Living Church of God World Ahead Weekly Update

This has been another busy week. On Monday, ten Living University students were awarded certificates and degrees at the 3rd annual LU Graduation. The audience heard a stirring commencement address by Mr. Meredith about “Daring to be Different” and some very thoughtful comments by Mr. Tony Leman, a new graduate from New Zealand. Tuesday evening was the Second Passover. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we held very profitable Council of Elders meetings. Reports from Regional Directors and Regional Pastors noted positive trends in attendance and overall feelings of unity and focus in local congregations. We discussed the continued development of Living University, the Living Youth Program and summer camps, manpower needs, more effective ways of preaching the Gospel using television, publications, TWSPs and the Internet, as well as a number of doctrinal issues. Mr. Wayne Pyle reports very positive increases in responses to the telecast in South Africa and New Zealand. Mr. King’s recent program #399, “The Apostles’ Prophetic Journeys,” should draw more than 3,000 responses.—DSW

Mr. Bruce Tyler reports: I recently returned from keeping the Passover and the first part of the Days of Unleavened Bread with our brethren in Manila. Manila is our largest congregation in the Australasian Region, with an attendance of around 120. The last half of the Feast I visited our brethren in Brisbane, our next largest congregation. At present, we have 62 congregations throughout the region [including the Philippines]. Before Passover, Mr. Dayrell Tanner, Philippines Area pastor, and I held a very encouraging three-day conference with most of the Philippine ministers and their wives. It was good working with these dedicated men and helping them to serve God’s people in these trying days. All the comments I’ve received from around the region concerning the “Spring” Festival have been very positive and it’s encouraging to hear of the growth that’s taking place. Our first holy day offering here in Australia was up 13% over last year and shows the zeal we have in wanting to help preach the Gospel and finish the Work God has given us.

My wife Jennifer and I visited the Sri Lankan brethren in Colombo during the Passover and the first part of Unleavened Bread. On the Sabbath before Passover, 23 brethren met for services at the Colombo “Church House.” To encourage the development of leadership potential, Spokesman’s Club was introduced in 2010. All the men aged 16 and above have been invited to take part. The fruits of the club have been visibly positive with some of the quieter men becoming more enthusiastically involved in Church services and activities. This year, a number of the men asked if club could be started early. So, with this encouragement, the first 2011 Colombo Spokesman’s Club was conducted after sunset on April 16. During the rest of the year, modern Internet technology has been employed. Utilizing Skype enabled me as Club Director to be virtually present with the spokesmen, even though there is a separation of thousands of kilometers. I am able to see and hear the spokesmen and they can see and hear me. This year, the Night to Be Much Observed was a special highlight for the young people in the Church. They were requested to draw pictures of the 10 plagues of Egypt. We started with all the brethren watching the 2010 Night to Be Much Observed video from Mr. Weston and it concluded with a wonderful barbecue meal created by two very skilled chefs. The pictures of the 10 plagues gave extra life to the messages given on the first day of Unleavened Bread.—Zig Svalbe

I arrived home safely, very late, on March 29, after a very inspiring and successful trip to India. I left Kuala Lumpur for Kolkata, India, on March 24. On Friday, March 25, I flew from Kolkata to Imphal in North East India. On the Sabbath, March 26, we had the morning service. I spoke on the meaning of real repentance and “coming out of this world.” There were 29 in attendance and it was wonderful to see the spiritual growth and changes that had taken place since Mr. Bruce Tyler’s visit last November. They were very responsive and teachable and we were able to learn several new songs from our Church hymnal. After the service, I spent many afternoon hours counseling those who had requested baptism. Then, on Sunday morning, we had a meeting at Sani’s home, where I briefed the ten who were to be baptized about their commitment and covenant with God. We went to the nearby muddy canal which was mostly used for canoeing. It was a very inspiring and unforgettable moment for all of us. I laid hands on them and asked God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to beget them as His children, and to guide, lead and strengthen them. This was the first time I had baptized ten members at the same time. It was a joyful day for me personally. Later that Sunday evening, we gathered at the home of one of the members for tea and fellowship. There were some questions about evil spirits, as it is a common occurrence in this region to practice witchcraft and magic. I cautioned them not to speak about the demonic world, but to always pray for one another.

We continued our fellowship and had a study about healing and anointing. It was a very inspiring evening and everyone enjoyed the fellowship and discussions. The following morning, Tuesday, March 29, Sani and other members came to say goodbye to me before driving back to the airport for my flight to Kolkata and then on home to Kuala Lumpur that same day. This second trip was very inspiring and successful. All the members are able to understand more of the Truth. The atmosphere was one of trust and love. On my next trip I plan to counsel others for baptism. God has truly opened a new door for the proclamation of the Gospel in India.—Rajan Moses

For those coming in for the Carolina Singles Weekend, if you would like to have an office tour on Friday, May 27, please arrive at the Headquarters office by 3:00 p.m. If you need transportation from the Charlotte airport, please make sure you noted it on your application form, along with your flight information. And don’t forget, if you have any questions that you would like addressed in the “Q and A” session by Mr. Ames on Sabbath morning, please send in your questions to Rod McNair at rmcnair@lcg.org.

If you haven’t yet signed up and would like to participate, we still have room—please contact Darren Brinson right away (darren.brinson@hotmail.com)! Registration forms are available at www.charlottelcg.org, and charge for the weekend is $20. All checks should be made out to the Charlotte Local Activity Fund and mailed to:

This year, for the first time, the Living Church of God will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in Costa Rica. Services will be at the Hotel Brilla Sol, located five minutes from the International Airport. The hotel is located in the midst of a small wooded area and the complex is equipped with everything necessary for a Feast. It has a private hall, pool, comfortable rooms, a restaurant and wireless Internet service. For more information, the hotel’s website is www.hotelbrillasol.com.

The cost per day, per person, including breakfast and lunch is USD$35; children younger than 8 years old don’t pay. Free hotel shuttle to and from the airport is available. Please note: Services will be only in Spanish (no translation will be provided. Therefore, this site is open only to Spanish-speaking transfers). For more information, contact Mr. George Schaubeck at gschaubeck@lcg.org or, by phone, at +506-2282-4646. You can also contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at mlincoln@lcg.org, or +1-704-844-1970.

Be Thankful for the Truth: The Sabbath is a good time to reflect on an important question: Are you thankful for the Truth? It is easy to take the Truth for granted if you are a long-time member or if you have grown up in the Church. Yet, Jesus said that people cannot come to a real understanding of the Truth unless they are called and their minds have been opened to see the big picture (John 6:44, 65). The capacity to understand the plan of God, the purpose of life and the true way of life is a gift that God is making available to only a few at this time (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). These precious truths are a mystery to most people (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) because Satan—“the god of this age”—has blinded their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Jesus said that it is an incredible privilege to be given an understanding of the Truth (Matthew 13:10-17). Paul said that to be called out of darkness into the light of the Truth is something to be extremely thankful for. He also said that those who were unthankful and let go of the Truth will reap serious consequences (Romans 1:18-32). Let’s never forget to be thankful for the opportunity to understand the Truth of God that “endures to all generations.”

Winds of Change Continue Blowing in Europe. The last couple of weeks have been filled with anticipation and action across Europe. The Finnish parliament voted for a new prime minister, EU finance ministers approved a bailout package, EU leaders discussed the Greek debt situation—Greece is expected to need another bailout in the future—and the International Monetary Fund’s former head—until recently, a likely candidate for the French presidency—Dominique Strauss-Kahn, is now embroiled in a sex scandal. Next week, “Spain will hold regional and municipal elections. Polls also forecast a heavy defeat for the ruling Socialists throughout Spain”–which could lead to early elections. This could further destabilize a nation that many believe may be the next to request an economic bailout (Stratfor.com, May 9, 2011). Meanwhile, critics suggest Germany may be becoming ambivalent with its foreign policy (The Economist, May 12, 2011). As the “iron and clay” mixture of European nations continues to solidify and then crack, students of Bible prophecy are reminded that God foretold these events long ago through Daniel (Daniel 2:33, 41-43). God also revealed that eventually “ten kings” will be of “one mind,” for a time, and give their power over to a central Beast power—an entity that will play a dominant role on the world stage for a short time and make war with the returning Christ (Revelation 17:12-14). Rest assured that there is a God in heaven who will bring to pass what He has prophesied long ago!

EU Debt Crisis and the Consolidation of Power? A recent article in The Times (of London) read: “The bailouts don’t work but they do allow the EU to build up centralized power at the expense of nation states.” The author continued, “The political motivation for tightening the debt yoke on Greece, Ireland and Portugal is even clearer. By turning these countries into permanent debtors to the ECB [European Central Bank] and the various EU bailout funds, Brussels and Frankfurt are enormously increasing the power of centralized European institutions at the expense of nation states” (May 11, 2011). In a recent speech at Humboldt University in Berlin, Michel Barnier reiterated the need for a European president. He noted that for the EU to remain viable on the world scene in the years to come, European nations must also work to “combat nationalism” (EUobserver.com, May 11, 2011). Winston Churchill was right—“there IS a purpose being worked out here below.” God promised in regard to Daniel’s dream about the great image depicting world-ruling empires that would appear, “The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure” (Daniel 2:45). A great Beast power will arise in Europe, and ten nations or “kingdoms” will give their power (surrender their sovereignty) to it at some point in the future (see Revelation 17). The events now taking place throughout Europe are all for a purpose. They will eventually lead to the creation of the Beast power prophesied to arise in Europe. For more information on this fascinating topic, please review our free booklet, The Beast of Revelation.

Professing Christianity Slouches Toward Sodom and Gomorrah. On May 10, 2011, the 2.3 million member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to allow the ordination of practicing homosexual ministers, removing the requirement that they live in “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.” (CNN.com, “Presbyterian Church U.S.A. to allow gay and lesbian clergy,” May 10, 2011). This directly contradicts biblical instructions (see Leviticus 18:22). The Apostle Paul also told the Romans that when human beings reject the laws of God governing human sexual behavior, that they will descend into all sorts of sexual perversions with men burning in lustful passions towards other men and women towards women, and as a result, “receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:18-29). Some of the “penalties” Paul wrote about involve emotional damage and physical diseases such as increased risks of cancers, STDs and HIV/AIDS in those who practice homosexuality (BBCNews.com, May 9, 2011, “Gay men report higher cancer rate than straight men”). The Bible states that those who keep God’s commandments will inherit eternal life, but those who break the commandments of God will reap serious consequences (Revelation 22:14-15).—Ben Whitfield, Deborah Lincoln-Strange, Daniel Bennett, Wyatt Ciesielka, Scott Winnail