Hundreds of clergy, faith leaders and guests unite in prayer for the Mother of Peace at "God's Hope Is America" gathering

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of faith leaders, clergy and guests gathered Saturday at The Washington Times building for "God's Hope Is America," co-hosted by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification USA, uniting across faith traditions in a call to prayer for the Mother of Peace, Dr. Hak Ja Han.

Bishop Ron Thomas (Las Vegas, NV) and Rev. Mark Abernathy (Atlanta, GA) led an interfaith group of faith leaders in prayer on her behalf, bringing clergy from different traditions together in a shared appeal of faith.

Featured speakers included former U.S. Representative Dan Burton, Paula White-Cain, appearing in her personal capacity, former U.S. Ambassador Randy Evans, and Family Federation USA President Rev. Demian Dunkley.

"Remember freedom. Remember religious freedom," Burton told attendees.

White-Cain emphasized the importance of standing together across faith traditions. "Religious liberty must belong to everyone, or eventually it will belong to no one," she said.

Rev. Dunkley called on those gathered to look beyond divisions and work together for peace, saying, "America is God's hope, not for America, but for the world."

Evans spoke about the role of faith in responding to the challenges facing religious communities today, recalling advice that has guided his own life: "If you walk with God, He'll let you know."

Music also carried the call to prayer and solidarity. Gospel legend T.L. Barrett (Atlanta, GA) performed a tribute alongside the Mother of Peace's granddaughter, Shinyuh Moon. Gospel star Wess Morgan also performed, joined by a youth backup choir singing "This Little Light of Mine."

The gathering also commemorated the 50th anniversary of Rev. Sun Myung Moon's historic 1976 Washington Monument rally with the auction of an original painting by Un Jin Moon, daughter of the Mother of Peace.

Saturday's event called on people of faith to stand together in prayer, defend religious freedom and work across traditions for peace.

High-quality photos and video footage are available to members of the press upon request.

EVENT: God's Hope Is America
DATE: September 19, 2026
LOCATION: The Washington Times Building, Washington, D.C.

Media Contact:

Family Fed USA
Sungmi Holdhus
sholdhus@unification.org

Irving Street Rep
Ron Lucas
rlucas@irvingstreetrep.org

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SOURCE Family Federation for World Peace and Unification