As we approach the Feast of Pentecost that focuses on the founding of the New Testament Church, I want to share some notable accounts from our churches who have furthered the gospel locally in their community. A few weeks ago, we featured the story about the establishment of a Bible study in Berlin, Ohio, that spun off from a quickly arranged Feast site last autumn. Feast services were held in a large tent in a hotel parking lot. We invited people from the public to come join us. Many came. After the Feast, a significant number of them wanted to continue meeting regularly and those weekly meetings have been sustained through the Spring Holy Days.

Now I’d like to turn attention to new congregations formed in eastern Zambia in Africa. God has used one of our newer pastors, Filius Jere, and his wife Chosiwe, to raise up churches in three areas.

This involved preaching on the radio, and holding Bible studies and church services. It also involved seminars and lectures on conservation farming and entrepreneurship with focus on women. This is a very poor area and we have helped the community with food security, water, livestock and homes. Since 2018, the brethren have built two church buildings and are working on a third one now.

Filius and Chosiwe Jere came to the Pastoral Development Program in Cincinnati in 2018. For years, Filius has worked as a broadcast journalist and had been sent on assignments to Europe. In Eastern Zambia, he has produced a regular radio program about farming and his voice is widely-known in the region. He has used this familiarity to do a “Zambianized” version of Beyond Today. He has taken the content of some of the current BT programs by our three presenters and added an introduction, summary and contact information. In the last few years, he has baptized more than 50 people; more than 150 people meet regularly now. Before the Passover this year, he baptized 28 people whom he counseled for a period of two years using a systematic plan of going through the United Church of God Bible Study Course, followed by three counseling sessions.

Filius has also held classes for leaders of our other congregations in Zambia about how to use radio.

Please read a more detailed account of God’s Work in Eastern Zambia that includes many photos at https://kubik.org/genesis-and-growth-of-the-united-church-of-god-in-eastern-zambia/

Beyond Today Television

Yesterday we recorded two new Beyond Today television programs with Steve Myers and Darris McNeely. The titles were “Why Were You Born?” by Steve Myers and “How Do You Know God Exists?” by Darris McNeely.

Focus Meeting

At Monday morning’s home office focus meeting, Lena VanAusdle, who coordinates the Good Works program, gave a report about how it functions, who is helped by it, and how grants are given. An advisory board consisting of Rudy Rangel, Chelsea Meidinger, Sarah Bizic, Matt Hernandez and Lena VanAusdle consider all the submitted grant requests twice a year. The next deadline is May 31 for projects to take place between October 2021 and March 2022. You may want to see what Good Works does at: https://www.ucg.org/members/outreach/good-works

Letter from podcast listener

We received this note from a listener to our recent Inside United podcast about caring for your aging parents:

“Thank you so much for this podcast. I have listened to it twice today as I and my siblings are in the thick of caring for our 90-year-old disabled dad and 84-year-old mom with dementia. Just this week has been emotionally difficult for me due to their current health issues. The podcast encouraged me to know that we are doing many things right especially in regards to the paperwork and health preparedness. The advice on the dementia issues is very timely and helpful to me as well. Thank you again . . . very much. This gave me a lift when I really needed it!”

Seminars and Retreats

The Women’s Services committee is in the process of planning their next online seminar for elder’s wives. The seminar will take place in late May and the focus will be on Psalm 15.

We are slowly coming back to planning in-person events for our ministry to discuss matters of common interest and concern. In South Africa, a three-day retreat is planned at pastor Roy Demont’s farm for all elders to discuss how to successfully weather the storms that lie ahead.

In the U.S., we are planning regional retreats for pastors to hear thoughts, suggestions and things learned about how to better serve our brethren and cope in this uncertain world.

I am continually thankful for the maturity and courage of the brethren and ministry in the United Church of God. Please pray for us as we continue to pray for you.