Greetings from Charlotte,
For those who do not have access to the weekly video update, I want to pass along two of the statistics reported there. There were 2,307 orders for Lesson One of the Bible Study Course last week, and February saw 245 GOTOs—individuals who ask about baptism, counsel, or Sabbath Services in their areas. We know that most people who order the Bible Study Course do not finish it, but those who do are more likely to become serious GOTOs. And while most GOTOs do not follow through to become members, a certain percentage do and that is why these two stats are so important. We are now only five weeks away from Passover. Please be sure to schedule time between now and then to fast and pray for God to reveal to you what you may need to change. Also, remember to pray for our dear brethren who you know that are suffering severe trials. James 5:16 is interesting in this context when it tells us to “pray for one another, that you may be healed.” This strongly indicates God’s healing of us may depend in part upon our compassion for others. The mind of God is one of outgoing concern. Let us reflect His mind and cry out to Him for one another.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week was a busy weekend for Tomorrow’s World Presentations. Three initial presentations and four follow-up events drew a total of 118 guests. This week we will host four initial presentations and three follow-ups. Mr. Dan Hall will travel to Florida to give initial presentations in Brooksville and Jacksonville, and Mr. Weston will travel to give initial presentations in Nashville, Tennessee; and Huntsville, Alabama. Thank you for your continued prayers and support with the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
March 17 Deadline for Requesting Passover Supplies—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: Sunday, March 17 is the U.S. deadline for requesting Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or a physical copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French, and Spanish) for congregations. Requests for Passover Service recordings and letter instructions for home observance, needed by members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation, should also be received by this deadline. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected]. In 2024, the Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, April 21. This year we have a new Passover Service recording presented by Mr. Wallace Smith. Note: As in the last couple of years, the digital Passover Service recording is available to pastors and video recipients via the FTP site, and a private YouTube link will also be provided.
Feast of Tabernacles
Ministerial Feast Survey
All ministers should have received an email from Headquarters this week, giving you the link and instructions to complete the Ministerial Feast Survey. Please be sure to fill out this form, even if you plan to attend your assigned site. The deadline is March 29. If you did not receive this email, contact Tyler Wayne at [email protected].
Living Youth Program
LYP Europe—Summer 2024—Apply Soon!
This year’s weeklong LYP Teen Camp will again be held in the Chevetogne region of central Belgium. Camp dates are Monday, 29 July, through Monday, 5 August. The summer camp is bilingual and will be conducted in English and French. Church youth ages 12–19 from Europe, the U.K., Africa, the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, and elsewhere are invited to attend. The tuition for camp is €170 for campers and €60 for staff, and includes lodging, meals, and camp t-shirts. Campers should plan to arrive by mid-day on Monday, 29 July, and we ask staff to plan to come earlier if possible. Campers and staff are responsible for their own transportation costs. Those flying into Belgium can fly into either Brussels or Charleroi (Brussels South) and we will arrange for airport pickup and return. For more details and to begin the registration process, please contact Camp Assistant Director Mr. Rees Ellis ([email protected]). We encourage interested teens to apply as soon as possible so that we can determine whether or not we have adequate numbers to make camp happen this summer.—Scott Winnail
Living Youth Teen Camp in Texas
The Living Youth Teen Camp is still accepting applications for campers and staff. Please don’t neglect to get your application in if you are hoping to come! As a reminder, ministers who have been asked to come and serve are also required to submit an application, so please don’t delay.
Texas Preteen Camp Registration and Staff Needs
Registration for Texas Preteen camp is underway, and we still need to fill some spots for dance instructors and lifeguarding staff. If you are Open-Water or Blended Learning Lifeguarding certified, or willing to be certified before camp, please fill out an application as soon as possible at camp.livingyouth.org.—Michael Elliott
Comments
Pride vs. Humility: Bible prophecies reveal that in the last days many will be proud, boastful, haughty, and headstrong (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Our modern secular world promotes pride in race, gender, sports teams, national identity, and personal accomplishments. Humble people are viewed as weak. Yet, few today understand what God reveals in the Scriptures about these two important qualities. The Bible clearly states that pride is a source of contention (Proverbs 13:10) and that “pride goes before… a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). However, God says that He looks on the humble (Isaiah 66:2), that He raises up the humble (Psalm 147:6), and that humility leads to honor in God’s sight (Proverbs 15:33). As we approach the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, we need to examine ourselves and ask some searching questions: Am I really a humble person, or have I absorbed the mode of thinking and acting of this misguided world? We need to remember that humility brings blessings, but pride brings big problems. Let’s strive to develop the qualities that God wants to see in each of us, “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—March 14, 2024
Haiti Descends into Anarchy: Last week, gang violence in Haiti erupted with greater intensity. Gangs recently stormed a large prison, resulting in the release of 3,700 inmates and the deaths of at least 12 people (BBC, 4 March 2024). Gangs now control about 80 percent of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, and they have demanded the resignation of Haiti’s prime minister. Last weekend, gangs stormed a second prison and gained control of many police stations, killing many of the officers. Gangs have also erected barricades to keep police out of their territories. Haiti’s “gang alliance” is headed by a man known as “Barbeque”—a former Haitian police officer (Reuters, March 4, 2024).
In 2021, Haiti’s president was killed and has not been replaced. Haiti’s prime minister, appointed (not elected) by the late president just before his death, resigned while stranded in Puerto Rico, unable or unwilling to return to Haiti. Gangs even stormed the international airport last week in an attempt to prevent any such return (Telegraph, March 5, 2024). They were repelled by police equipped with an armored vehicle. Because of the environment of extreme violence generated by the gangs, the government has been unable to meet, and the terms of all its elected officials have expired (BBC, March 4, 2024). Insecurity has skyrocketed, with thousands fleeing their homes. The situation appears to be hopeless!
It is easy for many around the globe who live in safety to notice the tragic headlines about Haiti and then move on to what is important in their own lives. Yet, Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). This world urgently needs a Savior and true, righteous, fair, and loving government. Haiti is an extreme example of what happens without strong, loving, and principled leaders. The turmoil affecting Haiti’s people should make godly men and women cry out to God for the return of Jesus Christ to replace failed human governments with His just and merciful reign. For a glimpse of the real hope for the future, read “Can There Be Peace on Earth?”
Killing the Unborn Now a Constitutional Right in France! Partly in reaction to America’s turning back the clock on abortion rights and with the encouragement of President Emmanuel Macron, the French Parliament voted overwhelmingly last week to amend the nation’s 1958 constitution (BBC, March 4, 2024). Abortion is now “enshrined” as a right of every French woman thanks to France’s 25th Amendment! France has now become the first nation in the world to make abortion an explicitly stated constitutional right. The reaction of the French Parliament after the vote was jubilation, while the Vatican was quick to respond with a statement of protest: “There can be no ‘right’ to take a human life.”
Our modern, secular societies are increasingly self-centered. However, the practice of killing the unborn and even infants is not new. In contrast to God’s commands against child sacrifice, the ancient Israelites fell into this abominable form of worship practiced by the pagan nations around them. Today, children are no longer sacrificed to spiritual gods, they are sacrificed to the god of self! “My body, my choice” is the mantra so often repeated by proponents of abortion in their loathing of any children whose lives might interfere with their own personal desires.
The French are descendants of one of the ancient tribes of Israel. Will the decisions of French lawmakers pave the way for France’s brother-tribes to follow suit? The Bible states that “in the last days” people “will be “lovers of themselves… rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). God specifically warns the modern nations that have descended from ancient Israel that, if they turn away from God and violate His commandments, they will face serious consequences (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28). To learn what lies ahead for France and other such nations, read or listen to The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, Chris Sookdeo, and Ryan Dawson