The catalyst for this activity
My name is Kenryu Kageyama, and I serve as the representative of the second generation youth campaign N.A.B.I. I am a second generation member, and my parents were blessed in the 6,000 Couples Blessing in 1982. I received the Blessing in 2009, and now I live with my wife and three sons.
The catalyst for starting this activity was the decision issued by the Tokyo District Court on March 25 this year to petition for the dissolution order of the Family Federation. After hearing of that decision, the realistic problem of “the church really could be dissolved” loomed large before us.
Until then, we had prayed with a vague sense of relief thinking “surely it won’t actually be dissolved, Heavenly Parent will protect us,” but when we confirmed the court’s ruling, the fear washed over us that it really could be dissolved. If the church is dissolved, we cannot use church buildings, staff members will lose their jobs, and the foundation of families’ livelihoods will collapse. That damage will extend not only to our brothers and sisters but also to our children in the future.
When I thought about this reality, I simply could not remain still. We started with a desperate heart thinking “we must stop this somehow.” Personally, the existence of my three sons weighed most heavily on me. I have children in the first and third grades of elementary school, and one who is barely one year old. If the church were dissolved, I thought that even the future of the third generation could be taken away.
When I look around now, there are still many second and third generation members who cannot make it to church. I want to create a church to which these sons and daughters can return. I want to be a source of hope for second generation members who share the same pain I experienced. I want them to feel that “this church has a future; there is hope.” That is why I’m working so hard with N.A.B.I activities.
Second generation, raising their voices in the streets
We second-generation members are going out into the streets and conducting campaign activities to protect religious freedom. And it doesn’t end just on the streets. We post these videos on social media – X, YouTube, Instagram – with the purpose of “spreading the voices of our second generation to the world.”
One day while at the bathhouse with my son, he asked me,
“Dad, what did you want to be when you were small?”So I said, “I wanted to be an astronaut or a soccer player.”
And then my son said this: “There’s something even more amazing than an astronaut or soccer player. Do you know what it is?” I said, “I’m not sure. What is it?”
My son said, “It’s telling people about God.” His eyes sparkled as he said, “Sharing God with someone is the coolest thing.”
Hearing those words, I wept, right there in the bathhouse. My son had been watching me serving as a church leader and now campaigning with N.A.B.I activities. Because he’s proud of his hardworking dad, he says at school, “My dad is the best in the world.” I want to always be respected by my son and be a dad he can be proud of. Also, I want him to not regret being born as a Family Federation third generation member. Rather, I want him to be able to say, “I’m happy to have been born as a third generation blessed child.”
Of course, there were challenging moments at first. No matter how passionately we called out our message, no one on the street listened; everyone just passed by. Seeing that was disheartening. I thought, “Is there meaning in doing this? Isn’t it just meaningless?” And when I looked at the internet, I encountered malicious comments and negative voices.
“It’s just self-satisfaction.” “It’s meaningless.” “Nobody listens anyway.” Hearing these words was the most painful part.
Lost connections and miraculous reunions
Not long ago, I conducted campaign activities in front of Shibuya Station. We also conducted signature-gathering activities to prevent dissolution, and since Shibuya Station is such a crowded place, it takes great courage to campaign there. That day we continued campaigning with university student members until 7:00 pm, and everyone was very exhausted. Then a young man approached me and asked, “Do you remember me?” I thought he was a strange person, so at first I answered that I didn’t know him, but it turned out that the young man was my closest friend from middle school.
That friend had taught me how to study and helped me get into high school and university – literally like a benefactor in my life. However, when I entered university and became busy with CARP activities, we naturally lost contact, and we hadn’t met for 20 years. But that friend had seen my activity videos on YouTube and came to Shibuya Station wanting to meet me again. By chance, I was campaigning that day, and my friend ran over saying “It’s me, it’s me!” I realized at that moment: “Because I’ve been working hard on N.A.B.I activities, Heavenly Parent has returned even this precious connection that I had lost.” And we embraced each other in front of Shibuya Station.
Like butterflies, freely changing the world
The name “N.A.B.I” is written with the English alphabet, but actually comes from the Korean word “nabi” (butterfly). Butterflies are creatures that fly freely through the sky. So we chose this name with the meaning of creating a future where we can freely have faith and spread our beliefs. Also, in the process of victoriously completing the Cheon Won Gung providence, True Mother gave special meaning to monarch butterflies and we were inspired by that too. Like monarch butterflies that fulfill their purpose across generations, we want to do the same.
Another thing N.A.B.I considers important is the term “butterfly effect.” This is the belief that no matter how delicate the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings, their continuous and accumulated power can effect great change. Even though it seems now that no one is listening to our voices, we continue our activities believing that small ripples will gather and someday become a force that moves the world.
Waves of hope spreading to the world
The voices of N.A.B.I, which no one listened to at first, are gradually generating resonance. Finally, even global leaders began to pay attention to that voice. One notable example was that our voices reached Pastor Paula White, the US White House Faith Advisor.
I want to say this, “Even when it’s difficult and desperate, there is definitely a way. At the end of that path, the light of hope is waiting. Korea’s situation can definitely be overcome too. Let us protect True Mother and create a new future together with True Mother.”
Currently in Japan, some 340 second-generation members are active. But in the future, 400, 500, 600 and more second-generation members will raise their voices. I want to establish the perception that “Family Federation second generation are impressive, they shine, they’re an excellent religious organization.” I hope this change spreads not only throughout Japan but also throughout the entire world. Furthermore, I want to create a society where second generation members of not only the Family Federation but those of all religions can proudly say “I’m proud to have faith.”
Gratitude and encouragement to members
Finally, I truly want to express my sincere gratitude to all of the N.A.B.I members. You have no idea how many people were moved by your voices. Also, I’m deeply grateful for the support of first-generation elder brothers and sisters who wept together with us and came to encourage us on site. It is because there were N.A.B.I members and many people supporting us, that we were able to create this kind of impact and change up until now.
Revealing your face and raising your voice in the streets is never easy. It can be frightening and dangerous, and it is difficult to predict what might happen in the future. Nevertheless, the day will surely come when all your courageous efforts will bear great fruit. Let us continue to encourage each other and move forward together with strength.
