Home Office Weekly Update
This first-ever conference for emerging leaders in South Asia is helping lay a unified foundation for the teaching of truth and spreading the gospel to nations, tribes and tongues that have not been previously reached.
From the President...
Greetings brethren, from the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, where regional leaders are attending this United Church of God leadership conference. The 37 attendees include men and women serving in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, who are conferring and receiving seminars from Darris McNeely, Steve Myers, David Schreiber, David Bensinger, Martin Kusz and myself.
God is drawing individuals to Jesus Christ across this vast region of South Asia. Senior pastor David Schreiber, along with his wife Jolinda, have been serving here for some 15 years. The growth that is happening today is quite encouraging.
Preaching the gospel in the most populated region on earth is quite challenging on several levels. One challenge is navigating among 2 billion people who represent 25 percent of the world’s population in and around India. Another challenge is to share the message across unique languages that use differing writing structures, alphabets and letter symbols. Additionally, most areas hold to exclusive religious beliefs that create boundaries that prohibit different religions, making the gospel unwelcome and sometimes resisted by force.
This first-ever conference for emerging leaders in South Asia is helping lay a unified foundation for the teaching of truth and spreading the gospel to nations, tribes and tongues that have not been previously reached.
Following are comments from other presenters at the conference.
David Schreiber: “The conference began with a welcome dinner on Tuesday evening, providing a wonderful opportunity for attendees to meet and get acquainted. For many, it was their first time meeting one another.
“Representatives from several countries introduced themselves and shared inspiring stories of how God led them to His truth—many beginning their journey through Beyond Today programs and literature. They also shared how they, along with others in their areas, are currently doing the work of God in their respective countries.
“Each attendee came with anticipation to learn throughout the four-day conference how Christ calls His followers to be true disciples—those who follow, obey and humbly serve Him. Through His guidance, they were also eager to learn from the sessions and from one another more effective ways to fulfill the Church’s commission to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God and to make disciples of all nations.”
Darris McNeely: “Proverbs 27:23 says, ‘Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.’ This verse tells us why it is important for the administration to make regular trips to our international regions, conducting training sessions for our ministry and leading members.
“The benefit runs in two ways as these disciples gain valuable teaching from experienced elders. Relationships are built by face-to-face contact in meetings with questions and answers and time spent in meals conversing about our common calling. This session in Sri Lanka completes a cycle begun in 2023. It has given us opportunity to meet with disciples in India who represent a sizable contingent of those associated with the United Church of God. It is encouraging to see what God is doing across all of Asia, a region containing 60 percent of the world’s population. God is calling additional firstfruits for His future harvest.”
David Bensinger, along with his wife Debbie, has been helping coordinate two UCG congregations in Myanmar over the past seven years. Currently they are exploring ways for the Church to effectively preach the gospel in South Korea and other countries in Southeast and Eastern Asia.
After the conference, David will travel to Seoul, South Korea to visit with lawyers and marketing firms to explore next steps of doing a work there. During this conference David has been working with Martin and Jennifer Kusz from Australia, and Julia Benson from Iowa to explore specific ways AI can help with the translation of UCG’s booklets and materials into other languages.
Martin Kusz: “As a new member from Muslim-majority Bangladesh shared here, ‘No one has ever taught the deep truths of the Bible here like the United Church of God does.’ God is calling people from every nation and language, but language often blocks their access. God is giving us assistance to communicate across languages as we strive to use every tool available to share the gospel.”
This conference is strengthening attendees by establishing a solid, cohesive grounding in divine truth. Leaders from various locations are sharing the difficulties they face while practicing and teaching God’s principles in diverse and demanding circumstances. We appreciate the contributions each leader is making in helping build the Body of Christ throughout this region.
When considering the world’s most populous nation and surrounding countries, keep in mind your faithful brothers and sisters who gather weekly in homes and meeting places to celebrate the Sabbath with you.
With love, in Jesus Christ’s service,
John Elliott
Report: 2025 Northwest Camp
This week 104 campers, 69 staff and two mini-campers have come together at Camp Magruder on the beautiful Oregon coast, to learn more about God and His blueprint for our lives. Our theme this year, “Building on The Foundation,” has been well received and many analogies and lessons have come through the Christian Living classes, leading to many important discussions about what God is doing in each of our lives.
Given the record high temperatures around the country this summer, we have very much appreciated the weather—which has been in the low 60s with sun in the afternoons, cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings, and minimal wind for the Oregon coast at this time of year. We’re looking forward to our train ride this week with the Oregon Coast Scenic Railway, from Rockaway Beach through Garabaldi, as the sun begins to set along the incredible vistas of Tillamook Bay.
The activities this year have been enjoyed by all, and our staff has worked very hard to make them something to remember. In addition to our standard activities—boogie boarding and skim boarding on the beach, softball, ultimate Frisbee, pickleball, dance, archery, volleyball, waterskiing out at Lake Lytle, arts and crafts, Excellence in Living, and speedaway—this year we’ve added a teambuilding class that is largely based on theatre improvisation games and which has been thoroughly enjoyed by the campers.
We’ve been blessed this year to be joined by Vivien Botha, as well as Nigel Schuller and his wife Charlene and their children Ryan and Sarah, all from Cape Town, South Africa. Their presence, as well as our counselors and campers from Australia, Netherlands and Canada, has added a real international flair to our camp for this year.
It’s hard to think that in a few short days we’ll need to leave “the zone” and return back to the world. This time together has been a much-needed respite. We’re all looking forward to the day when the Kingdom of God is here, and permanent—the ultimate conclusion of the vision of God and the blueprint and plan for our lives we’re here to learn about this week at camp.
—Benjamin Light, Director, Northwest Camp
Feast of Tabernacles – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Special Offer for Friendly Vallarta Gardenview Rooms
We’re pleased to share a limited-time offer for Gardenview rooms at Friendly Vallarta, priced at $200 per night for two adults. This all-inclusive rate includes meals, drinks, on-site activities, tips and taxes.
For families, we also offer discounted rates when adding children or teens to a Gardenview room. To reserve this special rate, please contact us at fotmxpv@gmail.com. Availability is limited, so we encourage you to reach out soon.
—Mario Seiglie, Festival Coordinator, Puerto Vallarta
