Greetings from Charlotte,
Those of us here in Charlotte have been preparing for this year's Family Weekend, which began Thursday night. Seminars will cover: teens, young singles, more mature singles, and people who are married. This week, Dr. Meredith spent a good amount of time preparing his message for the live Sabbath Service transmission, where we expect somewhere around 750 to 800 to be in attendance, along with several thousand tuned in over the Internet. We encourage people to "share" the posts about the Charlotte Family Weekend live special Sabbath Service on Facebook. Mr. Mario Hernandez and Mr. Cristian Orrego return tonight from Guatemala from a teen camp. New Zealand is also conducting a teen camp for about 57 campers and staff—see the announcement below for more information. And South Africa will be holding its teen camp over the next few days. These camps are wonderful training grounds for our young people and the staff that serve them. They make for a great laboratory to learn lessons of organization and service. Jonathan McNair hosted a leadership conference in Pennsylvania that was attended by about 40 men and wives. Dr. Winnail came back with a glowing report on how it went. Responses to the semi-annual letter are coming into our regional offices at a steady pace.—GEW
Church Administration
Instructions To Watch "The Future of God's Work," Special Live Charlotte Sabbath Service, Bible Study and Seminars
Thank you if you registered to watch the live, December 24 special Sabbath Service at which Dr. Meredith will give the sermon. This helps us in our planning, and also lets us send a brief reminder e-mail with further instructions to those who registered. To view the live Sabbath Service, simply go to tomorrowsworld.org or lcg.org and click on the banners advertising the service. Or, you can go directly to tomorrowsworld.org/the-future-of-gods-work. As previously noted, we will be offering simultaneous translation into French and Spanish. Our primary broadcast will be over YouTube and we will also be streaming on Roku. You will not need a password to watch the special, live Sabbath Service. If you can watch a YouTube video, then you will be able to watch this live Sabbath service. However, the Friday seminars and Bible Study and Sports Day on Sunday will require passwords. To access these videos, please log in to your "MyLCG" account where you will find login instructions and the required passwords.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Tomorrow's World Presents in Wilmington, North Carolina
Stirring our urgent desire to do God's Work with zeal, Jesus told His disciples that they would not have gone through the cities of Israel before He returns (Matthew 10:23). In an effort to bring good news to a world with a decreasing appetite for a godly way of life, Tomorrow's World presentations were given in Florence, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, in the last two weeks— cities where we do not currently have congregations. The seeds of Truth were planted in Wilmington to 32 visitors with 33 members, most of whom traveled hours to help in this very rewarding aspect of God's Work. The outpouring of interest expressed by our visitors for continued local Bible Studies and the prospect of a local congregation was most encouraging. Thank you for your prayers for the success of the Tomorrow's World presentations all over the earth, as we continue to proclaim the wonderful news of God's coming Kingdom!—James Sweat
Northeast Leadership Conference
Deer Park Camp and Retreat was the location for a Northeast Leadership Conference over the weekend of December 16. We were privileged to have Dr. Douglas Winnail, evangelist and Director of Church Administration, with us as our keynote speaker. Thirty-nine dedicated servants of God braved the frigid Eastern Pennsylvania temperatures to attend the introductory session on Friday night, featuring presentations by Dr. Winnail and Regional Pastor Jonathan McNair. The Sabbath featured morning Sabbath services and, in the afternoon, additional lectures on the importance of teamwork and sound doctrine by Dr. Winnail, and "raising the bar" in service to our brethren, by Mr. McNair. Sunday morning's session included lectures on building an atmosphere of faith, the lost key to Bible prophecy, qualities of great teachers and keys to personal growth. Nutritious meals throughout the weekend were provided by our ladies. We also enjoyed the opportunity to fellowship with brethren from around the region that we seldom get to spend time with. The overall impression from everyone was that the conference was rewarding and inspiring, providing valuable information with unique experiences towards our goal of becoming more dedicated servants and leaders in our congregations.—Wayne Tlumak
Kansas City Family Weekend Next Weekend!
It's next weekend—the KC Family Weekend starts on Friday, December 30, and runs through Sunday, January 1. Friday night's Bible study begins at 7:30 p.m. The Saturday morning Bible Study begins at 10:00, and Sabbath Services start at 1:30 p.m.
If you've signed up to eat the catered dinner, please pay for it via the PayPal link on the KC Weekend Web site. Please submit your payment by tomorrow, December 25. We have to submit final numbers next week and need an accurate count of those who have paid. E-mail [email protected] if you're sending a check in the mail prior to this deadline, so we can account for your payment.
For a complete schedule and maps to the hotel and activities, visit our Web site at kclcg.org (not an official LCG Web site). Then click "KC Family Weekend." Parts of the site are password-protected and "security" (all lowercase) is the password. We look forward to seeing you next weekend!—Michael Keesee
Northeast Spring Holy Day Family Weekend—Repeat Announcement
In 2017, the Northeast Region will again host our annual Spring Holy Day Family Weekend at Frost Valley YMCA facility in the Catskills Mountains of New York, from Friday, April 14, through Monday, April 17. In keeping with the spirit of the Days of Unleavened Bread, our focus and theme will be "The Better Way." For three days, we'll practice "extreme fellowship," drawing closer to brethren young and old through worship, learning and shared meals. Together, we'll practice the way of harmony that Christ taught His disciples—through activities, music and fun. If you would like to join us, then you're welcome! Stay tuned for more information!—Jonathan McNair
Canadian Family Civic Weekend: August 4-7, 2017—Repeat Announcement
Be sure to mark your calendars! You are invited to the first Canadian Family Civic Weekend (CFCW) from Friday, August 4, to Monday, August 7. Come join us for a Dinner/Dance on a five-mast ship taking in the city skyline of Toronto, walking through a piece of both Canadian and American history, and discovering Ontario's wine region. Activities will also include a trip to the Fort George Historic Site and a board game night. This weekend will provide brethren with a wonderful opportunity to draw closer through seminars, Bible studies, activities and fellowship.
If you are interested in attending, for more information and to register, please send an e-mail to Timothy Dranov at [email protected].—Michael Heykoop
Living Youth Program
Living Youth Camp in New Zealand
The Living Youth Camp in Waihi Beach has gotten off to a great start. The 57 campers and staff have come from several countries, including Australia, the Philippines, Vanuatu, and the USA. All 27 campers have embraced the camp theme: "Finding Favour with God and Man." Well-received daily Christian Living classes have covered important topics relevant to the youth, to better equip them to combat the pressures faced in everyday life. Activities include basketball, cricket, team-building, dance, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and river kayaking. We also plan to watch Dr. Meredith's live sermon, which will be at 8:00 a.m. Sunday here in New Zealand.
Five campers, two from Vanuatu and three from Australia, are so grateful to those who have donated to the Morgan Montgomery fund, which made their dream to attend camp a reality. The two campers from Vanuatu also experienced a miracle which has been an inspiring lesson for all of us. A regrettable mix-up resulted in their visas arriving three days too late for them to make their flight to camp and the tickets were non-refundable. All seemed lost and the two young people were deeply disappointed. When the visas finally arrived, we decided to call the airline and explain the situation, although they had no obligation to help in any way. To our surprise, they said they would honour the missed flight and they charged only the difference in price! The two campers wept with joy. When they arrived at camp, they were overwhelmed with hugs from their fellow campers. What seemed impossible to man was possible with God. The campers witnessed the power of God to open doors that no one can shut.—Rob Tyler
Friday Evening Online Teen Bible Studies
The Friday evening online Teen Bible Studies on December 23 and 30 were cancelled because of the Family Weekend activities in Charlotte and Kansas City. The next online Teen Bible Study will be Friday evening, January 6. However, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Living University
Register for Second Semester Now!
Just over two weeks remain to register for Spring semester classes. Those interested in taking classes this semester should register as soon as possible to order textbooks and be prepared for the start of classes on January 11, 2017. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first (online), and then register for your selected course. For a listing of classes being offered this semester, visit our "Spring 2017 Class Schedule" link on the Living University Web site. Those age 65 and above are eligible to audit one class per semester without a tuition fee. High school students interested in taking LU classes while in high school can register for the Early College program and take classes at a significantly reduced rate. Brethren in many developing nations are also eligible for a 50 percent reduction in tuition. For a list of nations that qualify for this tuition break, visit the ISI Web site: https://www.isi-web.org/index.php/resources/developing-countries. To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com Web site. For additional information or questions, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294.
Call for On-Campus Students in Charlotte (U.S. Only at This Time)
For those seeking a unique and exciting learning opportunity, LU is now accepting applications for full-time students to study on campus in Charlotte, North Carolina, beginning in the fall of 2017. On-campus students experience special opportunities beyond online study. Students meet for weekly discussion classes with many of their professors, including Dr. Germano, Mr. Ames, Drs. Douglas and Scott Winnail, Mr. Ken Frank, Mr. Peter Nathan, Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka, and Mr. Jerry Ruddlesden. Weekly Assemblies are delivered by many of the Church leaders based in Charlotte and around the world. Monthly student outings and other social activities are planned and students also participate in congregational opportunities unique to the Charlotte congregation and Headquarters (including Spokesman Club, Singles' Bible Studies, Outreach activities, service during Council of Elders and Ministerial conferences, and much more). Student housing is available for both male and female students. Most of our on-campus students also participate in our work-study program—working part-time in different departments throughout the Work and Living University. Student work-study helps defray most living costs. Application to the on-campus program can be made online through the University Web site (www.livinguniv.com).
Additional details and requirements for on-campus students can be found online, as can an estimate of costs associated with on-campus study. If you are interested in on-campus LU study and have questions, please contact us. At this time, we can only accept on-campus students who are legal residents of the U.S. Our hope is to expand this opportunity to international students in future years, as God allows. Interested students should plan to complete their applications by February 2017. Those with no previous college should submit college entrance test scores (ACT or SAT) along with other application materials and should plan to take that examination soon. You can find out more about these exams through a local high school guidance counselor or local community college or university testing service. Home-schooled students are also encouraged to apply. If you have questions about on-campus study or to find out more, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-708-2292 or [email protected].
Comments
The Real Good News! We live in a world where many earnestly desire peace and protection from the violence that seems to be spreading to every corner of the globe. While human efforts to achieve this goal include endless negotiations and building up nuclear armaments to deter attacks and aggression, Jesus Christ came into this world with a very different message. He preached the Gospel—the good news about a coming Kingdom of God—a future world government that will bring peace and justice to the entire world (Mark 1:14-15; Isaiah 9:6-7). He told His disciples that in that Kingdom they would inherit eternal life and reign as kings and priests (Matthew 19:28-29; Luke 19:17-19; Revelation 5:10). Ancient prophecies reveal that in the Kingdom, the peoples of the world will look to Jerusalem, where the saints will reign with Jesus Christ, to learn God's way to peace, happiness and abundance (Isaiah 2:2-4). Other prophecies state this same Gospel of the Kingdom "will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations" just before the end of this age (Matthew 24:14). You have been called to have a part in this exciting mission. That is a marvelous privilege and something to be thankful for—the chance to share this good news with a troubled world that is looking for hope and a better future.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 22, 2016
Asian Arms Race: At a time when "growth in military spending is slowing down in the volatile Middle East" and Latin America, military spending is surging ahead in Asia, where a number of countries are "positioning themselves for future conflicts" (Business Insider, February 11, 2016). According to a recent report, "Emerging global powers China and India are set to drive stronger defense spending over the next decade… There is now a risk of an arms race as Asia Pacific nations increase their military spending as they move their focus from territorial defense to power projection… China's defense budget is on track to almost double within 10 years… At that 2020 level, China's defense budget would be about four times bigger than the UK's and more than the combined spending of Western Europe" (CNBC, December 12, 2016). India's defense build-up is designed to "deal with tensions with Pakistan and the growing military strength of China" (Wall Street Journal, February 28, 2015). Japan has recently set a record defense budget to deal with threats from North Korea and China (CNN, December 22, 2016). Russia has also continued to modernize its military forces (BI, February 11, 2016). The growth in Asian military spending fits with end-time Bible prophecies that speak of a 200-million-man army entering the Middle East from "the east and the north" (Daniel 11:44; Revelation 9:14-16). This alliance of eastern kings will wield unprecedented military might that will ultimately destroy a third of mankind (Revelation 9:18). While the exact configuration of this end-time army is yet to be determined, it will involve highly populous nations with extensive military resources. For more on the coming eastern superpower, read "Five Prophetic Signs for the Middle East."
Pro-Life Internet Speech Ban: "Freedom of expression on abortion is currently being challenged in France. The French administration makes it every day more difficult for pro-life associations to express their ideas and to promote pro-life choices" (LifeNews, November 29, 2016). "The French National Assembly has approved a plan to outlaw abortion information websites that masquerade as neutral, official services with freephone helpline numbers but promote anti-abortion propaganda and pressure women not to terminate pregnancies" (The Guardian, December 1, 2016). The proposed new law could lead to criminal charges against Web sites that would appear to exert "'psychological or moral pressure' aimed at persuading a mother not to abort her child" (RFI, December 1, 2016). Long ago, God prophesied that the Israelite-descended nations would reach a point where "[t]hey hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly" (Amos 5:10). It is sobering to see societies clamping down on those trying to prevent the killing of unborn children. However, the time is coming when the life of children will once again be precious in the sight of human society. For a sense of how God Almighty sees unborn children, read our article "The Wonder of Life in the Womb."
Rising Global Corruption: "A new study estimates that Paraguay's illegal economy was equal to 40 percent of the country's GDP last year, a huge number that points to how pervasive a wide range of illicit activities are in this Southern Cone nation." This number has quadrupled since 2002 in a nation usually considered low in corruption when compared to its Latin American neighbors, Colombia and Mexico (Latin American Post, December 6, 2016). "The study also concluded that the state lost $1.1 billion in revenue last year due to untaxed goods and services. Pro Desarrollo says that this loss is due to the combination of large corruption or criminal schemes and the sum of many small-scale informal or illegal transactions. The authors point to a general acceptance and normalization of these small-scale fraud operations" (ibid.). Transparency International, a global anticorruption organization, estimates that more than six billion people currently live in nations with serious corruption problems, Paraguay is just one of over 100 nations that fit this category. Bible prophecies indicate the last days will be rife with corruption and greed (2 Timothy 3:1-5). However, the Bible also reveals a future time when corruption will disappear, as godly leaders rule with justice and according to the law of God (Isaiah 2:3-4; 11:4, 9). God promises that "He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor" (Psalm 72:4). For more insight into this vision of a godly society without corruption, watch our exciting program "After Christ's Return?"—Scott Winnail, VG Lardé, Francine Prater and Justin Ridgeway