The Bell of World Peace and Love Rings in Washington, D.C.
Consolidating 13 Leaders' Wishes and Actions for Global Peace, Security and Sustainability
The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) hosted the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace and a bell ringing ceremony on the evening of February 1, 2023, with 12 influential leaders ringing the bell and making wishes for peace. The event, with the theme of “Awakening Conscience and Amplifying the Power of Hope for Global Peace, Security, and Sustainability,” brought together conscientious leaders from all walks of life to share their ideas, experiences, and wishes for love and peace.
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, delivered welcome remarks, emphasizing, “Our love and conscience activate the power of unselfish and altruistic hope for peace. Where there is hope, there will be action, and where there is concerted action of conscience, there will be success. When everyone is willing to carry out their commitment to peace with conscience and collaborate with one another, there will be love and peace in society."
Dr. Hong also stated, “September 23 of each year has been proclaimed as the ‘World Day of the Power of Hope’ to encourage global citizens to act with conscience and harness the power of hope for themselves, for others, and for global security and sustainability while praying and taking action for the cessation of war, the eradication of epidemics and diseases, the safety, human rights protection, freedom of everyone, world peace, and the coexistence and shared prosperity of all living things, so that the positive energy of the universe can lead the Earth to the bright path of sustainable development.”
Charles "Choo" Smith Jr., founder of Choo Smith Youth Empowerment, rang the Bell and stated, “I wish for equity and equality. I want us to provide an oasis of opportunity for all people, where everyone shows love through inclusion!”
Cashenna A. Cross, the mayor of Glenarden, Maryland, rang the Bell and stated, “To world peace, I offer courage and strength, to face great challenges with honorable peace, to transform our world, to love all mankind with kindness and joy. I give you courage to be and to make a difference."
Bishop Evans Glover rang the Bell and stated, “It is my prayer that as world leaders carry out our various responsibilities with the fear of God. May God guide our countries into the ways of peace, justice and truth and fulfill His plans for the wellbeing of the citizens.”
Dr. Felicia Basset-Akamune, CEO of Milestone Medical Outreach, rang the Bell and stated, “Wars bring poverty, affects physical and mental health of the people. It is my wish that world leaders will dialogue more with each other, set aside their egos to avoid war and destruction of lives. We need more peace and love in the world.”
Apostle Dr. Dorothy Nanga, preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, rang the Bell and stated, "God of the universe grant to the world his love, his peace, fill us with all joy and peace, unity of spirit,” and she wished for “more love and less hate, more love and peace, no hate."
Dr. E. Faye Williams, a United Nations Peace Ambassador, an accomplished attorney, entrepreneur, civic leader and activist, studied at several universities and earned three PhDs. She rang the Bell and stated, "The world is in chaos; it is my wish for every war to end, that we all will work for justice for everyone so that we will finally know world peace.”
Rev. Vernell Cutter, a cancer survivor, highlighted the fact that he has survived because he received good medical care, but a man he met in Liberia with the same illness has passed away because of poverty. He rang the Bell and stated, "My peace wish is for poverty as we quantify it be no more. Let our cultures thrive as we educate all."
Dr. Gloria Crosslin, Ms. Virginia World 2022, rang the Bell and stated, "My wish for the world is very simple and in accumulation with all of your wishes, we will have my wish to come true which is to be one world."
Rev. Dr. Nicku Kyungu Mordi, president and founder of International Gospel Outreach Ministries and Africa for Jesus Prayer Movement and Africa Transformation Embassy Inc., a nonprofit humanitarian organization that educates orphans, empowers widows, and mobilizes Christians to transform communities, rang the Bell and stated, "I wish the Prince of Peace to be known by everyone and experience love that embrace everyone to live in peace."
Mr. Chika Sylva Olejeme, Chief Mentorship Officer of the National Mentorship Office of Nigeria, rang the Bell and stated, “May love, peace and progress be upon us all.”
Dr. Dennis V. Humphrey, organizational consultant and professor of psychology at Northern Virginia Community College, rang the Bell and stated, “The universe does not partition itself. Every atom welcomes its purpose for others. My wish is for the absence of separation.”
Apostle Dr. Theresa L. Ben, an international evangelist, advocate, chaplain, mentor, and author, rang the Bell and stated, “My wish is for spiritual revival for every chosen leader in this end time season, that we will come to a place of deep humility and total surrender, where we will begin to serve through the spirit of love, that will bring forth compassion as we impact the world, changing one life at a time in unity, in love, and in peace."
During the event, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, presented a miniature Bell of World Peace and Love to Bobby Hunter, retired Harlem Globetrotter and chairman of United Churches, and Rev. Dr. Agorom C. Dike, founder and president of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference. Inspired by Dr. Hong's commitment to promoting love in the world, they invited influential leaders to ring the Bell and make a wish after ringing the Bell last year.
On the afternoon of the same day, USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Magid also rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, stating, “I pray for a world free of hate and full of peace.”
For decades, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, has led the organization to every populated continent, visiting 101 countries to promote a culture of conscience, love, and peace, forging many international friendships and winning worldwide recognition. During an ancient ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, the bell ringers’ respect for nature and wishes for peace will be spread through the sound of the bell, bringing positive energy to all, facilitating ecosystem restoration. To date, 464 influential leaders from 128 countries, including 51 heads of state and government and seven Nobel Peace Prize laureates, have rung the bell and made their wishes for peace, contributing to global harmony and sustainability.