philosophy as Narrative” and a philosophical novel on suicide, “Even Then I Keep Living.” Dr. Noda has also contributed numerous articles to the field. His presentation draws from his recent presentation at the 24th World Congress of the Viktor Frankl Institute.
We look forward to an insightful and engaging event.”

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Last Day of Regular Scheduled Classes
2023-12-19 08:00 - 17:00 UTC

Final Exams
2023-12-19 08:00 - 2023-12-22 17:00 UTC

New Student Orientation Spring 2024
2024-01-25 08:00 - 17:00 UTC

The Quest for Justice
2024-02-13 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for “The Quest for Justice” to be held on Tuesday, February 13 at 7PM ET.
“Justice” is a term not always well understood or agreed upon. Concepts such as “economic justice” or “social justice” remain highly complex and topics of robust disagreement. In this program, we will discuss the concept of justice, seeking to achieve some clarity about the complexity of the concept and its application to economic, political, and social contexts. HPF Chair James Edgerly will be the host for this engaging program.
HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh will speak on the topic, “The Quest for Justice,” followed by respondent Alan Jessen, North American Coordinator for the International Association for Peace & Economic Development. The program will conclude with a Q&A from the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!
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Faculty Roundtable: The Abe Assassination and the Unification Movement
2024-02-20 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
You are invited to HJI’s Faculty Roundtable on Tuesday, February 20 at 7 PM ET, hosted by HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh. HJI Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies, Dr. Michael Mickler will be speaking on “The Abe Assassination and the Unification Movement.”
Please join us for this informative presentation of interest to the entire Unificationist community.
We look forward to an insightful and engaging event.
Register Here

Implications of God as "Heavenly Parent"
2024-03-02 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | Online
HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for Implications of God as “Heavenly Parent” to be held on Saturday, March 2 at 5 PM ET.
We will be discussing a topic of central religious importance: understanding the feminine/maternal aspect of God. HJI Co-founder Hak Ja Han Moon affirms that the term “Heavenly Parent” reflects more fully God’s ontological role as both our father and our mother. Our speakers will address the implications of this semantic, conceptual, and relational progression.
HPF Director James Edgerly will introduce this engaging topic, followed by Barbara Robertson, Associate Chaplain at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, and Justin Okamoto Head Pastor of the Belvedere Family Community, who will speak on the topic Implications of God as “Heavenly Parent”. Kaeleigh Moffitt, President of Women’s Federation for World Peace USA will be the respondent.
The program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!
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HJI & Higher Purpose Forum: The Unity of Science, Religion & Spirituality
2024-03-14 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online
HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for The Unity of Science, Religion & Spirituality: The Quest for More Universal Understanding to be held on Thursday, March 14 at 7 PM ET.
HPF Director James Edgerly will introduce this engaging topic, followed by the main presenter Henry Christopher, Financial Aid Director at HJI. James R. Fleming, PhD, Professor of Science, Technology and Society, Emeritus at Colby College will be the respondent.
The program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!
Register Here!

Faculty Roundtable: "Radicalization of Groups in Central Sahel Africa and the Impact on International Politics" by Dr. Drissa Kone
2024-03-26 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online
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Join us for our Faculty Roundtable on Tuesday, March 26 2024 at 7 PM ET, hosted by HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh. HJI Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution and the Ministry, Dr. Drissa Kone will be speaking on “Radicalization of Groups in Central Sahel Africa and the Impact on International Politics”.
Register Here!

God's Dream: Building a Racially-Integrated Culture in America
2024-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online
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HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for God’s Dream: Building a Racially-Integrated Culture in America to be held on April 2 at 7 PM ET.
HPF Director James Edgerly will introduce this engaging topic, followed by a joint presention with Jeffrey Kingsley, Mastor of Divinity, HJI Class of 1990 and Christine Edwards, Diploma in Religious Education, HJI Class of 1984. Zagery Oliver, Vice President, Universal Peace Federation, USA will be the respondent.
The program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!

International Conference
2024-04-11 - 2024-04-13 | Online
HJ International Graudate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to invite you to the 1st International Conference on Peace and Public Leadership: Addressing the Challenges of Our Times to be held April 11-13, 2024.
CLICK HERE to watch the recordings.
CLICK HERE to view speaker bios by session.

Evolutionary Creationism: A New Perspective on Purpose & Human Origins
2024-04-23 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online
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HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for Evolutionary Creationism: A New Perspective on Purpose & Human Origins to be held on April 23 at 7 PM ET.
James Edgerly, Director of Higher Puspose Forum will be the host of this event.
Dr. Andrew Wilson, Professor of Scriptural Studies, HJI will explain the “anthropic principle” in the creation of the universe and the succession of life forms described by evolutionary biology, understood as stages of growth. In both astronomy and biology, these stages can be understood as unfolding processes towards the realization of the purpose of creation, which is human beings, the children of God.
Alison Wakelin, Assistant Teaching Professor, Widener University will be the respondent.
Join the exploration into understanding human origins as a basis advancing the unity of science, spirituality and religion. The program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!
REGISTER HERE!

The Vital Role of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Effective Ministry and Chaplaincy
2024-04-25 07:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online
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Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership welcomes you to join The Vital Role of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Effective Ministry and Chaplaincy to be held on April 25 at 7 PM ET.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is founded in experiential learning within real-life care settings and offers an exceptional opportunity for HJI students to combine academic and theological knowledge with practical skills to engender deeper empathy and understanding of those receiving pastoral care. We invite you to explore how CPE offers chaplains and others in ministry the tools needed to provide meaningful support to those in need. This webinar will highlight the transformative impact CPE can have on the lives and perspective of our HJI students both personally and professionally.
If you are curious about CPE and chaplaincy, please join us for this illuminating program.
Host: Dr. Walsh, President, HJI
Speakers:
Dr. Drissa Kone, Director of Doctor of Ministry Program, HJI
Rev. Dr. J. Bernard Richardson, Sr. Director of CPE and Spiritual Services, Westchester Medical Center
Barbara Robertson, Current Master of Divinity Student, HJI
Prabhu, Current Master of Divinity Student, HJI
We look forward to seeing you at this event!

Rev. Moon's Early Writings on Science
2024-05-07 19:00 UTC | Online
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HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for Rev. Moon’s Early Writings on Science to be held on May 7 at 7 PM ET.
Mr. James Edgerly, Director of Higher Purpose Forum will be the host of this event.
Dr. Andrew Wilson, HJI Professor of Scriptural Studies, will cover specific topics of the Principle’s treatment of scientific topics as conveyed in the Wolli Wonbon. These will include: elemental forces of gravity and electromagnetism, planetary motion, incandescent color, and applications to human psychology.
William Lay, JD, Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Human Secuirty, HJI will be the respondent.
Rev. Moon’s (as yet unpublished) first manuscript of Divine Principle (titled Wolli Wonbon), which he wrote in 1951-52, devotes more than 100 pages to science. Topics range from astronomy to evolution, from electro-magnetism to animal behavior to psychology.
In the background of Wolli Wonbon is Rev. Moon’s own life experience, first as a student of electrical engineering at a school connected to Waseda University in Japan, and then as a prisoner in the Heungnam Prison Camp in North Korea where he was subjected to many hours of indoctrination in Marxist dialectical materialism. At the start of his ministry, Rev. Moon saw a need to put forward “the Principle”, as both a rigorous counterproposal to dialectical ideologies and a worldview that could be the basis for working towards a future of peace and harmony.
The program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!

Annual Research Day 2024 for Students, Faculty and Alumni
2024-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online
HJ International Graudate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to invite you to the 3rd Annual Research Day.
CLICK HERE to watch the recording.
You may view the constestants’ research posters below:

Ang, Sen: To understand the Knowledge, Behavior, and Management of Plastic Bags Consumption in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in the Context of Environmental Applied Ethics
Catalan, Anthanasius: D.C. via Bering Strait & Peace King Tunnel to rest of the world project!
Chamroeun, Sophal: Rohingya Conflict in Myanmar and Resolution
Christopher, Henry: Historical Conditions of war Repeated in the Quest for Worldwide Peace
Edgerly, James: Race & Providence in America Section VIII: Understanding the Present Period (from 1968)
Fukui, Hsin-Yi Christine: Foster Cooperation Between Israel and Palestine
Gasperoni, Giorgio: Complex Analysis of Serbia-Bosnia Herzegovina Disputes in the Western Balkan Context
Kaforau, Lydia: Examining and Understanding the Mediation Process of the Recent Ethiopian War: A desktop Review of Current Literature (Proposal)
Kenedy, Christopher: Absolute Values in Unificationism
Kone, Drissa: Toward a Unification Theory of Peace and Conflict
Krzyzowski, Tomasz: Cyprus: Conflict Transformation
Lajda, Juraj: Faith that Broke the Iron Curtain
Marshall-Moriarty, Mary: The Unravelling of Historical Domination to Reveal the Original Dominion
Martinson, Avo: Reforming the United Nations Security Council
Mirshahi, Rahim: Soviet Union Disinformation and Infiltration Campaign to Dismantle the Muslim Nations’ Alliance with the West
Noda, Keisuke: Hermeneutics as an Open, Dialogical Platform for Competing “Final Vocalularies” of Religious Communities
Tomasini, MG: Darwin and the Homo Amans Sapiens
Walsh, Lynn: Family Policy and Population Development at the UN
Walsh, Thomas: HJI Going Forward: Filling the Gap
Ward, Thomas: Justice for World War II Comfort Women in Taiwan’s Partisan Human Rights Calculus?

Science Within the Consciousness of God
2024-05-21 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax)
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HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for the presentation on “Science Within the Consciousness of God” to be held on May 21 at 7 PM ET.
Mr. James Edgerly, Director of Higher Purpose Forum will be the host of this event.
Ms. Alison Wakelin, Widener University Assistant Teaching Professor will be the main presenter. She will speak on the various paths taken by scientists to find a holistic perspective to complement the reductionist model, and if Unification principles offer a path toward incorporating a wider model of reality.
Dr. Andrew Wilson, HJI Professor of Scriptural Studies will be the respondent.
Following challenges to Newton’s mechanistic model of the universe, the early twentieth century offered the possibility of a new perspective via Quantum Mechanics and Relativity. However, physics turned to an instrumental approach rather than understanding the deeper implications of the new theories. The primary concern became the prediction of the outcome of experiments rather than incorporating purpose, meaning and consciousness.
The program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!

Understanding the Catholic View on Social Justice
2024-06-06 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
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HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for the presentation on “Understanding the Catholic View on Social Justice” to be held on June 6 at 7 PM ET.
William Lay, Esq., Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Human Security will be the host of this event.
Mr. Michael Greaney, Director of Research, Center for Economic and Social Justice, will be the main presenter.
Dr. Thomas Walsh, HJI President, will be the respondent.
This insightful program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!

The Role of the Natural Family in the Realization of World Peace
2024-07-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
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HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership is pleased to co-host a special program with the Higher Purpose Forum (HPF). We invite you to register for the presentation on “The Role of the Natural Family in the Realization of World Peace” to be held on July 2 at 7 PM ET.
Article 16 of The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) asserts that “the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” This HPF Session explores the rationale for the strong position taken on the value of the family in the UDHR. It highlights the contribution of the Universal Peace Federation’s (UPF) to the vision of the family and the work in this domain today by UPF and HJI Co-Founder Hak Ja Han Moon.
Mr. James Edgerly, Director, Higher Purpose Forum will be the host of this event. Dr. Thomas Ward, Professor of Peace and Development Studies, HJI will be the presenter. Mrs. Mika Deshotel, Associate Dean of Student Life and current Doctor of Ministry Student, HJI will be the respondent.
This insightful program will conclude with a Q&A with the audience. We look forward to seeing you at this event!

Taking a Stand Against the Wrongful Imprisonment of Sun Myung Moon: Religious Freedom and the Support of the Clergy
2024-07-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
REGISTER HERE!
We invite you to join us on Saturday, July 20 at 7pm ET, as we commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s entry into Danbury Prison.
HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh will host Universal Peace Federation USA President Dr. Michael Jenkins who will speak on “Taking a Stand Against the Wrongful Imprisonment of Sun Myung Moon: Religious Freedom and the Support of the Clergy.” Dr. Jenkins has years of experience working with clergy and a wide variety of leaders from government and civil society. In addition, he has been actively engaged, not only during the time of Rev. Moon’s trial in the 1980’s but throughout decades of disparagement and bigotry toward minority religions. Dr. Walsh and Dr. Jenkins will highlight the importance of religious freedom activism, and especially the role of religious leaders in combating religious intolerance and discrimination. We look forward to you participation in this important HJI program.

Faculty Roundtable: The 1st Amendment to the US Constitution: Its Importance for Religious Freedom
2024-09-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
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You are invited to HJI’s Faculty Roundtable on Thursday, September 26 at 7 PM ET, on the topic “The 1st Amendment to the US Constitution: Its Importance for Religious Freedom.”
This special event honoring Constitution Day will be moderated by HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh. HJI Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Human Security, William Lay, JD, will be the presenter.
Please join us for this informative presentation. We look forward to an insightful and engaging event.

Imprisoned for their Faith: Reflections on the 1974 Sentencing of Unification Missionaries in Czechoslovakia
2024-10-24 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
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Join HJI in a special remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the 1974 imprisonment of Unification missionaries in Czechoslovakia. Three representatives of the courageous Unificationists who answered the call to serve God’s Providence in Eastern Europe will share their reflections on their mission work and eventual imprisonment. Don’t miss this distinct opportunity to hear firsthand about the course of these brave missionaries and their important role in extending God and True Parents’ message to those living under totalitarianism.
