Greetings from Charlotte,
Everyone here is busy preparing for the Sabbath and Pentecost. A number of ministers will be making trips to visit church areas around the country. We are also completing articles for the next issue of Tomorrow's World. Positive comments are still arriving about the Ministerial Conference. Mr. Rod King has arrived safely in the U.K. and is settling in and ready to go to work. Registration is proceeding well for the Festival sites around the world—Daytona Beach is over 800, Paducah is approaching 700, Copper Mountain and New Braunfels are about 500. Considering that airfares may continue to rise with increasing fuel costs, it might be good to make plans for obtaining airline tickets in the near future.
MEDIA
Mr. Wayne Pyle reports, "Normally, three-day weekends take a big bite out of our response, but, all things considered, it looks like we came through okay this Memorial-Day weekend. We aired program 269, 'The Power of God in History,' which was first aired eight weeks ago. This program offers How God Intervenes in World Affairs (GIW). From Thursday through Monday, we received 1,869 phone calls, and we are expecting the final count to go over 2,000. This week's response is virtually matching the first airing's response of 2,074 replies. For a second airing, mitigated further by a three-day weekend, this is an exceptional response… The responses to the two airings of program 269 are the two highest TV responses we have received from the GIW booklet since it began being offered on the telecast in October 2002… Thanks to the addition of our new satellite coverage over the U.K. and Europe on The Gospel Channel, as well as our new and more efficient call-center in England, we received 329 phone calls last week in response to program 274, 'Who Is the Beast of Revelation?' This is a new record for our U.K. response."
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Caribbean Report—By Paul Shumway
"My wife and I returned from a profitable trip to Jamaica. On the Sabbath, we had combined services with a record attendance of 100. After services, we enjoyed some Jamaican snacks and fellowship. I was impressed with our members' understanding of current events and their commitment to doing the Work. The fellowship was stimulating and inspiring! ... On Sunday we met with a number of the leaders to discuss the needs of the Jamaican brethren and how to better serve them. Like many nations, Jamaica's economy is sluggish and a number of the members are having a difficult time financially. Everyone seems very excited about our new Feast site in Ocho Rios. The Sunset Jamaica Grand Resort & Spa is absolutely gorgeous. I'm sure that everyone transferring in will really enjoy it. We spent most of Sunday afternoon, Monday and Tuesday counseling with brethren. We baptized one more individual on this trip and several others are seeking baptism. We have many fine, dedicated members in Jamaica and it is always inspiring to be able to spend time with them!"
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS—Compiled by Rod McNair
Information Technology. Our IT audit was successful – overall, our auditors were pleased with our process and system, but also gave us a few helpful, concrete suggestions on ways we can upgrade our IT security as well.
Festival Office. Feast registration is continuing smoothly all over the U.S., Canada, and the world. Church Administration is also finalizing ministerial assignments for the Feast sites, including international areas.
Congregational Audio/Video. Two FOT sermons have been recorded, and several more will be recorded in the next few weeks. These FOT recordings are for use in Feast sites that need video sermons for days when they don't have a live speaker scheduled.
COMMENTS
The Spirit of Pentecost. This weekend we will observe the Feast of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks/Firstfruits—Exodus 23:16; 34:22). It is a commanded assembly (Leviticus 23:15-22) that was observed by Jesus' disciples and the early Church (Acts 2). It was on Pentecost that God began the New Testament Church with the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit—as Jesus had promised (Acts 1:4-8). The Spirit of God, working through the disciples, filled them with courage and conviction to preach the gospel and do "many signs and wonders" that greatly aided the growth of the Church (Acts 2:43). It is also worth noting that the Church earnestly asked God, "grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant, Jesus"—and that God answered their prayers in very powerful ways (Acts 4:29-33). That same Spirit is available to us today. Let's do our part to nourish that Spirit (II Corinthians 4:16: II Timothy 1:6-7), so we can bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-29), so God can use His Church to finish His work and prepare to reign as the "firstfruits" with Jesus Christ in the coming Kingdom of God (Romans 8:23; James 1:18; Revelation 14:1-4; 20:4-6).
May you have an inspiring and profitable Pentecost,
Douglas S. Winnail
NEWS AND PROPHECY—June 1, 2006
China's Military Modernization. "Estimates place Chinese defense expenditure at two to three times officially disclosed figures," according to a recently released U.S. report titled, Military Power of the People's Republic of China. The report identifies the Chinese military's recent changeover from a national defense force to a regional tactical force with the ability to pose a credible threat to "high tech" aggressors. China's military advances are progressing much more rapidly than originally thought, and the nation is modernizing its long-range missile technology for rapid launching (International Herald Tribune [online], May 24, 2006). While Bible prophecy does not directly mention China, Revelation speaks of a 200 million-man army that will destroy 1/3 of mankind (Revelation 9:13-18). Daniel mentions that news from the north and east of Jerusalem will "trouble" the King of the North. China contains the manpower to create a 200 million-man army, and is currently modernizing its military. It is rapidly becoming what may be the world's most prominent economic power. Watch the future interplay between China and Europe as they vie with each other to be the world's premier power.
Quick Sands of the Middle East. The Middle East "tar baby" for the U.S. and Britain is getting stickier by the week. The Iraqi city of Basra, ostensibly under British "control," is reaching the point of exploding as Iraq's latest hot spot. At the southern end of Iraq, Basra is the nation's only sea port for exporting oil and importing heavy equipment. It is the best way for the allies to bring in needed military supplies. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are smuggling arms and munitions to their respective clients, with an eye to controlling this valuable port and the rich oil fields just north of the city. Iran has infiltrated the regional government and is providing training to local militias. This formerly quiet area, under the benign oversight of the low-profile British, is now experiencing a rash of bombings and assassinations imitating the mayhem in Baghdad. The real fear is that if Iran can gain control of the area, it will close the port to military supplies, effectively starving out the Americans and British. Any conflict in Basra would also cut millions of barrels of oil exported to petroleum-hungry world markets, causing fuel prices to spike again (Money and Markets, May 30, 2006). The influence of the U. S. is declining on the world stage. Nations all over the globe are coming to hate America and Britain for their policies in the Middle East and elsewhere. The pride of our power is being broken (Leviticus 26:19). "The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth." (Deuteronomy 28:25). These prophecies are coming alive today!
Growing World Deserts. "Up to 185 million people will be killed in Africa by the end of the century because of the effects of climate change on disease patterns… [The report] calculates that the toll from malaria, cholera, dengue fever, meningitis and other diseases will rise rapidly because of global warming." Natural disasters, wars and regional violence are also predicted to rise due to this climate change (The Times, May 15, 2006). According to satellite imagery, the "tropical" regions of the earth have grown by about 140 miles in longitude over the last 26 years, resulting in the expansion of sub-tropical areas that include deserts. Climatologists predict increased famine and drought due to these changes in the world climate patterns (Associated Press, May 25, 2006). God predicted severe famine and drought prior to the return of Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 28:24; Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:5-6). God is no doubt setting the stage for much more severe events in the not-too-distant future! Scott Winnail, Don Davis, Daniel Bennett