Home Office Weekly Update

From the President...

Dear beloved members of our church family,

Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones or been affected by the devastating floods in Kerrville, Texas. During these difficult times, we hold these families in our prayers and encourage anyone who can help to reach out with support and compassion. We’re thankful to be able share an encouraging update on the situation from Rod Foster. Please see below.

Media updates

I would like to encourage everyone to take note of our YouTube short videos and social media posts. We’re also pleased to announce that our new broadcast television programming is scheduled to begin airing in September. What a wonderful opportunity to share God’s message in an updated format to a widening audience across several planned platforms.

Spiritual growth

As we continue this journey together, let’s remain committed to developing loving godly character as beloved sons and daughters in God’s family. God—through His Spirit—imbues each of us with incredible gifts, and we should treasure these blessings while earnestly cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives.

Economic reflections

Many of you have likely heard about the economic challenges facing nations today. It’s striking to observe how our country simultaneously criticizes its mounting debt while continuing to accumulate even more.

According to current analysis, the U.S. dollar has significantly decreased in purchasing power over time due to inflation. For perspective, $1 from 1913 would only be worth approximately 4 cents in today’s dollars. This creates a challenging situation where the world’s “reserve currency” is losing value, yet nations continue to rely on it because they hold substantial amounts. For those interested in current financial data, you can view real-time statistics at usdebtclock.org/.

As JP Morgan notes, “Fundamentally, de-dollarization could shift the balance of power among countries, and this could, in turn, reshape the global economy and markets.”

It’s quite remarkable how this debt-laden financial system continues to function, but we know that God’s timing is perfect. He alone determines when the time of Jacob’s trouble will begin. Until then, we can trust in His promises to the descendants of Jacob, for He has assured them of miraculous blessings through Abraham. For deeper insight into this topic, we encourage you to read our article, “From Punishment to Destiny.”

Moving forward together

The work of God’s Church continues with renewed enthusiasm as we preach the true gospel—one that offers practical help for today’s challenges and genuine hope for the future. Let’s each continue pursuing unity through the Holy Spirit, empowering us with love, respect and courage as we navigate these increasingly complex times.

Please know that you are incredibly precious to God, to our entire Church family, and to me personally. Your encouragement means the world to us as we move forward together in faithful service to God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

With love and gratitude,

John Elliott

Tragedy and Deliverance: Flooding in the Texas Hill Country

Severe flooding struck the Kerrville, Texas area on July 4 after heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to overflow. The damage in some areas has been significant, and tragically, many lives were lost.

I’m grateful to report that all UCG brethren are safe. I’ve also heard from others within the broader Church of God community in the area, and to the best of my knowledge, they are safe as well. For one family, though, it was a very close call—and God’s protection was clearly evident.

UCG members Hazel and Terry Bauer were camping in their RV alongside the river, accompanied by friends in a separate RV. Their daughter, Amy, and her husband had joined them for the day. As the water level began to rise, Terry and Hazel agreed that if it reached a certain tree near their campsite, they would pack up and leave immediately.

But the river rose faster than anticipated. Before they could act, the water had already reached—and passed—the tree, quickly running underneath their RV. In a rush, they disconnected the vehicle and drove it through the rising water to safety. Thankfully, all four of them made it out unharmed.

Amy’s car and the friends’ RV, however, were caught in the floodwaters. The RV was later recovered after the water receded, but Amy’s car sustained water damage. Despite the loss, we are deeply grateful for God’s protection and the safety of our brethren during what could have ended with a much worse outcome.

The wider community of Kerrville and the surrounding Hill Country has been deeply affected. Roads were washed out, homes destroyed and lives disrupted. Yet in the midst of tragedy, the people of Texas have come together—first responders, neighbors, churches and volunteers—working tirelessly to rescue, shelter and support those in need. Their efforts are a reminder of the strength and resilience that can shine in times of hardship.

Many of you may have kept the Feast of Tabernacles in Kerrville years ago. Some of the housing you once stayed in was severely damaged in this flood, including the River Inn Resort, where cabins were inundated up to the ceilings. Additionally, several people stayed in rental homes in nearby Hunt, Texas—a town that became completely cut off during the flooding and remained isolated until the waters receded.

If you would like to help support flood victims in the Kerrville area, you can donate to the local relief fund here: Kerr County Flood Relief.

As we reflect on this event, we’re reminded of God’s promise: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

—Rod Foster, Pastor, San Antonio and Austin, Texas

From Ministerial and Member Services...

Ordination of David Bensinger

We’re happy to announce that on July 5, 2025 David Bensinger was ordained into the ministry. He and his wife, Debbie, serve the congregation in Boise, Idaho.

New Beyond Today Video Shorts to View

Each week a new Beyond Today video short is released covering timely news and relevant content based on a biblical perspective and godly worldview. These are featured each week on our ucg.org home page and also on our main Beyond Today video page at ucg.org/beyond-today. They also have their own BT Daily video playlist further down that page.

The two most recent shorts are, “America: A Nation in Prophecy,” and about the tragedy in Texas, “Innocent Lives Lost—Where Was God?,”

Our production staff and presenters are now recording new, longer-format programs and we anticipate airing those on broadcast television and YouTube beginning in September.

—Peter Eddington, Assistant to the President

Camp Pinecrest, Missouri

Camp Pinecrest 2025 wrapped up on Sunday after an amazing week of connection and growth. We welcomed 122 campers and 72 staff members, who all came together to deepen their relationships with God and with one another. Our staff added fun new twists to various activities, and the campers rose to the occasion, excelling in every challenge presented to them.

This year’s theme, “Building on the Foundation,” offered insights into understanding Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of the Church. It emphasized that each of us is a vital living stone that God desires to place upon His foundation. Illustrations reinforced this message, and the split-sermons on the Sabbath perfectly complemented the theme.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who prayed for God’s protection and guidance throughout the week! His blessings were abundantly clear as He watched over us at Camp Pinecrest.

—Mike Phelps, Director, Camp Pinecrest

UPDATE: 60^th Anniversary of the Church of God in Knoxville, Tennessee

The UCG Knoxville, Tennessee congregation invites you to come celebrate their 60^th anniversary on Aug. 9, 2025 in the grand ballroom of the beautiful Brookside venue. It is located at 1221 N. Central St., Knoxville, TN 37917 in the Old North Knoxville neighborhood which is designated a National Historic District.

Past and present brethren from Knoxville and the greater east Tennessee area will join together to reminisce, share memorabilia and photos while enjoying a dinner banquet and then a dance in the evening. The day’s events will begin around 1 p.m. with a meet-and-greet mixer with light snacks including fresh fruit and baked spinach and goat cheese dip, followed by Sabbath services at 3 p.m.

The evening’s events will continue with a catered dinner. The main course is one of 3 options: chicken stuffed with garden basil and fresh mozzarella; braised beef chuck roast; or vegetarian stuffed portobello mushroom caps. Each dinner includes a garden salad and assorted cheesecake bites for dessert. Dinner will be served around 6 p.m., then additional fellowshipping and dancing after sunset until about 10:30 p.m.

All past and present attendees of any of the Church of God organizations area are invited to attend this special celebration. If you are interested in attending, want more information, or if you have any pictures or other historical items related to the Church of God in Knoxville that you would like to share, please contact Matthew Shaffer at cog.knox60th@outlook.com.

The cost for the evening will be $18 per person. Please RSVP by July 31 at cog.knox60th@outlook.com if you are planning to attend.

Job Opening: Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services

President John Elliott has begun interviews with candidates for the position of Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services, and the position is still open to those interested and qualified.

The incumbent to this position will be responsible for developing a comprehensive policy and operation plan for handling and supervising all media and communication work of the organization in order to fulfill the Church mission of “Preaching the Gospel, Preparing a People.”

Duties assigned include the following and more:

• Directs writing, editing and publishing of Church publications, videos and television programs, while maintaining consistency, controlling costs and preventing unnecessary duplication of activities.
• Directs, coordinates and addresses all media and communication policy issues.
• Communicates to the organization the goals and objectives regarding the gospel effort, thereby creating a consistent approach and style in all activities.
• Ensures that media efforts comply with mission and value statements, goals and objectives of the Church.
• Generates, solicits and implements new industry trends and means of preaching the gospel.
• Directs and analyzes studies of ongoing media activities, conditions and their impact on the Church, utilizing the information to develop strategic, operational and budget plans to achieve objectives.
• Is responsible for conducting research studies in order to determine our audience's needs, preferences, industry trends and market conditions and advises on strategy of advertising programs.
• Directs the development and administration of advertising concepts, program and material, negotiation of contracts with media, scheduling of advertising and evaluation of effectiveness of campaigns and individual media.
• Directs the development of social media campaigns and strategies.
• Provides update reports to the organization regarding the ongoing activities of the gospel effort.

The individual must be a baptized member (in good standing) of the United Church of God, an International Association. The incumbent must be highly biblically literate, possess a thorough working knowledge of the doctrines, beliefs, and practices of the United Church of God, and be able to bring this knowledge to bear on his/her duties.

Education requirements include a minimum four-year Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) (Marketing/Advertising and/or Communication preferred); 10- to 15-years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of five years direct management experience. And extensive knowledge of Communication, Marketing/Advertising, Publishing and Public Relations.

This position requires the operation manager to work at the home office in Milford, Ohio. To apply and to upload your resume for this position, please visit this Web page: ucg.org/news/current-job-openings. Any specific questions about the position may be directed to human_resources@ucg.org.