25th Annual Chicago True Family Values Awards Honor Faith and Service
Twenty-five years ago, Chicago clergy and community leaders gathered to recognize lives devoted to faith, family, and service. They came together to honor legacies built over decades—as well as their community’s commitment to carry that work forward for generations to come. Today, that same spirit continues through Peace Starts With Me, which seeks to build upon the shared vision for peace, connection, and understanding fostered by faith leaders and communities over the years.
On January 26, 2026, 133 clergy, community leaders, and families—including approximately 65 guests—gathered at Cosmopolitan Community Church for the 25th annual True Family Values Awards Banquet and Prayer Luncheon. Hosted by the Chicago chapter of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), the gathering celebrated individuals whose decades of ministry and public service have strengthened families and communities while fostering cooperation across faith traditions—reflecting the Peace Starts With Me commitment to building peace through relationships, service, and unity.
The luncheon opened with prayer and fellowship before Dr. Achille Acolatse, the newly appointed ACLC National Director, delivered the keynote address. Speaking about prayer, strong families, and unity among clergy, Dr. Acolatse encouraged participants to continue building relationships capable of strengthening their communities and the wider interfaith movement.
For Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, chairman of the World Christian Leadership Conference, this 25th anniversary had triggered a personal memory of how the Chicago True Family Values Awards Banquets began. Reflecting on the history of the awards, Dr. Kim remembered that “True Father [Rev. Sun Myung Moon] called me directly” to establish similar recognition programs throughout all 50 states. This event partly came about because Dr. Kim encouraged the Chicago community to continue honoring people whose lives demonstrate faith and service, reminding them of this past guidance from Rev. Sun Myung Moon.
Minister Dr. Reiko Jenkins recognized leaders of Women in Ministry Chicago for their years of faithful service, while Rev. Hiro Sagisaka presented 17 Ambassador for Peace certificates to longtime clergy supporters. Many had worked alongside ACLC and the Chicago community for more than two decades, helping relationships across religious traditions take root and endure.
Minister Melishia Bansa was recognized for carrying forward the work of her parents through pastoral ministry, missionary work in Ghana, and public service in Illinois. Reflecting on her upbringing, she expressed gratitude for having grown up surrounded by interfaith relationships through her mother’s leadership—and for the opportunity to continue that legacy for another generation.
Apostle St. John and Co-Pastor Gay Chisum, founders of Gifts From God Ministry Church, were honored for 34 years of pastoral leadership, worship ministry, and compassionate service to the Chicago community. Rev. Katherine Rigney was recognized for more than 50 years of missionary service in Africa, including numerous national and continental leadership roles devoted to strengthening families and communities.
The gathering concluded on a more solemn note as participants joined in heartfelt prayer for Dr. Hak Ja Han amid her imprisonment in South Korea. The moment underscored the continuing importance of standing together across faith traditions—not only in celebrating lives of service, but in supporting one another and defending the freedom to live according to one’s faith.
As the Chicago True Family Values Awards ceremony marked their 25th year, the celebration honored more than individual achievements. It recognized the foundation built by clergy and community leaders whose decades of faith and service have strengthened families, congregations, and interfaith relationships throughout Chicago and beyond. Through Peace Starts With Me, that legacy continues to be celebrated while inspiring new generations to build upon it—carrying forward the relationships, values, and commitment to peace established by those who came before them.
