United Church of God

Volunteers Vital in Getting God's Work Done: Eau Claire and St. Paul Mail Nearly 200,000 Tapes

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Volunteers Vital in Getting God's Work Done

Eau Claire and St. Paul Mail Nearly 200,000 Tapes

Since 2001 brethren in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and St. Paul, Minnesota, congregations have been volunteering to help with the Bible Study Course graduate tape program. This has been a wonderful opportunity for brethren of all ages to serve. This process is done on a monthly basis and has grown each month since its inception.

Currently there are around 4,000 individuals receiving two tapes each month. The tapes consist of one fundamental belief sermon tape and another with two Good News radio programs. The number of subscribers has increased so much that the congregations are looking into more efficient ways to handle the volume.

This tape project is an amazing sight to behold. First, the home office staff arranges for tapes to be sent to the Eau Claire congregation, where about 20 brethren complete the first phase of the process.

Next the St. Paul congregation completes the second phase and prepares the envelopes for mailing. It is very important that the envelopes are sorted correctly in order to receive a bulk mail discount—saving the Church about 80 percent compared to the first-class rate. There are, on average, about 40 brethren who participate in the tape project in St. Paul. Some Minneapolis, Minnesota, brethren have joined us for this special project. Each month the brethren volunteer a collective total of about 125 "man hours." Since its inception, the program has mailed almost 200,000 tapes.

The service and dedication of the Eau Claire and St. Paul brethren saves the Church thousands of dollars each year. Jessica Schultz, a member in the St. Paul congregation, said, "The program serves those seeking God's truth, and provides an opportunity for the brethren to work together and reach out to others."

Graduates from the 12-lesson Bible Study Course are offered a subscription to the tape program. After receiving 12 months of tapes, they are given four additional offers: sermon tapes from a congregation near them, to have the closest pastor contact them, contact information for the closest pastor or congregation and/or to receive a subscription to World News and Prophecy.