Greetings Everyone,
Some like it hot, some like it cold. Those who know Mr. Carl McNair's preference would easily understand why, at this time of the year, he left for Alaska. Personally, I would have chosen Hawaii. But one has to be where one is most needed at all times, n'est-ce pas? Undoubtedly, in his next week's Update, the CAD director well tell you all about his trip. I told him to be sure to keep really warm. I even offered him my French beret. That's why we form such a good team, he and I!
Here in San Diego, we are finalizing the preparations for the forthcoming Ministerial Conference, scheduled from Monday, February 4, to Wednesday, February 6. Mr. Meredith will have the agenda completed within the next few days. However, here is a summary of activities:
- Friday, February 1, Council of Elders meetings.
- Monday, February 4 to Wednesday 6, Ministerial Conference all day.
- Thursday, February 7, Meetings with some of the International ministers.
Most of the visiting ministers and their wives will be returning home on Thursday, to be in their respective areas for Sabbath services.
FROM MEDIA OPERATIONS
Mr. Richard Ames reports:
Last Wednesday, Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames taped four new Tomorrow's Worldtelecasts:
- #131 - Mr. Meredith - "Successful Marriage"
(offering "Build a Joyous Marriage" - airs April 21)
- #132 - Mr. Meredith - "The Beast is Rising"
(offering "The Beast of Revelation" - airs April 28)
- #133 - Mr. Ames - "Signs of the Second Coming"
(offering "Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return"
- airs May 5)
- #134 - Mr. Ames - "Godly Success"
(offering a one-hour audiotape - airs May 12)SUNDRY NEWS IN BRIEF
From the Executive Office: Mr. Meredith has written a new co-worker letter, which is being mailed today. The letter contains an encouraging report about the Church Media outreach, and an update regarding the Church Web site.
From Vanuatu: "I have just got back from Vanuatu and a trip around NZ's North Island where I was able to visit most of our groups. It's a drive of about 1,500 miles but I had good weather and safe roads for all of the trip. I will write a report for you later today (or soon, anyway). Kinnear Penman.
From Europe: Quite a few of our brethren in Europe seem to be suffering from the flu. It The inconsistent damp and cold weather appears to be largely responsible for it. Please pray for them.
From Frans Peeters: Greetings from the Netherlands! We have had a LCG web site in Dutch. www.wereldvanmorgen.org for about a year now. There also is a "contact us" form at 208.188.206.141_nl_reageren.htm.
From Douglas Winnail: Greetings from Ireland! The trip to Kenya went very well. Last Sabbath we had about 130 people for a TW lecture, and the same number for a Sabbath service in western Kenya. Many of the people who attend in that region are coming out of a SDA background, and they are really excited about learning the truth. Mr. Owino did a simultaneous translation of my lecture and sermon into the Luo language. The local church choir provided special music. The ladies served a lunch between the lecture and the service. We were able to spend time talking with those who attended. We also brought a number of mosquito nets for the brethren…
Upon returning to Nairobi we spent a day and a half looking for an apartment that Mr. & Mrs. Owino can use for a dwelling and for a church office. God helped us in our search, as we located a property near to where the church meets. It should be easily accessible to the brethren and is convenient to public transportation and the city center. The property managers also agreed to reduce the price! It is encouraging to see what is happening to God's Church in Kenya.
From Don Davis
Remember—we are only 240 days away from the Feast of Tabernacles! (I wonder why he is not reminding us, first, about the Passover which is only 60 days away—DKA)
CONCLUSION
This year, the forthcoming Ministerial Conference will have a special meaning and an additional importance because of the unbelievable events of September 11th 2001. Those events dramatically changed peoples' expectations in life and their outlook toward the future. Are we, as members of God's Church, ready to face the soon-coming calamities that are clearly prophesied in the Bible—and are happening speedily?
A few weeks ago, my mind was filled with such thoughts as I was working on a sermon. Are we strong enough—and resilient—to cope with the forthcoming events? To take up the challenge and to stand firm? Resiliency is a word we rarely use, yet it holds the key to our survival. Resiliency without fear and compromise. Resiliency to accept change with courage when change is necessary. Resiliency to adapt ourselves to the circumstances without losing our beliefs and our faith. We seriously need to ask ourselves these questions when contemplating the future (James 4:13-17).
Webster defines resiliency as "the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change." Food for thought! We must be resilient enough to bend but not break.
Some of you will be on your way to San Diego before receiving next week's Update. If you are in that group, BON VOYAGE! We are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Y'all have a wonderful Sabbath.
Dibar Apartian