You’ve probably driven past that brick building on DeMott Avenue a dozen times without thinking twice. Maybe you saw a flyer for a food pantry or caught a glimpse of a wedding party heading inside. But there is a lot more happening behind the doors of the NJ Family Church of Clifton than just your standard Sunday morning pews and hymnals. It’s a place that sits at a very specific crossroads of local Jersey community work and a much larger, global spiritual movement.
Honestly, if you try to Google it, you might get a little confused. Is it a local community center? A branch of the Unification Church? A youth hub? The answer is basically "all of the above," but the way those pieces fit together is what makes it interesting.
What exactly is the NJ Family Church of Clifton?
At its core, the church—officially located at 78 DeMott Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011—is the local hub for the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU). You might know them more colloquially by their history with the Unification Church. But if you walk in on a Tuesday, you’re less likely to hear a lecture on global theology and more likely to see people packing bags for a food pantry or organizing an ESL class.
They’ve really leaned into the "family" part of the name.
It isn't just a branding choice. The theology here is built almost entirely around the idea of the "Heavenly Parent" and the concept that the family unit is the "school of love." While other churches might focus heavily on individual salvation or strictly biblical literalism, this community is obsessed—in a good way—with how to make marriages work and how to raise kids who actually want to give back to the world.
The "Peace Starts with Me" Vibe
Walk into a service and you’ll notice the diversity immediately. It’s Clifton, after all. You’ve got a massive mix of backgrounds—longtime Jersey residents, Japanese families, and a growing youth demographic.
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They talk a lot about "Living for the Sake of Others." It sounds like a Hallmark card, but they actually put it into practice through some pretty intense outreach. We are talking about:
- Food Security: They run a consistent food pantry that hits local needs.
- Next Gen Programs: This isn't just "Sunday School." They have specific tracks like "Home Base" for young adults and "God’s Own" for high schoolers.
- The Blessing: This is probably the most famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) part of their tradition. They host "Blessing Ceremonies" which are essentially large-scale wedding or marriage rededication events aimed at creating "Blessed Families."
The leadership and the "Unification" connection
Currently, the church is led by people like Pastor Crescentia DeGoede and Assistant Pastor Nancy Jubb. They’ve moved the needle toward a much more transparent, community-facing style of leadership.
For a long time, there was a lot of mystery surrounding the "Moonies"—a term they don't really use themselves—but the Clifton branch has worked hard to show they are just another part of the North Jersey fabric. They are part of the broader movement founded by Sun Myung Moon and Hak Ja Han Moon (often referred to as True Parents by members), but the local flavor in Clifton is very much "Jersey-centric."
They lost a pillar of their community recently, Dr. Edwin Ang, who was one of the early pioneers of the movement in America. His passing in 2021 was a big deal for the congregation, but it also showed how deep the roots go in this specific town. He spent 17 years in the Clifton community alone.
Why the youth ministry is actually booming
Most churches are panicking because young people are leaving in droves.
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NJ Family Church of Clifton seems to be dodging that bullet, or at least fighting it off better than most. Why? Probably because of YUM (Young Unificationist Ministry) and YAYAM (Young Adult and Youth Ministry). They don't just do sermons; they do open mic nights, "Legends in the Making" workshops, and massive Christmas festivals.
It feels more like a startup or a social club than a stuffy religious institution. They focus on "faith, family, and fortune"—the idea that you should be successful in the world while staying spiritually grounded. It’s a pragmatic approach that resonates with Gen Z and Millennials who are tired of being told that the world is just a "valley of tears."
A typical Sunday (sorta)
Services usually kick off around 10:00 AM. If you can't make it to DeMott Ave, they are surprisingly high-tech. Their YouTube channel, @NJFamilyChurch, has over 1,400 videos. They’ve been livestreaming since way before the pandemic made it cool.
The music is usually a mix of contemporary worship and some more traditional elements. You’ll hear about "God’s Heart of Hope" and "True Love." It’s very optimistic.
Dealing with the "Cult" Label
Let’s be real. Any time you mention the Unification Church, people bring up the "C-word."
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The NJ Family Church of Clifton doesn't shy away from its history, but they argue that they’ve evolved. Sociologists like John Lofland studied this movement decades ago, labeling them "The World Savers." Back in the 70s, it was all about "mobile fundraising teams" and selling flowers. Today? It’s about being a registered 501(c)(3) that pays taxes, runs legitimate local businesses, and integrates into the Clifton Board of Education’s neighborhood discussions.
They’ve shifted from a "fringe" group to a "mainstream" community partner. Whether you agree with their specific theology about the "Divine Principle" or not, it’s hard to argue with a group that’s actively feeding your neighbors and providing free counseling for at-risk youth.
How to actually get involved (or just check it out)
If you're curious, you don't have to sign a contract or anything. You can literally just show up.
- Visit for a Service: 78 DeMott Ave, Clifton. Sundays at 10 AM.
- Check the Livestream: If you’re shy, watch a few weeks of their "Home Base" or Sunday services on YouTube first.
- Volunteer: You don't have to be a member to help with the food pantry or community clean-ups.
- Counseling: They offer pastoral counseling for families and youth, which is a big draw for people in the area looking for guidance that isn't just clinical.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
If you are looking to connect with the NJ Family Church of Clifton, start by attending one of their community-wide events rather than a formal service. Their "Peace Starts with Me" rallies or local festivals are low-pressure ways to see the culture firsthand.
Keep an eye on their "Membership Corner" updates on their official website. They often post about "Ladies Tea" events or "Matching Supporter Training," which gives you a look into how they handle relationship building. For those interested in the deeper theology, look for a "10-hour DP (Divine Principle) Program"—it’s essentially their "Intro to Christianity/Unificationism" 101 course.
This church isn't for everyone. Its history is complex and its beliefs are unique. But as a fixture of Clifton, it provides a level of social support and youth engagement that is becoming increasingly rare in modern Jersey life.