1/5/2012

Greetings from Charlotte,

As we begin another calendar year, warning signs are flashing that 2012 could be a very difficult year—with an impending financial crisis spreading from Europe, the possible rearrangement of the European Union and war clouds spreading over the Middle East. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has been holding meetings. Mr. and Mrs. Ames and Mr. Jim Meredith and his wife Susan have returned from a very positive Kansas City Weekend. It was especially encouraging to hear about the new television coverage in Australia from Mr. Tyler (see below). Mr. Hernandez and I had very encouraging visits with brethren in Mexico City and Guatemala where we spent several days at a summer camp and held a conference with the leaders of congregations in the region. Mr. Ed Breaux will make the first Tomorrow’s World Special Presentat ion for the year in Pensacola, Florida this coming Saturday. Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames will make TWSPs later this month in Houston and Jamaica. Your prayers for these important activities will be appreciated.—DSW

New Northeast Region in U.S.A.: Mr. Jonathan McNair will become the Regional Pastor for the new Northeast Region which will include congregations in New York, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Mr. McNair will also continue to serve on the Board of Living University.

New Director for Living Youth Program: Mr. Sheldon Monson will become the Director of the Living Youth Program (including the Summer Camp and Adventure Programs). Mr. Monson will continue to serve on the Council of Elders while pastoring churches in the Washington, DC, area.

A pleasant “Howdy” to all! Yes, sunny, windy, but beautiful Kansas City, Missouri, enjoyed warm weather in December, contributing to a wonderful Family Weekend that went extremely well. Mr. Wallace Smith gave a Bible Study Friday night entitled, “The Greatness of God and Why It Matters” in a rustic setting at The Benjamin Ranch. Afterwards we enjoyed fellowship and tasty refreshments. The next day at Sabbath services, Mr. Jim Meredith inspired the 486 brethren in attendance to take full advantage of the opportunity to make new friends, to put others above the self, and to love each other as Christ loved us. Evangelist Richard Ames followed with the sermon entitled, “Seek First the Kingdom of God.” He gave us five ways to seek the Kingdom, including “Alway s be conscious of the two Great Commandments.” Following services a delicious beef brisket, salad and bean dinner was served, with lots of tasty desserts. A Fun Show began the evening and then many brethren followed Mr. and Mrs. Ames’ example of participation in a Western-style dance, quite a number in Western clothing, boots and hats. Sunday’s activities at the beautiful Okun Fieldhouse Gym concluded the weekend as about 200 people joined in basketball, volleyball, games, fellowship and fun for all. The day ended with championship games in volleyball and basketball! Wow, what a weekend!! Y’all plan to come on down and join us in beautiful Kansas City next year!!—Anthony Stroud

My wife and I just returned from a profitable trip to Guadeloupe and Martinique. We traveled via St. Maarten to Martinique on Thursday, December 15, 2011. The next day, we flew to Guadeloupe with Mr. Ginier, the Elder from Martinique, to spend the Sabbath with the brethren there. We returned to Martinique on Sunday. The rest of the week we visited with the brethren. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit with one of our oldest members, a 96 year old lady who is unable to attend Sabbath services. On Sunday, December 25, the Martinique congregation held its first Spokesman Club meeting since the beginning of the Living Church of God. It was a complete success. Thirteen enthusiastic men were present. We also had one of our leading men from Guadeloupe take a flight on Saturday evening just to participate in Club. Each member of Spokesman Club was asked to participate in the song-leading workshop. Everyone was excited and is looking forward to the next Club meeting. It was a wonderful experience.—Wilner Pierre

The tenth year of the French website, www.MondeDemain.org saw the third version of this website released in July 2011, using the same design as the new Tomorrow’s World website released a few months earlier. In addition, we launched a dedicated website for the online Bible Study Course (www.coursdebible.org)—pre viously it was integrated within the main website. We also launched the section “News and Prophecy,” updated three times a week.

In 2011, the figures are excellent and some set new records, with an average of 850 downloads per day. We recorded 167,286 unique visitors, 235,229 sessions, 812,238 pages viewed and 312,000 items read/downloaded…. This was the second best year for the website. The most active countries were France (continental 50% + overseas 4%), Canada (17%), Belgium (6%), Haiti, U.S.A. and Switzerland (3%).

[With] the “dedicated version” of the Bible Study Course…the registrations increased by 85% and the pages viewed increased by 7%.... [I]n 2011, 12.6% completed the first test and 9.5% completed the 24 lessons. The new design and the new user-friendly interface surely make the online BSC more attractive. The average time spent on the BSC jumped from 1 to 9 minutes. This really is a big improvement!

Since its beginning (2001-2011), the French website has recorded more than 1.7 million visitor sessions, 5.2 million pages viewed and 2.1 million downloads. We recorded visitors from 202 countries and territories. There are 3456 students from 89 countries registered for the online Bible Study Course.—VG Lardé

This year the Latin American youth met in southern Guatemala, some 117 miles from the nation’s capital. Ministers and the youth arrived on Sunday, December 25. A Spanish ministerial conference was held on Monday and Wednesday, with Messrs. Winnail, Hernandez, Schaubeck, Orrego, Roca, Mora, Ortega, Sanchez, Tenorio and Monti.

The Youth Camp activities started on Monday 26. We had an attendance of 27 young people from Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. We also had the presence of Misses Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Marcela Arciga. It was an unforgettable experience because God blessed our activities and made them a success. Among the activities held was a Bible Study of the Ten Commandments, sports, games, crafts, arts and music.

On Tuesday, we had a Bible Study held by Messrs. Mora and Ortega. The campers were given bilingual Bibles, the Ten Commandments booklets in Spanish and English, and a T-Shirt with the Church’s logo.

The ministers had the opportunity to participate in some of the recreational activities. Also on Tuesday, the Guatemalan members came to the campsite because we had a congregational Bible Study given by Dr. Douglas Winnail to the congregation, campers and ministers.

On Wednesday 28, we resumed activities at 7 in the morning with aerobics, breakfast, and a Bible Study by Mr. Armando Orrego and so we continued our activities. In the evening we had a dinner dance for the youth and ministers. During the dance, we gave diplomas to all the youth who participated; the choir also participated among other activities. The youth fellowshipped and enjoyed each other’s company.

On Thursday, activities resumed with a breakfast and a Bible Study led by Mr. Sergio Roca from Guatemala. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience for all of us. We thank God for allowing us to enjoy this wonderful camp and for being with us and for the people that made it possible. Also we would like to thank in a special way the people that gave us gifts from abroad.

We hope to see the youth in Guatemala in 2012.—Maria Cardona

Australia recently obtained increased coverage for the Tomorrow’s World program throughout regional New South Wales and Victoria on a new television station, TV4. Apparently, the station management felt it was so successful they decided to increase their transmission footprint to include most of the rest of the nation. We were given an early option of buying more time, which we took, and now our program has the potential to be viewed by a possible audience of 22 million viewers in more than 8.3 million homes. We now have almost total national coverage in Australia. This means virtually all of this country and New Zealand has access to the program. Of course, this also means added costs.

We arrived home safely on Thursday, 1 December, after a very inspiring and successful trip to India. There was a bomb blast in Imphal after we left… My wife Rachel and I left for Kolkata, India on 24 November. We reached Kolkata at 5:00 p.m. Indian time…. From the airport we went to Indismart Hotel, which is about a half an hour drive, and had dinner [with members]. We discussed many matters and had good fellowship….

Sabbath Service: Due to the Prime Minister’s visit, and strikes, there was a delay in the morning service. There are militant groups in the state who demand a sovereign state separate from the Union of India. The brethren arrived safely by noon for services and I gave the sermon on “Unlearning Error.” After lunch we had a Bible Study on the “three resurrections.”

Church Luncheon: On Sunday, 27 November, we held a picnic on a beautiful mountain within sight and sound of a marvelous waterfall. All the brethren were able to attend.

We departed for Kolkata on Monday morning then travelled to Chennai, spending two days there before heading home.

Successful Visit: This is my fourth trip to Manipur and the first trip for Rachel. It was very inspiring and successful. All the members are happy and willing to learn more from the Church and understand and follow God’s Truth.—Rajan Moses

We are pleased to announce the following 2012 U.S. Feast sites and coordinators. There is no information on the www.cogl.org web site about these sites yet, but there will be soon. Registration should start in early February.

Coordinator: Mr. James Sweat

Coordinator: Mr. Jim Meredith

Texas (to be determined)

Coordinator: Mr. Dan Hall

Coordinator: Mr. Wallace Smith

Coordinator: Mr. Glen Gilchrist

Coordinator: Mr. Jack Lowe

Coordinator: Mr. Rodger Bardo

Coordinator: Mr. Jonathan McNair

Coordinator: Mr. Ben Whitfield

Coordinator: Mr. Rod McNair

Coordinator: Mr. Phil West

The following Feast sites for International areas are also being planned (as of January 5, 2012):

Argentina

Australia – Mandurah, WA

Australia – Victor Harbor, SA

Barbados – Christ Church

Burma – Sakangyi

Burma – Kalaymyo

Canada – Kimberly, BC

Canada – St. Actharines, ON

Canada – Shawinigan, QC

Canada – Liverpool, NS

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

England – Buxton

France

Guatemala

Guyana – Georgetown

Haiti

India – Imphal

Indonesia – Batu

Jamaica – Montego Bay

Kenya – Isibania

Malaysia – Melaka

Martinique

Mexico

New Zealand – Bay of Islands

Papua New Guinea – Wewak

Peru

Philippines – Baguio City

Philippines – Davao City

Philippines – Maranding

Philippines – Don Carlos

South Africa – Glentana

Sri Lanka

Thailand – Mae Sot

Tobago – Crown Point

Vanuatu – Orap

We will soon be surveying all of our pastors in regard to Festival Advisors for each congregation. Pastors, please be thinking about whom you would like to fulfill this responsibility. We will be in contact with you shortly to survey your preferences.

Living University classes start this coming Wednesday, January 11. To date we have over 150 students registered for January 2012 classes. Registration continues through Wednesday, January 11 and late registration will continue through Friday, January 13. Because classes begin Wednesday, January 11 it is important that new students enroll in the University immediately and register for classes. Textbooks should also be purchased as soon as possible. Returning students also need to register immediately and order textbooks. A complete listing of “Spring Semester” courses (spring in the northern hemisphere) can be viewed on the Living University website under the link “2012 Spring Schedule.” To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com web site. For additional information or questions, please contact Ms. Michelle Bottella michelle.bottella@livinguniv.com or 704-708-2294.

Watch Bible Prophecies! Jesus issued numerous warnings about the importance of watching world events that would begin to fulfill significant end-time prophecies. These admonitions to be alert and watch appear more than a dozen times in the New Testament (see Matthew 24:42-44; 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:34-36). Events making news today—droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, spreading violence and threats and wars—that converge at the same time we see the revival of a political power in Europe with definitive links to the ancient Roman Empire and promoted by an ecumenical-minded Roman Church, should be sobering to anyone with a knowledge of Bible prophecy. These developments should motivate us to grow spiritually and prepare for roles we have been called to fulfill in the coming Kingdom of God.&nb sp;We also need to remember Jesus’ warning that if we do not watch, we will not be ready for His return (Revelation 3:3). However, Jesus also promised, “Blessed are those servants whom the Master, when He comes, will find watching… Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:37-40). Let’s watch and do the job we have been given to do, so we can be ready for Christ’s return.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Eurasian Union in Motion: Vladimir Putin envisions a Eurasian Union that will put Moscow on top of the world’s nations by 2015. The Russian Prime Minister “has a vision for a Soviet Union-lite he hopes will become a new Moscow-led global powerhouse.” On January 1, 2012, Russia moved one step closer to this goal with an agreement with Belarus and Kazakhstan to allow free movement of goods and capital across their borders. Putin’s plan is to extend his reach, becoming head of a Eurasian Superpower. “As Putin envisions it, the still-hypothetical union will eventually stretch from the eastern fringes of Central Europe to the Pacific Coast and south to the rugged Pamir Mountains abutting Afghanistan” (Associated Press, January 3, 2012). Mr. Putin’s plans for a Eurasian Union fit with prophecies recorded long ago in the Bible, where God revealed a similar f uture alliance that He would bring to pass (Isaiah 46:9-10)! In Daniel 11:40-44 the European King of the North (or “Beast”) is prophesied to destroy the Middle Eastern King of the South. This Beast will occupy Jerusalem, yet news from the east and north will “trouble him” (v. 44). This Eurasian Union could be a source of a 200-million-man army that will march from the east across the Euphrates and descend on Jerusalem (Revelation 9:13-19; 16:12-16). This massive army will annihilate a third of mankind and will destroy the Beast just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. The only nations capable of developing such an army reside in the proposed Eurasian Union and include: Russia, China, and possibly India, among others. For more information on this vital topic, read our booklet Armageddon and Beyond.

Israel, America, Iran and the Bomb: New intelligence suggests that Iran could have a nuclear bomb in a year or less. Because of this, U.S. policy toward Israel and Iran recently shifted. Israel’s Defense Minister noted that “the mind-set in Washington was ‘different two years ago,’ and that the US position vis-à-vis Tehran’s nuclear agenda today mirrors the one held in Jerusalem.” Further, “the Iranian threat is ‘militant and nuclear and only the naive still believe it is peaceful… [the US] completely understands this now.’” In a recent CBS interview, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was asked how far the U.S. might go to prevent Iran from forging a nuclear bomb. Secretary Panetta’s response was, “we will take whatever steps necessary to stop it.” However, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Martin Dempsey, added a sober note, “My biggest worry is they [Iran] will miscalculate our resolve… Any miscalculation could mean that we are drawn into conflict [along with Israel], and that would be a tragedy for the region and the world” (Jerusalem Post, December 21, 2011). Jesus warned of “wars and rumors of wars” around the globe prior to His return (Matthew 24:6). The Apostle John also warned of major atrocities during this time (Revelation 6:3-4). The ways of man ultimately lead to death and destruction, while the way of God leads to truth and life (Matthew 7:13-14). One day soon, the world will finally experience the peace and safety that we all dream about—but only after man exhausts all his options!

Nigerian Oil Spill: “Nigerian authorities were putting emergency measures in place on Thursday [22 December] to prevent an oil spill from a Royal Dutch Shell facility, the biggest leak in Nigeria for more than 13 years, washing up on its densely populated coast.” The oil company used airplanes to drop dispersants on the slick before it reached the Nigerian shoreline. “A U.N. report in August criticised Shell and the Nigerian government for contributing to 50 years of pollution in a region of the Niger Delta which it says needs the world’s largest ever oil clean-up, costing an initial $1 billion and taking up to 30 years” (Reuters, December 22, 2011). God gave man the incredible ingenuity to discover vast resources useful for power and other benefits. Yet, man’s ways are not God’s way. Ezekiel 34 notes that many leaders are self-absorbed and are disinterest ed in the people they lead (vv.1-8). The Apostle Paul lamented that the “whole creation groans” and eagerly waits for delivery from “the bondage of corruption” of today’s leaders (Romans 8:19-22; see also Revelation 5:10). In the years just ahead, the self-serving leaders of today will be replaced by Christ’s perfect, righteous government. This will usher in a society that will be taught to be faithful stewards of God’s creation! For more information, read our booklet The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?—Scott Winnail and Justin Ridgeway

COGwriter 2012

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