Age:15
Ministries: Maintenance work & Performing/Shows

I was born in the Family, was raised in the Family, was taught in the ways of the Family and was educated in the Family; I love this Family. But don’t get me wrong I’m not by any means in this Family just because I was born here. I’m not here because my family and friends are here, neither am I here because I don’t know any other way, I’m here because I want to; because I want to live the life of a missionary. I want to live the verse Mark 16:15 “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”. And the Family is the only movement that is doing this to the extent that I want to.

These words came alive to me as I have traveled to other countries besides my own, such as Indonesia and India, to live Mark 16:15. This is the life I choose. No one is forcing me to be here, I am not brainwashed. I’m not here because all my friends are doing the same thing; I’m not here for the ride, or for what some people call an “easy lifestyle”. But you know what? The Family isn’t an easy lifestyle! It’s a difficult way of life, and it says so in the Bible “All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”. This verse is so true, since it is happening right now! The Family is suffering persecution for living “godly in Christ Jesus”.

Some people have left the Family; some have even become enemies of the Family. But hey, they have their life and I have mine. I see life with other eyes then they do. I’m not living for the now; I’m living for the life that’s to come. This life is but a vapor, it’s here for a little while and it’s gone. You never know when you’re going to go, as it was with the case of Pete and Angela. I pray that good will come out of this situation.

Yuichi Shigetani is a second generation member of the Family International, currently residing in Japan.