“I feel a renewed sense of hope and purpose for the matching process, remembering that our Heavenly Parent is always with us, wanting our children to be successfully matched more than we do!”
Parents Matching Convocation and Matching Advisor Training in Pasadena, CA. September 12 – 13, 2015.
90 parents gathered at the beautiful Pasadena House in Los Angeles, California for a Parents Matching Convocation (PMC) co-hosted by the LA Family Church and the National Blessing and Family Ministry. This was the first time that a PMC was held in Southern California, and participants traveled from across California as well as Las Vegas, NV to learn about the matching process and network with other parents.
The program began Saturday morning with a warm introduction by Crescentia DeGoede, Director of the National Blessing and Family Ministry, who welcomed the parents and discussed the value and of inheriting a God-centered matching tradition. It was the first time for many parents to hear Mrs. DeGoede share, and many parents were impressed with her bright and motherly spirit. Parents shared that, “the heart of True Mother really came to us,” and one participant shared, “I am so grateful to True Mother for appointing Crescentia and I am so full of hope for the future through her.”
The next presentation was offered by Marjorie Buessing, Blessing and Family Ministry Matching Advisor Coordinator, who discussed the Family Matching Process in detail. The presentation empowered parents who were not yet familiar with the matching process. One parent shared that “the overall spirit of the convocation was very high, and so added to the quality of every presentation. I feel now I have a handle on the process, something I had little knowledge or confidence in previous to this meeting. I needed a sense of structure and where to begin and I believe I was given that.” Another parent expressed that “This really opened my eyes of parents roles in supporting the matching and Blessing process. I realized the critical responsibility of parents in making the entire matching and Blessing process smooth.” Mrs. Buessing also presented on Deepening the Parent-Child Relationship, where she shared practical advice that was relatable and enlightening. Parents were grateful that she “conveyed a very important aspect – husband and wife unity as a foundation to guide and lead their kids to the matching process.”
The parents were given many opportunities to share with each other, either one-on-one or in small groups. One part of the schedule involved break-out sessions which ranged in topics. Parents remarked how precious this time for sharing was, saying that it was a “great way to build a sense of community.” Another parent shared that “our group meetings were excellent, and we opened up and got to know each other a LOT BETTER! This rarely happens, so it is priceless whenever it does.”
A recurring highlight of the PMC program was the personal testimonies – both from couples who have healthily navigated the matching process and from parents who successfully matched their children. Through these testimonies, parents were able to experience both the distress that can occur through unhealthy matching processes, as well as the incredible elation of a successful matching and Marriage Blessing. One parent shared how the program was a “wonderful experience and very informative, with many deep moments of insight and emotion. The testimonies from the young couples were both revealing and moving. Through them we were able to see how God really works despite our errors and imperfections.”
The community was immensely grateful for the chance to experience the first PMC held in Southern California. Many thanks were given to the presenters who “put their heart and soul into this workshop.” Another participant expressed that, “This was a great seminar. It was fantastic. We have such a tremendous support system in our national BFM staff. Their unity was amazing, and their commitment and love for each one of us was absolute and unquestionable. This generated an atmosphere of trust, which is essential for growth and understanding to flourish. This needs to come to LA as least twice a year, four times would be best!” The LA community was also incredibly grateful to L.A. pastor George Kazakos and Peter and Klara Chen, the Blessing and Family Ministry Representatives for LA, who did a wonderful job of initiating and preparing for the event. One parent shared, “I am so grateful for Mr. and Mrs. Chen’s effort and their heart behind realization of PMC here in LA. I am also so appreciative of Crescentia and Mrs. Buessing and all other staff members. Please have a PMC again at Pasadena House!”
