Greetings from Charlotte,
The Ministerial Conference for 2006 was a very positive and encouraging experience for more than 200 ministers and wives who attended. God certainly blessed the event—the planning and preparation, the travel, the fellowship, the presentations and activities—as everything came together very well. There was an inspiring sense of unity and purpose, and we have received extremely positive feedback from those who attended. Mr. Meredith set the tone for the conference with his opening remarks—that God has always had His servants down through the ages to carry out His work, that Jesus Christ is actively guiding His Church today and that we must be close to God and responsive to His direction in order to finish His work. Mr. Meredith stressed that we have a powerful message to deliver and a responsibility to preach and uphold the truth of God. Conference sessions focused on the role of the ministry, prophecy, dealing with doctrinal challenges, developing leaders, counseling, public lectures and press conferences, engaging youth, dating guidelines and pre-marital counseling, the role of the minister's wife and family, and promoting personal health. Mr. Adrian Hilton, author of the book The Principality and Power of Europe, spoke at the conference about events in Europe that will impact the future of the continent. Mr. Meredith mentioned in his concluding comments how God has provided leaders for His Church in this era and that, as we see prophecies being fulfilled, we need to stir up the Holy Spirit so God can use us as He used the disciples in the first century (Acts 2-6). Thank you for your prayers for this important conference!
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
We just finished our annual audit which was conducted by a new accounting firm headquartered here in Charlotte. The auditors were generally very pleased with our systems, procedures and record keeping. A full report on the audit is planned for the next issue of the LCN.
Our income year to date is very close to our budgeted amount. Our expenses are slightly higher than budgeted, but we should realize some reduction in expenses as the terms of recently negotiated contracts take effect later in the year.
Our Holy Day offerings for the Spring Holy Days increased 5% over last year, but were 1.3% under our budgeted amount. The Holy Day offerings are very important since they make up almost 20% of our total annual income to do the Work. As you plan for the Pentecost and the Fall Holy Day season, please pray that God will bountifully supply our needs.
On that subject, requests for Festival Assistance are already coming in from those who will need financial assistance to attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year. As you make your Festival plans, please remember the needy by contributing to the Festival fund, including the tithe of the Festival tithe. It is deeply appreciated by those who receive the assistance.
We extend a hearty "Thank You!" to all of our dedicated members who so generously support this Work.—Davy Crockett
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Living Youth Camps
Living Youth Camps for teens and pre-teens will be held this year in Texas, Missouri and Michigan. Details and applications can be found at www.youth-web.org (not an official Church website). This year we updated our application process so that many more functions can be done online. This caused some delays and a few glitches occurred. We apologize for the delay in getting applications out. Therefore, please note that the original deadlines are no longer valid. If you or your son or daughter would like to attend camp, there is still time to apply for all three camps, but we urge you to apply ASAP, especially for the pre-teen camps in Texas and Missouri.
Note to Ministers (not to be read in services): We had a glitch in the LYC online registration system regarding the Ministerial Evaluations. If you tried to submit an evaluation and it failed, please try again. The system should now work. Also, please send in these evaluations ASAP, as it is important to let campers and staff know if they are accepted. Some will be flying to camp and airline fares can go up dramatically.—Gerald Weston
Living 4 Tomorrow – Michigan 2006
Applications are now posted for L4T on the following two websites: www.youth-web.org and www.lcgsingles.org (LCG Singles). If you don't have web access, applications and additional information may be requested by calling Lambert Greer at 502-228-5917. Please submit your application as soon as possible to assist us in planning for this year's program.
The L4T program is open to singles between the ages of 18 and 30. We will also have a few cabins available for young married couples without children who would wish to attend. The L4T format is one of classes and discussion periods focused for the young Christian adult mixed with recreational activities and fellowship time. The program fee is $175 US and covers the cost of lodging, food, and all activities. Arrival date is the evening of Tuesday, July 11. Departure date is Sunday morning, July 16.
MEDIA
Last week we shipped our first three DVDs to Iceland for broadcast on the Gospel Channel, which is aired on three satellites that reach the U.K., Europe and Scandinavia. It will be interesting to see the response from Scandinavia. Mr. Wayne Pyle reports that last weekend "we aired program #271, Prepare for Christ's Second Coming, which offered one of our most popular booklets, Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return," and that we are expecting the total response count to reach about 2,500.
TV response in the United States and Canada is pouring in hot and heavy. For the year to date, we have received more than 67,000 replies to our literature and tape offers on the Tomorrow's World telecast. In less than five months, the TV response has been more than the counts for our entire years in 1999, 2000 and 2001--and all this in less than five months!
The TV industry divides the United States into 210 market areas, among 110 million TV households. We are happy to report, thanks to our national coverage by superstation WGN, augmented by the Inspiration Network (INSP), that we have now had response from nearly all 210 of these areas. The Tomorrow's World telecast is now reaching 78 million homes in the United States, which is 71 percent of all the TV homes.
We are constantly pushing forward to reach more and more homes in America. We have less than 29 percent to go. The remaining 29 percent is an incredible challenge, humanly speaking, but we know very well that we are in good hands with Jesus Christ, who opens the doors.
The response from our new Charlotte TV station, WHKY-TV, has now moved Charlotte up among the top 10 response areas in the United States. Last year, before WHKY-TV coverage, Charlotte ranked number 22. It now ranks number 10. Also, our local coverage in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on KFWD-TV, which reaches about 1.9 million households, has pushed this area among the top 10, when last year it ranked number 14. As of today, TV response for the year to date is up 27 percent over last year at the same time.
COMMENTS
Blessings of Unity. David wrote, "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1). Jesus said "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30). He also prayed for His disciples "that they may be one as We are" (John 17:11). The Scriptures reveal that the disciples had different personal perspectives (Acts 15, Galatians 2), but they learned to work together as a coordinated team to achieve their mission (II Peter 3:14-16). They obviously realized that if they each marched to their own drum, the job they were given would not get done. This is why Paul stated that as we do the work of God we must be respectful and patient with each other, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). Paul also emphasized that there is "one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism" and that the work of the ministry involves fostering the unity of the faith and not being split apart by different ideas about doctrine (Ephesians 4:9-16). As we are led by the same Spirit, we will see divisions diminish and we will be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians 1:10). Peace, harmony and unity in the Church of God become visible fruits when we are led by God's Spirit.
Have a peaceful Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
NEWS AND PROPHECY—May 25, 2006
Dividing in The Name of Unity. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez' reputation is growing, as an outspoken nationalist and an interfering neighbor. As a leader once viewed as the spokesman for Latin American unity and integration, Mr. Chavez is now fomenting the ever-widening gap between Latin American nations, with his apparent meddling in their internal affairs. A recent address by Peru's president, Alejandro Toledo, reflects the growing Latin American sentiment about Mr. Chavez' actions: "Mr. Chávez, learn to govern democratically… Learn to work with us. Our arms are open to integrate Latin America, but not for you to destabilize us with your checkbook" (The New York Times, May 20, 2006). God warns of the last days, "nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:7). This is referring to ethnic groups or peoples rising against each other. This pattern is emerging around the globe—peoples and nations who have been relatively friendly, are now becoming polarized. Latin America is another region where ethnic and national clashes are increasing.
"Religion is a waste of time… so for me happiness is more important," said 17 year-old Jasmin Aregger. Her comments are echoed by many of her peers, according to a recent Church of England report. In Britain, fewer than 7% of 15-19 year olds and 5% of those 20-29 attend church. The number of children in Sunday school is one tenth of what is was in 1930. Researchers were "shocked to discover little sense of sin or fear of death. Nor did they find any… guilt as a result of private sensual desires." Fulfilling their own happiness seems to be the primary goal of British youth. They find happiness in the immediacy of life and the family, not in the ideas or ideals of religion. All this while eating disorders, substance abuse, teen suicide, and sexual abuse are on the rise (The Times, May 8, 2006, p. 16). In a world devoid of God, with modern "Christianity" arrogantly teaching false doctrines, and professing religious zealots blowing each other up, is it any wonder that today's youth view religion as a waste of time? Long ago, Hosea warned, "Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children" (Hosea 4:6). Today's youth are reaping the fruits of the hedonistic lifestyle that was prophesied to dominate the end of the age (II Timothy 3:1-5).
Will Bird Flu Grow Wings? Six of seven extended family members in Sumatra recently died of bird flu through what some public health officials categorize as "person-to-person contact." World Health Organization (WHO) officials have stated that there is "no evidence that efficient human-to-human transmission has occurred." However, Dr. Donald Low, Director of Ontario's Public Health Laboratory, observes: "But probably the most disconcerting, is evidence suggesting the virus had been transferred from one person to another." Efficient or not, it appears that human-to-human transmission of the virus has likely occurred, raising speculation that the WHO may increase its pandemic alert level. Person-to-person spread puts the current bird flu epidemic one step closer to a pandemic (National Post [Canada], May 24, 2006). This disease threat could fade and be forgotten—or it could become a tool that God uses to humble the peoples of the world, especially the Israelite-descended nations (Mt 24:7). Time will tell how God will allow this epidemic to progress.—Scott Winnail, Dan Bennett