The future Joshuas and Calebs
To raise future leaders, in 2015 I founded Global Top Gun Youth (GTGY), which teaches enthusiastic young people from all over the world how to contribute to world peace and the salvation of humankind by living for the sake of others. Among biblical figures, I point GTGY students to Joshua and Caleb, who attended Moses in the wilderness. Throughout their lives, Joshua and Caleb remained loyal to Heaven, and they led the chosen people into Canaan. Caleb completely united with Joshua, and devoted himself to the cause of the nation and its people. I am raising outstanding young men and women through Global Top Gun Youth to be like Joshua and Caleb and lead the world into the Promised Land.
Almost 1,500 years ago in Korea, the Silla Dynasty raised their young leaders through a training program called Hwarang-do , which means, “flowering youth.” These young leaders were known for their allegiance to the kingdom and determination to overcome obstacles. Hwarang-do took youth from the elite of society and trained them in martial arts, meditation in nature, and methods of resolving conflict between social classes. They were known for never retreating in war and for choosing an honorable death over being taken prisoner.
Young people who are to lead in the future must focus their minds, do well in their studies, and lead lives of sincere faith. Armed with wisdom and practical experience, they can build upon and surpass their parents’ filial heart for Heaven. This is why I am intentionally guiding future leaders for the establishment of God’s kingdom of Cheon Il Guk under the name Hyojeong-rang (youth of filial heart)—it is my hope that they will surpass the Hwarang of old in their devotion to Heaven.
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In February 2017, at an assembly at the HJ International Cultural Foundation in Gapyeong county, east of Seoul, we inaugurated YFWP’s successor, the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP). I asked the thousand or more participants to be “the special forces that build God’s kingdom of Cheon Il Guk.” And they put my words into action immediately.
In June of that year, 12,000 young people took part in the IAYSP Youth for Peace Rally in Bangkok, Thailand, where I implored them to “become the leading figures of the culture of filial heart and the light of the world.”
Then in September of 2019, at the Africa Summit and Blessing Ceremony in São Tomé and Príncipe, 40,000 young people gathered at the Festival for Youth and Students. The capital city’s wide plaza, with its view of the beautiful sea, was packed with young people. That evening, the Hyojeong Cultural Foundation hosted the IAYSP Youth Sounds of Peace, with various performances upholding universal values. The First Lady of São Tomé and Príncipe, Nana Travoada, and the leaders of each cabinet ministry participated in celebrating the revitalization of their nation’s youth. It was the largest Youth and Student Festival to date.
I spared no effort to give the young people hope and encouragement, with the words: “You are the hope of São Tomé. Because of you, the pure water, São Tomé can achieve the kingdom of heaven on earth that our Heavenly Parent desires.”
For hundreds of years, the French royal family employed elite young soldiers from Switzerland. The Swiss Guard is world-renowned for their dignity, loyalty and selfless service. Today, it is the Vatican that receives the protection of the Swiss Guard.
We are creating the future of God’s kingdom of Cheon Il Guk to fulfill God’s dream. Like Joshua and Caleb, like the Swiss Guard, the IAYSP must serve the highest heavenly purpose in this time, with an indomitable spirit, never yielding to any difficulty. IAYSP members are the loyal citizens and filial sons and daughters of God’s kingdom. They are True Parents’ pride and the protectors of Heaven’s will. No matter what difficulties emerge in their time, such young people will meet those challenges and emerge victorious. They are the ones who own the future.
When young people dedicate themselves to Heaven with body and soul, no matter their position, they can become filial sons and daughters and patriots remembered by our Heavenly Parent and all generations. They will know that the growing pains they endured for a short time have an eternal value.