Greetings from Charlotte,
In spite of the global economic difficulties, the Work of God here in Charlotte is moving ahead. Today (Thursday) Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames filmed their first Tomorrow's World programs in the new television studio; photos of the taping are now online in the "Church News" area of www.lcg.org. We will also be taping future lectures for Living University on the new set. Mr. Rod King is to arrive this afternoon from the United Kingdom. He will be in Charlotte for ten days to prepare and record two television programs. Mr. King will be accompanied by his daughter, Laura, who will volunteer her services in the office during their stay. Last weekend, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Derstine spent three days visiting the various Headquarters departments. Mr. Derstine pastors congregations in Wilmington and Raleigh, North Carolina. This Sabbath, Mr. Martin Fannin will present a Public Bible Lecture to invited subscribers in Asheville, North Carolina. We would appreciate your prayers for the series of meetings here in Charlotte next week: a Council of Elders teleconference meeting on Tuesday, and Board meetings for Living University and the U.S. Corporation of LCG on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
We were happy to learn from South Africa Regional Office Manager, Mr. Christo Botha, that the first person to be baptized in Swaziland in the Living Church of God was baptized on February 20.
Church Administration
Passover 2009 (Repeat Announcement)
Important Notice to All Pastors: Passover services should not start before sunset. This year the Passover will be observed on Tuesday, April 7, a little less than six weeks from now. You should have already begun preparations, including hall arrangements, for your congregations to properly observe this solemn Feast. Let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or even a copy of the Passover Service CD recording.
Additionally, let us also know of any scattered members who need to receive the Passover Service CD and letter instructions to observe it at home. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 704-844-1960, ext. 248, as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery.
Corpus Christi Public Bible Lecture
Mr. Phil Sena reports: The Public Bible Lecture in Corpus Christi on February 21 exceeded all expectations in attendance! The total guest count came to 52 (including six children), an almost 12% response. The number of visitors was so large that there was "standing room only" for many of our members as they yielded chairs for guests, and others moved to an overflow room adjacent to the meeting room. In talking afterward, we discovered there were two lady evangelists and a 90-year-old priest in the audience. In addition, a group of about 15 people that uses our literature in their Bible studies attended, along with their pastor… A number of attendees indicated that they planned to be back for Mr. Bob Parker's sermon this week. The response was very encouraging for our Corpus Christi members… We know that we proclaimed a powerful witness with Mr. Parker's message of "What Is Ahead for the USA?" and my message of "Prepare Now for Your Future." We pray that the messages lead some to want to hear more. We sincerely thank everyone for their prayers for the Public Bible Lecture's success. I believe God powerfully answered those prayers.
Australia Update
Mr. Robert Tyler, Australia Regional Office Manager, reports: As part of our ongoing commission to preach the Gospel, we are preparing to send a letter to more than 5,000 Tomorrow's World subscribers in the state of Victoria, offering them a bi-monthly subscription to our Tomorrow's World DVD program. Each DVD contains two programs. We are currently sending 1,000 DVDs to subscribers who have already requested this wonderful offer. After the letters to Victoria have been mailed, we will then offer the DVDs to subscribers in New South Wales and Queensland. South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania have already received the offer. From time to time, members have inquired about being more active in getting the Gospel message to their local areas. This is very important and we had hoped to get a program up and running for some time but past experience has shown us that leaflet drops have not been as successful as we hoped. To overcome this we are currently working on a "mail box drop project" that doesn't just offer literature, but actually includes a DVD with two Tomorrow's World programs specially selected to address current affairs. Our first trials will begin in Tasmania so we can track responses where there is no television coverage. Please keep this project in your prayers so that God grants us good fruit.
We are currently wading through the many responses we have received from Dr. Meredith's semi-annual letter, which was mailed on February 2. Approximately 21,000 letters were sent and we have received 3,000 responses so far from people requesting the "Power of Prophecy" DVD. This puts us in the 15% response range, and we are still expecting more responses to arrive. It's exciting to see God blessing the Work.
Kenya Update
Mr. Simon Muthama reports: We had a wonderful Sabbath service in Ndhiwa, with 28 brethren in attendance. I also met with a few brethren of the Kisii congregation…. Then I travelled to Kapsabet, where I met four men. We had a two-hour discussion with them. Hopefully, we can start a new group in Kapsabet in the Rift Valley.
Spanish Online Conference
More than 30 individuals in 11 countries in North and South America and in Spain participated in the first Internet-based conference for the Spanish Work on Sunday, February 22. It was conducted by Dr. Douglas Winnail, Mr. Dibar Apartian, and Mr. Rod McNair from the library of the Headquarters building in Charlotte. After greetings were exchanged online, the conference kicked off with a pre-recorded presentation by Dr. Meredith in which he reminded everyone of our mission and purpose. Mr. Mario Hernandez and Mr. Tony Mora in California provided interpretation. Computer webcams allowed those involved to see as well as hear the sessions as they were delivered.
Material was presented to help those who serve in the various congregations and areas learn more about effectively guiding and shepherding the flock of God, including the mission of the Church, Church government, baptismal counseling, divine healing, holding Public Bible lectures, Living University and other resources to build the Church of God. After the conference was over, the fellowshipping reminded one of the Feast of Tabernacles, with people visiting and greeting one another over the Internet instead of in person. There was a great atmosphere of joy, enthusiasm for the Work of God and brotherly love.
"The Power of Prophecy" Tomorrow's World DVD
Some brethren have informed us that their copy of the semi-annual DVD, "The Power of Prophecy," does not play. We found out in one case that the problem was that the member put the DVD in a CD player. Please note that a CD player will not play the DVD. If you, in fact, did receive a defective copy of the DVD, please let us know so we can mail you a replacement.
Feast of Tabernacles 2009
International Registration Sunday, March 8
Registration for Hawaii and International sites (excluding Canadian sites) will be open beginning 12:00 noon (EDT) March 8, 2009. You may register by logging on your MyLCG account on the Member Resources website, www.cogl.org. International sites open for transfer in 2009 are the following:
Argentina (Sierra de la Ventana)
Australia (Coffs Harbor, New South Wales)
France (Forges-les-Eaux)
Guatemala (Panajachel)
Guyana (Georgetown)
Jamaica (Montego Bay)
Malaysia (Penang)
New Zealand (Taupo)
Philippines (Baguio)
South Africa (Glentana)
Tobago (Crown Point)
United Kingdom (Llangollen)
Vanuatu (Orap)
Other countries with sites open to transfer will be: Barbados, Chile, Kenya, Martinique, Mexico, Peru, and Sri Lanka. Information on these sites is being posted on the MyLCG section of the Member Resources website, www.cogl.org. Note to Festival Advisors: You will be able to access and download the forms you need on MyLCG (www.cogl.org).
Note to Pastors: As a reminder, please review the list of Festival Advisors that you received via email this week. We need to make sure the list is accurate in anticipation of next week's international registration. Thank you for your help.
This week, we feature in The World Ahead the abbreviated descriptions of the sites in Argentina and Australia:
Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina
The Feast of Tabernacles 2009 in Argentina will be celebrated in Sierra de la Ventana, located on the plains of the Argentinean Pampas between two mountain ranges. Feast services and accommodations will be at the Mirador Complex (www.complejoelmirador.com.ar), situated at the foothills of a mountain range. This establishment is very close to town and offers all the conveniences for an excellent Feast, including millennial surroundings, excellent facilities, green areas for activities and good customer service. Simultaneous interpretation into English during services will be provided. The daily cost per person, including lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner is $160 Argentine pesos (approximately USD$47, amount in dollars will vary according to the exchange rate).
Those interested in transferring to the Feast site in Argentina this year should register online through their MyLCG accounts on the Member Resources website, www.cogl.org, and contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at [email protected] or call +1-704-844-1960, ext. 217.
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
This year, the Feast of Tabernacles for all the Australian brethren will be held for the first time in Coffs Harbour in the state of New South Wales, approximately midway between the cities of Sydney and Brisbane. It is a beautiful coastal city with a variety of pristine surfing beaches and inlets, surrounded by lush forests and national parks. With a small population of 60,000, it's an idyllic Millennial Feast location. It is easily accessed by road from Sydney, (six and a half hours of driving time), or Brisbane (four and a half hours driving time). Direct flights are also available from both these two major centers to the Coffs Harbour regional airport.
The hall for the Feast is centrally located in the Coffs Harbour Showgrounds, where we have exclusive access to the facilities for the entire Feast. We will have the opportunity to have catered meals together on both Holy Days in the room adjoining the auditorium. Most accommodations will be no more than 5 to 15 minutes away from the Showground Hall. This attractive city has a huge choice of accommodation—motels, fully self-contained apartments, rental homes, resorts, small exclusive boutique retreats, cabin and caravan parks. Prices are available to suit all budgets.
Those interested in attending the Feast in Australia this year should register online through their MyLCG accounts on the Member Resources website, www.cogl.org.
Media
Internet Update: Milestone Reached
January was a very exciting month on our websites and we set records in several areas. Most notably, we reached an important milestone with 100,767 visitors to the Tomorrow's World website (www.tomorrowsworld.org). The previous record was 92,195 visitors in November. Our reach on the Internet through our various websites is continually growing. Our flagship website, www.tomorrowsworld.org, experienced a growth rate of 38% in visitors in 2008 over 2007, increasing from 689,092 to 949,263.
A list of the most popular downloads from our Tomorrow's World website as well as from the LCG website (www.lcg.org) is available as a link on the home page for each website. This feature is proving to be of great interest again this year and is designed to stimulate people to read, listen to, or watch some of these items that they may have overlooked in the last year.
The year 2009 has begun with a bang and we are very thankful for the growth that God has provided (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6).—Internet Operations Department
Comments
Are You Teachable? The Scriptures reveal that one of the important qualities of character that God is looking for in Christians, future leaders in His Kingdom, is teachability—the desire and willingness to listen and learn. Abraham was teachable and responsive to God's instructions (Genesis 12:1-4). Moses was a very capable leader, yet he was also humble and teachable (Numbers 12:3). David's attitude comes through in Psalm 119:33 when he writes, "Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes." Solomon recognized his human inadequacies when he asked God for wisdom and for an "understanding heart," so that he could learn to rule God's people wisely (1 Kings 3:9). When Jesus said the meek and the poor in spirit are blessed, He was emphasizing their teachability and their willingness to learn and grow (Matthew 5:3-5). The Scriptures also make it plain that when we harden our hearts to God's instruction, we will reap serious consequences (Proverbs 28:14). We have been called to reign with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God—and being teachable is one of the keys to attaining that reward. Let's strive to develop that most important quality.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 26, 2009
Christians Seen as "Mad"! In Great Britain, "Churchgoers are now 'counter-cultural' because their values are so opposed to prevailing behavior, claimed Dr Sentamu," the second-highest cleric in the Anglican Church. "Meanwhile public sector workers now risk being sacked if they talk about religion in the workplace, under 'equality and diversity' rules." Recently, a school secretary was suspended from her job for sending a private email, asking friends for spiritual support for a difficult situation with her daughter. A nurse was suspended without pay for two months after offering to pray for an elderly patient. A registrar was fired for refusing to take part in civil partnership ceremonies [apparently between same-sex couples], and a relationship counselor was sacked after refusing to give relationship counseling to same-sex couples (Telegraph, February 18, 2009). As time goes on and more and more evil is seen as "good," living the life of a Christian will become increasingly difficult. Will we have the faith to stand up and bear our cross (Luke 14:27), or will we "faint in the day of adversity" (Proverbs 24:10) and deny Christ (Matthew 10:33)? We must make a habit of praying for all men, including our leaders. We must pray that God will allow laws to remain or be put into place that will allow God's people to continue to "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Anti-Christian Retaliation in Higher Education. Following California's recent constitutional revision defining marriage as between "one man and one woman," Los Angeles Community College student Jonathan Lopez, a professing Christian, attempted to give a speech for his Public Speaking class. In the speech, Mr. Lopez shared some of his religious views, apparently well within the parameters of the assignment given by his instructor. During the speech, Mr. Lopez commented on his Christian views of marriage, at which point his instructor interrupted him, leveling profanity at him. When the instructor invited any students to leave that might have been offended by the speech, and none left, the instructor dismissed the class. The instructor later refused to grade the speech, stating "Ask God what your grade is," and also threatened to expel the student. This instructor's actions obstruct the student's right of "free speech," a U.S. constitutional right. They not only "constitute viewpoint discrimination but also comprise retaliation because he disagreed with Lopez's religious beliefs" (Onenewsnow.com, February 16, 2009). In a nation that was built on the foundation of the Ten Commandments and on Judeo-Christian values, it is sobering to witness such overt discrimination against these same values. God warned that "in the last days perilous times will come…" a time in which many would be "despisers of good" (2 Timothy 3:1-3), a time in which people would call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). It appears that we are definitely in these perilous times.
Coming Again Soon: Egyptian Gold! Several weeks ago, mining operations, including blasting, began at the Sukari gold project, in the eastern desert of Egypt. While the ore processing plant will not be completed until later this year, plans call for stockpiling the ore until the plant is completed. The mine is projected to produce more than 10 million ounces of gold, approximately 200,000 ounces per year (Mining Weekly, February 13, 2009). Although an operational gold mine in Egypt may not seem like important news, it is, in light of Bible prophecy! Egypt, once famous for its gold-bedecked pharaohs' vestments and sarcophagi, has not mined gold for millennia. However, Bible prophecy indicates that gold will be one of the sought after resources at the end of the age. Speaking of the King of the North or European Beast Power that will invade the Middle East just before Jesus Christ returns, Daniel prophesied that the King of the North would "… have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt…" (Daniel 11:43). According to this passage of scripture, Egypt will once again be filled with many "precious" things, including gold and silver. The reopening of the vast gold mines of Egypt will certainly facilitate the final fulfillment of this age-old prophecy of God, spoken through His prophet Daniel.—Scott Winnail