From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear fellow servants of Christ,
It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce the new members of the Council of Elders! Some weeks ago, I told you that we had for years planned for a regular rotation. Normally, the term was to be two years—though we let it go by and it ended up being two and one-half years this time. But now, Messrs. Rodger Bardo, Martin Fannin and Sheldon Monson are appointed to the Council of Elders. Each of them brings various strengths and diverse backgrounds. So this should be a good help in our discussions. Each of them has served quite a long time—Mr. Bardo, for instance, being one of the very first elders to come with us back in the early 1990s and helping hold together the Orange County church when the "split" occurred in 1998. Mr. Monson, like Jonathan McNair, brings a youthful experience and has also been heavily involved in the youth programs and summer camps. So he should be able to bring that background and experience into the Council. Mr. Fannin has been with us quite a long time and has served so faithfully in the Knoxville, TN area and we are glad to have his experience also as a former successful businessman and leader in his own right before joining the Work fulltime.
Let us all pray fervently for these men and their wives in this new responsibility! And—as I stated in my last memo about this—we will plan to continue this rotation process every two years so that a greater number of you may have this opportunity, and that the Council may have a broader input from diverse points of view. Again, thanks so much for the dedicated, loyal and thoughtful help given by the recent Council members who are being replaced! Every one of you "did well," and we may invite you back on the Council again in years to come as this rotation process continues.
Brethren, some of you may have heard, but our average church attendance around the world has gone up approximately 5% for the first six months of 2009, compared to the same period last year—the U.S. attendance increasing by 5.7% in June 2009 compared to June 2008! We are very thankful for this and for the ever larger number of "GoTos" that are coming in as well. God is blessing His Work though we do need to pray earnestly about the income as it is dragging somewhat since we are still in this unusual recession affecting so much of the world
But our Father in heaven knows that we really are trying to do it "right." He will be with us as we serve Him with our whole hearts, continue to really do the Work and get the message to the world, and walk with Him every day of our lives. Let us all pray fervently and lovingly for one another and for the Work.
Your brother in Christ,
Roderick C. Meredith
Church Administration
Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been another busy week in the recording studio. Mr. Meredith taped an additional lecture for his Living University class on the Gospels. Mr. Rod King taped a new Tomorrow's World television program, #359, titled, "Bring Back the Family." He offered the booklets God's Plan for Happy Marriage and Successful Parenting. Dr. Germano and I taped lectures for LU classes. Dr. Germano recorded introductory lectures for the Church History and Epistles of Paul classes. I recorded lectures on the first two chapters of the book of Romans for the Epistles of Paul class. Mr. Meredith has been writing and conducted a LU Board meeting on Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Crockett have returned from profitable visits with congregations in Seattle, Washington and in Alaska. My wife and I will be travelling this weekend to the Washington, DC area for the Sabbath, where I will conduct a mini-conference for the leaders in that area.
Healing
Mr. Yvon Brochu, Quebec City (Canada) Area Pastor, reports: As it had been decreed by Mr. Meredith for all Church members, God's Church in Quebec City were fasting together on the Sabbath of March 28. We listened to the French translation of Mr. Meredith's sermon about healing titled, "Developing an Atmosphere of Faith." At the end of the service, during the final song, an amazing healing took place for a lady who has been attending for more than a year, and who had been baptized only few days before. Twelve years ago, she had a stroke that left her left side paralyzed for a while. In time, things improved, but she was still having difficulty walking normally and keeping her balance. Even though she was able to move them, her left arm and leg were still feeling heavy, with very low sensitivity in them. During the closing song, she felt a warm sensation in her arm and leg. She pinched her left arm and felt it right away. After the closing prayer she was all joy, telling us what was happening and, while walking toward us, she suddenly realized that she had no more problems with her balance. God had just manifested His loving presence among us, on that same day, when we were fasting for faith and healing.
Springdale, Arkansas, Tomorrow's World Special Presentation
Mr. Rick Stafford reports: Twenty-six enthusiastic brethren hosted 36 guests (5% response) for the TW Lecture in Springdale (Fayetteville area) last Sunday. Three additional families called to express their regrets for not being able to attend, but exclaimed that they were very happy to discover that there was a local congregation, and that they would be attending with us on each Sabbath. We are happy to report that 20% (10 persons) of the previous week's Lecture joined us for services in Ft. Smith this Sabbath. Also, as the weeks go by, other attendees "drop in" to visit us for the first time and many say that they are planning to return regularly.
Philippines Update
Mr. Felipe Casing, Davao Area Pastor, reports: Terrorist bombings in selected areas in Mindanao continue. Our economy is still suffering and more inhabitants move from the provinces to urban areas for refuge and support from relatives. Sadly, the provinces are being used for sanctuary camps by the rebels, which puts the locals and farmers at risk. Recently, a bomb exploded in front of a church building in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, leaving dozens injured and many dead. There are also rumors indicating that the bombings and kidnappings are by the outlawed Abu Sayyap, and other organized crime groups. It is said that they may be targeting Christian groups. If this rumor is true, it could trigger a religious conflict in Mindanao and endanger Christians travelling to Muslim dominated areas.
Amidst the turmoil, God's people are doing fine and continue to work in their businesses and on their farms. In some places in Cotabato province, at harvest time when crops are ready for sale or milling for food, armed groups show up and ask for produce. If the farmer is unwilling or tries to fight back, he is shot with an automatic machine gun. So it is best to just hand it over. In spite of the banditry, crop failure and typhoon damage, the brethren in Davao are all doing fine and, so far, unaffected directly. We are really happy and thankful for God's protection. It makes all the difference since we lean on the power from the Almighty God.
Sri Lanka Update
Mr. Zig Svalbe, Sri Lanka Area Pastor, reports: On July 10, from my home in Melbourne, I held the first Internet Bible Study for the Sri Lankan brethren, lasting 45 minutes. The subject was 2 Timothy 1…. A laptop I left in Colombo was set up with Skype and the audio output was fed into the congregation's sound system…. the audio quality and the outcome "exceeded all expectations." The tentative plan is to hold a BS once a month on the first Sabbath of every month. These Bible studies will be very valuable, because it will give me the opportunity to address subjects that are needed by the congregation, as well as have a more regular presence as the Church pastor.
Feast of Tabernacles 2009
Feast of Tabernacles CDs: If you will not be able to attend the Feast and will need the festival sermon CDs, please register online right away as "Unable to Attend USA" or "Unable to Attend Canada." Those living outside the United States and Canada should submit their request for festival sermon CDs to their area pastor, who will then forward it to the Church Administration Department ([email protected]). Festival Advisors, please assist those without Internet access, who will need CDs, to register right away as "unable to attend"! Last year we sent Feast sermon CD sets to 367 shut-ins around the world. This is an extremely important service.
Feast Volunteers: With only eight weeks until Opening Night 2009, we hope your festival plans are going well. Our coordinators are busy putting together their manpower lists and activity and service crews. You should be hearing soon, if you haven't already, from your festival site coordinator or department head about the service you volunteered for, and may be asked to serve at the Feast this year.—Festival Office
Living University
Living University classes begin one week from this coming Monday—on Monday, August 17. For those interested in enhancing their Bible knowledge and learning directly from some of God's long-time Bible teachers, now is the time to register for classes. The cost of a three-credit course is minimal when compared to colleges and universities of the world, but the spiritual benefits to you will be tremendous! For those who are NOT interested in pursuing a college degree, but who ARE interested in furthering personal understanding, our Open Learning program is just for you.
THL 111—Biblical Writing Basics: As we prepare to be teachers in God's Kingdom and work to develop and put into practice our God-given talents today, we must be able to effectively communicate our thoughts and ideas both orally and in a written manner. Additionally, as you desire to improve yourself and use Living University to help you grow spiritually, you will be asked to express what you learn though the "written word." In order to become a more powerful instrument in God's hands (Romans 6:13) and be more successful in your future LU courses, it is important to develop good writing skills. This course is designed to help you improve your writing skills, so that you can more clearly articulate and teach God's Way and His principles to others and become a more valuable asset to God's end-time Work.
For more information and to register for classes, please visit our website at www.livinguniv.com. For additional questions call Dr. Scott Winnail at 1-704-844-1960, ext. 304.
Comments
Prove Your Beliefs: Many today assume that simply "believing in Jesus" and "accepting Him into your heart" are all that is required to be a Christian. However, the Bible teaches differently! The Scriptures warn us that false teachers will also talk about believing in Jesus and will deceive many people (Matthew 24:3-5; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4). The Apostle Paul advised Christians to "Test [examine carefully, scrutinize] all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Paul states that our faith should be based on substance (confident assurance, solid ground) and on evidence (proof, reality) that can be assembled, examined and understood (Hebrews 11:1)—not just one person's opinion or emotional arguments and feelings. Luke writes that the early Christians' belief in the resurrection of Jesus was based on "many infallible proofs" of many witnesses seeing Jesus alive after His crucifixion (Acts 1:1-3). Josephus, the famous Jewish historian in the first century AD writes, "Jesus… [was] condemned to the cross… [yet] he appeared alive to them on the third day" (The Antiquity of the Jews, 18:3:3). Peter emphasized that the apostles were eyewitnesses to the things they were teaching (2 Peter 1:16), and that Christians should be able to give sound reasons for their beliefs (1 Peter 3:15). Paul confidently provided a defense for his beliefs (Acts 26). If we take time to carefully prove what we believe and understand the evidence upon which our beliefs rest, we, too, should be able to confidently defend and explain what we believe to anyone!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 6, 2009
India's Next Nuclear Step. India recently launched its first domestically-made nuclear submarine. The Indian president and press broadcast their excitement over this event far and wide. This nuclear-powered sub has the capability to carry nuclear missiles widely (Trinidad Express, July 27, 2009). India already has nuclear weapons, so adapting the sub to carry them will be relatively easy. In the past, Pakistan has followed India's nuclear ambitions. Time will tell just how Pakistan responds to this latest development in India. Bible prophecies foretell that at the end of the great tribulation, a powerful conglomeration of nations, boasting a 200 million-man army, will converge upon Jerusalem and the Beast power from the east. This surging horde will destroy one-third of mankind (Revelation 9:13-16; Daniel 11:44). It is possible and likely that India will contribute to this unprecedented military force. Although recent events in India are a sobering reminder of God's prophesied wrath at the end of the age, they should also be an exciting reminder that Christ's second coming is getting closer—a time of unprecedented peace. God's people must watch world events so they are not caught unaware (Matthew 24:42-47). They must also actively live the life of a true Christian and pray that they are counted worthy to escape the great tribulation ahead (Luke 21:36).
Desecrating the Bible in Scotland. "A publicly funded exhibition is encouraging people to deface the Bible in the name of art—and visitors have responded with abuse and obscenity." The Metropolitan Community Church of Glasgow initially proposed the idea of placing a Bible in the museum for people to write on. Their thought was to somehow "reclaim the Bible as a sacred text." However, to the surprise and the horror of many, the public response has been hatred toward the Bible. For example, one museum patron wrote on the first page of Genesis, "I am Bi [bisexual], Female & Proud. I want no god who is disappointed in this." Contrasting the views of many, the director of the Christian Legal Centre commented: "This [art exhibit] is symbolic of the state of our broken and lawless society. We have got to a point where we call the desecration of the Bible modern art. The Bible stands for everything this art does not: for creation, beauty, hope and regeneration" (The Times, July 23, 2009). God warned that "pride goes before destruction" (Proverbs 16:18). God also warned that those who despise His statutes and commandments will reap profound negative consequences (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28). The Bible clearly teaches that the "carnal mind" is enmity (hostile) against God and "cannot" be subject to God's law (Romans 8:7). The recent art expo in Scotland underlines the accuracy of the Bible's powerful predictions about the God-hating attitudes of people during the end-times.
One Step Closer to Sacrifices. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, an organization dedicated to preparing for the re-implementation of the Temple rites and rituals, began building a sacrificial altar last week. Temple Institute director Yehudah Glick commented, "Unfortunately, we cannot currently build the altar in its proper place, on the Temple Mount. We are building an altar of the minimum possible size so that we will be able to transport it to the Temple when it is rebuilt." The Temple Institute has also reconstructed many of the implements for Temple service, including priestly vestments. They are preparing for the time when they hope that they will once again have free access to the Temple Mount, or at least to a portion of it (IsraelNationalNews.com, July 29, 2009). The prophet Daniel was inspired to give a specific prophecy regarding when the Messiah would return: 1,290 days from the time the "daily sacrifice" is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). In order for the daily sacrifices to be taken away or stopped, they must first be re-started! Jesus Christ also talked about this abomination of desolation and how it would signify the beginning of the great tribulation (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14). It is exciting to watch as the intricacies of God's end-time prophecies begin to unfold. As these events happen, our faith should also be strengthened, as we view the fulfillment of God's powerful promises. This also adds credence to a saying we have declared for many years, "watch the middle east!"—Scott Winnail, Sue Bennett and Phyllis Api