Greetings from Charlotte,
This week, Mr. and Mrs. Weston joined Mr. Peter Nathan and our ministry in Africa for two days of meetings and fellowship, before travelling to Kendu Bay for the Sabbath. Dr. Scott Winnail reported on the conference, as well as on the beauty and peacefulness of the facility in the “bush” reserve southeast of Nairobi, noting that one of the men saw five giraffes! These ministers and their wives have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other and those from Charlotte and the UK. The sessions have been translated into Swahili and French. A highlight of the conference was the ordination of two men to the rank of elder. Mr. Weston commented, “There is great harmony among the men who have come from such distant countries as South Africa, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Benin, and points in between.”
Continuing the theme of the international flavor of the Work, our Editorial team for the Work in the French language held their latest meeting this week, coordinating efforts between team members from France, the UK, Martinique, Canada, Texas, and Charlotte. In our weekly Managers’ Meeting, Mr. Rod McNair commented on how enjoyable it is to see our members from thousands of miles apart working together to harmonize their efforts in the French language. When we consider how the body of Christ is composed of people speaking and even thinking in different languages, yet working together through God’s Spirit, it prods us to give thanks to God for making us part of that body.
Have a peaceful Sabbath! —Jonathan McNair
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week we held seven presentations—five initial presentations and two follow-up presentations. These presentations drew a total of 91 guests. Particularly notable was the presentation that we held in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, where we invited only 23 individuals and had three guests attend. These are certainly small numbers, but an excellent turnout by ratio. This week we will hold two follow-up presentations in Columbia and Florence, South Carolina. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles Congregation Assignments 2025 (USA Only)
This year’s Feast of Tabernacles congregational site assignments in the U.S. are listed below, and registration is tentatively scheduled for May 4.
Please note: The Church has always encouraged all of us to serve at the Feast if we are able, and often the needs are greatest at our assigned sites. Therefore, before requesting to transfer, please talk to your pastor to find out whether you are needed locally. In your long-term plans, consider serving at your assigned site once every several years to help meet local needs. To find out where your local congregation is assigned, please consult the following list.
Arroyo Grande, California
California: Arroyo Grande, Bay Area, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Diego
Nevada: Reno
Bradenton, Florida
Florida: Ft. Lauderdale, Lakeland, Melbourne, Naples, Ocala, Sanford, St. Petersburg
Branson, Missouri
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Russellville
Kansas: Chanute, Wichita
Missouri: Columbia,Joplin, Kansas City, Rolla, Springfield
Dubuque, Iowa
Illinois: Chicago, Peoria, Springfield
Iowa: Des Moines
Michigan: Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Flint
Minnesota: Minneapolis
Missouri: St. Joseph, St. Louis
Nebraska: Lincoln, Omaha
North Dakota: Bismarck
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Fernandina, Florida
Florida: Jacksonville, Lake City, Tallahassee
Georgia: Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, Valdosta, Warner Robins
South Carolina: Walterboro
Glens Falls, New York
Connecticut: Hartford
Maine: Waterville
New Hampshire: Nashua
New Jersey: Hammonton, Rahway
New York: Albany, Binghamton, New York City, Plainview, Rochester, Syracuse
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Tannersville
Rhode Island: Pawtucket
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Alabama: Birmingham, Dothan, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Florida: Pensacola
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans
Mississippi: Hattiesburg, Jackson, Ocean Springs
Madison, Indiana
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, La Porte, Terre Haute
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
West Virginia: Charleston, Morgantown
New Bern, North Carolina
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
North Carolina: Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Statesville
South Carolina: Columbia
Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond, Winchester
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Alabama: Athens
Georgia: Atlanta South, Atlanta West, Blairsville, Braselton
North Carolina: Asheville, Sylva
South Carolina: Anderson, Gaffney
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville
Virginia: Bristol, Wytheville
Pottsboro, Texas
Louisiana: Monroe, Shreveport
Oklahoma: Lawton, Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Big Sandy, Dallas, Lufkin, Midland, Temple
Puerto Rico
San Juan
South Padre Island, Texas
Texas: Baytown, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, San Marcos, the Valley
Spokane Valley, Washington
Alaska: Anchorage
Idaho: Boise
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
Oregon: Myrtle Creek, Portland
Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Tonasket
St. George, Utah
Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction
Nevada: Las Vegas
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Cheyenne, Rawlins
Comments
What the World Needs Now: Bible prophecy reveals that “in the last days perilous times will come” because people will be selfish, materialistic, proud, unthankful, unloving, and brutal (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Our world today is angry and increasingly violent, which only engenders more strife and hurt. What the world needs now—as a song title goes—is love! Real love—agape—is an unselfish, outgoing concern for others. This kind of love does not envy or hate, but is patient, forgiving, kind, and caring (see 1 Corinthians 13). Godly love is one of the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit, and it promotes peace of mind and peace between human beings (Galatians 5:22–23). The Scriptures remind us that “the whole creation” is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the sons and daughters of God, “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit” (Romans 8:19–24; 2 Corinthians 6:18). These loving and caring leaders will rule with Jesus Christ in the coming Kingdom of God. Let’s prepare to be there.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy – February 6, 2025
War Escalates in Africa: Fighting continues in the Congo over the control of resources. Recently, Rwanda-based M23 rebel forces captured Goma, Congo’s largest regional hub and home to about two million people. The city “is a key location in the conflict-battered North Kivu province whose minerals are critical to much of the world’s technology. Rebel groups have long fought over control of eastern Congo’s mineral wealth, and the conflict has often pitted ethnic groups against one another, with civilians forced to flee their homes and seek protection from armed groups.” (AP News, January 27, 2025). M23 forces have continued taking further towns in the region (AP News, January 29, 2025).
The Congolese government has announced it is “in a war situation” with Rwanda’s M23 rebels, and Rwanda has complaints of its own. The UN Security Council condemned the M23 attack and called for a withdrawal and the return of Congo’s sovereignty. “Armed conflicts have internally displaced over 7 million people. Human rights organizations have reported widespread atrocities, including massacres, sexual violence and the recruitment of child soldiers” (Deutsche Welle, January 28, 2025).
Although many groups have fought the Congolese government for years, trying to cash in on Congo’s riches, the current escalation of fighting is very troubling. Over 7 million Congolese are already displaced due to fighting across the country, and peace between the fighting groups seems unattainable. The Apostle James addressed this issue when he wrote that the cause of wars is related to human lust and greed (James 4:1–3). This world needs a Savior to bring real and lasting peace. To learn more, read or listen to “The End of War.”
German Military Expands: Germany recently added a fourth official division to its military ranks: the Homeland Security Division (German Foreign Policy, January 13, 2025). This new division will unite all reservists and agencies across the country and will be seen as an official division along with the three current combat divisions. The new division is tasked with “protecting militarily relevant infrastructure, including railways, bridges and digital infrastructure.” Currently the division has 6,000 troops but military planners say it is necessary to increase this number to “at least a high five-digit number”—aiming for 100,000 or more. A total of 42 companies are planned, composed mostly of reservists.
Last year, Germany’s newly created homeland security troops participated in Steadfast Defender, “NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War.” The aim was to train European troops to defend Europe’s eastern border should Russia attempt to invade. One politician, critical of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ approach, noted the lack of German troops needed to advance such efforts. In his words, Mr. Pistorius is creating “hollow structures” that have yet to be filled in the absence of more funding and the institution of compulsory military service. Regardless, the structures for future military efforts are being created and they now only need be filled by troops—something that a reinstated military conscription could achieve. The German military employed a similar tactic prior to the second world war, building an officer core in advance so that, when an army was needed, all they had to do was conscript the troops—because the structure was already in place.
Bible prophecy indicates that at the end of the age, the German-led “beast” power will assemble a powerful and effective army. This army will eventually be involved in controlling the Holy Land and fight against “kings from the east” that will likely include Russia. We may be witnessing, in real time, as Germany lays the foundation for its prophesied military future. To learn more, read or listen to Germany in Prophecy. —Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo, and Francine Prater