Dear Brethren and Co-workers with Christ,
The world is concerned about war in the Middle East and Europe. Sports fans are consumed with what is happening with the World Cup, with each competing country vying to come out on top. “Swifties” speculate on the details of the marriage of their rock star icon to Travis Kelce. But we here at Tomorrow’s World are focused on getting the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the world and warning of what will happen here on earth unless humanity changes course—not something likely to happen.
It is human to get caught up in world events: wars, sports teams, and celebrities. But when we look at the big picture, is it really all that important that “my team” wins the World Cup, the Stanley Cup, or any other championship? What do Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have to do with your marriage and your life? Really? Can any of this compare to the coming of Jesus Christ to bring peace and sanity to our troubled world?
Yes, we here at Tomorrow’s World and the Living Church of God—which sponsors Tomorrow’s World—are human, as was the Apostle Paul, who clearly knew something about the sports of his day (1 Corinthians 9:24–27). However, our true passion is doing the Work of God. All the rest of this will not matter in the long run. No celebrity can give you happiness. No sports team can give you eternal life. No nation of this world can bring peace. Only God can do these things. That is why our real focus is the same as that of our Savior, as Jesus told His disciples, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34).
This Work is more than a one-location megachurch that produces a telecast to support a popular preacher. There are many such megachurches that have more members than we have, but our reach is significant. In that light, I want to share with you some of the challenges facing our Work in the Australasian region. Mr. Robert Tyler reports:
As a Regional Director for the Living Church of God, my responsibilities cover the whole Asia-Pacific Region, including the Philippines, India, Mainland China, and French Polynesia—also reaching into Pakistan. This is a diverse region separated by more than oceans and land. There are cultural differences, language barriers, developed nations alongside nations which rely heavily on richer First World nations. This region is a mixing pot of religions: Christian, atheist, Humanist, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and ancestor worship, to name a few.
All this requires care in working with each nation according to their spiritual capacity, their national limitations, and their economic position. It requires careful consideration in how to best preach the Gospel—for instance, we cannot proselytize in Malaysia, as it is a Muslim nation. In Pakistan, we have to be very careful how we send literature, as Christian-printed literature could bring reprisals on our subscribers. Mail is sent in plain envelopes. Communication is also a challenge, with phone and Internet connections not always reliable.
Members are often scattered and, in some places, we only have one Living Church of God member in the whole country, such as in Tahiti. Our only member there is doing well, and she is in regular communication with us. Although I don’t speak French, we are able to translate our messages using translation technology. So, the challenge is to stay spiritually strong, not compromising with the world, all the while combatting feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Financial strains are another challenge. Even in richer nations like Australia and New Zealand, members are feeling the pinch of inflation and cutting back on basic items. Groceries are limited to the necessities; parents are having to reduce extra activities for their children. Fuel costs are affecting some remote members who must reduce how often they attend Sabbath services.
In countries like India, members face challenges with Sabbath-keeping. Businesses and schools are demanding six-day work weeks with Saturday compulsory for work and/or school. The government is pushing a more Hindu approach in education and society is becoming less tolerant of other religions, particularly Christian and Muslim faiths. On the positive side, the Work in India has expanded its reach through the distribution of significantly more literature. More booklets have been sent into new areas, allowing the message to reach additional readers throughout the country. As a result, the number of subscribers and interested individuals requesting literature has increased, providing opportunities to serve a growing audience.
Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country. Because of this, along with what is happening elsewhere in the world, we must be careful in conducting worship services and Church activities…. In several areas of Indonesia, there have been cases where Christian congregations were forced to stop worship services because certain Muslim groups objected to them.
Through Facebook advertising, we are now reaching 45 out of 57 countries around the region. This year, we have seen more baptisms in the region, and as a result of our efforts to preach the Gospel to all nations we are seeing individuals showing increased interest in the Church from countries we’ve not previously reached before.
Dear brethren and co-workers, this is a mere sample of the challenges we face preaching the true Gospel around the world. I will try to bring you another report next month regarding the challenges we face in Spanish-speaking areas, but for now, Mr. Tyler concludes on this positive note:
What is most encouraging is that despite the continued decline in morality, the uncertainty of where the world is headed, God’s people are faithfully holding on to the truth. In a world of compromise, the “me-first” society, the brethren are more determined than ever to stand up for the truth. It has been a privilege to work with God’s people in the Asia-Pacific Region, and there is no doubt that God’s spirit is leading and guiding His people. We are not immune to the world around us, but we are committed to our calling to give the Good News of God’s coming Kingdom to the whole world, including the Gentile nations.
We are thankful for men such as Mr. Tyler who reach out to serve people whom God is calling who live under circumstances very different from what most of us are used to. And we are thankful for our members in Australia and New Zealand whose prayers and financial contributions help make it possible to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
And thanks to all of you, wherever you are, for your generous support and prayers.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston