Greetings from Charlotte,
I want to update you this week on the Work of God in Germany. Mr. Adrian Käfer, our minister there, is a one-man machine. When I first met him in 2015, he had translated most of our booklets into German and was printing them on a copy machine where he had to individually assemble, staple, trim, and mail them—all while holding down a full-time job. Now our literature is printed in Canada and forwarded to him, and he has others helping with translations, but he is still the driving force in serving this great nation. The outreach focus this past year was on Bible Study Course lessons, with 3,160 new students, a 222-percent increase over 2023’s number. There were some decreases in some categories of literature distributed and in Internet responses, but the reasons were somewhat strategic, and the picture is positive with an overall increase of 36 percent in literature distribution. Mr. Käfer writes, “Despite the slight decrease in online reach, the quality of visitors seems to have significantly increased. It is also noteworthy that we are reaching into 95 nations in the German language. However, the Church is small, with an average attendance of just under 7 people per Sabbath. I ask all of you to pray for our efforts to preach the Gospel, to give a warning message, and for growth in the nation that God calls ‘the work of My hands’ (Isaiah 19:25).”—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
TWPs are resuming in earnest now that the world’s holiday season has passed. Thirty-five TWP campaigns are scheduled for the first quarter of the calendar year. This week, Mr. Weston is traveling to Arizona to give Tomorrow’s World Presentations in Tucson and Phoenix. We will also hold presentations in Ocean Springs and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Thank you for all your continued support and prayers for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Winter Family Weekends Recap
Over the past few weeks, we held several winter family weekend events, and the reports coming back from each of the weekends are positive and inspiring. Each weekend was filled with warm and positive fellowship, meals together, and excellent spiritual messages. The Texas Family Weekend, held in Big Sandy, was attended by 182 brethren and included a talent/fun show as well as outdoor games. The Charlotte Family Weekend was attended by 440 brethren, and its activities included seminars, volleyball, and family games. The Family Weekend in Kansas City, Missouri, drew a total of 343 members, who enjoyed seminars, sports, and spiritual messages. The Arkansas Family Weekend, with 62 in attendance, featured meals, a Bible Study, a sing-along, and Bingo. The 52 people attending the Alabama Family Weekend enjoyed a Bible Study, games, and a western-themed dance. The North Florida Family Weekend drew a total of 54 brethren, who enjoyed camping out together, a Q&A Bible Study, and Play-Doh Pictionary—the weekend was highlighted by two baptisms on Sunday morning.
Thank you to everyone who worked hard to help facilitate these opportunities for the brethren to grow, build bonds, and come together as a spiritual family—and thank you to those around the world who prayed for the success of each of these events.
Men’s Training Camp in Blowing Rock, NC (Repeat Announcement)
The Smoky Mountains will form the backdrop for our Men’s Training Camp at the Blowing Rock Conference Center from February 14–16. Arrival is scheduled for Friday afternoon, February 14. After dinner, we’ll gather for our kickoff meeting at 7:30 p.m. Departure is at noon on Sunday. Between kickoff and departure, we’ll be learning, worshipping God, and getting to know each other better. For more information, go to LCGEducation.org and click on the MTC North Carolina tab under the “Men’s Training Camp” button at the top of the page. To register, contact Jonathan McNair at [email protected] or log in to your MyLCG account to find the registration link.
Living Youth Program
Texas Teen Camp Is Open for Registration
Registration for Teen Camp in Athens, Texas is now open! Arrival for camp is July 8 for campers and July 6 for staff, and the departure date for everyone is July 21. Campers can be aged 13–17, with staff positions available for those 17 or older. For information on the activities and costs of camp and to begin camp registration, visit Camp.LivingYouth.org. We hope to see you there!
Philippines Youth Camp Update
Thirty-one campers are enjoying cool and pleasant weather at the Philippines Youth Camp. Almost half are new campers. Our lone international camper from Indonesia also made it, to the delight of all campers and staff. Camp began with a welcome evening and a getting-to-know-you session around a bonfire. Activities for the first day kicked off with a Christian Living class focused on the year’s camp theme “Love God and Fear the Lord Always.” This was followed by classes on song leading for the male campers, flower arranging for the female campers, choir, basketball, volleyball, and dance. The evening concluded with a reflection and hymn singing. The pleasant sound of fellowship among the campers is evidence that most of the campers have warmed up and are ready for the next day of camp. Please continue to pray for good weather, good health among the campers, and an overall educational camp experience for all!
Comments
God’s Perspective on Trials: Sometimes, when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder if God has forsaken us. In such times, we need to remember several fundamental scriptures. Jesus told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God has also promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Roman 8:28), and that even in trials, God will make a “way of escape” if we look to Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). James wrote that trials are opportunities to build patience and exercise faith in God and His promises—while we do our part to work through the challenges we face (James 1:1–12). When we encounter trials, let’s strive to remember this godly perspective and pray earnestly for one another.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy – January 2, 2025
Deadly Stampedes in Nigeria: Nigerians are struggling to afford food due to unemployment and inflation, relying on help from food distribution centers. In December, desperate crowds waiting outside food distribution centers in Ibadan, Okija, and the nation’s capital, Abuja, stampeded as the doors opened for business, killing dozens (Deutsche Welle, December 24, 2024). At least 67 people, including 35 children, died seeking food gifts as Christmas approached. Even rice, which was once very affordable to all, is now seen as a “luxury” by many.
As one pensioner commented, “The economic situation in Nigeria seems to be getting out of hand… and the way people are now scrambling for food items wherever they can find [them] is a testimony to what is happening in the economy.” Human history bears sad witness to the fact that, when people are desperate, many descend to a level of self-preservation that overcomes much of their humanity.
As we consider Africa and much of the world, we see times becoming more dire for many. Drought, war, famine, and economic hardship are all reasons people are becoming desperate. And according to Bible prophecy, a climactic period of extreme conditions like these will one day impact a quarter of the entire world before Jesus Christ’s return (Revelation 6:1–8). Yet mankind’s Savior will return and address these sources of suffering and hardship forever, bringing “times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19). To learn more about what to look for as the end of the age approaches, read or listen to Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.
Even Minimal Exercise Has Health Benefits: Many mistakenly believe that to be healthier you must set aside hours every week to exercise in a certain way. However, research says otherwise. According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, “Less than five minutes of brief bouts of exertion in everyday life could have a significant effect on heart health, reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events” (The Guardian, December 3, 2024). The key is to get the body moving, even if it is to raise your heart rate for only a short period of time.
While it is known that exercise sessions of greater duration often have significant health benefits, this new study illustrates the benefits of even short-term and intermittent bouts of intense exercise, such as climbing stairs. The study followed over 80,000 people in a nationwide UK study and reported encouraging findings: “Women who recorded a daily average of 3.4 minutes of intense activity, but reported no formal exercise, were 45% less likely to have a heart attack, stroke or heart failure compared with women who did not manage any activity.” The reality is that just minutes of exercise above normal activity levels have positive health benefits.
God created the human body, and it is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). He designed that body for motion, and it needs to move to stay healthy. We are responsible for the care of our bodies, which were designed to serve as “the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). To learn more about God’s perspective on caring for our bodies, read or listen to Biblical Principles of Health. —Scott Winnail and Francine Prater