Home Office Weekly Update: September 18, 2025

From the President...

Dear ministry and brethren,

As we observe the autumn festivals that herald a dramatic realignment of mankind toward God, it is vital that we maneuver through the deceptive end times properly, carefully and faithfully. I want to reaffirm that the Church's foundational commitment is for preaching the gospel and preparing God’s people. That is our central mission and primary focus. We must not let events of society ever distract us from that calling.

In our current climate of social unrest, political division and endless controversies that dominate news cycles and social media, it’s crucial that we first remember our distinct calling. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11).

We live in a godless society where political murders and mass violence have become commonplace headlines, where protests and riots are increasingly routine, and where people embrace symbols of death and hopelessness. Social media and the Internet often celebrate tragedy when it aligns with preferred social and political narratives—treating serious matters as entertainment. Each news story is filtered through sociopolitical lenses, with figures either proclaimed as heroes and martyrs, or painted as enemies needing to be destroyed—all driven by the pursuit of increased clicks, views and advertising revenue.

This is precisely the kind of worldly chaos and corruption that Scripture warns us about. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

While the world argues over temporal matters and gets caught up in social and political diversions, we have been entrusted with a work that stands in total contrast to what happens around us. Christ commanded us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

There is no correlation between our work of spreading light and those works that Satan promotes in darkness. Getting entangled in the disputes of this world would be both dangerous and irrelevant to the mission God gave His Church. These are not the battles Jesus called us to fight. Our enemy is not flesh and blood, but spiritual forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). As Paul reminds us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

We have a living message that the world cannot carry—the gospel that has power to transform hearts and offer eternal hope amid the chaos. People need the light of life to shine on them. Are you and I currently like the city set on a hill—above the fray and shining Christ’s light into the darkness (Matthew 5:14)? If so, He tells us to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (verse 16).

Our ministry’s greatest impact comes through:

• Clear, biblical preaching that centers on godliness.
• Discipleship that builds mature firstfruits for the Kingdom.
• Evangelism that effectively reaches everyone with the gospel message.
• Teaching that equips the saints for the work of service.
• Pastoral care that targets spiritual growth.

Let’s let the spiritually dead argue over worldly matters “but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13). We have been entrusted with the living message of eternal salvation. This world’s passions don’t correspond to God’s passions, and getting caught up in worldly arguments is a trap we must avoid. The media machinery that profits from division and controversy has no place in the ministry of reconciliation that Christ has given us.

When we observe the endless cycle of outrage, the algorithmic amplification of discord and the monetization of human suffering, we should recognize these as the very things which God calls His people to avoid. “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). We are not called to add our voices to the cacophony of half-baked arguments, partial truths, and rumor-escalated allegations that characterize so much of public discourse. God views peoples’ lives, thoughts, goals and deeds with much more importance than mere sociopolitical branding could ever convey. Let’s rise above this world’s disputes because we have been commissioned with a message of hope that transcends every earthly conflict.

As we see in Revelation 18, the end of this age will be marked by absolute corruption at all levels, where survival and prosperity are built on deception and greed. In such times, we hear the call: “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (verse 4). While society seeks power and influence that can only be temporary, let’s be about the work of teaching godly obedience and making disciples of Jesus Christ, which will bring eternal reward.

So, while others debate and divide, let us enter these autumn festivals proclaiming the victorious reign of God and Jesus Christ in our lives today, during the Millennium and the second resurrection, and forever in the Kingdom of God.

I’m grateful for the participation that we all share in God’s work and look forward to continuing to serve alongside you as the members of God's Church continue to make the main thing, the main thing.

With love in Christ’s service,

John Elliott, President

From Mail Processing...

REMINDER: Qualified Charitable Distributions

We wish to share some important information regarding the use of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) when donating as part of your Holy Day offerings.

QCDs are distribution of funds from an individual’s Individual Retirement Account (IRA) payable directly to a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization such as the United Church of God, an International Association (UCGIA).

QCD donations are unique in that they require UCGIA to identify them specifically as QCDs and provide acknowledgement letters to donors instead of receipting them as we would a non-QCD cash donation.

If you choose to use a QCD to make a Holy Day offering, we ask for your assistance as follows:

• Please do not place them in your local congregation’s Holy Day offering collection.
• Instead, remit the Holy Day QCD donation directly to UCGIA:United Church of God, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027.
• Ensure the donation is clearly labeled as a QCD and the Holy Day offering to which it applies.

We deeply appreciate your faithful support of God’s Work through your offerings. If you have any questions regarding QCDs or need assistance with the process, please don’t hesitate to contact UCGIA at (513) 576-9796 or email Sarah Howard, donations processing manager, at Sarah_Howard@ucg.org.

Cincinnati Winter Family Weekend 2025

Registration and Hotel Information

Get ready to be “Fueled by Faith!” Registration for the 2025 Winter Family Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio is just around the corner.

As in previous years, registration will open in phases. Please mark your calendars for this year’s dates:

• Sunday, Sept. 21: Registration opens for Team Captains ONLY.
• Thursday, Oct. 16: Early registration opens for attendees withspecial needs.
• Sunday, Oct. 19: General Registration opens for all attendees.

Hotel Information:

We have secured blocks of rooms at a discount rate at two hotels. Please note that hotel booking will not be available until General Registration opens on October 19.

• The Warehouse Hotel (On-site at Champion Mill): The primary hotel for the event. Please note: there is a required 4-night minimum stay for all reservations in our group block.
• Courtyard by Marriott (Nearby): For guests planning a shorter stay. This hotel does not have a minimum night requirement.

Important Reminder: The group booking codes and reservation links for both hotels will be released with General Registration on October 19. Registering as a Team Captain does not provide early access to hotel booking.

New BT/UCG Streaming App Coming Soon

The home office I.T. and Web development teams are working hard to enhance our set-top video streaming apps for the Church.

As a result, you will start see some changes very soon. In particular, the Beyond Today streaming app will be getting a brand-new interface with some great new options. And, it will appear on almost every streaming platform.

What had been the separate “United Church of God” streaming app will be phased out and integrated into the Beyond Today app. The new app will be a joint BT/UCG application—integrating everything both the Beyond Today and United Church of God apps have—plus more.

The new BT/UCG app will host the weekly Cincinnati PM webcast, and will also feature the two official Feast of Tabernacles webcasts. Consequently, this will also mean United Church of God video material will be available not only on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, but on all the streaming platforms that support Beyond Today—greatly expanding the audience for our UCG sermon and Bible study videos.

We will provide more details as the app update gets closer. If you are currently using the UCG app, consider also installing the current Beyond Today app if you haven’t done so already, which will automatically update when the new version is published.

REMINDER: World News and Prophecy—Daniel and Revelation

The World News and Prophecy landing page now has 38 videos available, and the second part in the series about the book of Revelation is up to Revelation chapter 7—“Who Are the 144,000?”Check back each week for a new Revelation class recording.

Complete list of class recordings

A complete list of all Ambassador Bible College class recordings can be found by navigating to “Ambassador Bible College” on our website’s “Member” menu. Then, click on “ABC Courses.”

On the Courses page you will find all our class recordings—mostly audio recordings from over the years. But those recorded on video are now tagged “Yes” in the right column of the class course recordings list.

—Peter Eddington, Media and Communications Services