May 1, 2026: Rooted Workshop kicks off with A Visit to Seodaemun Prison and Cheongpa-dong Church
Written by: Stanislav Ivanenko
On May 1, 2026, the Next Gen Mission (NGM) missionaries stepped into their first full day of the Rooted Workshop in Korea. After arriving the day before and receiving an orientation on prayer, resonance, and the significance of CheongPyeong, the group woke up ready to begin their pilgrimage.
The day began with a bus ride to Seodaemun Prison History Hall. Originally built during the Japanese occupation, the prison held Korean independence activists who were arrested, tortured, and pressured to abandon their beliefs. Among those imprisoned was our movement’s founder, Reverend Sun Myung Moon, who was sent there unjustly for his faith.
Walking through the prison, the atmosphere was heavy. The missionaries moved through the cells and exhibition halls, listening to recorded testimonies and seeing firsthand the conditions that the prisoners endured. The methods of torture, the isolation, and the attempts to break their spirit were difficult to take in. However, at the same time, something deeper stood out: the resilience of those who held onto their convictions no matter the cost.
After the tour, the group traveled to Cheongpa-dong Church, the first headquarters of the early Unification movement. The shift was noticeable. Where the prison carried a sense of pain and endurance, Cheongpa-dong felt like a place of beginnings where faith was built from the ground up.
At the church, a short guidance from Entela Mustafaj was given, helping the missionaries reflect on what they had experienced. Rather than just moving on to the next schedule, they were encouraged to pause, offer their thoughts, and reconnect with their purpose moving forward. The timing of the visit made it even more meaningful, as it marked the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (HSA-UWC).
The visit ended with a group photo and a send-off from the same place where True Father once said goodbye to members, as they were dispatched on their missions. Standing there, it was hard not to feel connected to that same spirit of going out with purpose to kick off the start of the pilgrimage.
After returning to CheongPyeong, the workshop continued with guidance on the “Identity of a Blessed Child.” This talk focused on understanding the value of being a second-generation blessed child and the importance of developing a heart of attendance toward one’s parents. Moreover, it also helped set the tone for the upcoming HJ Cosmic Blessing Ceremony.
Following the guidance, Mission Director Nobu Iwamoto and Kenzo Tanaka, with his wife Anisa Tanaka, shared personal testimonies about their journey toward the Blessing, such as their preparation, mindset, and what allowed them to move forward with clarity and faith.
To close off the day, several NGM missionaries performed “This Little Light of Mine” during the Friday evening prayer vigil and CheonBo event. It was a simple offering, but one that brought a sense of joy and unity.
Overall, the first full day of the Rooted Workshop wasn’t just about visiting historical sites but rather connecting the past to the present. From the suffering and resilience seen at Seodaemun Prison to the humble beginnings at Cheongpa-dong, the missionaries were able to reflect more deeply on their own faith and the path they are walking forward.
