Providence -- indeed, that is what brought this historic rainbow gathering of races and religions together on a cool March evening. "We Will Stand" the national tour of hope and reconciliation arrived on its 22nd stop with Father Sun Myung Moon as the keynote speaker. Over 400 people crowded into a ballroom at the Providence Marriott for a feast of spiritual as well as physical "nutrition".

Bishop Baymon was the featured national evangelist. He spoke out righteously stating that "this ("We Will Stand") movement was the movement to save the family."

Other ministers from the Invitational Committee came forward one after another, complimenting Father Moon as a "prophet of God" and "another Dr. King".

Rev. Rufus Oscar Kuma, of the Living Hope Assembly of God church in Pawtucket sought to reassure his fellow clergy.

"Father Moon is not trying to convert people to his church but is only trying to unite various religious faiths into one community."

The Rev. Michael Jenkins, president of The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification(FFWPU), called Father Moon "a prophet reviled by many in his own time but carrying a message of eternal validity."

Rev. Minty DeKock, a South African minister was particularly confident in his appraisal, declaring, "He's the messiah. He's the anointed one, Jesus' chosen. And whether you like it or not he's the one. The only reason people are holding
back is because they are still holding onto their old dogmas and prejudices
that will only continue to divide. Its time for the church to let go! "

Declarations of support came from U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee, Governor Almond and Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr.

Chafee and Cianci hailed Father Moon as a unifier of people. Governor Almond and Mayor Cianci both proclaimed the day as "We Will Stand Day" in Rhode Island.

A video biography preceded the introduction to Father Moon's sermon. It includes unforgettable images of his imprisonment in communist North Korea, refugee photos and that of the mud hut that became the Unification Church. For veterans especially, it affirms their respect and a bond of common suffering that cannot be broken or easily understood.

In his opening remarks, Father Moon stated, "providence" means that this city is special in God's eyes.

When asked how we are to be born again by someone in the audience, Father Moon pointed out how big Rev. DeKock's body is and said, "He can't go back into the womb!"

The audience roared.

He spoke extemporaneously with Mr. Peter Kim giving simultaneous translation for the most part, though often interjecting an English phrase or sentence.
Afterwards, he read speedily from the prepared text, "The Path for America and Humanity in the New Millennium". Mr. Peter Kim again gave simultaneous translation.

"People used to say, don't go to see Rev. Moon and look in his eyes, you'll be brainwashed," he said.

Father Moon urged his audience to follow his example to "preach the truth with courage, no matter how much persecution they encounter".

As the evening drew to a close, Dr. Jorge Alveraz, Principal and key figure in the Rhode Island educational system presented Father Moon with the True Teacher Award.

The Korean War Veterans of Rhode Island also came on stage in a truly poignant moment, presenting Father Moon with a beautiful framed collage of photos of the Korean War Veterans Memorial.