Greetings from Charlotte,
The first homosexual marriage in France took place this week, with the officiating mayor of Montpellier proclaiming, "This is a historic moment in your own lives… and a historic moment for our country." These are indeed historic times, much more than he can imagine! As the moral and religious confusion spreads, the urgency for God's Work done by His Church increases as well. This week, Dr. Roderick Meredith has been conducting meetings and writing. Mr. Dexter Wakefield just returned from a trip to the United Kingdom to view Church office operations there. Dr. Douglas Winnail is still in the U.K., and reports that the just-completed ministerial conference there was a success. Last week's Tomorrow's World Presentations in Nashville and Memphis resulted in 42 guests and there will be follow-ups this weekend. Also this weekend, there will be TWPs in Fresno, California; and in Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Dan Hall reports that his wife Nancy is back in a hospice facility, unable to eat, and growing weaker. Please beseech God for His intervention and mercy towards Mrs. Hall and others who are ill. And please continue to pray that God continues to move His Work forward in these last days!—Rod McNair
Church Administration
French Caribbean Update
I bring you warm greetings from the brethren in Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Maarten! This trip was not only successful, but also inspiring. The congregation in the southern part of Haiti continues to grow. I had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with 50 new people now attending services in l'Asile. The congregation in Petionville was deeply moved by the visit from Mr. Rod McNair, who spent the Sabbath with the brethren from the northern and southern parts of the country. Mr. McNair also had the opportunity to meet with congregation leaders during the rest of his visit. We are exploring the possibility of having online Bible studies in French and Creole.
On May 16, I met Mr. Mario Hernandez in Guadeloupe for his Tomorrow's World Presentation. Twenty-one people attended the presentation. Thirteen of the attendees were from our former association. After leaving Guadeloupe, Mr. Hernandez and I went to Martinique where Mr. Hernandez gave a Tomorrow's World Presentation on May 20. There were 46 people in attendance. Thirteen people attending the presentation are former members of the Worldwide Church of God in Martinique. We look forward to seeing more growth in the future. After leaving Martinique, Mr. Hernandez and I made a final stop to visit our brethren in St. Maarten before returning to Charlotte on May 24. Please continue to pray for our brethren in Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten so that the seeds that are being planted will continue to bring forth more fruit.—Wil Pierre
Successful Singles Weekend
Fifty-five singles from the United States and Canada participated in the fourth annual Carolina Singles Weekend, on a beautiful spring weekend in Charlotte, May 24 through May 27. The theme for the weekend was "Made in God's Image." Mr. Meredith delivered a sermon on the family, and Bible studies throughout the weekend focused on godly dating, love and respect, making good decisions, following Christ, and a question/answer session by Mr. Ames. Visitors were treated to delicious food prepared by the local Charlotte brethren and singles. The activity also featured a banquet and dance, whitewater rafting activity or winery tour, a cookout, and a hike in the park. Many thanks to local organizer Darren Brinson and the Charlotte singles for putting together a well-run and outstanding weekend!—Rod McNair
Living Youth Programs
Online Teen Bible Study—Friday Evening
The Bible study Friday evening, June 7, will be on "The True Church of God" and will be presented by Mr. Sheldon Monson. This will be the last online Teen Bible study until Friday, September 6.
If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for the online Bible studies yet, I encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath Day. The chat room is open at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) and the Bible study runs from 8:00-9:00 p.m. You can access the June 7 Bible study at livingyouth.org. We hope as many of our youth as possible will join us for this wonderful opportunity for godly fellowship and learning. For those of you who are unable to make it to the study, archives of previous Living Youth Bible studies, including last evening's on "Dating and Marriage," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Josh Penman
Missouri Pre-Teen Camp
This is beginning to look like the biggest year ever for the Missouri Pre-Teen Camp, and we are at our maximum possible capacity of campers! The more recent applications are still being reviewed and we expect to announce soon if there is any remaining room. If you have applied already and there is no more room, you will be notified and will be placed on a waiting list.
We still do have room for some volunteer staff. In particular, we have a vital need for a registered nurse for the camp. If anyone is a registered nurse and is interested in serving at the Missouri Pre-Teen Camp this year, please contact me as soon as possible at [email protected].—Wallace Smith
LYC 2013—Teen Camp Ohio
We would like to thank all those who have applied to serve at this camp. We have filled all staff positions and are accepting no more applications at this time. We have 82 girls and 71 boys who applied to attend as campers, in addition to the staff and mini-campers. This will be our largest camp ever! Plans are well underway for a challenging and exciting camp! If you have any questions or have not received notification regarding your acceptance, please contact us as soon as possible.—Sheldon Monson
Youth Program Donations
We have received a number of donations to help cover the cost of LYC camps in the United States. Also, several international scholarships and some domestic scholarships have been covered because of your generosity. Our pre-teen camps in Texas and Missouri are filled to capacity, as are the Adventure Camp and the Teen Camp in Ohio!
With such a large number of young people coming to our camps, additional expenses have been incurred. If you would still like to donate to the Youth Fund—to help a camper come to camp or to help with Youth Program expenses, your donations will be appreciated. Thanks for helping us to make the best possible camps available for our young people in God's Church!—Sheldon Monson
Media
Hong Kong TV Program
During his recent trip to Mississauga, Mr. Ames recorded three Tomorrow's World programs for Hong Kong, bringing our total number of programs recorded for the third season to ten and our total number of programs spanning three seasons to 60. We are currently airing reruns from the second season as we gear up to begin showing Season three in early September.
Season one aired 24 programs twice each, receiving 3,558 responses. Season two has seen responses to the program jump to 4,928. Since we began airing on June 4, 2011, the Hong Kong Web site has registered more than 27,000 visits.
We recently learned that the station which has been airing the telecast, HKTVB Pearl, has decided not to renew contracts for any religious programing. Reviewing their broadcast schedule confirmed this as we noticed that we were the only religious program left. However, we have been able to secure a time slot on the other major English station in Hong Kong, ATV World. This station has the same coverage as our previous station, but instead of airing at 8:55 on Saturday mornings, we will air 5 minutes later at 9:00 a.m. We will also be given four prime time and eight non-prime time promos each week. Our original contract terminates on June 29, while the new contract will take effect on July 6, meaning that we will not miss a single week of broadcasting! As an added blessing, this new station (again, with the same coverage as the old) was made available to us at a lower cost than the original station. We are very thankful to God for keeping the door open in this region and ask that you will continue to pray for the Work being done there and as well as in all regions of the world.—Marc Arseneault
Feast of Tabernacles
2013 Israel Feast Tour—Please Announce
Due to the large response to the announcement about a few spaces being available to attend the Israel Feast Tour in 2013, we now have enough people to add another tour coach. This new configuration of coaches for the Festival Tour will allow us to add a few more people while keeping the total number of passengers per coach comfortable. If you are interested, please e-mail Jim Meredith at [email protected] right away.
Costa Rica Festival Update
We are still accepting festival transfers to Costa Rica. If your Festival plans are not yet finalized, please consider Costa Rica for your 2013 Feast of Tabernacles destination. Costa Rica's exotic tropical setting and ocean views make it an idyllic millennial location where you can enjoy rest and relaxation—or adventure! The secluded white sandy beachfront location enables you to enjoy beautiful sunsets and refreshing swims in the pristine blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. All who enjoy the marvels of God's creation will find Costa Rica a fascinating place.
Flights to Costa Rica are less expensive than to other tropical destinations and the resort where the Feast is being held offers all-inclusive accommodations and a plethora of exciting activities! Go to the Festival microsite (fot2013.lcg.org) for additional information or contact Mr. James Sweat at 423-822-2970 or e-mail [email protected].—James Sweat
Human Resources
Employment Opportunity: Secretary/Clerk (Repeat Announcement)
The office of Legal Affairs and Risk Management is looking for someone to provide secretarial and clerical support in a busy administrative office. Duties include: research; working with and maintaining files and unique information databases; schedule and/or track events, deadlines, meetings and filings; assist field personnel; track contractual agreements and other documents; relieve administrator of typical clerical and administrative tasks. The ideal candidate is very organized and detail-oriented, able to work under pressure with moderate supervision, and has good communication skills. Familiarity with standard business concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field (i.e.: Business Administration, Law, Banking, Insurance, Nonprofit Management, Human Resources or Contract Administration) is helpful. This is a position of trust and involves a high level of confidentiality. An ideal applicant has some college and/or equivalent work experience (a minimum high school diploma with two years of administrative experience in a field will be considered). Experience as a secretary or clerk would be helpful, but is not required. A more complete job description is available upon request. This job is in Charlotte, NC. The Church will pay for reasonable moving expenses. Applicant must meet the legal requirements to work in the United States. Résumés / CVs may be sent to Human Resources: e-mail [email protected], or fax to 704-844-1973.
Comments
Learning by Suffering
When trials come upon us, sometimes it is very difficult to "count it all joy" (James 1:2). Pain is not pleasant, whether we ourselves suffer or whether it is someone we love. In such times, it is crucial to remember why we are here in the first place—we are qualifying to live and rule in God's Kingdom! This life is only a training ground and laboratory for instruction in righteousness. We live our life in a temporary "tent" (2 Peter 1:14), which lasts only a short time. God uses a lifetime of lessons to teach us faith and trust, as He creates His character in us. Even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, "learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). If you are in trials, remember that God sees everything and knows exactly what you are going through. He will never allow you to be "tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). He has a plan and purpose for you, which brings tremendous comfort!
Have an encouraging and inspiring Sabbath,
Rod McNair
News and Prophecy—May 30, 2013
Germany's Star Is on the Rise: In a recent study conducted for the BBC by GlobeScan and PIPA, more than 26,000 people in nations around the globe were interviewed to learn about their views of other nations (BBC, May 23, 2013). This has been a recurring study since 2005. Over the last year, opinions of China, India, Japan, Russia and the United States have deteriorated, while views of the United Kingdom and France have improved (ibid.). Of the 22 nations asked about in the survey, interviewees reported seeing Germany in the most positive light—except in Greece (ibid.). Germany, Canada and the U.K. were the three most positively viewed nations, while North Korea, Pakistan, and Iran were viewed most negatively, along with Israel. Views of the EU as a positive force have also fallen, especially within Germany (ibid.). Bible prophecy indicates that a powerful European Beast power will come on the scene at the end of the age (Daniel 11:40-43). This Beast will be given power and authority by surrounding nations (see Revelation 17) and will be dominated by Assyria (Germany) (Isaiah 10:5-11; Hosea 2:5-13; 5:13; Ezekiel 23:5, 9). But, after Christ returns, the Germans—who will have been the "rod" of God's anger—will become a leading nation for peace in God's Kingdom (Isaiah 19:23-25). For more information on this fascinating topic, read our article "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"
China Takes Advantage of U.S. Complacency: Chinese hackers recently gained access to multiple advanced key U.S. weapons systems, which could be extremely harmful to the U.S. in the future. This espionage could "… give China knowledge that could be exploited in a conflict, such as the ability to knock out communications and corrupting data… It also could speed China's development of its defense technology" (Reuters, May 28, 2013). Despite this recent event, "U.S. National Security Adviser Tom Donilon has pushed for stronger military relations with China… he emphasized that nontraditional military activities such as peacekeeping, disaster relief and anti-piracy operations offer opportunities to boost cooperation and 'contribute to greater mutual confidence and understanding'" (Washington Post, May 29, 2013). How can the U.S. ignore this attack? The Bible predicted long ago that disobedience would cause the U.S. and other Israelite nations to become increasingly imprudent, and that they would promote rulers lacking experience (Isaiah 3:4, 12). They would be "like a silly dove, without sense" (Hosea 7:11). Instead of repenting and turning to God for success, they turn to their "lovers" or other nations for prosperity and a false peace (Ezekiel 16:15-34). God will then use those nations to punish and destroy rebellious and faithless Israel (v. 35-43). If the U.S. and its Israelite allies (e.g., Britain and Australia) fail to turn from their lawless ways, they will continue to be sabotaged and ultimately will be destroyed by their "lovers." For more information, watch our telecast, "America and Britain in Prophecy."
Boy Scouts Crucial Vote: The Boy Scout Oath begins, "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God…" Last week, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) voted to reverse a long-held policy banning openly homosexual youth from membership—a move its chief executive called "compassionate, caring and kind" (New York Times, May 23, 2013). Beginning in January 2014, youth openly identifying as homosexual can participate in the Scouts, potentially leading to an exodus by many Scouting families. Homosexual Scout leadership was not addressed in the vote, but activists have threatened lawsuits and other actions—pushing the issue until homosexual Scout leaders are also allowed in (ibid.). Interestingly, the socially conservative Mormon church also gave "tacit approval" to the change (NBC News, April 26, 2013). Compassion, caring and kindness should be directed toward everyone. But, even in His compassion and caring, Christ commanded sinners to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11). Christ loved the sinner, but never condoned the sin. Sadly, few children are taught these godly values today. The recent BSA vote demonstrates the power of societal pressure and moral relativism. People want to worship God their way instead of as He wants to be worshiped. God prophesied, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). God speed the time when all children will be taught right from wrong! That will totally change society for the better!—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway and Ben Whitfield