Update from the President

January 4, 2018
6 minutes read time
Police Lieutenant Anthony Rees addresses ABC students.
Police Lieutenant Anthony Rees addresses ABC students.
UCG.org
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In this update from the president, Victor Kubik mentions how long he has been writing his eNews letters and how it has evolved over the years. He says it is OK for everyone to share. Mr. Kubik shares info of the ABC class as students return to class after a break. Information on the death of John Hull was also shared. Lastly, Mr. Kubik discuses financial planning for the church and how much he enjoyed an inspiring documentary of the King James Version of the Bible.

This eNews from Ministerial and Member Services was launched the first week of January in 2011, and has continued uninterrupted for the past seven years. At first, I wanted a vehicle to communicate weekly with the church's leadership. I sent it first to elders, deacons and other leaders in the Church. I was pleased with the appreciative response telling me how much they liked getting church news in real time.

The news is primarily from Ministerial and Member Services about the work of the pastoral ministry and the congregations in the United States. However, we also have occasional updates from Media and Communications, Ambassador Bible College, Financial Services, United Youth Camps, Festival update news and individual pastors.

A question has arisen: how much can we share the eNews? After a while it was no longer a private newsletter. The news is usually public information and is fine to share. If there is private information only for ministers, we send it out in a different form.

A number of ministers already forward it on to their members. Some print sections of it and place it on the information table at services. Chris Rowland does the final editing and formatting and sends it out on Thursday afternoons so that international areas in the Far East can have it in time for the Sabbath.

I have been liberal in adding church members to the list upon request. We currently send it out to a little over 1000 addresses. Again, please feel free to share and forward the eNews to those who would benefit by it.

Ambassador Bible College Back in Session

Yesterday, ABC students returned from winter break and will soon be starting the second semester.

The day before, our student from India, Ezekiel Polinati, was baptized here at the home office. It was a joyous occasion to see God's Spirit working. We have enjoyed Ezekiel as a student; however, he will be returning to India shortly.

Today was my turn to host the ABC Assembly. I invited Union Township Police Lieutenant for Operations Anthony Rees to speak to our students. He is our Batavia Rotary club president and speaks often and positively about the work of policemen in a time when their role is under attack. He gave us insight into some of the worst problems in the community: highly addictive and dangerous heroin use. Our ABC students conducted a question and answer session with him as well.

Death of John Hull

We are saddened to announce the death of John Hull. John died on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, due to complications from Alzheimer's, at approximately 9:45 p.m. His daughter, Jeanne Curtis, and son-in-law, Brent Curtis, were at his side much of the time before his death. John was a long-time member and elder of the Church and led a full and active life. John would have been 93 in January. He was loved by all and will be sorely missed. A funeral service will be held on Jan. 5 at 1:00 p.m. at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to Wounded Warriors or your favorite charity in John's name.

Cards may be sent to Jeanne Curtis, P.O. Box 2911, Minden, NV 89423.

Financial Planning for the Church

We are currently working on our Strategic Plan with the administration and the Council of Elders. As we do so, I am adding a strategy to the plan that will bring together a team of knowledgeable and qualified people to further develop the Church's revenue stream. The team would include people with experience in financial planning, planned giving and legal.

We always look to God to provide for our needs, and He has given us what we need through our primary source of tithes and offerings—plus from funds for the occasional capital campaign (such as the special fund for the new Video Recording Studio).

The majority of the Church's income is from our membership; however, about $2 million comes from our donors and coworkers. These are people who show their appreciation and support for the work of the Church as God motivates them.

As we plan for further developing our revenue stream, I have already spoken to a number of people within the Church who are financial planners or have other areas of financial expertise. I have also consulted with some outside professionals.

So, to that end, if there is anyone in the Church who has experience in the not-for-profit field as a development director or fundraiser, I would appreciate hearing from you with your suggestions.

King James Bible

A few weeks ago, I came across what I believe is a remarkable and inspiring BBC documentary about the history of the 1611 King James Bible. It was produced in 2011, for the 400th anniversary of what is considered to be the finest piece of English literature by believer and unbeliever alike.

This documentary can be freely seen on YouTube. I have been so fascinated by the history and the production of this one-hour documentary that I could not help watching it again. Being a British documentary made the history even more compelling. It was interesting to see Hatfield House, a palace a few miles from Bricket Wood that King James visited in 1611. At the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, there was a special exhibition of original 1611 King James Bibles there. I had a private off-season tour of the grounds four years ago by the groundskeeper, a son of one of my Bricket Wood classmates.

This translation was produced by 50 scholars forming six companies. The well-narrated documentary shows how the Puritan church was first involved and how King James used this project first for political purposes, but in the end produced a remarkable product. Earlier translations such as the Tyndale, Geneva and Bishops Bible are described as well, and why the new translation was needed and its superiority and endurance.

In 2011, a very fine book called The Legacy of the King James Bible by Leland Ryken describes the subject of this video in much greater detail and shows what the King James Bible did for English-speaking people. Someday, people will have their eyes opened to the true impact of these words about God's purpose for mankind. You can see it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/9CCevwHUIOU.

I still love to hear the words of the King James Bible read aloud, which I enjoy through the YouVersion app or by my wife, Bev. There is nothing that is more faith-building and encouraging than hearing the Word of God.