On October 6, 2025, 11,326 Living Church of God brethren and guests gathered to observe the Feast of Tabernacles at 85 sites in 51 countries around the globe. This latest Feast was not without its challenges. On Friday, October 10, the Malaybalay Feast site in the Philippines was hit by a powerful earthquake. On the same day, Tropical Storm Jerry passed close to the Guadeloupe Feast site in the Caribbean. On Sunday, October 12, a “Nor’easter” in the eastern United States caused strong winds and flooding at the New Bern Feast site in North Carolina. Thankfully, no members were hurt by any of these storms, though some brethren did suffer material damage.
The Chin brethren in Myanmar enjoyed a refreshingly peaceful Feast of Tabernacles—only to be shocked when the military moved on their village after the Feast, burning many homes to the ground and causing inhabitants to flee. While many Chin brethren are now safe and accounted for, some as of this writing are still out of contact. Your continued prayers for our brethren in Myanmar are greatly appreciated.
Despite challenging weather events and personal trials, the overwhelming sense of the 2025 Feast of Tabernacles was extremely positive, as detailed in 1,822 Festival surveys, about 60 percent of which came from outside the U.S. Many brethren conveyed their appreciation for inspiring, encouraging messages that were “more sobering and impactful” and “packed with spiritual food.” Others noted that they were grateful for the opportunity to learn some of the new hymns from the upcoming hymnal at the Feast.
Many also expressed appreciation for the well-thought-out and meaningful activities. Clothing exchanges, icebreakers for teens, progressive fellowship meals, game nights, and many, many other activities—all were designed to promote togetherness and build bonds of brotherhood, while still leaving “white space” on the calendar for personal time and reflection.
While this year’s Behind the Work film was a bit simpler than recent Feast films have been, some commented that they appreciated getting a “behind-the-scenes” look at the youth camp programs—and the meaningful traditions and policies behind why things are done the way they are done at camp.
The Feast of Tabernacles is not just exciting for “old-timers,” but also—perhaps especially—for newcomers. One site saw 24 brethren attending the Feast for the first time! From a broader perspective, just over half (51 percent) of those surveyed began attending the Feast in the year 2000 or later.
Festival coordinators noted how many brethren visibly served and looked out for one another—fetching groceries, visiting with shut-ins, or helping to pay for meals, for example. Many took seriously what Presiding Evangelist Gerald Weston said in his Opening Night message: “Give a good Feast!”
The Feast of Tabernacles is more than just the social highlight of the year—it is an opportunity to show God our obedience to His direction and guidance in our lives. It is an occasion to yield to Him and, in a very practical way, to “learn to fear the Lord your God always” (Deuteronomy 14:23). We hope you enjoy the following comments from your brethren about various Festival sites around the world, highlighting aspects of the Feast that they found particularly uplifting. Our loving Father blessed the 2025 Feast of Tabernacles—for which we can all be grateful.
“The spiritual highlight was seeing the brethren actively supporting one another in prayer and discussion. The shared reflection on God’s plan for His Kingdom inspired a deep sense of unity and encouragement”
—Comment from Batu, Indonesia
“The atmosphere of love, compassion, and joy prevailed throughout the eight days of the Feast”
—Comment from Orap Village, Vanuatu
“Seeing the many young teens and preteens escorting the elderly in and out of the hall and to meals was very touching”
—Comment from Russell, Manitoba, Canada
“One member lost his father’s heirloom watch. [He] searched for three days and could not find it. Near the end of the Feast, he was transporting a couple of ladies back to their hotel, and he mentioned it to them. One lady mentioned they should pray together, as God knew where it was. Afterwards, a thought came to his mind to go back to the golf course where he [had] played a round of golf. He asked the person behind the golf counter, [who] pulled out his father’s watch from the drawer—answered prayer”
—Comment from Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
“The messages encouraged us to endure and sacrifice our present hardships for a glorious future of hope and rulership in God’s Kingdom. It was a memorable Feast”
—Comment from Stilbaai, South Africa
“I’m always overwhelmed by the outgoing love and care of the many brethren. Every time I attend the FOT, it just seems to get better and better”
—Comment from Fernandina, Florida, U.S.
“I was eating alone and was invited to dine and welcomed with open arms [by people I had never met]. Then [I proceeded] to meet a lot of other members through them and I will be forever grateful. This will be my core memory for my first feast even though I have many others”
—Comment from Glens Falls, New York, U.S.
“A couple discovered it was our first time attending the Feast. They invited us to lunch, bought our lunch, and lent us a hymnal for the rest of the week”
—Comment from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, U.S.
“A woman who was tent camping had her tent blow over and get wet early into the Feast. This was her first Feast of Tabernacles, and I don’t even think it was her tent. She immediately was offered a car to sleep in for the night and then taken to stay in someone’s spare room for the remainder of the Feast”
—Comment from Cambridge, New Zealand
“I just really noticed how people went out of their way to include as many people as they could in activities and dinners—just doing all that they could to make sure everyone felt welcome and included”
—Comment from Pebbles Beach, Barbados
“Our activities were clearly about time being set aside to visit with each other. Face-to-face time was fantastic”
—Comment from Madison, Indiana, U.S.
“As someone who grew up in the Church, it’s all I’ve ever known. I met a lady who was at the Feast for the first time this year and her story was so inspiring”
—Comment from Forster, New South Wales, Australia
If you would like to learn more about the 2025 Feast of Tabernacles, you can find more highlights by reading “In Their Own Words: Notes from Festival Coordinators in 2025.”