Kansas Gathering Highlights New Perspectives on Peace-Building
UPF Kansas hosted a meaningful Ambassador for Peace Assembly at the Kauffman Center, the premier meeting and conference venue in the Kansas City area. The program opened with welcoming remarks from MC Toia Thompson, Ambassador for Peace and Director of Project C.U.R.E. Kansas City, who set the tone for an afternoon focused on dialogue, peace-building, family values, and community leadership.
The featured speaker was Rev. Carl Frazier, Ambassador for Peace and Director of the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, who presented “Addressing Conflict through Dialogue and Creative Problem-Solving.” He emphasized the importance of meaningful dialogue and encouraged the introduction of peace and character education in schools as a way to equip young people with the skills needed to resolve conflict constructively.
Rev. Peeter Saarna, Kansas Director of FFWPU, followed with a presentation on “Honoring Parents’ Day,” recognizing the importance of parents and families in building healthy and peaceful communities. All parents in attendance were warmly honored with a round of applause.
Dirk Anthonis, Director of UPF Kansas, then presented “A New Perspective on Peace-Building,” highlighting the transformative vision of One Family Under God and its potential to inspire greater cooperation and understanding among people of diverse backgrounds. The program also featured a musical offering by clarinetist and Ambassador for Peace Benny Lee.
A highlight of the gathering was the formal appointment of two new Ambassadors for Peace: Mrs. Stacey Carrow, President of the Board of the United Nations Association of Greater Kansas City, and Rev. Dawt Uk, Pastor of the Kansas Lautu Baptist Church. Both expressed their appreciation to UPF for recognizing their ongoing work and service to the community.
The gathering concluded with a group photo, celebrating the growing network of leaders committed to dialogue, family values, and building peaceful communities through cooperation and shared responsibility.
