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Today, Scientology groups, missions and Churches, number forty-five hundred across 156 nations. Yet with all of that, we also saw the need to do even more — far more. And therein lies the greater significance of our new churches, like this one, we are forming world over. Because, what stands before you is not just a “new church,” but an entirely new “type” of Church of Scientology.
While we can provide international support, for broad-scale programs, the fact is we must yet bring it on-the-ground, into every community. To accomplish that, requires the establishment of major “footholds,” in every city, that not only can provide all the help we offer, but which can themselves generate the same, everywhere else. In just the past year, that included Tampa in Florida, opened by the mayor. Today, in the aftermath of hurricanes, their Volunteer Minister force was in the forefront of recovery and recognized just yesterday in that State’s capital. Then again, in Johannesburg, South Africa, opened with national leaders, including the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. Today they are spearheading our education programs into the post-apartheid landscape, while further implementing our VM program in another 18 African nations. Then, on the arteries of American industry, our new church in Buffalo. The ribbon was cut by the mayor and our church now serves as a community center, even recognized as a leader in city restoration and rejuvenation. In San Francisco, our new church now occupies a restored historical landmark, and is now extending its community work with the Police Department.
It continues with our new churches opened in June. It began with Los Gatos, California. And indicative of where we are heading, that was followed at once by Mountain View, also opened by dignitaries. And that’s three new churches in the Bay Area.
Then again, just last week it was a new national Church for Spain, where they’ve already begun to spearhead Narconon, in Europe’s most drug-plagued nation. And that’s all in addition to our spiritual Mecca, in Clearwater, where expansion is being met with a new 350,000 square foot church — now under construction.
So yes — what is represented here, is part of a far greater global picture. And that picture is the fastest-growing religious movement on Earth.
Yet, let there be no doubt, you don’t just stand within that picture — you are at its forefront. For I return to where I began. Because, it is no cliche to say New York doesn’t follow trends — it sets them.
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