In Memory of Gilbert Starr

Seonghwa

Dec 29

Gilbert Starr

Spouse: Osmarina Starr-Rush
Children: Tamara, Tanya, Kevin, Zenas
Birthdate: September 7, 1957
Ascension Date: December 24, 2021
Blessing: July 1, 1982 with Gladys Starr (ascended on Dec. 20, 2012)
Seonghwa Ceremony: December 30, 2021

When Gilbert Starr was 17 years old, he met his spiritual father in St. Louis, Missouri and believed strongly that he needed to support True Parents and Heavenly Parents mission. Within the last few decades, Gilbert Starr was able to be a witnessing champion in New York City and was fortunate enough to have a close friendship with members of True Family. In fact, whenever you saw him around True Family, it was as if he was a close cousin. And he always shared his blessings and experiences with True Family.

He was a trusted friend of Hyo Jin Nim and Heung Jin Nim and amongst many other missions was charged by True Parents with leading the Minority Alliance International Inc (MAI), founded by True Parents on October 22, 1981 after the Rally for Religious Freedom at Foley Square.

“I was blessed to have a close friendship with Hyo Jin nim and Heung Jin nim. I had a serious and wonderful history with both of them. My friendship with Heung Jin nim began when I was serving as a security guard under the leadership of our precious brother, Gerhard Peemoller (1945–2015) at the World Mission Center, in New York City, from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. I worked with East Garden security brothers whenever True Parents visited the New Yorker Hotel. He was such a loving person and a loving son of our True Parents and Heavenly Parent. He always wanted to give me something when we met.

One time he told me, Gilbert, True Father gave me this watch as a special gift and I want to give it to you. I said to him, Heung Jin, I cannot take this from you; I am not worthy. But, he insisted, and said True Parents love you very much, so please take it. He said, This is my gift from me to you. I was moved to tears and received it with two hands, because I knew that this was a gift from Heaven and from his deep heart. On many occasions, we would meet and he would embrace me, and he would always share his love for True Parents with me.”

In September 1990, Hyo Jin Nim accepted Rev. Starr’s request to be a part of the team at Manhattan Center. He was able to serve as Vice President and then President of the company. It was during this time that Rev. Starr was able to develop relationships with many American entertainers, including Michael Jackson and the Jackson family.

“I became an employee at the Manhattan Center and pledged to Hyo Jin nim that I would bring new business into the audio and video studios that he worked so hard to create. The first project that I brought in was the world-renowned group Kool and the Gang. I inspired them to record an entire album in the Manhattan Center. The album title was “Unite.” I quickly added many new artists and projects from artists including Vincent Herbert, Toni Braxton, Joe, Color Me Badd, Mary J. Blige and many others. That I matched my words with deeds inspired Hyo Jin nim and made him very happy.

I began to report to him directly, and we became good friends from that time. I truly experienced God’s heart and love through Hyo Jin nim. He really loved and cared for all of his members. He gave great love to my family. Within three months, he blessed me to the position of vice-president of the Manhattan Center, and president of a new company that we created under his leadership, Tribal Concerts International, Inc. Even, after my employment at Manhattan Center, we remained friends and communicated with each other concerning different projects.”

After Manhattan Center, Rev. Starr was very involved with ACLC and ILC activities. He even was the pastor of the Delaware Family Church. But he was more excited when Rev. Miilhan Stephens invited him to work with YSP as the Vice President of Media Relations. Even though Rev. Starr has passed on, his spirit will still be here to help providence in a spiritual way….and help guide artists and entertainers to help unite this world and bring peace.

You can support the family by making a donation here: https://gofund.me/f5456c79