Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. Meredith has just finished another co-worker letter discussing some exciting new stations that have opened to the Tomorrow's World program. We are pleased to have Mr. Rod King, Regional Director for the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Africa in Charlotte this week for meetings and to tape several television programs. Also, this week, we have a Council of Elders teleconference and the first Board Meeting for Living University. Last Sabbath, I was able meet brethren and speak at a combined service in Lake City, Florida, for four congregations (Live Oak, Ocala and Jacksonville, Florida; and Thomasville, Georgia). It was encouraging to see the positive attitudes, the growth and the stability in that area.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
New Appointments: Regional Pastor Lambert Greer will become the Pastor of congregations in Ohio, following the resignation of Mr. Eng Monson. Mr. Charles Knowlton will become the Associate Pastor of the Columbus congregation. Mr. Knowlton holds a Master's Degree from Ambassador College and has more than twenty years experience in the ministry. Mr. Rodger Hagmaier will become the Assistant Pastor for the Akron congregation. Mr. Hagmaier is a graduate of Ohio State University and has served God's people faithfully for decades.
Perspective is Important: The Living Church of God has more than one hundred and forty elders around the world. Over the last two years or so, about a dozen elders have decided to leave the Living Church of God—some over doctrinal issues and some for personal reasons—to start their own organizations or to join someone else. This is hardly the "mass exodus" that some Internet sites want to assert. What has been encouraging is that few people have followed these departing elders. In fact, some who have left are also beginning to trickle back after seeing the lack of fruits in other organizations. Overall, most congregations around the world are positive and focused, while here and there some few individuals are confused and negative—especially if they spend a lot of time on the Internet. Most of the brethren in the Living Church of God see where the Work is being done, and are grateful to be part of the team that God is using to do His end-time Work.
United Kingdom Update
Mr. Rod King reports: The responses to the new television channel we are airing the programme on in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland have been slow to grow. It will take our viewers some time to find the new channel The Word Network which airs our programme on Fridays. It is also advertised as Roderick Meredith and not Tomorrow's World and we will try to change this soon. We continue to receive positive comments from our viewers and often they will say something like, "Yours is the only programme that quotes directly from the Bible and explains it so clearly." They also mention the fact that we do not ask for money as being positive. I am in Charlotte next week to record two programmes for Tomorrow's World. Thank you for your prayers for Mr. Meredith, Mr. Ames and Mr. Smith for their efforts in preaching the Gospel. It is great to know that we are doing God's Work.
New Zealand and Papua New Guinea Updates
Mr. Kinnear Penman reports: We remain broadcasting the Tomorrow's World programme on Prime TV. The tendering process saw us win the 8:00 a.m. Sunday time slot (previously 8:30 a.m). The two programmes which have so far been aired have brought good results. During January and February, we averaged sixty new subscribers each week. Seventy-one batches of BSC lessons were mailed to students. For ten days in February, I was in Papua New Guinea. The local elder, Mr. Peter Devis, and I were able to visit most members in the country and also be present at the first business meetings of the Living Church of God in Papua New Guinea. In New Zealand, I made ten first visits to subscribers. Two of these visits resulted in people being invited to attend services. I was also able to visit three members in their New Zealand homes, and continued baptismal counseling for another three attendees. Of these latter people I hope to baptise two in the near future.
Living Youth Camp
Summer is not far away and it is time to plan to see all your old friends and meet new ones at Camp LYC. Currently we are planning for one teen camp and one pre-teen camp. For more information and access to applications, please go to our newly designed youth website at: www.youth-web.org (not an official Church website).
Winchester, Virginia, Spring Weekend—(repeat announcement with payment address)
The Winchester, Virginia, congregation is holding a regional spring dance weekend for April 6-9. The Weekend will include a Friday night Bible Study; a dinner-dance Saturday evening after services, Sunday softball, Sunday night Holy Day seminars, and Monday Holy Day [Last Day of Unleavened Bread] services. The total price per person is $20 (please mail payment to Ryan Dawson at 1134 Ravenwood Rd, Stephens City, VA 22655 ASAP!). Attire for the dance will be modest formal dress or Sabbath wear. For more details visit http://myspace.com/win_activities (make sure you type in the entire entry). If interested, please e-mail us at [email protected]. The deadline to register is March 20. Act quickly, as maximum capacity is 250 people. We hope to see you there!
FEAST OF TABERNACLES 2007
Additional Information on Bay of Islands, New Zealand
There is still room for overseas transfers to the New Zealand Feast of Tabernacles site in the spectacular Bay of Islands. However, the Comfort Inn in Paihia cannot accommodate more Feast-goers. We have arranged alternative accommodation at the Scenic Circle Beachcomber Hotel. This is within easy walking distance of the Feast site. The proprietors have offered favourable rates to those who identify themselves as part of the Living Church of God group. When booking, ask to be referred to Bianca, who is the Front Office Manager. The phone number is 0800 69 69 63 or, from overseas, +64 94 02 74 34; the website is www.scenic-circle.co.nz/hotel.asp?id=30; the e-mail address is [email protected]. For further information, please contact the site coordinator, Mr. Kinnear Penman, at [email protected].
COMMENTS
Pre-Passover Trials: Jesus told His disciples at the Passover, "In the world you will have tribulation," but said that with His help we can overcome through these trials (John 16:33). The Apostle Paul reveals that Satan will try to use personal crises, or attempts to disrupt or divide the Church, to undermine and shake our faith in God and leaders He has chosen (I Thessalonians 3:1-5). Satan seems to be most active in his efforts to confuse and discourage people just before the Passover and other Holy Days. The Bible clearly reveals that personal trials and Church disruptions are to be expected by Christians who are called to be part of God's Church (I Peter 4:12). One of the keys to enduring trials and overcoming difficult circumstances is to exercise patience—trusting God to sort out confusing situations (James 1:2-8). God is on His throne. He is still guiding His work, as He has down through the ages. We cannot afford to let Satan get our minds off the meaning of the Holy Days that picture the plan and purpose that God is working out on this earth. We need to keep pre-Passover trials in proper perspective.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
NEWS AND PROPHECY—March 15, 2007
Germany: Leaving Europe Behind? "Twenty-seven kings came together in Brussels last week, and each of them wanted to be treated like royalty," began a recent article in the German paper Der Spiegel. The author touted the finesse and political dexterity with which German Chancellor Merkel operated among the leaders of Europe – guiding all of them to an agreement on a controversial political issue. Merkel is viewed as "a child of Eastern Europe, and yet she has quickly made Western Europe her own…" Ultimately the Germans, at least, are hailing her as Merkel: The Queen of Europe. In addition to the German Chancellor's increasing influence in Europe, Germany recently announced plans to "go to the moon" in search of minerals which are scarce on earth. The Germans will make this venture "apart from Europe" (Der Spiegel, March 12, 2007). Germany also ordered four new high-tech, long-distance submarines for its navy (Naval-technology.com, March 14, 2007). For decades we have warned people to "watch" Europe and especially Germany. As European politics and Bible prophecy move forward, the "King" of the ten-nation Beast will be increasingly clear (Revelation 17:7-13). Germany is moving toward this important position.
Big U.S. Cities Report Sharp Rise in Crime Rate. A study of 56 large cities in the United States reveals a more than 10 percent increase in murders since 2004. Robberies, felony assaults and attacks using weapons have also risen, according to the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in Washington, DC. "Two years worth of double-digit increases in violent crime demonstrates an unmistakable change in the extent and the nature of crime in America," said the PERF executive director. The FBI also documented a rise in violent crimes. The U.S. Attorney General is asking Congress for $200 million to help local jurisdictions fight gangs and gun-related crime (Associated Press, March 9, 2007). The PERF statistics were gathered from cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and Washington, DC; New York City did not participate in the survey. God accurately described our nation in the end times, "Their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known" (Isaiah 59:6-8; see also Ezekiel 9:9-10).
Growth of Biofuel Raises Food Prices. Expect to pay more for food as the ethanol industry increasingly competes for the food resources needed to produce biofuel. Keith Collins, an official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said that "grain prices could be very volatile this year because of low global grain stockpiles. I don't think this change has been fully appreciated yet." Wheat, corn and soybean meal are used in cattle, hog and poultry feed. If they are diverted to ethanol production instead, feed costs will rise, as will the price of meat at the supermarket. Collins also said, "If we have a drought or a very poor harvest, we could see the sort of volatility we saw in the 1970s, and if it does not happen this year, we are also forecasting lower stockpiles next year" (Financial Times, March 5, 2007). Meanwhile, President Bush and Brazilian President Lula signed a new deal to boost ethanol production across the Americas (Money and Markets, March 10, 2007). As the world runs short of energy resources, mankind is starting to "rob Peter to pay Paul." Our modern lifestyle cannot survive without fuel, thus the cost of maintaining our standard of living is rising. God warned, "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:1-3).—Don Davis and Scott Winnail