Greetings from Charlotte,
The flu seems to be dissipating here in Charlotte. Mr. Ames, Mr. Crockett and others are back to normal strength. Our prayers are with those who are earnestly seeking God's intervention in their lives. Mr. Millich and Mr. Lovelady report that the press conference held last Thursday in the Milwaukee area on the anniversary of the Brookfield shooting went well. Yesterday, we held a very productive phone meeting of the Council of Elders. New members of the council—Mr. Bob League, Mr. Ben Whitfield and Mr. Jonathan McNair—were present.
(Note: Please read the Comments section in services)
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
"Europe in Prophecy" Presentation. On March 8, elder Ray Clore gave a presentation—arranged by one of our local members—at Coppin State University, near Baltimore. The subject of the presentation was "Europe in Prophecy." Mr. Clore's presentation followed the Beast of Revelation booklet and gave evidence that the books of Daniel and Revelation give a reliable outline for western history. About 10 members of the university's History Club attended and took copies of our booklets The Beast of Revelation, The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy, The Real God and others.
New Zealand Update. Here in New Zealand we are also experiencing very good responses to the Tomorrow's World programme on Prime TV. During February, responses averaged 117 each week, and 57% of all responses were from first-time callers. At month's end, the mailing list stood at 2,956 in New Zealand/South Pacific area. A total of eight people were visited in their homes. Three were first-time visits. Two of them have been invited and attended services in Otaki. I conducted baptismal counseling sessions with three New Zealanders.—Kinnear Penman
Living Youth Camps 2006. This year, Living Church of God is sponsoring three camps: LYC Pre-teen Texas, LYC Pre-teen Missouri, and LYC Teen Michigan. For further information about the camps you may go to www.youth-web.org (not an official Church website) or contact your local minister, video recipient, or church bulletin board for more complete details (details are provided at the end of this issue of The World Ahead).—Gerald Weston
Michigan Church Visit. From Rod McNair: "I had a profitable and enjoyable church visit last Sabbath to Michigan, spending time with our pastor up there, Mr. Dan Friz, his wife and their three children. For Sabbath services, we joined thirty-two warm and hospitable brethren for a combined meeting in Lansing, with visitors coming from Detroit, Kalamazoo, Upper Peninsula and Indiana. The Traverse City congregation also listened in through their regular once-a-month telephone hookup. Mr. Friz and I also met with other Detroit brethren in the morning (attendance of 6). Unseasonably warm Michigan weather made it an even more comfortable and pleasant Sabbath day together for all of us!
MEDIA
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Pyle are in the UK this week. They will be visiting call centers that handle our TV responses in that part of the world. They will also attend a TV seminar that will enable them to meet some of the top people involved in religious TV in the UK and Europe.
COMMENTS
(to be read in all services)
Observing the Passover. Periodically, it is good to review how we should approach the Passover service. The Passover is the annual memorial of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ—who died for our sins to become the Savior of the world. It is a time for solemn reflection and self-examination (I Corinthians 11:23-34). These thoughts should be foremost on our mind as we approach and observe the Passover. In order to create an atmosphere conducive to reflection, those setting up for the Passover service should go about their duties in a warm, respectful and solemn manner. Idle banter should be put aside for the evening. Those coming to observe the Passover should plan to arrive early enough (20-30 minutes) to allow time to focus on the purpose of the service. Quietly be seated. Before the service begins, review scriptures pertaining to the Passover—Isaiah 52-53, I Corinthians 11, Romans 12, etc. Reflect on why you need a Savior, what you need to repent of and how you need to change to be a better Christian. At the close of the service, exit quietly with a minimum of conversation—the time for fellowship will be on the Night to be Observed and the Holy Day. As you travel home, reflect on why Jesus had to die for you, and review changes you need to make in the year ahead. The Passover will be much more meaningful if we remember these basic guidelines.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
NEWS AND PROPHECY—March 16, 2006
Great Britain Selling Out to Europe. Foreign takeovers continue to mount in Britain: the German corporation LINDE is poised to buy U.K.-based BOC, a major gas industry (The Times, Mar. 4, 2006). The Spanish Grupo Ferrovial wants to purchase three of Britain's major airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted) from their British owner BAA. The British Ministry of Defence is terminating its current Joint Strike Fighter project with the U.S. in order to buy future aircraft from a French firm. EU regulations require any technology owned by its member states to be shared with all EU members and partners, meaning that any U.S. technology could ultimately be shared with not only Europe, but also China which recently signed a trade deal with the EU (Sunday Telegraph, Mar. 5, 2006). The British Ministry of Defence will now purchase defense equipment, whenever possible, from Europe. The Royal Navy purchased its new ship-borne mine disposal system from a German firm, rather than a more flexible and cheaper system built by a joint U.K.-U.S. partnership. This is all happening under the noses of the British people (see Sunday Telegraph, Feb. 12, 2006). Long ago, God warned His chosen people that if they departed from His way, aliens (strangers, foreigners) would rise up over them to become the head, "and you shall be the tail" (Deut 28:43-45). This is happening now as foreign companies buy up valuable assets in the U.K.
Deadly Viruses Mutating. A recent study revealed that out of 1,400 pathogens, at least 800 have crossed the species barrier from animal to human. Citing numerous factors that have contributed to the rapid spread of disease in the modern world, British scientist Dr. Woolhouse stated, "it was impossible that human beings had been exposed to so many new pathogens so quickly through most of history," Dr. Woolhouse also made this profound comment, "Either many of these pathogens will not persist in humans, or there is something very unusual about the present time" (The Times, Feb. 21, 2006). In a related situation, the mass production of chickens—and not migratory birds—may be responsible for the spread of the "avian flu." Reporter Wendy Orent suggests that the rapid mutation of the H5N1 virus is made possible by millions of birds being raised in very close proximity in commercial farms (The Charlotte Observer, Mar. 15, 2006). Ultimately the mass production of chickens, as well as the sale of sick chickens for food, comes from greed and the desire to make money despite the potential risks. The Bible not only warned of pestilence "in the last days" (Jer 34:17-20, Lk 21:9) but also that money is a root of all evil (I Tim 6:10). These factors are converging with other environmental and social factors in our modern world in a potentially deadly combination.
Russia: Active in the Middle East. In addition to its efforts to defuse the nuclear situation in Iran, and its support of the nation of Syria, Russia recently signed a $7.5 billion arms sales agreement with Algeria. Algeria has large gas reserves and has cutting-edge technology in the transport of natural gas. Needing this technology, Russia forgave nearly $4.7 billion of Algerian debt (Middle East Online, Mar. 13, 2006). This deal will put considerable military power in the hands of one more predominantly Islamic North African nation. Libya is currently negotiating with France for nuclear technology, solely for "peaceful purposes." These nations, along with Egypt, will add to the collective power of the King of the South (Dan11:40-43).—Scott Winnail, Dan Bennett, Sue Bennett
LYC 2006
Time to Get Ready!
Ready for a break from school? Want to see the good ol' outdoors? How about the opportunity to spend time with friends and to make new ones? What about challenging yourself to learn some new skill, do something you've never done before, travel to new territory? If so, LYC 2006 is the place to be!
We would like to make a special appeal this year to any adults who would like to help out with one of the pre-teen camps. The continuation of these camps is very much dependent on having sufficient numbers of adults to oversee various programs, to serve as counselors, and to serve in support areas. If you think you can help, please do apply.
Three camps are planned for this summer: Teen LYC Michigan, Pre-teen LYC Texas, and Pre-teen LYC Missouri. Following are specific details on each of the camps:
Northwoods Camp, Michigan—Teen
Age: Open to campers age 13 to 17. High School workers must be 16 or older and it is preferable if you have attended LYC in previous years. Young adult workers are those aged 19 to 24. We can also use older adults to oversee various programs and work in support areas.
Cost: Tuition for campers is $345 and a non-refundable $5 application fee. There will be NO tuition for High School or Adult staff, but there will be a non-refundable $10 application fee for staff applicants.
Dates: Camper, High School taff, and most adult staff arrival day is Tuesday, July 18. Arrival day for Counselors and Department Heads is Sunday, July 16. Departure day is Monday, July 31.
Deadline: All applications should be returned no later than April 15, 2006. Applications received after that date may be accepted, but your chances of acceptance will drop.
Location: Near the Eastern Upper Peninsula town of Pickford, Michigan.
Where to Get an Application: You can download an application from:
www.youth-web.org (not an official Church website). Or, you may request an application by e-mail: [email protected]. Or, you may write: Living Youth Camp, P.O. Box 3810, Charlotte, NC 28227-8010. Or, you may call Sue at: 704-844-1960, Ext. 235.
Camp Sherwood Forest, Missouri—Pre-Teen
Age: Open to campers aged 8 to 12. High School workers must be 15 or older. Previous LYC experience as a camper is helpful. Adult staff is needed to oversee various programs, serve as counselors, and work in support areas.
Cost: Tuition for campers is $100. The second camper from the same family is $90 and a third camper is $80. There will be NO tuition for High School or Adult staffs, but there will be a non-refundable $10 application fee for staff applicants.
Dates: Arrival date is Sunday, June 18. Departure is Sunday, June 25.
Deadline: All applications should be returned no later than April 30, 2006. Applications received after that date may be accepted, but your chances of acceptance will drop.
Location: About one hour northwest of St. Louis, Missouri, in Cuivre River State Park.
Where to Get an Application: You can download an application from:
www.youth-web.org (not an official Church website). Or, you may request an application by e-mail: [email protected]. Or, you may write: Mr. Larry Solomon, 1817 Mountain Ash Drive, Joplin, MO 64801. Or, you may call Mr. Solomon at: 417-782-7768.
Fort Parker State Park, Texas—Pre-Teen
Age: Open to campers aged 8 to 12. High School workers must be 15 or older. Previous LYC experience as a camper is helpful. Young adult workers are those aged 19 to 24. We also need older adults to oversee various programs and work in support areas.
Cost: Tuition for campers is $100. The second camper from the same family is $75 and a third camper is $65. There will be NO tuition for High School or Adult staffs, but there will be a non-refundable $10 application fee for staff applicants.
Dates: Sunday, June 11 to Friday, June 16.
Deadline: All applications should be returned no later than April 21, 2006. Applications received after that date may be accepted, but your chances of acceptance will drop.
Location: Near Mexia, Texas, about 90 miles south of Dallas.
Where to Get an Application: You can download an application from:
www.youth-web.org (not an official Church website). Or, you may request an application by e-mail: [email protected]. Or, you may write or call: Mr. Charles Ogwyn, P.O. Box 952, Cabot, AR 72023, phone: 501-941-0277.