Greetings from Charlotte,
An online conference for our ministers was held yesterday afternoon. We try to have these conferences several times a year to update everyone and give them the opportunity to ask relevant questions that others may also have.
Next week, several of us from Charlotte and a couple of men from Canada plan to be in Orlando for the National Religious Broadcasters annual convention. This gives us opportunities to talk face-to-face with agents that help us find outlets for the telecast. There are also seminars on social media and trends in electronic media, helping us keep up-to-date on how best to preach the Gospel to this dying world.
Following the NRB, I am scheduled to travel to Central America to keep the Sabbath and Pentecost with members from El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama. There will also be visitors from Canada, California, Guatemala, and Belize. Mr. Mario Hernandez will also be there, and Mrs. Nohora Kennell, who works in our Finance Department, will be there to translate the sermons.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last weekend we held three successful TWPs, consisting of one initial presentation and two follow-up presentations. These events drew a total of 35 guests. This weekend we have three events scheduled. Mr. Wallace Smith is traveling to Texarkana, Arkansas, to give an initial presentation. Dr. Jeffrey Fall and Mr. Brandon Fall are travelling to Anchorage, Alaska, to give one initial and one follow-up presentation, respectively. Your prayers for the continued success of the TWPs is greatly appreciated.
Living Education
“La oración”: A Living Education Course Available in Spanish
This prayer course in Spanish is already available on the website www.IDVtransmisiones.org under the “Educación para la Vida” section.
If you have difficulty praying or wonder what to pray for or how to pray, if you need to find answers to your prayers, or if you simply want to deepen your relationship with God by better understanding what prayer is, the different types of prayer, or what powerful prayers can be found in Scripture, this course is for you. This course is a valuable tool of knowledge, motivation, and hope that every true Christian can take advantage of to improve our relationship with God.—Living Education Spanish Department
Feast of Tabernacles
At the time of writing, more than 5,900 individuals have registered for the Feast! If you have not yet registered, please do so right away. Even if you are going to your assigned site, you need to register, as registering helps us know how many spaces are available for transfers.
The below sites have active waiting lists:
- Branson, Missouri
- St. George, Utah
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
These sites have ample space and are welcoming more transfers:
- Boerne, Texas
- Florence, Oregon
- Fontana, Wisconsin
- Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
- Poconos, Pennsylvania
- Rockport-Fulton, Texas
- Williamsburg, Virginia
Living Youth Program
Missouri Preteen Camp registration is now closed for both staff and campers.
Comments
Prepare for the Future: The Scriptures reveal the saints will reign as kings and priests in the Kingdom of God (Revelation 5:10) and that they will be teachers in the Kingdom (Isaiah 30:20–21) who will explain the laws of God and His way of life to all people (Isaiah 2:2–4). However, you cannot effectively teach what you have never proven or lived. Down through the ages, God has prepared human instruments to accomplish His purpose. God personally taught Abraham. Moses was educated as a prince in Egypt (Acts 7:22) and then received 40 more years of training in the wilderness to prepare him to lead the nation of Israel. Daniel was educated in Babylon (Daniel 1:4). Ezra “prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord… and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” when the Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylon (Ezra 7:10). At the age of twelve, Jesus amazed religious teachers in the temple with His knowledge of the Scriptures (Luke 2:41–47). Paul received much of his education before God used him in powerful ways (Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:14). Part of the mission of God’s Church today is to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). This is why we preach sermons, do Bible studies, publish literature, and offer Living Education courses. Are you taking advantage of the opportunities that God is offering—to prepare for the future?
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—May 18, 2023
Suffering in Argentina: According to the World Bank, Argentina is now the country with the second highest rate of food inflation (AP News, May 12, 2023). Food prices in the nation have seen a 115 percent increase over the last twelve months—surpassed only by Lebanon, where food prices have increased over 300 percent! Argentina’s general annual inflation rate has also increased by over 100 percent. Many are relying on soup kitchens to augment their grocery budgets, and some choose to skip meals to ensure their children have something to eat. As one anguished mother said, “It is very distressing not being able to provide your children with what they need.” Some are forced to choose between food and medicine.
Argentina will hold national elections in October, and many expect inflation to be a major factor for voters, and many observe that the potential for serious social unrest is high.
As Argentinians grapple with runaway inflation, it is sobering to watch fellow human beings suffer from increasing hunger. While many around the globe are struggling with rising costs for food and other goods, Argentina is among those experiencing agonizing extremes. Jesus Christ told us that “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Anyone developing the mind of Christ mourns as they see others suffer. These tragic situations should also motivate us to pray more fervently for the time in the future when hunger will become a thing of the past and abundance will be experienced by all! Such suffering in this day and age should move followers of Jesus Christ to fervently pray, “Thy kingdom come.” To learn more about what lies ahead, be sure to read our commentary, “Sigh and Cry.”
Border Crises Continue: Despite the war in Ukraine, the European border crisis continues. In fact, the number of immigrants crossing from Africa to Italy has increased by 300 percent over last year (Financial Times, May 8, 2023). So far this year, more than 40,000 refugees have entered Italy, and many more are expected during the summer months when the seas are calm. In the United Kingdom, last year saw the arrival of 45,000 refugees, and many other European nations are experiencing refugee waves of their own.
Along the southern border of the United States, another humanitarian crisis continues. Every day, more than 10,000 people cross the border into the U.S. from Mexico and farther south (Reuters, May 10, 2023). In the last several years, the number of undocumented immigrants entering the country has surpassed nine million. These migrants are being bussed and flown—often at night and at American taxpayer expense—to different cities across the U.S.A. Many of these migrants and those in other nations hope to leave behind tyrannical governments, dangerous living conditions, and severe poverty as they seek jobs and a better life.
Israelite-descended nations in Western Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other English-speaking nations have been incredibly blessed—thanks to God’s promises to Abraham several thousand years ago. Because of this, they are often among the most popular destinations for migrants seeking a better life. However, Bible prophecies have long warned that at the end of the age, modern Israelite countries will turn from God and His laws and foreigners will rise to higher and higher positions within these nations, while the native-born lose their leadership positions and their countries (Deuteronomy 28:43). As we see border crises intensify around the world, we need to recognize that ancient prophecies are coming to pass. For greater insights into the news behind the news, read or listen to The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater