Kenryu Kageyama
Representative, Advocacy Group for Second Generation (N.A.B.I.)
(Deputy Director, Future Leaders Development Department)
Lead paragraph
On October 26, the “2025 Autumn Hyojeong CheonBo Great Works Global Worship Service” was held at the Cheongpyeong HJ Heaven and Earth Cheonbo Training Center, Cheongseong Wangnim Palace great hall in South Korea. This section presents the activity report delivered on-site by Kageyama Kenryu, Representative of the Advocacy Group for Second Generation “N.A.B.I.” (Editorial Department)
400 Second-Generation Members Who Stood Up Bearing Great Risk
Dear beloved members worldwide, hello.
I am Kageyama Kenryu, serving as the representative of the advocacy group of second-generation believers “N.A.B.I.” in Japan. Today, I will report on how the second-generation members have stood up and are currently active after the attack on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
On July 8, 2022, a shocking incident occurred: former Japanese Prime Minister Abe was shot and lost his precious life. From that day onward, the environment surrounding our Family Federation changed dramatically.
Day after day, the media repeated reports about“the former Unification Church,” broadcasting biased coverage that distorted the facts nationwide. Terms like “anti-social group,” “cult,” “mind control,” and “anti-Japanese” began to be used as if they were synonymous with our church.
As a result, many believers, especially second-generation members, began facing discrimination and persecution in society. Some were fired from their jobs because of their faith; others were publicly criticized by professors during university lectures. A second-generation member deeply wounded by insensitive media coverage committed suicide.
We have continued to have a question with deep sorrow: “Why does the truth of our church fail to reach people?”
Eventually, the so-called “religious second generation” was established in the media. This term carries a highly one-sided and negative image: “Children who are suffering because their parents force their faith on them.”
However, the reality is different. Many second-generation members embrace the faith of their own volition and find joy and happiness through it. We call such people “second-generation believers” and are challenging ourselves to convey the true value of faith.
On March 25th of this year, the Tokyo District Court ordered the dissolution of the Family Federation. At that moment, we felt immense despair. Our hearts were gripped by the thought, “If this goes on, will we really lose our precious church?”
However, amidst such despair, a ray of hope was given. That was the “Cheon Won Gung Entrance Ceremony” held on April 13th. During that ceremony, I was deeply moved by one sight. It was the sight of Missionaries Moon Shin-chul and Moon Shin-heung standing tall and proud as “Inheritors of Heaven’s Love and Blessing.”
At that moment, I felt it clearly: “From now on, the second generation who have inherited True Parents’ Victorious realm will lead this era.”
Taking that day as my starting point, I resolved to establish the advocacy group for second generation “N.A.B.I.”
In May, I called out to brothers and sisters nationwide: “Let’s convey the voices of the second generation to the world through street speech.”
To be honest, I was very scared at first. Standing on the streets with my face exposed and posting on SNS carries significant risk. I even thought, “Even if I call for participation in the advocacy team, maybe no one will come.”
But the result was astonishing. A whopping 76 second-generation members from across the country raised their voices and gathered, saying, “We’ll do it together!” About half a year later, N.A.B.I’s advocacy members have now grown to around 400 nationwide!
The Three Meanings Embodied in “N.A.B.I”
The name “N.A.B.I” embodies three meanings. The first is the desire to protect the freedom of faith, to be able to fly freely like a butterfly (known as “nabi” in Korean), unbound by anyone.The second is our wish to boldly testify to faith being passed down from parent to child, across generations, like the Jewang Nabi (Monarch Butterfly).The third is the “Butterfly Effect” – the belief that just as a butterfly’s wings can create a typhoon, each of our small voices can become a powerful force moving society.
Standing on the streets, each of our voices is small. Even when we stand there, 99 percent of passersby remain indifferent.
Yet, that one percent stops and speaks to us: “I didn’t realize there were second-generation members like you,” “I’m glad I learned the truth. The government’s response is clearly wrong,” “The Family Federation is not wrong.” These encounters with that one percent are our hope.
Overcoming fear to stand on the streets, faith awakens
Throughout our activities, many miraculous events have occurred. A Christian pastor who had opposed the Family Federation came to see N.A.B.I.’s street speech and changed his mind, saying, “I had misunderstood you all this time!”
Another second-generation member invited a university friend to the N.A.B.I. street speech. That friend was so moved by the way they spoke with confidence that he began studying ‘Divine Principle’. Such a miracle happened to me, too. A middle school friend I hadn’t contacted in 20 years came to see N.A.B.I. and said, “I saw you giving a speech on YouTube. I’m rooting for you!”
But above all, the greatest miracle I want to share is the awakening of faith among the second-generation members. By overcoming fear and standing on the streets, they are realizing that their faith in Heavenly Parent (God) and True Parents is more precious to them than their own lives. They are realizing that the church is an irreplaceable place for them, and they are coming to understand how precious the journey of their first-generation fathers and mothers has been!
The voices of the second generation are truly creating miracles.
Right now, True Mother is confined in a detention center in Seoul, Korea, enduring an extremely difficult situation. But I believe: when the second-generation members unite their hearts and stand up with their faith and love, we can absolutely overcome this situation!
No matter how much the world misunderstands us, no matter how much persecution we face, no matter how much we are ridiculed and laughed at, we will continue to appeal with love and truth.
The reason is we know the love of True Parents. We are convinced that this love is our driving force and the power that will lead the world to peace.
N.A.B.I will continue to boldly share the voices of second-generation believers with people all around the world! Everyone, let’s stand together and fight on!
