What they're excited about in creating the Odyssey Unification Church

Jario and Leena Vincenz-Gavin
September 2, 2013

Recently, at one of our Odyssey summer meetings we spent time listening to each other's stories and inspirations. We asked everyone to share what they're excited about in creating the Odyssey Unification Church. Answers were so real and beautiful. Below are excerpts from what was shared from a variety of older and young Unificationists. Enjoy.

"I want to create a church that is a community. It's not just the principle but the community my child will grow up in."

"Growing up, I was never really the one that liked going to church, it was more of an obligation. But if I can get something from it that really connects with my spirit and soul. I had an experience at a church that made me want to cry and laugh and I thought about the Sermon all week. That's what I want and what I envision for a church. Also living what we believe in. I really believed in becoming an ideal person when I learned the principle. I believe in family and developing strong relationships. This is the kind of church I want to be a part of. I'm so inspired by joint people stepping up and taking responsibility, following a calling just putting themselves out there, giving up everything for a calling, That's where I want to be- with the spirit of "just do it."

"I question: "How can any of us live up to even a fraction of True Father's responsibility?" We can each find a little part of what we can contribute. Now is the time, with True Father in heaven, where each of us individually need to find what I can contribute and take responsibility for the community. More and more of the power will be with this kind of a church where we divide and multiply, break in to little communities of similar interests and convictions and by doing that have even greater influence. Helping people find their true place to God and brothers and sisters, and where I can contribute my talents."

"Here we are trying to do the right thing. Is it the right thing? Will it be the right thing? We don't know. We're going on faith. We need to feel that this is going to work. How can we get over ourselves and make sure love is being generated that we are all part of a family. That's the spirit we need ourselves and in our church."

"I read the blog and one of the things I really liked is the imperfections compared to weathered wood. I was really inspired by that and I think we should try to focus on embracing each other and be able to just be ourselves. I'm most excited about the emphasis on love. In my opinion we should focus on making people feel loved. That's what it should be about. I realized love is not hesitant; love should be in your face. We should be in each other's faces in a good way, more aware of each other. I'm really excited; this is a good beginning."

"I want to be here because I want to be with a group of people who are open minded. Whose focus is on who you are, your potential and who you can become, not your past. I personally feel very connected to reaching out to people who are going through things. I feel responsible to not only to reach for those who are in the church and know the truth but I feel more responsibility for the people who don't know anything about it and don't have those opportunities and blessings. I feel like this is the place that embodies that, I completely agree with where Jario and Leena want to take this church. I also wish to take part of music. I want to commit 100 percent. I am completely here."

"I enjoy visiting other churches. I feel we are getting a sense of community, where people can express their viewpoint and also listen to others."

"I'm excited about the Odyssey Unification church planting, because it's a new starting point. Every one of us is destined to make a new beginning in order to develop our full potential as individuals, as brothers and sisters, and in order to support growth within our families, and in society. Jario and Leena are embarking on a pioneer course, guided by the love and truth of True Parents. It is their intention to reach out to anyone, to befriend every one within our community and outside of our community with this light of truth and love. I want to support them in their faith and passion to accomplish this. Our family has pledged to help this cause financially each month, and I hope others do the same. We can't ask anything more from our young people than for them to be genuine, loving citizens in society, spreading the word of God, by living it, by loving everyone, with the knowledge that everyone (no matter how covered with coal we get) are diamonds. Father could reach us because he always saw the diamond inside of us. Thank God for our kids, who so want to do the same!"

"We should focus on just a few things, get back to the basics. We have to interact with the people, not just each other. We have so much to learn from people outside our circle. We protect ourselves in a little bubble, a lot of times I felt like we needed a reformation in our church and I feel this is it. I feel called to support this. It's the reformation God asks me to do. We don't have everything. I hope others can take inspiration and calling from this to do what they can do. I'm grateful to be a part of this, I feel God is guiding this and blessing it and I'd like to be a part of it."

"The thing I'm most interested in is witnessing and bringing in new people. I really like the idea of small groups. It's a good way of building friendships having give and take through different common bases."

"When many people first joined this church they described that they were looking for something and found it in the Unification faith. I believe we have that missing piece, it's what people are looking for. I want to bring people and friendships to that place where they can meet the Principle, putting love in people's faces in a real way. Does the world feel like something is missing? Do people feel something is missing? Are they living a full life? I know a lot of people who are stuck in life just going to school and work; I'd like to bring them to something that can bring life."

"I've been thinking about why I've been working in ministry. I realized I want my kids to grow up in a place where they can grow and be encouraged. The lifestyle I'm living I feel is the best possible option for me and I want my kids to have that. Growing up I partied, went away and came back. But I want to help others to not have to go through that. I want to create a great community that is vibrant where even nonreligious people can get something from the sermon. I want my kids to grow up loving their faith, not being ashamed or not understanding what were about. I recently met a pastor's kid. She was sharing how she loved being a pastors kid every moment; it gave her the opportunity to do mission work and be able to make an impact. I want Mirelle to be able to say that."

"I'm really excited that we can create anything we want from scratch. Any dreams, visions, ideas we have can be tried out; it's a blank slate. I also feel that as Pastors we have true support in this team which is really nice. And I'm looking forward to building new friendships with people I've never met, sharing about my faith with them and hopefully giving them an experience through the Odyssey that they'll never forget."