Greetings from Charlotte!
The first half of 2004 is now history. It is encouraging to look back on this year so far and consider the blessings God has poured out on His Work. For instance, we are now right on target with our projected budget for the year. We are running an 8.3% increase in income over this same time last year. Church attendance, baptisms, visit requests and new co-workers are all increasing substantially. We thank God for His guidance and help in all of these areas, and we thank all of the dedicated brethren and ministers who are wholehearted and committed to the team led by Mr. Meredith, which Jesus Christ is using to get His Work done. It seems more and bigger things are ahead for the rest of this year! Daniel 11:32—"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
We are delighted to announce that Mr. Harold Way, Elder in Sacramento, will be hired and transferred to San Diego on September 1 of this year, if not sooner. Mr. Way will be the Associate Pastor to Dr. Fall in San Diego, Palm Springs and Las Vegas. Congratulations and welcome to Mr. Way and family, to service in the full-time ministry of Jesus Christ.
Ministerial Profiles—ASAP!
In order to update our records, we have sent a newer version of the "Ministerial Profile" form to all of our ministers around the world (if yours hasn't reached you, let us know and we will send you another one). We ask that you please complete this very important form and return it to the Church Administration Department by the July 12 deadline. So far we have only heard from about 50% of the ministers. Thank you very much for your help on this project!
Caribbean Update
Mr. Fitzroy Greeman writes from Trinidad: The total telecast responses for 12th June were 163. Last week's telecast was "When Will Christ Return?" by Mr. John Ogwyn. The booklet being offered is "Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return!" The total responses so far are 144.
For the month of June our telecast program has been pre-empted by football. Our program is now being aired at 6.30 p.m. As a result, we are reaching a whole new set of listeners.
Last Sabbath there was an attendance of 65. The topic of the sermonette was "The Third Resurrection." The sermon title was "God's View of A Busybody." Both were presented by yours truly. There were two new persons in attendance.
The Sunday-keeping church that meets in the same hall we do, is now relocating. They are moving to Belmont. The minister said that he had not been winning any souls.
Feast of Tabernacles 2004
Festival Advisors
Attention All Pastors: Please select a competent person (preferably someone with Internet access) in each congregation and video group to act as Festival Advisor to the members. The duties are simple: 1) hand out Festival Assistance forms and forward the completed requests to the Pastor for signature, 2) assist members to find affordable housing for the Feast (this is where the Internet will be of help) and help arrange ride sharing, 3) give advice regarding the physical aspects of Festival travel and attendance. This advisor should also be responsible to ensure that everyone has sent in their Pre-Registration form, if they have not yet done so. Pastors, please continue to plug the Pre-Registration form from the pulpit. Thank you for your help.
Pre-Registration Forms (please read to all congregations)
Of the almost 3,000 Pre-Registration forms sent out to LCG households, only about a third have been returned to Charlotte. Without knowing how many people are planning to attend each site, we run the risk of not having enough seats at one place and not enough people at another. Seating is so short in some locations that going to a site without having pre-registered could result in our having standing room only, or turning people away at the door due to capacity limits imposed by the local Fire Marshal.
The Site Coordinators are beginning to fill the service positions for their locations, and more volunteers are needed. The Feast is fast approaching, and time for making plans is slipping by rapidly. Thanks to all those who have submitted their post-paid, pre-registration form. Now is the time for those who have not to send in their form this week. We need the information, even if you are staying at your assigned site!
If you plan to request a transfer, please do so right away. We have waiting lists of people who would like to transfer into some sites that are full, and it would help everyone if we could have all the transfer requests in by the end of next week. Remember, we are working on a one-in one-out system for transfers. Deadlines will be announced soon, past which the Festival Office will not be able to process additional applications.
In Canada and the United States, if you do not have a Pre-Registration/Transfer Request/Volunteer Service form, please see your Area Pastor.
Sites that have space for incoming transfers are: Corpus Christi, Prescott, Poconos, and Kauai in the USA. Evian in France and Llandudno in Wales, UK.
There are only 12 and one half weeks until the Feast. This may seem like a lot of time for most people, but for the Headquarters staff and those responsible for organizing the various sites, it is getting a little scary when we consider all that remains for us to do. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us serve you.
Negril, Jamaica
Mrs. Blondelle Chang informs us: Because of the unavailability of the Conference Room at Sunset At The Palms, services for the Feast of Tabernacles in Jamaica will be held at Point Village Resort, an all-inclusive facility located on the 7- mile beach stretch in Negril. We are also encouraging the brethren to stay at this Resort as the majority of the local brethren will be housed there.
Festival Assistance
By now, all of the ministers in the USA should have received "Application For Festival Assistance" forms to be used by those who will need assistance to attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year. Please announce this at Sabbath services this week and note that the deadline to have them back to us, properly filled out and signed by the Church Pastor, is August 16, 2004.
673 and Counting!
No tour of the HQ building would be complete without a visit to the Data Entry Department to see the "GOTO chain." Winding in and out of the cubicles, it provides a visual reminder of the impact of the Work. Every time someone writes or calls the HQ office and requests ministerial contact for information on baptism, attending services, or counseling, a paper link is added to the chain. It began after the Feast last year and has grown to a length of over 150ft. The HQ staff is hoping to see it circle the entire Data Entry room and reach 1,000 links before this year's Feast!
COMMENTS
This World Ahead publication (known unofficially as "the update") is sent to a limited list for good reason. Therefore, if you receive The World Ahead, please do not forward it on to anyone else. It is a ministerial publication intended for the use of the ministry and for them to share its content on the Sabbath with the churches they pastor. This helps keep the news, policies and guidelines contained in "the update" fresh, and allows the ministers to enlarge and explain what is written there as they see fit to do so. Video Recipients also receive The World Ahead so they can pass along whatever info their Pastor wants them to.
The brethren who would like to read this publication for themselves can go to our Web site at www.cogl.org/ohqups.htm, where it is posted after each weekly Sabbath. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
In closing, here is a thought provoking quote from one of the most famous and successful army Generals in history.
"If you haven't added to your interests during the past year; If you're still thinking the same thoughts, Relating to the same experiences, Having the same reactions, Then the rigor mortis of life has set in."
–General Douglas MacArthur
In other words, we should steadily grow in grace and knowledge every day of our lives and in living life abundantly.
Have a safe and fun-filled July 4th weekend and a very pleasant Sabbath!
Charles E. Bryce