Update from the President
"Let This Mind Be In You"
Our traditional Labor Day weekend Leadership Workshop ended on a high note this past Monday. 31 attendees from all over the U.S., including one couple from Canada, participated in lively and informative sessions that included new presentations with a focus on accelerating the development of servant leaders.
The theme of "Let This Mind Be In You" focused on the exemplary servant leadership of Jesus Christ.
On Friday night, we had a get-acquainted gathering at the home office. Everyone spoke a few minutes about themselves and what they wanted to come away with from the meetings. The next day, Darris McNeely gave a presentation titled: "Your Part in the Vision and Mission of the Church." Our desire is for all of us to know who we are and make certain that all of us are united about our expectations. This was followed by presentations about the mindset and character of a servant by Steve Myers and myself.
On Sunday, we had a very full day with sessions titled: "A Leader is First a Disciple" by Darris McNeely; "Beyond Merely Leading" by Greg Thomas; "Speaking Effectively" by Gary Antion; "Defending the Faith" by Steve Myers; and in the evening "Preaching the Gospel from Home" by Peter Eddington. On Monday, Matthew Fenchel spoke about "Upcoming Young Adult Initiatives"; Rudy Rangel spoke about "Working with Teens in Your Congregation"; and I presented "Working with your Pastor." We also had two question and answer sessions.
At the end of the day on Sunday, tours of the home office were given to the workshop attendees. Of particular disappointment was that "Jelly" was not in that day. It was explained that he was off for the long weekend!
The Leadership Workshop has proven over many years to be an effective way to identify and develop leadership at several levels in the church. Many current elders, deacons, deaconesses and leading members have been developed and helped through participation in this program. We expect to continue with this program as part of our education efforts. We encourage pastors to be thinking now about those from your area who can attend next year.
America: The Time is Now!
During the last presentation of America: The Time is Now!, members of the Council of Elders were able to come to the program in Dayton, Ohio. During the Council meetings that followed that week, they offered suggestions for upcoming presentations. To follow up on that, this week our entire campaign production staff and presenters, led by Peter Eddington, discussed how we could improve the presentation in all aspects. We reviewed the entire script and outline and made some adjustments, including a more engaging welcome and introduction, among many other things. Some of the slides have been replaced with more complete references to scriptures that are used. It's quite a production involving the entire team of presenters, technicians and writers.
We are preparing for the next three presentations to be held in North Carolina on September 20, 22 and 25. Tickets ordered for all three cities (Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte) are doing very well so far. We have over 7,000 Beyond Today magazine subscribers in the area to draw from.
We are thankful that the local congregations are very involved in bringing awareness to the events. We noticed this week that Tom and Jody Adams and the Raleigh brethren have been very proactive in posting "America: The Time is Now!" trifold brochures and posters on our magazine racks in stores throughout the city. We appreciate your prayers to our Father for the success of these next three appearances, and that He will draw those whom He is calling into closer contact with the Church.
Ambassador Bible College Assembly
Every Thursday, an assembly or forum is held for ABC students just after lunch. I was asked to speak last week. Home office personnel and the ABC class are becoming acquainted with one another. As last year, I wanted to hear from everyone. I wanted to know where they came from, who their pastor was and they hoped to accomplish in the coming year from their ABC studies.
The comments were remarkable and revealing. It's a great class with mature thoughts and expectations not only for themselves, but for how they want to serve after they graduate.
Here's what some of them said:
I came to ABC to learn more about God. I realized that I couldn't defend my faith and wanted to be able to do that.
I've been wanting to come to ABC for a long time. I would like to draw closer to God and make sure this is my religion and not just my parents'. I want to take away a better understanding of the Bible.
I grew up in the Church. I wanted to come to ABC--I have an Associate degree but the field I was in would present difficulties with the Sabbath. While I am trying to figure out what to do career-wise, I decided to go to ABC. I want to build a solid foundation that cannot be broken. I would like to take the information I learn here to other areas as I travel.
I'm a newbie--been in the church for a month now. I want to learn more about the church and to know what I'm talking about. I want to be close to God and be His friend and a help to my family.
I grew up in a large denomination and didn't know much about the Bible. I want to be able to defend my faith and be with people of like mind. I want to take back to my own area what I've learned.
I grew up in the Church. I want to know more about God and the Bible. I can get more information here on how to defend my beliefs. I want to immerse myself for a whole year in Bible study.
When I was at camp, I was encouraged to go to ABC and not delay. I read the Bible and know that it has no errors, but I see conflicts in Scripture and want to know what the answers are. I would like a better understanding of the Bible. I want to be close to class mates with positive peer pressure.
I want to be convicted of the Truth. And have a better understanding of the Truth. And be a better light to the world I want better Bible study habits and want to know how to better do that. I would like a full, well-rounded understanding--the big picture and how it all fits.
Three New Beyond Today Television Programs
This week our three Beyond Today presenters recorded three brand new TV programs. The subjects were repentance ("Create in Me a Clean Heart") by Gary Petty, "A Halloween Story" by Steve Myers, and "Kingdoms at War: The Fifth Kingdom" (about the Kingdom of God) by Darris McNeely.
All went very well, and we plan to edit these programs to air during and after the Feast of Tabernacles.
Two UYC Camps in Africa Completed Last Month
Four Youth Corps volunteers went to Nigeria to help with UYC camp. Here is a five and a half minute video of the camp. I was so pleased to see the location of the camp on the ocean and the kinds of activities the young people were involved in. Paul Moody posted this on YouTube and you can see it here.
We also received a fine report from Major Nawa Talama, our pastor in Zambia. We were able to hold Youth Camp on our own property. It was well-attended and was a blessing to all.
You can see the full report here!
Camp Directors Conference in a few days
Camp directors are coming in for a three day conference in the coming week. Some will bring their wives. We consider our United Youth Camps program to be one of the most important activities of the Church.
We thank all you church pillars for your prayers, support and volunteering to move the mission of the Church forward. You see this reflected in just some of our activities above.
