Greetings everyone:
In general everything is moving forward quite well with the work in the US and CANADA. It is wonderful to have a period of relative peace and calm! As the Psalmist says "How good and how wonderful for brethren to dwell together in peace!" Our problems currently are "such as is common to all men." I hope all of you brethren are well.
DR. MEREDITH UPDATE:
Dr. Meredith has been very busy writing and speaking recently. In the past three weeks he has videotaped four Tomorrow's World television programs, has preached in San Diego and Los Angeles and has written: a member letter, the semi-annual letter to Tomorrow's World subscribers, the editorial and feature articles for the January Tomorrow's World magazine, the booklet "Is This the ONLY Day of Salvation?" and the editorial for the January Living Church News. He has done all of this while holding various meetings in the course of his administrative responsibilities as well. Today, Dr. Meredith is writing the editorial for the January LCN, and he will be leading the Headquarters ministers in a discussion during a sack lunch here in the office. This coming Sabbath, Dr. Meredith will be recording a sermon audiotape for the Tomorrow's World television audience on the subject of "What is a True Christian?"
RECENT TELEVISION VIDEOTAPING
On November 10, Dr. Meredith videotaped two programs for Tomorrow's World, "What is a True Christian?" parts one and two. Mr. Richard Ames videotaped a program entitled "Is Their Life After Death?" Mr. Mario Hernandez taped two El Mundo de Mañana programs in Spanish that will be aired on Mexico City¹s Cambio radio station: "The Seven Thousand Year Plan" and "The Next Ten Centuries in Prophecy."
On November 17, Dr. Meredith videotaped two more programs, "Who Was the God of the Old Testament?" and "WHO is the Antichrist?" Mr. Ames videotaped the program entitled, "The Three Resurrections." Mr. Hernandez also taped two programs in Spanish: "The Kingdom of God and the Regeneration of the Earth" parts one and two.
The English television programs will air January 23 through February 27, 2000.
INTERNATIONAL
Australia:
Regional Director Bruce Tyler reports: "Mr. Michael Gill has recently been to visit the church in Adelaide and reports two new people attending as a result of the Tomorrow¹s World Program. Also, Mr. Dayrell Tanner informed me the same has occurred in Brisbane." He further states that he expects the same to happen in Perth and Auckland where the message is preached.
The Responses to each program continue to be positive, and evidence is that a number of these respondents are being called.
After seeing the plight of many of the people in some areas where we have recently travelled, you begin to realize more deeply just how desperately this world needs to have the Good News of Christ¹s return to save them and their families. "Satan¹s destructiveness and discouragement in their lives is very evident. And, just like the Israelites in Egypt, they cannot free themselves from their physical and spiritual . Only Christ can do that when He returns."
Summary of visit of Mr. Tyler and Mr. Rajan Moses to Myanmar & Thailand:
Saw Ley Beh and Thomas Tial Hoe (Elders) care for about 90 people in two different areas.
"On October 26th, Mr. Tyler and I (Rajan Moses) flew from Kuala Lumpur International airport to Yangon, Myanmar. We were welcomed by a group of church members and other church group leaders who have shown interest in our work. Later that day, we caught up with Saw Lay Beh, his wife Tial Hniang, and Miss June Aye, all from the Sa Khan Gyi. Also present were Thamas Tial Hoe (Elder of Chin Hills group), John Vaikia (deacon) and the "chief and founder of their Chin Hills village" Ni Dun a church member who is now 85 years old.
While in Myanmar Mr. Tyler spoke to the "Christian Literature Service" group in Yangon. Also while in Mae Sot, Thailand, Mr. Tyler and Mr. Moses visited with two church pastors one is the president of a large church organization in Thailand. They are reading our literature, and have a desire to learn more about the Living Church of God.
Philippines:
METRO-MANILA PUBLIC BIBLE LECTURES:
We had a good response, a total of 15 new guests, to the two Metro-Manila public Bible lectures held in Cavite on December 6 and Quezon City on December 13. We also have had many new inquiries by phone, fax and even email, requesting the Tomorrow's World magazine, as a result of their invitation to the lecture.
RADIO DZRJ IN MANILA
Good news! We just contacted this morning the offices of DZRJ to make final arrangements for a time slot for the Tomorrow's World radio program. They have offered us Saturday morning, 7:00 am to 7:30 am. They are giving us their "religious programming rate," a fraction of their commercial rate. It is quite affordable, considering the station covers Metro-Manila and even reaches into the provinces. Mr. de Guia will be going this afternoon to obtain a contract and deliver our demo tape. Airing is tentatively scheduled to begin December 4.
RADIO RESPONSES IN MINDANAO
We're beginning to get responses from our Visayan telecast in Mindanao, done by Mr. Tex Benitez (in the vernacular). He just faxed seven names and addresses to me yesterday, of radio listeners who want to be subscribers. Although this is just the beginning (we've only been on the air since August), he is getting more and more feedback of a growing audience of listeners, who like the program. Even the station manager says she is listening, and "memorizing the program titles!"
God is, by His Spirit, giving a witness in parts of the International area more powerfully than the past few years. God knows something we do not!!!
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Please announce the following making sure to clearly state:
The Bible Study Course announced at the Feast will not be sent automatically to the membership. Members must request it by directly contacting HQ or by returning the BSC card provided in the latest Tomorrow's World magazine.
The new booklets will be sent automatically to the membership, you need not request the booklets when announced if you are listed as a member on our file. A note for the Video Tapes Recipients for Video Groups and Church Elders not to be announced:
It has come to our attention that in a some areas tapes are not being made available—telecast and sermon tapes are not available for check out. Please note: Tapes should not be "held in reserve" indefinitely because you "might want to play them for church service." Holding a tape in reserve for more than a month should not be done unless the Area Pastor specifically directs otherwise for valid reasons.
Thought for the week:
Don¹t look for flaws as you go through life,
It is easy enough to find them.
It is wise to be kind, and sometimes blind,
Even flaws have some virtue behind them.
Have a great Sabbath!
CEMcNair