Greetings from Charlotte,
We are now a month away from the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. Let us make sure we are preparing by examining ourselves to find unrepented-of leaven in our lives. Most of us do not have to look too hard to find some significant shortcomings—often ones that we face year after year. What Paul said applies to all of us: “For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15). Nevertheless, with the help of God, we can make real progress at allowing Christ to be formed in us (Galatians 4:19). I sincerely hope that we can all look back over the past year and find spiritual growth in our lives. Either way, we should determine with God’s help to see growth in the year to come. The world makes “New Year’s resolutions” that are almost always quickly broken. Let us strive to do better than that. We will be mailing out a Holy Day letter in the next few days, and I hope you will take time to read and meditate on its content. Until then, have a rewarding Sabbath.
—Gerald E. Weston
Church Administration
Passover 2026—Deadline for Requesting All Passover Supplies and Materials
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2026, the Passover Service will be observed on Tuesday evening, March 31. The deadline for requesting Passover Service supplies (bread trays, wine trays, and/or glasses) or a physical copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French, and Spanish) is March 4 for international areas and March 19 for U.S. congregations. Any requests for Passover Service recordings and letter instructions for home observance should also be received by the above deadlines. If possible, please submit your requests well before the deadline—this will help us manage supplies and shipments. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected]. Note that, as in recent years, the digital Passover Service recording is available to pastors and video recipients via the FTP site, and a private YouTube link will also be provided.
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week, we held two follow-up presentations in Braselton and Stockbridge, Georgia; the first event of a Presentation series in Panama City Beach, Florida; one online presentation in Canada; and an initial presentation in Lebanon, Missouri. These events drew a total of 31 in-person guests; the online connection information is not yet available. This week, Mr. Dan Hall will present in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Texarkana, Texas; Mr. Rand Millich will present in Lebanon, Missouri; and Mr. Gerald Weston will present in Jackson and Flowood, Mississippi. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Feast of Tabernacles
Ministerial Feast Survey
All ministers should have received an email from Headquarters this week, giving you the link and instructions to complete the Ministerial Feast Survey. Please be sure to fill out this form, even if you plan to attend your assigned site. The deadline is March 6. If you did not receive this email, please contact Tyler Wayne at [email protected].
Comments
Humility—Key to Unity: David wrote, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to “walk worthy” of their calling “with all lowliness and gentleness… endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3). What destroys unity and causes contention? The Scriptures reveal that pride is an underlying cause of contention and disunity (Proverbs 13:10). The human desire to assert our own opinions and put down others, to gain a following by undermining those in authority, always brings discord (Galatians 5:19–21). However, humility can promote peace, harmony, and unity (Galatians 5:22–24; James 3:13–18). Let’s humble ourselves and follow this advice, striving to be unifiers and not dividers.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy
Does China Control Africa? China’s Belt and Road initiative—sometimes called the New Silk Road—has expanded ports and airports, railroads, power generation, and other infrastructure in many locations across the globe. But to what extent is China’s global influence growing? Consider Africa.
China now has the world’s largest navy and is creating ports around Africa capable of docking its naval ships. Satellite imagery reveals that “Beijing has transformed ports across the continent over the past decade—from Lekki in Nigeria to Mombasa in Kenya. The civilian ports, which are often run by Chinese state-owned firms, are designed not just for trade but also to accommodate warships” (Telegraph, February 4, 2026). This expansion has resulted in the creation of ports that can operate as military bases “capable of landing warships near key maritime routes.” According to a United States government-linked think tank, Chinese state-owned companies are now involved in 78 ports in 32 countries in Africa. China is using these ports to create “‘sanction-proof’ supply lines” that allow for the extraction of important resources, and it also recently extended zero-tariffs on imports from 53 African nations (Business Insider Africa, February 14, 2026). While it is not necessarily looking to control this region of the world, China is acting as a rival to the West.
So, what is the future of China? Will it be the next hegemon? The Bible provides interesting insights into China’s future. You can learn more about this important subject by reading or listening to “China, Democracy, and Christianity.”
Major U.S. Crime Drop Is Good News… For Now! Data shows a decline in every major violent-crime category in 2025, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association, a professional organization of police executives representing the largest cities in the United States and Canada (CNN, February 11, 2026). “Homicides were down just over 19% last year… robbery was down almost 20%, rape was down almost 9% and aggravated assault was down almost 10% last year compared to 2024.” One expert observed that this is a “historic collapse in the homicide rate.”
The causes of the decline reportedly include precision policing tactics, advanced policing technology, “significant investments in community violence intervention,” more stable routines of citizens following COVID, improved employment levels, and social supports. Although the trend is expected to continue, caution is needed. The Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan research and policy group, warns that the pervasiveness “of circulating guns and the extreme levels of concentrated disadvantage in U.S. cities, means that American cities remain vulnerable to surges of violence similar to those experienced in 2020” (January 22, 2026).
The Apostle Paul warned that, shortly before Christ’s return, leaders will confidently announce, “Peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3), but in reality “there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11). The last days will be “perilous times” characterized by people who are “brutal” (2 Timothy 3:1–4). We can enjoy times of relative calm, but we must be careful not to neglect our study and practice of the way of life taught by the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. To guide you in this process, we offer the free Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course, with which you can learn to prepare for end-time events prophesied in your Bible. —Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Richard Franz