Men, women and children across the United States tuned in for the recent Peace Starts With Me: Come Together Children virtual rally held on September 21, 2020. Building on the momentum created by prior Peace Starts With Me rallies, the event ignited hope in a time of uncertainty with its call for unity and peace. More than 58,000 people watched the entire program from beginning to end and 580,000 people were reached through multiple social media platforms.

The global Peace Starts With Me movement was initiated in 2017 by WFWP Co-Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who has dedicated her life to promoting world peace. The virtual rally, broadcasted on the International Day of Peace established by the United Nations in 1981, is a timely reminder for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and contribute to building a global culture of peace.

“The earth is suffering due to the ignorance of humanity and we worry about the future of our beloved children,” said Dr. Moon in her rally message. “The politicians and the leaders of the world need to know Heaven’s providence; they need to honor God. Only then can they truly fulfill their duty to serve their people and their nation …We will surely succeed if we work with God. There is no time to delay.”

Prominent leaders joined Dr. Moon’s call for peace during the rally, including speakers Rev. Dennis Dillon, publisher of The Christian Times and chief minister of the Brooklyn Christian Center; Dr. Luonne Rouse, national co-chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC); and Bishop Noel Jones of City of Refuge megachurch in Los Angeles.

“The chaos that we find ourselves in is defined by all religious cultures as humanity’s estrangement from God,” said Bishop Jones in his rally address. “Religion teaches that free will causes us to go astray, but God is forgiving.”

He explained the disconnect between humanity and God according to the world’s major faiths, concluding that we are part of God’s Will and He has given humanity the tools and knowledge to come together. “Nature, and everything around us, is waiting for human beings to have peace and love with each other so we can reinstitute the kind of ecological benefit that comes when we have peace with one another,” said Bishop Jones.

Family Federation for World Peace and Unification USA President Rev. Demian Dunkley moderated a panel Q&A during the rally with syndicated radio personality Liz Black; Revs. Louise Scott-Roundtree and Mark Abernathy; Yaviel Ben Zvi, researcher of indigenous ethics and universal human rights; and Brian Fender of Jazz Power Initiative, where they discussed necessary steps to realizing and sustaining world peace. Quotes of key peacemakers like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Teresa were also featured in a special video montage.

A chart-topping lineup of musical artists—hallmarks of the peace rallies—included gospel singers Hezekiah Walker, JoAnn Rosario Condrey, and Wess Morgan; Christian band Citizen Way; and the award-winning Soul Children of Chicago who all gave powerful performances wowing viewers at home.

With more than 170 nations currently pledging a global ceasefire, spurred by the United Nations in March to stand united against the COVID-19 pandemic, world leaders are hoping 2020 can usher in a new era of peace where all of God’s children come together at last.

Editor’s Note: This text has been adapted from an article on the FFWPU-USA website.

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