May 3, 2026: The Higher Ground Tour
Written by: Mi Hye Baklanov
On May 3, 2026, the Next Gen missionaries had a busy schedule packed with the Higher Ground Sunday Service, plus studying the meaning behind the Blessing through guidances and discussions. To begin their day, Bishop Abram Dixon and Bishop Ron Shelley led us in ‘Words and Worship.’ It was truly an inspiring experience mixed with the words of God and praises to our Heavenly Parent!
Following the Bishop, we had some of our very own missionaries who prepared a beautiful song, ‘Unfailing Love’, to perform at the Higher Ground service. It was a real testament of the grace we receive from our Heavenly Parent every day, without fail. The spirits in the room were truly on fire, yet there were more testimonies to be given. Next, we received from Pastor Salomon Garcia and his wife, Edna Garcia. And to carry the spirit forward, Apostle Jaliel Thompson and Michelle Brown testified to the beautiful gift of the blessing, and how receiving the Blessing not only impacts them, but invites our Heavenly Parent back into their home, their love.
The Higher Ground service was packed with more testimonies, prayers, and messages on the Blessing and Korea, with over 10 amazing Bishops, Pastors, and Apostles leading the service. In every message, the spirit in the room was becoming brighter and brighter by the second. Not only could you feel the spirits, but many missionaries and members rose to their feet to show their appreciation to the leaders. They said it felt like they were standing for half service, from the pure admiration the missionaries felt for the leaders!
And of course, we had our own Reverend Demian Dunkley give our main message of the service, which included a special testimony to Heavenly Parents' heart towards us. Reverend Dunkley shared about his daughter receiving the blessing last year, yet he experienced many struggles in handing over his only daughter to her (now) husband. At the time, it was difficult, yet as he looked back today, he realized that Heavenly Parent entrusted us with His Only Begotten Daughter!
Following the service, missionaries and members came together to eat some amazing lunch, greeting and sharing their own experiences with the Bishops and pastors together. It was an experience of many cultures coming together, united in their faith in our True Parents and our Heavenly Parent.
With our hearts full, and our stomachs even more full, we were ready to continue onto our next part of the day–guidances! The missionaries learned about the importance of ‘Pure Water’, not to be stagnant in our beliefs, and to always advance forward as the next generation following in True Mother's footsteps.
Next, the missionaries received lectures on the value of lineage and sexual integrity, learning their heavenly value as second generation and understanding the sacrifice of their parents, receiving the blessing while submitting their lives to God’s plan. It reminded many 2nd and 3rd generation missionaries of their parents, the living testament of true faith to our True Parents and Heavenly Parent.
