The "We Will Stand!" Banquet & Revival program at the
Oakland Convention Center in downtown Oakland can only be described
as "magical".
The Oakland Tribune's headline was "Rev. Moon Stirs Up Fans
in Oakland " with a second proclaiming, "Moon: Man, Woman
Only Half A Person". Across the bay, The San Francisco Chronicle
reported 2000 religious leaders had jammed the Oakland Convention
Center banquet hall, the headline blazing proudly, "In Oakland,
Moon Stresses Family."

Prior to Father Moon's ascent to the stage, the audience
enjoyed a chicken banquet with lively soulful selections from the
Christian Fellowship Church Choir. Rev. Kevin Thompson, of the local
Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) then introduced
Rev. Michael Jenkins, President of the FFWPU as master of ceremonies.
Dr. William Perry, Pastor of Gospel Harvest Institutional Church
of God in Christ, and a founding member of the American Clergy Leadership
Conference (ACLC) gave the invocation. Rev. Jesse Edwards of the
United Pentecostals of Philadelphia and Pastor Connie Crawford Bansa
of Chicago, (both also members of ACLC ) gave rousing and eloquent
statements on tearing down the walls between the races and denominations
and reaffirmed the tour themes of working together to rebuild and
strengthen the family for the sake of this nation. Both testified
that it is Father Moon who has been the catalyst and inspiration
behind this "rebuild the family" movement.

After another lovely musical selection from a local trio, Southern
Light, Rev. T.L. Barrett, Superintendent of the Church of Christ
in Chicago, and co-convenor of the ACLC, rose to the podium. In
a powerful evangelical style, he praised Father Moon for his sacrifice
and perseverance in the face of great persecution and misunderstanding
to travel the 50 states promoting the family.
"This is a new millennium and it's time for a new message,"
he said, "and Rev. Moon is the man to give it."
After a brief biographical video, Rev. Jenkins introduced Father
Moon to an enthusiastic ovation and welcome. Wasting no time, Father
Moon, launched into an animated and impromptu talk about his joy
at visiting the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area again. "God
intended men and women to be together as heterosexual pairs - man
and woman together - he stated, and "there are many (here in
the Bay Area) who do not accept the pair system for human beings."

One minister was heard to shout out "Preach Father Moon,
Preach", during the course of these remarks.
After his extended impromptu speech, Father Moon then began to
read "The Path for America and Humanity in the New Millennium"
in Korean, with simultaneous English translation by Mr. Peter Kim.
Additional remarks were interjected throughout. It was hard for
anyone to believe that here before them stood a man, 81 years....old.

In the end, Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon (Mother Moon) joined her still
beaming husband on stage and received flowers and gifts of appreciation
with him. Gifts were presented by the ACLC of No. California, the
Inter-racial Sisterhood Project, the San Francisco Korean Seniors
Association, and International Refugees Services, Inc.
Father and Mother Moon then presented gold watches to 3 area ministers
for their outstanding work in the community. Several more gold (plated)
watches were given to other deserving clergy. Five others from the
general audience received a watch by lottery drawing as well.
The True Family Values Ministry of No. California also presented
"Sacrificial Love & Service Award" plaques to four
outstanding people from the area for their religious and/or community
service.
Bishop Larry Magathen of the Church of God in Christ, another local
ACLC clergyman, gave the closing prayer.

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