Greetings from Charlotte,
The traveling speakers from headquarters all had very positive visits in a number of Church areas on the Feast of Trumpets. We are all looking forward to the Day of Atonement and then heading off to the Feast of Tabernacles. Let's earnestly pray that God will richly bless His people who gather to worship Him on the Holy Days that picture His incredible plan for mankind.
FROM THE PRESIDING EVANGELIST
Dear Ministers and Brethren,
Greetings from Charlotte, NC! We here are grateful for God's blessing on the Work of the Living Church of God. During this past year, we have received 30% more calls and letters in response to the Tomorrow's World telecast than last year. The number of co-workers and donors has greatly increased and the number of new prospective members has skyrocketed! So we will soon be adding many more new members to the approximately 7,000 people currently attending the Living Church of God.
We were all happily looking forward to a wonderful and peaceful Feast of Tabernacles until we learned about the tragic confusion caused by David Pack and his recent attacks on our members and ministers in this country and in yours. Mr. Pack is well-known by literally hundreds of people here in the United States as one who has sown discord and division for many years. You may remember that I had to mark Dave Pack on August 3, 2000. Not one single Ambassador trained minister or leader has ever gone with him –for very good reason.
Now, it is apparent that he has succeeded in confusing our dear brother, Sydney Hull. In his letter of resignation just received—obviously written in part by David Pack—Mr. Hull praises Ernest Owino and other dissidents who have come under David Pack's pernicious influence. Mr. Hull's letter repeatedly attacks Dr. Winnail and me with totally false accusations—a number of which obviously came directly from Dave Pack. Mr. Pack is really skilled at attacking! But his track record has clearly shown for years a man who is more of an "accuser" and a "divider" than one who truly builds and strengthens people to walk in Christian love and harmony. Mr. Hull will realize this in time—I just wish it were much sooner.
Dear brethren, as we eagerly anticipate the Feast of Tabernacles, Satan is doing all he can to thwart our efforts and to distract the brethren from the important Work which we have been given to do. Satan has chosen this "prime time" to attack the Work as he obviously "knows" the growth in this Work that is beginning to take place. As he tried to kill Christ even before He was born, Satan is trying to negate our efforts to reach the world more powerfully with the true Gospel. But we will not let these events discourage us from continuing to preach powerfully the wonderful message of God's coming Kingdom. With the cascade of prophetic events continuing, we are more excited than ever about the opportunity to really warn this world of what is just ahead and to strengthen God's people to prepare for the coming Kingdom!
While we are very disappointed in the fact that some are turning aside, we will try to learn from these developments and draw closer to God than ever. But it is our sad duty to let all of you know that Mr. Mark Mendiola from Idaho and Mr. Dean Greer from WA state have left our fellowship and service. Also, as I indicated above, Mr. Syd Hull of South Africa has been confused and turned aside by David Pack. Incidentally, if any of you want to really know the details of David Pack and his confused approach, please check up on him on the Internet site of Dr. Robert Thiel. Here you will find many facts about what is really happening.
Again, "Feast fever" is building here in Charlotte and around the country. My wife and I just returned from a wonderful visit to the churches in New England for the Feast of Trumpets. Mr. and Mrs. Ames just returned from visiting our brethren in Louisiana, and Dr. Winnail just returned from visiting Mr. Charles Bryce and the brethren in the Dallas, Gladewater and Lufkin areas. All of us found that the brethren are very "up beat" and things are moving forward.
So let us not fall into Satan's trap as he tries to discourage us just before the Feast. We know—and know that we know—that Christ is with us and will use us ever more powerfully in preparing for His Kingdom as we show ourselves loyal to Him and to His Work. Have a wonderful Feast! My wife and I look forward to seeing many hundreds of you in Colorado and in Florida, and pray that God will bless and guide all of you in the Feast sites around the nation and around the world. May God continue to bless you, encourage you and strengthen you.
With Christian love,
Roderick C. Meredith
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Next The World Ahead Issue
Today's edition of The World Ahead will be the last one until our return from the Feast of Tabernacles—recharged, renewed and filled with greater enthusiasm. The next issue will be published on October 26, 2006.
Recent Ordinations
We have had nine ordinations in the last couple of months in the United States and overseas, including two elders, Mr. Jerry Sam (of Vanuatu) and Mr. Val Martin (of the Philippines). We are excited and grateful to see the growth in our local congregations, and encouraged to see the leadership God is providing. Congratulations to all our recently ordained elders, deacons and deaconesses!
Florida Update
Mr. Paul Shumway reports: We had a most inspiring Feast of Trumpets in Ft. Lauderdale! We had 77 in attendance for the morning service; Mr. Dexter Wakefield gave a fine sermon on the resurrection and immortality. One highlight was the ordination of Mrs. Helen Thomas as a deaconess. We had another new lady attend with us, and two of our new attendees asked to begin counseling for baptism! The congregation was buzzing with excitement! On our way home we visited a new contact in Venice (Tampa area). The area is doing well and I'm inspired to see God's abundant blessing on Florida!
FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Canmore, Alberta
Volunteers Meeting, Family Day and Family Night Dinner. There will be a Volunteers Meeting in the main ballroom at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6. On Tuesday, October 10, there will be a Family Day picnic for all ages. Suitable outdoor games for all ages are needed, so please remember to bring your Frisbee, bocce ball set etc. Scenic walking trails are also available to enjoy. The Family Night Dinner with dancing and entertainment will be on Wednesday, October 11. There will be only one opportunity to purchase your tickets. Tickets will be on sale before and after services on Sunday, October 8, only. The caterer must have final numbers that afternoon.
Hymnals (Repeat Announcement). As in the past, members should bring along Church hymnals to the Feast site they are attending. On the last Sabbath before the Feast (September 30), each household is encouraged to take enough songbooks (one for every two persons) from their local congregation's supply. Additionally, an assigned person should take a few extra songbooks for general use at the Feast. Be sure to bring the hymnals back to your local congregation after the Feast. It may be helpful to label hymnals as belonging to your congregation, in case they get mixed-up with others at the Feast.
COMMENTS
Stay Focused at the Feasts. Jesus taught, "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). He also warned against being sidetracked and overwhelmed by the cares and worries of this world (Matthew 13:22). As we observe the Fall Holy Days that focus our minds on the culminating events in the plan of God, Satan will use all kinds of devices and schemes to distract and divert our minds from what God wants us to be focused on at this time of year (I Corinthians 2:11). We must remain alert to this very real danger and not become anxious or worried when unexpected problems arise (Luke 12:22-31). Remember to make time to pray and review your sermon notes during the Feast. Take some quiet time to reflect on why you are at the Feast and the unique opportunity you have been given to understand the Truth of God. Do your part to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-19), and remember that God promises that "all things work together for good" for those who trust and obey Him—even though trials may arise (Romans 8:28; I Corinthians 10:13). Let's stay focused on God's Big Picture and remain teachable during this important time of year.
Have a profitable Feast,
Douglas S. Winnail
NEWS AND PROPHECY—September 27, 2006
EU President Supports the Pope. "European Commission chief (currently from Italy) Jose Manuel Barroso has said he is 'disappointed' that EU leaders did not do more to support the Pope after his controversial remarks on Islam." Mr. Barroso went on to comment "I was disappointed that there weren't more European leaders who said: of course the Pope has the right to express his views. The problem is not his remarks, but the reactions of the extremists." Mr. Barroso "accused European leaders of letting the Pope Benedict XVI down" after his September 12 speech in Germany (EUobserver.com, September 25, 2006). As time goes on, it appears that European politics and religion are becoming increasingly intertwined—EU President Barroso's comments this week merely accentuate this fact. God warned that at the end of the age, the "woman would ride the beast," indicating that a religious power would end up directing the political affairs of the Beast power and being supported by that same political power (Revelation 17:3-7).
Violent Crime Increasing. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that two out of every 1,000 people in the United States were victims of a violent gun crime in 2005—a 43 percent increase over the 2004 rate. Additionally, there were 2.6 robberies per 1,000—up from 2.1 in 2004. The FBI also reports that homicides are on the rise. Dan Esserman, police chief in Providence, Rhode Island, recently met with Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, and was told that federal funds previously earmarked for crime-fighting are now to be used for preventing terrorism. Esserman's response: "I believe in homeland defense, but I also believe in crime fighting, I don't want one neglected for the other. Every year we're losing 16,000 people to murder, mostly young people and mostly killed by guns, and that's more than three times the number that died at the World Trade Center" (The Star-Ledger, September 11, 2006). God is not asleep, as many suppose. These horrible crimes were foretold by God thousands of years ago, as is the ultimate punishment that will come on the Israelite-descended peoples. "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!' And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head" (Ezekiel 9:9-10).
Egypt in the Spotlight Again. "President Hosni Mubarak's son has said Egypt must offer a new political vision for the Middle East—one not imposed from outside, but based on Arab values… 'We reject these foreign ambitions to erase Arab identity in the framework of what they call the Greater Middle East initiative,' Mr Mubarak said… During the lengthy address, his statement that Egypt should consider developing nuclear energy was met by loud applause" (BBC News, September 19, 2006). Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Egypt pledged U.S. support in helping Egypt develop nuclear technology (Egypt Daily News, September 25, 2006). God prophesied that Egypt would play a role in end-time world politics and very likely in the King of the South's power base. In fact, Egypt will be involved to the extent that the King of the North will directly attack Egypt (Daniel 11:42-43). Egypt appears to be taking an increasingly more visible role in Middle Eastern politics, just as God prophesied.—Don Davis, Scott Winnail