Greetings from Charlotte,
It is good to be back home after nearly three weeks abroad. Mr. and Mrs. Meredith returned to Charlotte this afternoon. All told, traveling speakers from Headquarters visited more than 25 congregations around the U.S. and the world over the Spring Holy Day period. Members in the congregations visited were very positive and focused on doing God's Work. On my trip, I was able to visit congregations in London, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow and Zurich. Mr. Rod King and I spent two very profitable days in Berlin. We visited the Pergamon Museum where we saw the reconstructed Ishtar Gate and processional way from ancient Babylon, and a gigantic altar from the Greek city of Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-13). Also on display were artifacts from ancient Assyria and Babylon, on which were inscribed a swastika, a winged solar disc and a double-headed eagle—symbols appropriated by the Nazis and other central European nations. We also visited Sachsenhausen, built as a model concentration camp by the Nazis just north of Berlin. Modern Berlin with its imposing government complex, new buildings, historical monuments and excellent transportation system, is certainly a vibrant, world-class city.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
News from Virginia
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Clore informed us that their daughter, Brittany, a student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, was safe and unharmed during the tragic massacre there. The same is true for Jon and Samantha Burgett, son and daughter-in-law of Mr. Val Burgett, who work at Virginia Tech. We heard that members of the United Church of God, who study or work at Virginia Tech, are also safe.
Living Youth Camp
The summer teen camp is in need of a nurse. If someone would be able to fill this position, please contact Mr. Gerald Weston at 905-814-1094, ext. 23, or email him at [email protected].
Canadian Update
Mr. Gerald Weston reports: We have had at least 11 baptisms in Canada since January, and about 20 persons in Ontario, another four in Nova Scotia and numerous others in the other provinces, have requested baptism. I conducted a Public Bible Study in Darmouth, Nova Scotia, and had 17 new people attend. Of those, four have continued to come and this has given that congregation a real boost.
Prayer Request
Mr. Winston Gosse, our minister in the Kingston, Ontario, area was recently diagnosed with cancer. He is trusting God to intervene on his behalf and heal him. Your fervent prayers are requested for him and his wife, Edna. Cards of encouragement may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Gosse to:
2 Douglas Drive, Barrie, ON L4M 5R8, Canada.
New Zealand Update
Mr. Kinnear Penman reports: March brought a change to both the time and cost of the Tomorrow's World broadcast on Prime TV. We were required to tender for time slots and were awarded the time of 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning. This time has worked out well, with no noticeable drop in responses. However, the cost of the broadcast has doubled to NZ$883 per week (US$650). During March, we sent out 911 postal items. These included 61 packages of BSC lessons. The Tomorrow's World subscriber list increased by 274 in March. A highlight of the month was the visit of Dr. and Mrs. Meredith and the combined Sabbath service in Taupo on the 31st. Meeting in Taupo allowed members from several different areas to join together and a total of 71 were present. It was exciting to see that over half of those present were not attending with us at the time of Dr. Meredith's previous visit five years ago. This is a reflection of the fact that God is using this Work to call people to His truth and Church. Present at the service were two new men who were attending a Living Church of God service for the first time. They were delighted to be with us and have continued to attend in the Wellington area. I visited sixteen prospective members during March. Of these, six were first-time visits.
USA AND CANADIAN FEAST OF TABERNACLES SITES 2007
Very soon, we will be announcing the registration date for all of the USA and Canadian Feast sites. Today, in this issue of The World Ahead, you will find the description of two USA sites and one Canadian Feast site. More details on these three sites will soon be available at the "MyLCG" section of the Member Resources website www.cogl.org. Descriptions of other Canadian and USA sites will be published in upcoming issues of The World Ahead as well.
Canadian Feast Site
Orford, Quebec
Living Church of God brethren from Quebec and Ontario will once again keep the Feast in the area of Mont Orford, in south-central Quebec. It is about one hour east of Montreal off Highway 10, in the beautiful Eastern Townships region, near the U.S. border. Mont Orford Park offers everything needed to enjoy the great outdoors: walking, cycling, mountain climbing, picnics, wildlife and bird watching. On the shore of Memphremagog Lake (eight minutes drive from Orford) with its luxurious homes, lies the town of Magog, founded at the end of the 18th century. Here you will find numerous boutiques, art galleries, antique stores, cafes, bistros and restaurants (www.tourisme-memphremagog.com). Meetings will be held at The Piggery Theatre: 215 Chemin Simard, North Hatley, 15 minutes drive from Mont Orford. This theatre has been operating for 40 years and was recently rated the third-best summer theatre in Canada. Our Feastgoers will be the sole users of this peaceful site nestled between the many rolling hills surrounding Magog Lake. (More information will be posted at the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org).
Two USA Feast Sites
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The Feast of Tabernacles this year will once again be held in sunny and warm Myrtle Beach. Located on the coast of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is a popular vacation destination for people all over the Southeast USA. Feastgoers will have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful beaches and many varieties of restaurants and attractions in the area. There are more than 100 golf courses and dozens of miniature golf courses, as well as other attractions, such as an IMAX theatre, Ripley's Aquarium, the Carolina Opry and the Alabama Theatre. Broadway at the Beach is a mega-complex of more than 100 specialty shops and 20 restaurants. Just a few miles outside of Myrtle Beach, brethren can visit the La Belle Amie Vineyard for a tour and wine tasting, or perhaps a group of friends and family can charter a sailboat and take in the beauty of the open sea. Festival services will be held at the Kingston Plantation. Tucked away among gardens, lakes and woods, the Kinston Plantation is a private oceanfront complex, with access to nearly a half-mile of white-sand beachfront and just minutes away from everything Myrtle Beach has to offer. (More information will be posted at the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org).
Bushkill, Pennsylvania
The Pocono Mountains will once again be an inviting venue for a family adventure at this year's Feast of Tabernacles in Bushkill, Pennsvylania. Autumn leaves should be in their golden splendor at the same time we will be observing God's Festival. Pennsylvania has one of the largest systems of state parks and forests in the United States, and should provide a stunning backdrop for God's Feast. There are many family-oriented attractions in the area, including: Bushkill Falls, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Mount Laurel Center for the Performing Arts, Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Claws 'N Paws Wild Animal Park, Stourbridge Line Rail Excursion and Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours. There are also wineries, and much more! Bushkill Falls, known as "the Niagara of Pennsylvania," is only a few miles away, offering tourists eight waterfalls, paddleboat rides, fishing, wildlife exhibits, Native American art and miles of nature trails. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, only a mile away, is a great place for exploring and learning as well. Come here to experience the awesome power of water! Nearby are Class I and Class II rapids for rafting. Lakes and rivers provide ideal refuges for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing and eagle-watching. A number of rooms will be blocked for brethren at the Fernwood Hotel & Resort. Daily services and some activities will be held at the Fernwood Hotel & Resort. (More information will be posted at the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org).
Stay tuned for more USA and Canadian site descriptions, and for the Festival registration date—to be announced soon!
TWO MORE INTERNATIONAL FEAST SITES FOR 2007
As a reminder, those interested in attending an international Feast site that has already been published in The World Ahead may begin making their arrangements without having to wait for the USA and Canadian registration date.
The Entrance, Australia
The Feast site in Australia for 2007 is at the popular seaside holiday destination in the township of "The Entrance," on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The Entrance is an easy one-and-a-half hour's drive north from Sydney along the freeway, or one can utilize trains that depart from Sydney Central Station.
Accommodations are in abundance in The Entrance, and many of the fully self-contained housing options are positioned to capture breathtaking views of the ocean and the entrance to Tuggerah Lake, and the mountains beyond. We are using a new venue for our services and activities this year. The meetings and some activities will be at the "Diggers at The Entrance"—with its brand new auditorium and other fully refurbished facilities. The location is close to the township of The Entrance, and any who have nearby accommodations may wish to walk to services. The RSL Club management is very favourable towards us and has provided all we need at a very reasonable cost.
All in all, The Entrance is a most appealing Feast site—a sleepy seaside township that will provide a millennial setting for what will be another wonderful Feast! For further information, inquiries and assistance, please contact Dayrell Tanner at [email protected], or by phone at +617 3805 8444. The International Country Code of Australia is included as the prefix (61). The fax number is: +618 8127 9667. For inquiries by mail, please write to: Festival Office, Living Church of God, PO Box 300, Clarendon, South Australia, 5157. For additional information about The Entrance and the Central Coast, visit the following websites: www.theentrance.org and www.visitcentralcoast.com.au.
Glentana, George, South Africa
The Feast in South Africa will be held in a small peaceful holiday village known as Glentana, situated on the Indian Ocean, 20 km from the town of George. While there are guest house facilities available at R250-R300 per person per day, there are also private houses to hire at R400-R600 per day—some right on the beachfront overlooking the sea, where, at times one may see dolphins and the occasional whale! The exchange rate currently stands at approximately R7.20 to one U.S. dollar. For international visitors, it would be best to fly into the Johannesburg International Airport and take a domestic flight to George (1,400 km), or to fly to the Cape Town International Airport and take a domestic flight to George, or hire a car and drive to Glentana, which is 450 km from Cape Town. For further information and assistance, please contact our Festival advisor Christo Botha by e-mail at [email protected]
COMMENTS
Thy Kingdom Come: America has just experienced another tragic episode of violence. A young, angry and mentally disturbed student fatally shot 32 people on a college campus in Virginia. Two days later, a student here in Charlotte threatened several others before taking his own life. While students and families mourn, many in America wonder—why is this happening in our land? Many who fearfully travel the streets of London wonder the same thing. However, the Bible clearly reveals that "a curse without cause shall not alight" (Proverbs 26:2). Few today realize that long ago God prophesied that killing and bloodshed would terrorize the lands of God's chosen people because we have "rejected knowledge… forgotten the law of your God… [and] ceased obeying the LORD" (Hosea 4:1-10). We cannot watch violence-drenched entertainment on TV and films, tolerate disrespect to parents, authorities and others, and fail to teach children how to cope with adversity and not suffer serious consequences. As we see our human societies "reap what we have sown" (Hosea 4:9; Jeremiah 2:8, 17-19), we need to pray more earnestly "Thy Kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10).
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
NEWS AND PROPHECY—April 19, 2007
Deadliest Shooting Rampage in Modern U.S. History. After killing 32 students and faculty, a lone student-gunman at Virginia Tech killed himself. Those who knew him referred to his mental state as "off," noting that he "never spoke a word." One English professor reported his troubling behavior to university counselors and police (Newsweek, April 17, 2007). Meanwhile, the shooting has left the Virginia Tech and U.S. academic communities feeling vulnerable. Speaking to ancient Israel (and its modern descendants), God warned that if they despise His statutes and disobey Him, He would "appoint terror over you" (Leviticus 26:14-16). The "classroom" has traditionally been a place of safety and learning, yet again this week it became a place of terror. Will Israelite-descended nations reach a point where there will be "no" safe places? Scripture foretells this. God also warns that at the time of the end, the devil will come, "having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time left" (Revelation 12:12). Increased demon activity is another hallmark of Satan's handiwork. We are drawing closer to the "end of the age." Society desperately needs the return of Christ!
China's Exports Now Surpass United States. In the last half of 2006, China quietly slipped ahead of the U.S. to become the world's second-largest exporter, just behind the Germans. At current growth rates, China will overtake Germany in 2008. China's exports grew by 27 percent last year, outpacing all other major trading nations. Office equipment and communications gear, as well as clothing, iron and steel, account for the largest share of China's export growth. Trading partners accuse China of keeping its currency undervalued, and of using illegal government subsidies, import barriers and piracy, to fuel its explosive economic growth. The Bush administration, under political pressure to deal with America's trade deficit (estimated at $765.3 billion in 2006), recently filed complaints accusing China of violating U.S. copyrights and illegally restricting the sale of American products (AP, April 12, 2007). Germany lost a World War to the U.S., but is now winning the economic war—and China is poised to overtake both nations! God warned of consequences when His people disobey Him, "The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail" (Deuteronomy 28:43-44). We are seeing this happen today.
China's Rivers at Death's Door. The Yangtze, China's longest river, is "critically polluted," according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Xinhua, April 15, 2007), and the situation is growing worse. Billions of tons of untreated chemical and sewage waste may soon turn it into a "dead" river. Aquatic life could disappear, and the teeming populations living in 200 cities along the river's banks would need another drinking water source. According to the study, the Yangtze's annual harvest of aquatic products fell from 427,000 tons in the 1950s to just 100,000 tons in the 1990s. China's Three Gorges Dam reservoir, the world's largest water storage facility, is also seriously polluted by pesticides, fertilizers and sewage, and more than 600 kilometers of the Yangtze are critically polluted. Last year, Chinese authorities announced that the nation's second-longest waterway, the Yellow River, was so polluted that its water is no longer safe for drinking (AFP, April 15, 2007). God's creation eagerly awaits for the time prophesied in the book of Zechariah, when "in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; in both summer and winter it shall occur" (Zechariah 14:8). Meanwhile, the lack of clean drinking water for China's huge population could have serious implications for the rest of the world.—Don Davis and Scott Winnail