Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. Rod McNair and his assistant, Tyler Wayne, do a lot of work behind the scenes that most are not aware of. For example, they hold meetings with Festival Coordinators and others to make sure we conduct orderly Feasts each year and that everyone is on the same page. They recently conducted an online meeting for International Festival Coordinators, following a similar meeting with United States Coordinators. Mr. Wayne researches and makes recommendations for potential future Festival locations, and we already have many 2027 sites lined up. I recorded a telecast on Wednesday titled “Is There a Real Devil?,” offering our booklet Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity. Those of us who record telecasts and also write articles for the magazines often “leverage” our work due to time constraints. This means that we may write an article on the same subject as a telecast or vice versa. While portions of each may be similar, they are not entirely the same, and we hope everyone will check into both. In the case of the recent telecast recording, I have been working on a new booklet with the working title Spirit Warfare. That booklet is scheduled to be the May Semi-Annual offer, but please do not try to order it now, as it has not been completed, and it will be sent automatically to all members once offered to our subscribers. This coming weekend is going to be an active one, with Family Weekends in both Merril, Wisconsin, and Joplin, Missouri, as well as two Men’s Training Camps.
—Gerald E. Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week, we held initial presentations in Fort Lauderdale and Melbourne, Florida, as well as follow-up presentations in both Birmingham, Alabama, and Marietta, Georgia. These events drew a total of 48 guests. This week, we will hold initial presentations in Braselton and Stockbridge, Georgia; follow-up presentations in Columbia and Conway, South Carolina, as well as Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and two online presentations for French subscribers. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles in Costa Rica
This year, we will again celebrate the Feast in Costa Rica at the Punta Leona Hotel and Club on the Pacific coast—and it is very important for us to know how many brethren wish to come to Costa Rica this year. The Feast in Costa Rica will be conducted primarily in English, but simultaneous translation will be provided as needed into both English and Spanish. If you are considering celebrating the Feast in Costa Rica, please send an email to [email protected], and we will reply with detailed information.
Feast of Tabernacles Congregation Assignments 2026 (USA Only)
This year’s Feast of Tabernacles registration is tentatively scheduled for April 26. The Church has always encouraged 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.
Boerne, Texas
Louisiana: Shreveport
Oklahoma: Lawton, Oklahoma City
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Big Sandy, Dallas, Midland, Temple
Bradenton, Florida
Florida: Brooksville, Fort Lauderdale, Lakeland, Melbourne, Naples, St. Petersburg
Branson, Missouri
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Russellville
Kansas: Chanute, Wichita
Missouri: Columbia, Joplin, Kansas City, Rolla, Springfield, St. Joseph
Oklahoma: Tulsa
Dubuque, Iowa
Iowa: Des Moines
Illinois: Chicago, Peoria, Springfield
Minnesota: Minneapolis
Missouri: St. Louis
North Dakota: Bismarck, Fargo
Nebraska: Lincoln, Omaha
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Fernandina, Florida
Florida: Jacksonville, Lake City, Ocala, Sanford, Tallahassee
Georgia: Columbus, Valdosta, Warner Robins
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Alabama: Birmingham, Dothan, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Florida: Pensacola
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans
Mississippi: Hattiesburg, Jackson, Ocean Springs
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Georgia: Atlanta South, Atlanta West, Augusta, Braselton, Savannah
North Carolina: Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Raleigh
South Carolina: Columbia, Walterboro
Madison, Indiana
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, La Porte, Terre Haute
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
Michigan: Flint, Kalamazoo, Traverse City
Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus
West Virginia: Charleston
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Alabama: Huntsville
Georgia: Blue Ridge
North Carolina: Asheville, Charlotte, Kannapolis, Statesville, Sylva
South Carolina: Anderson, Gaffney
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville
Virginia: Bristol, Wytheville
Poconos, Pennsylvania
Connecticut: Hartford
Massachusetts: Framingham
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
Maine: Waterville
New Hampshire: Tilton
New Jersey: Hammonton, Rahway
New York: Albany, Binghamton, New York City, Plainview, Rochester, Syracuse
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Tannersville
Rhode Island: Pawtucket
Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond, Winchester
West Virginia: Morgantown
San Diego, California
California: Arroyo Grande, Bay Area, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Diego
Nevada: Las Vegas, Reno
South Padre Island, Texas
Texas: Baytown, Corpus Christi, Houston, Lufkin, San Antonio, San Marcos, the Valley
Spokane Valley, Washington
Alaska: Anchorage
Idaho: Boise
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
Oregon: Myrtle Creek, Portland
Washington: Bellevue, Richland, Spokane, Tacoma, Tonasket
St. George, Utah
Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Cheyenne, Rawlins
Puerto Rico
San Juan
Comments
Forgotten Pagan Origins: For many, February 14 is a time to express romantic feelings towards someone you love—on Valentine’s Day. However, this festive time originated with the pagan Roman festival of the Lupercalia, when naked men ran through the streets of Rome to strike women with strips of animal skin in the belief that these strikes would enhance their fertility and ease of childbirth. It was a wild, festive occasion that was quite popular. With the spread of Christianity, a pope in the fifth century moved to replace the Lupercalia activities with a feast day in memory of Saint Valentine, a shadowy figure martyred in the third century. The appearance of red hearts and arrows of Cupid (the Roman god of love and desire) were commercial developments that came later. Many today are unaware that the Bible has long warned, “Learn not the way of the heathen” (Jeremiah 10:2). We need to remember this advice and not get caught up in a practice that perpetuates ancient pagan customs just because it seems like a nice thing to do.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy
85 Seconds to Go! On Tuesday, January 27, the Doomsday Clock of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was adjusted from 89 seconds to midnight to only 85 seconds—the closest it has ever been since these scientists first began reporting their opinion in 1947. This tool is used to represent how close they believe mankind is to destroying the world—the closer to midnight, the higher they believe the risk. Rather than a reduction of nuclear risks, 2025 saw the intensification of three regional conflicts, each involving foes with nuclear capabilities. All parties claim a willingness to pay any price to win.
In the Russia-Ukraine war, the two enemies have shifted their focus to destroying each other’s infrastructure, energy supplies, and commerce capabilities. India and Pakistan kept in step with drone and missile attacks in a territorial dispute that brought nuclear exchange closer to reality. And while Iran’s nuclear capabilities stumbled when the United States made preemptive strikes on key nuclear facilities, the nation’s situation has not stabilized. Whatever Iran’s aspirations may have been, they dropped into the background as the nation erupted into violent protest with thousands of citizens being killed by the very forces charged with safeguarding their country’s ideological foundations. As the United States continues to position its naval forces in support of the protestors, the Iranian government warns of how American interference could lead to an all-out regional war.
If you are one of those currently experiencing relative peace, enjoy it, because the Bible says it will not last! The Almighty has a plan that remains on His schedule. He will not check in with the Atomic Scientists, as He has already written of the appointed time of the end of this age. The real “countdown” is given in Daniel 12, Matthew 24, and elsewhere, for those with eyes to see. You can better understand the times in which we live and what lies ahead by reading or listening to Understanding Bible Prophecy.
Mass Kidnappings in Nigeria: Mass kidnappings continue in central and northern Nigeria. Back in November 2025, over 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school by armed men who stormed the school at 2:00 a.m., while everyone was asleep (BBC, November 23, 2025). Some teachers and students were able to escape. In late January, another mass kidnapping occurred when gunman abducted more than 170 people from a church service (Reuters, January 21, 2026). “Kidnappings have spread over the years mostly in remote parts of northern Nigeria and are carried out by armed gangs who ride into villages on motorcycles and seize villagers.”
Kidnappers often hold their victims hostage until ransoms are paid. Some of these attacks may have a religious element, as Muslims kidnap Christians, yet money seems to be a big motivator. The sad state of affairs in this West Africa country comes in part because the nation’s leadership is unable to adequately defend its citizens. Gangs and rebel groups are ravaging the north of the country while leaders appear to look on helplessly.
Thankfully, Jesus Christ will soon return to Earth and set up His government of peace. This government will be based on “the perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25). This law of liberty outlaws kidnapping and provides us with insight into how the great God views such a terrible action (Deuteronomy 24:7). What is more, the law Christ will bring is not just physical—it is a spiritual law (Romans 7:14), intended to change not only societies and cultures, but also the hearts and minds of people who will be given God’s own Spirit to enable their transformation (Hebrews 10:15–16). You can learn more about the physical and spiritual implications of this law by reading or listening to our study guide The Ten Commandments. —Scott Winnail, Richard Franz, Francine Prater, and Chris Sookdeo