A big hello from Charlotte!
Excitement continues to build during the run up to the Conference that will soon be held here at Headquarters. Mr. Meredith will be leading the agenda planning, and he will be deciding on the items to be discussed during the meetings. Preparations are nearly done, and we can hardly wait to see our fellow ministers and wives very soon now. Please pray for God's blessing on this important event in God's Church, and for the safety of all those who will be traveling from all over the world to get here.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Carl McNair writes about his current condition:
"Today is February 18 and I had planned to begin our trip to Charlotte tomorrow, in order to arrive before the Council meetings. However, while I am improving slowly, I cannot travel more than a hundred miles or so because of the pain in my hip from sitting in a car…
"Currently I have to walk with crutches or a walker in the house and going to and from the car. Someone assists me in every case, as I cannot afford to fall again. Dorothy has asked a neighbor to come over and help me to the car when he is home, otherwise she holds on like a leech…
"So, the bottom line is I am progressing slowly. I do not have pain all of the time. When I lie down I usually have a period of pain from my leg movements and from the strain of holding the leg up until I get a pillow adjusted to hold it properly.
"Dorothy is holding up well, though it grieves me to see her having to do all of the lifting and chores. Please give our love to all there."
Your continued prayers for Mr. and Mrs. McNair are greatly appreciated.
Mr. Rod McNair sends this report from Manila. Please note the sad news of the death of one of God's long-time servants and fellow ministers, Mr. Tex Benitez:
I'm writing this from Manila. I arrived safely last Thursday night after an uneventful flight. I'll be in Quezon City today for Sabbath services (February 14). Today we'll be having combined Metro-Manila services (Quezon City and Cavite) which is usually around 120 people, so a pretty big crowd! Tonight I believe we'll be having a potluck and leadership club, which I'll be able to attend with the men. The weather here is very pleasant—a bit cloudy and in the mid-70s, with a breeze.
We do have some unpleasant news. Upon my arrival, I learned that Mr. Tex Benitez died yesterday, Thursday, February 12, at around 2 pm. His liver had been damaged by a parasite, which apparently caused systemiosis. His son, Mr. Gideon Benitez, said that over half of his liver was damaged, according to tests. They are waiting for his daughter, Inday, to arrive from the United States before arrangements for a funeral and burial are made.
I am saddened by the news—I was hoping to see him on my trip to Cagayan de Oro Sunday. He was a good man, a trusted, long-time laborer in the Work, and a good friend. Mr. Tex Benitez's absence will leave a significant hole here in Mindanao for some time. He was around a long time, and was well loved and respected by the brethren. I appreciated his judgment and wisdom, and it's really sad to lose him. He was a true shepherd. Please pray for the Benitez family, and if anyone would like to send cards or letters of condolence, you can send them to: Mr. Gideon Benitez, P.O. Box 5417, Iligan City, 9200.
Canada Update
Mr. Gerald Weston sends this report from Canada: We have had a couple of good things happen in the last few days. First, we were able to successfully register the Church provincially. We have been registered federally, but learned that we also had to register with the province of Ontario. Secondly, we were able to register Tomorrow's World as a business name—something that we had not been successful in doing previously. We are now working on registering our ministry so we can perform wedding ceremonies. Another major accomplishment is the revision of our bylaws to conform to the Headquarters model and to comply with Ontario regulations. We think we now have them in a form that will be accepted by Ontario and Ottawa.
Our St. Stephen's, NB call center closed down in December. Unfortunately, the one we chose to replace it has not worked out and we are looking to find a replacement. We have found one right here in Toronto that appears to be a first-class operation which would be able to handle our needs for quite some time into the future, but they are a bit pricey. In spite of this we will likely go with them.
Although January attendances seemed low because of weather and sickness, attendance was up 34 over January of 2003. It does appear that we have some new visitors who are actually staying. These and other subtle signs indicate this may be a good year after slow-growth last year.
Atlanta Singles Weekend
The Atlanta congregation once again plans to have a spring Singles activity during the Days of Unleavened Bread. All singles in the Living Church of God, 18 years old and up, are invited! The following activities are being planned: a Bible Study on Friday, April 9, at 8:00 pm (plan to arrive early on Friday afternoon); Sabbath services at 3:00 pm the next day, followed by a concert of special Sabbath music at 5:30 pm, a meal at 7:00 pm, and a dance starting at 8:30 pm. An activity is planned for the next afternoon (Sunday). We will, of course, have services the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. For further details go to the Atlanta congregation website, www.lcgatl.com, or email [email protected].
COMMENTS
Recently, I had the opportunity and privilege to tour our congregations and offices in the Caribbean region with the Regional Director there, Mr. Jonathan McNair. On January 31, we had Sabbath services with our brethren in Jamaica. There were 98 warm and happy people in attendance. Mr. McNair, Mr. Hugh Wilson and I ordained Mr. Lascelles Fraser as an elder in God's Church, which was a special blessing. On Sunday, we drove to Negril, in the northern part of the island, to make arrangements for holding the Feast of Tabernacles there. It is a beautiful and peaceful location.
We then traveled to Barbados and held a Bible Study there on Tuesday night with 32 in attendance. The next day we baptized a young man in the ocean. This was a very happy occasion to say the least. The Work in this beautiful island is poised for good growth this year. Our next stop was in Guyana, where we held a Bible Study on Thursday night with 15 present. Even though this is a poverty-stricken country, the brethren there are upbeat, dedicated and an inspiration to be around. At the end of the study we were treated to a harmonica solo of one of the songs from the hymnal. Very lovely!
Our final stop was in Trinidad, where we held Sabbath services on February 7 with 62 in attendance. Afterward, we had a wonderful meal with fellowshipping and discussions. This congregation sings better than just about any I have heard! Mr. McNair and I then went to Mr. and Mrs. Fitzroy Greeman's home (where our office is located), to watch the telecast at 4 p.m. The program was presented by Mr. Richard Ames, and before he had even finished speaking, responses via phone calls started to come in one after another and were continuing unabated when we left! It was very encouraging to see first hand, on the "front lines," how God's Work is surging forward in that part of the world!
This was one of the most inspiring and unforgettable 10 days I have ever experienced. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan McNair have done an outstanding job in the Caribbean region over the last 8 years. Mr. McNair's hard work, leadership, and long days away from home and family, along with the cooperation and service of the brethren there, has all added up to much rich fruit being born. Throughout this trip, I was reminded over and over again of what Ephesians 4 says, especially verses 15-16, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
Have a happy Sabbath! Believe me, there is much to rejoice about as we see how Jesus Christ is leading His Church.
Charles E. Bryce