Greetings from Charlotte,
We have had a very busy and stimulating week with all four of the television presenters at the office. Mr. Rod King, Mr. Wallace Smith and Mr. Mario Hernandez all taped new Tomorrow's World television programs this week. Mr. King recorded a program titled, "Jerusalem: City of Peace?" which offers the booklet The Middle East in Prophecy. Mr. Wallace Smith taped two programs, "Seven Signs of the Antichrist" (offering the booklet on the Antichrist) and "Diagnosis: Christianity," offering The Big Picture DVD. Mr. Smith also taped two promotional videos for our Internet effort. We also had a brief visit by Mr. Rees Ellis, the Area Pastor for Belgium, to work out with Mr. Apartian more details of the return of the Belgian congregation to the Living Church of God. At our weekly executive luncheon, Mr. Meredith led a discussion about more effective ways for reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Last Sabbath, I had a very encouraging visit at a combined service with the West Virginia congregations. On Sunday at their home, Mr. and Mrs. Shumway hosted a mini-conference that Mr. Shumway and I conducted for leaders in that area. A number of new people attended the Tomorrow's World Bible lecture that Mr. Martin Fannin conducted last Sabbath in Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Fannin will conduct another lecture on December 5 the in Blairsville, Georgia area. Your prayers for these lectures are much appreciated.
Church Administration
A Zeal for God's Work
Marc Arseneault at the Canadian regional office reports: Knowing that the mailing of the Semi-Annual letter was approaching, the Canadian office was in need of labourers. We announced in our local bulletin that we needed volunteers. The response was overwhelming, as more than 30 brethren responded to the call. Some drove more than an hour and a half. Others took time off work, while others came after working their night shift. The family of God was at work and, as a result, we were able to prepare 24,363 semi-annual letters within two days with time to spare that allowed us to process more than 1,300 booklets and DVDs, and add stickers to more than 400 Bible Study Course lessons. What a pleasure to see people of like-mind working together in harmony, following instruction and providing the zeal required to preach the Gospel to this nation! The Canadian Office staff is very grateful that God provided the labourers and we would like to deeply thank all of those involved. Zeal for the Work is a wonderful reflection of God's Spirit and it was shown by the effort of all.
West Virginia Regional Conference
Mr. Paul Shumway reports: Last Sabbath, more than 90 brethren, from the West Virginia and Bristol, Virginia, congregations combined for services in Beckley, West Virginia. There were four new individuals present. Dr. Winnail gave a moving presentation titled, What's Ahead for America? Everyone returned for part II after a lovely lunch together. On Sunday, 20 of the leaders met for a mini-conference. It was a truly inspiring and moving weekend! One highlight was seeing God's wonderful blessings. Sabbath and Sunday had beautiful, sunny weather sandwiched between rainy, cloudy days just before and after (it began raining on Sunday night, after everyone left).
Tomorrow's World Bible Lecture in Asheville, North Carolina
Mr. Martin Fannin reports that seven new people attended the TW Bible Lecture in Asheville on Saturday, November 21. A number of factors appeared to contribute to the lower-than-expected attendance—an annual Christmas parade in Asheville and a highway closure in the area that made traffic movement extremely difficult. Another lecture is planned for December 5 the in Blairsville, Georgia area. On a positive note, fruit is still being borne by the TW Bible Lectures from last February and March. In Asheville, three of the 15 who came have continued to attend and one has been baptized. In Blairsville, 12 of the 41 who came continue to attend and four have been baptized.
Ireland Update
Mr. Henry Cooper reports that the number of visitors to the third lecture in Dublin, on September 12, was seven. He writes, "Curiously, we have had word from a few people who did not attend the lectures, but the invitation spurned them into contacting us anyway. One man who has become a regular attendee at Church received The Plain Truth (and later, Tomorrow's World) since 1972 or so. Another has continuously received the magazine for 21 years from age 15. Never give up!"
Kenya Update
Mr. Simon Muthama reports: We had a positive Sabbath service in Sultan Hamud with 12 brethren in attendance on November 14. On Tuesday, November 17, we had a Bible study with three men in Limuru, Central Province. This weekend [November 21] I will be in Embu for Sabbath service. The Work of God continues to grow in East Africa. More and more requests are coming in from all provinces of Kenya and Ukerewe (in Tanzania), and parts of Uganda. Most of the requests are from the former members of WCG.
Comments
What Are You Thankful For? Today, we live in a world where many are obsessed with getting our rights—getting what we feel we are entitled to or what someone else owes us! Yet, the Scriptures emphasize the importance of being thankful for what God provides (Psalm 95:2; 100:4). The Apostle Paul reflects this grateful attitude by being thankful "for all things" (Ephesians 5:20), for the gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 9:15), for being in the ministry and for daily food (1 Timothy 1:12; 4:3) and for those God calls to His truth (Romans 1:8). Paul mentions that prayerful requests should be made with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). James states that we should even be grateful for trials that help us grow (James 1:2-4). However, Paul warns that unthankfulness—especially for the opportunity to know the true God and His Truth—is a trait of the unrighteous (Romans 1:18-21). When was the last time you took time to sit down and make a list of what you have to be thankful for—and then expressed your thanks directly to your Creator? This Sabbath would be a good time to make that list!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—November 25, 2009
The Vision of EU's New Leaders. Last Thursday evening, behind closed doors, 27 EU leaders appointed a new European President—Belgium's Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy—and Foreign Minister, EU Trade Commissioner for Britain, Lady Cathy Ashton. These relatively little-known individuals have just been placed in two very powerful positions for the next 2.5 years. Tony Blair was apparently not chosen because of "a clear consensus among EU leaders that they wanted more of a chairman than a presidential figure." This consensus has led to Van Rompuy being called a "puppet" (Guardian.co.uk, November 20, 2009). In his initial press conference, the in-coming EU President noted that the work of the EU will now develop over the long-term and must remember its roots. He also began directing world perspectives toward global governance, remarking "2009 is also the first year of global governance with the establishment of the G20 in the middle of the financial crisis. The climate conference in Copenhagen is another step toward the global management of our planet" (BBC News [live speech broadcast], November 20, 2009). Scripture indicates that the European Beast power will initially be involved in a broad-based confederation of nations that will transcend the boundaries of Europe (Psalm 83:5-8, Daniel 9:27). It appears that Mr. Van Rompuy's comments begin to point many in that prophesied direction.
Africans Are Uniting. In 1967, the East African Community (EAC) of nations debuted, collapsing 10 years later. In 1999, three African nations began a European-style common market, which has now grown to five. Last week, "The presidents of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda signed the East Africa common market protocol in the Northern Tanzanian town of Arusha, at a ceremony coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the East African Community's (EAC's) revival. The protocol is expected to come into force in July 2010… " The 126-million-strong trade block was created to stabilize and improve trade and the economies of member nations. The new protocol will also allow for the free travel and residence of all citizens within the region. Plans include the completion of a monetary union by 2012, a trans-national railroad by 2013, and eventually a political union (Telegraph.co.uk, November 22, 2009). In an era of global ethnic struggles, regional trade unions are very popular. From the leading example of the European Union, we now see regional relationships in South East Asia, South America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and now Africa. Although not every one of these "nation confederations" is directly mentioned in the Bible, the Scriptures do mention confederacies in Europe (king of the north), the Middle East (king of the south) and some type of confederation likely including China and Russia (kings from the east) – see Daniel 11 and Revelation 16:12). The recent news from East Africa appears to fit the pattern of end-time Bible prophecy.
Atheism Is Growing. Many modern atheists are highly educated and have fallen away from an earlier belief in God. Across U.S. college campuses, atheist student groups are growing in number and popularity. In 2007, there were 80 such groups. In 2008, the number rose to 100 and this year the number is 174. Many student atheists are older and at the post-graduate level. They have moved away from a belief in God to a belief in science and logic. Most are also "peaceful" and seeking to do kindness to others. Yet others are more militant, espousing ideas like "there are certain ideas about religion that can't be tolerated." Many also feel the need to congregate with others of like mind. According to the recent National Study of Youth and Religion, more than 75% of adolescents surveyed believed in God, but that number dropped by 7% when they became young adults (AP, November 22, 2009). Today, many want an easy way of life–one in which they feel no responsibility or obligation to anyone or anything. Paul observed that there are some who are "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). This characterizes many atheists. Many atheists also are reacting to the inconsistencies that they see in mainstream Christianity, which are based in unbiblical teachings. Won't it be wonderful when the Truth is made clear to all who want to know? God speed that day!—Scott Winnail, Joe Brown and James Ginn