This Holy Day season reminds you that God gives you the strength, through the power of His Spirit, to continue leaving sin far behind in the rear-view mirror and steering straight ahead in faith.
From the President...
Greetings brethren around the world,
We now enter a most solemn time of year, commemorating Christ’s death at Passover on the evening of the 14th of Abib, followed by the Days of Unleavened Bread, beginning with the Night to Be Much Observed.
May observing these holy times lead us into deep reflection on the purpose of our calling and the choice to commit ourselves to God and His will. Remember what He has called us to—to be His children, led by His Spirit. As we respond to that calling, we must humbly yield to Him and allow Him to mold us into who He wants us to become: disciples who are committed to the truth, with a continuing attitude of repentance to help us overcome ourselves and the world. As we do that, the unity pictured by taking of the bread on Passover night will be achieved (1 Corinthians 10:16).
As we enter into Passover, we will have examined ourselves—and must be committed to putting the sin out. As we complete the deleavening of our homes, let us remember the deeper spiritual principles of putting sin out of our lives, then partaking of the “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” for the rest of our lives.
May God be with you all.
Your servant in Christ,
Rick Shabi
Restored and Refocused: A Spiritual Reset
How many words in the English language start with the prefix “re”? According to WordTips, there are 7,228 words that start with this prefix! With so many words beginning this way, it’s clear that “re” is an important concept. That little prefix means “again” or “to go back” which may lead you to reflect on its spiritual significance.
A Time for Spiritual Renewal
Now that the Holy Day season has returned (that’s a “re” word), we’re reminded (oops, there’s another one) of the value of starting fresh. Don’t you love a new beginning? It’s like after a good night’s sleep, you experience physical renewal. You reboot your computer when it gets “buggy” and reset your phone when it locks up.
This time of the year represents a kind of spiritual reset. Resets allow you to readjust and reactivate, helping you to return to what’s important or even create a new, better normal. Passover and God’s Holy Days provide a spiritual reset and refocus. During this time, you reaffirm your baptismal covenant through Christ and recommit yourself to keeping sin out while moving forward in faith and righteousness.
Getting on Track
I’m reminded of my favorite video game—a racing game where you can choose your car, driver and racecourse. You step on the gas, and you’re ready to roll.
Do you know the best part of the game? No matter what happens, the game always restores you. You can crash and burn, veer off the track, or splash into the ocean, but the game always puts you together again and places you back on the highway, ready to keep moving down the road.
That’s how it is with God. When you come to Him in repentance and faith, He restores you. He is always faithful to forgive, to recondition you when you fall, and promises to get you back on life’s highway. “He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3). No matter where you’ve gone off course, God can restore you and put you back on the right path.
Leaving the Past Behind
Now you must make every effort to stay on that road to the Kingdom. The Bible encourages, saying, “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Just as the Israelites left Egypt behind, it’s crucial to leave the past in the rearview mirror and keep pressing forward in your spiritual journey.
The Bible reaffirms this in 1 Peter 5:10: “May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” God is faithful to restore you, give you strength, and place you on a firm foundation.
This Holy Day season reminds you that God gives you the strength, through the power of His Spirit, to continue leaving sin far behind in the rear-view mirror and steering straight ahead in faith. “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:25-27).
As you advance on your spiritual journey, remember how many “re” words reflect the heart of God’s work in your life. Whether it’s to “reboot,” “restore,” “renew” or “recommit,” God is constantly giving you the strength to start fresh, adjust and keep moving forward on the road He has set before you.
Let’s continue turning to God and seek Him more fully. Let’s keep choosing to live His way even more closely. This Holy Day season, let’s drive ahead “with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Take heart knowing that His grace and mercy are always available to keep you on track.
And remember—with God, you’re never out of the game.
—Steve Myers, Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services
Update on Our Brethren in Haiti
From Chuck Smith, Senior Pastor, Caribbean:
We humbly ask for your prayers for our Church family in Haiti, who are facing dire and dangerous circumstances. The ongoing civil conflict between government forces and violent gangs has spread beyond the capital of Port-au-Prince, reaching the city of Mirebalais—just 50 miles away—where many of our brethren live and worship.
Just last week, the gangs moved into the city of Mirebalais, seized the prison, released 500 prisoners, and killed at least 30 individuals. They then proceeded to overtake the city and surrounding areas, burning down churches, pillaging homes, and committing acts of violence, including rape. Our brethren have been forced to flee their homes and our church building to stay safe. Most left with nothing but the clothes on their backs and have hidden themselves in the woods and countryside, while others sought refuge in nearby towns that have not yet been attacked.
Due to the ongoing instability, we have had to cancel services, including Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, while praying for all those hiding to survive. Our greatest concerns are for the young girls and children, who are especially vulnerable, as well as the growing risk of starvation. Leaders are doing everything they can to get food, supplies and financial assistance to our scattered members. We’ve sent emergency funds and will continue to closely monitor this urgent and ongoing need.
Please pray for protection, provision and strength. Pray that God’s presence will be powerfully felt by those who feel abandoned and afraid. And pray for a path to peace and restoration in Haiti. Only God can bring true order and healing in the midst of this chaos.
Thank you for standing in faith with our Haitian brethren.
2025 UYC Video
For those who missed seeing the 2025 United Youth Camps video, or would like to watch it again, it can be viewed on YouTube at youtu.be/1Ixwrjdsxc8.
