Home Office Weekly Update: December 11, 2025

From the President...

Greetings fellow ministers and brethren,

How seriously do you consider your place in the Body of Christ? Am I wholeheartedly a part of the Body of Christ? Jesus Himself implores us to make factual assessments about our spiritual condition in His letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2-3).

He also warns us not to get swayed by influential people who promote mindsets contrary to His truth. “Beware of false prophets [teachers], who come to you in sheep’s clothing [profess sound doctrine], but inwardly they are ravenous wolves [they will cost you your life]. You will know them by their fruits [the resulting mindset]” (Matthew 7:15-16).

Compare everything you hear from anyone with what God’s word instructs you. Be alert for slick manipulation using human logic that garners sympathy for the unfairly treated, complains about personal injustices, spouts accusations against brethren, while diverting us away from following Jesus Christ and His appointed authorities. Such are the tactics of wolves (Jude 8, 11-12). Such prideful minds are in stark contrast to Jesus’ admonitions for self-abasement, humility, service, sacrifice, honoring others, pursuing peace, unity and love.

I am not pointing fingers at any individual, rather I'm emphasising the biblical principles necessary for us to be responsible with our opportunity for salvation. Paul stated of our time, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:13-15).

God constantly observes and monitors each of us in hopes of bringing us into His Kingdom. “The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates” (Psalm 11:4-5).

God does not support those who do “violence” to the brethren by spreading lies and rumors. “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue…a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19). He also says, “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:10).

We all need to humble ourselves, repent of our own sins and mistakes and seek God’s forgiveness, as we forgive others. May God help us all to love Him above all else and to love each other more than we love ourselves.

I encourage you to remain vigilant and never fall for the bait of carnally promoting individuals seeking a personal following with their own special twist. Christianity is about Christ! It is not about temporary human servants. Nor is it about a special corporation. In all situations we are to follow Christ and be of His Body.

In John 12:26 we read: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” Christ’s shepherds only follow Christ and encourage others to only follow Him! Only then can any human be an asset to another’s salvation.

Jesus never warned that we should be in some specific church era, or be in a church with a special leader, or have a specific form of governance, or a certain corporate name, or a special hidden doctrine. I implore you to find even a hint of such instruction in anything Jesus ever said! He warns that trickery will abound and mortal danger will lurk in the most unlikely places.

Notice the context of Christ’s statement to us about the challenges of the pathway to His Kingdom: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:14-16).

The stakes are high for every member. Each of us are responsible to be alert, discern God’s will, and recognize those faithfully upholding God's word.

As you enjoy the Sabbath and are refreshed by it, take time to consider the seriousness of your calling. Meditate on what you truly stand for. Define the fruit you are trying to grow in your life. Then, let these words guide you on your path:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:12-16).

May God bless you along with all His faithful children, as we humble ourselves and submit to His will. And may we deeply love loving Him, and love one another sincerely,

John Elliott, President

Feast of Tabernacles 2026: Biblical Tour of Turkey

We are excited to announce a festival tour for 2026 in Turkey. The 9-night program will span the entire Feast of Tabernacles with six of the nine nights being at an all-inclusive resort along the Icarian/Aegean Sea.

Attendees can start out with a pre-Feast tour of the ancient capital of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul). Then the Feast begins at Izmir (ancient Smyrna), continuing on to five of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. This promises to be biblically educational and a highlight Feast. Hotel accommodations and food will not disappoint. A post-Feast option to Cappadocia will also be available.

This will be an educational Feast focusing on biblical geography, the travels of Paul, early Christian congregations and the life and culture of the early Church—all with the rich meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Turkey is at times referred to as “the Other Holy Land,” and with good reason—because many of the events recorded in the book of Acts took place in Turkey, and many of the books of the New Testament were written from or to individuals or congregations there.

To get the most out of our time, church services will be in the mornings after which we will be touring the sites themselves.

Detailed itinerary, pricing, terms and registration have been made available through our handling agent Travel Gallery Inc. at: https://www.travelgallery.com/ucg-2026-turkey. Or, you can call (800) 858-6999 to have information mailed to you.

—Charles Melear, Festival Coordinator

Southwest Missouri – Women’s Enrichment Weekend

The ladies of the UCG Springfield congregation cordially invite you to attend our 2026 Women’s Enrichment Weekend March 14 and 15, 2026.

Our theme this year is “Facing Life with Strength and Laughter.” Please join us for all the presentations, activities, fellowship, fun and laughter!

Here are some comments from the ladies on how they benefited by attending last year’s event:

• ”Wonderful fellowship and laughter.”
• “I felt God was opening my mind more on the ways He works, and what He is doing within each of us as well as bringing us together.”
• “Loved meeting new people.”
• “Very inspiring.”
• “How can we not benefit from sharing a weekend with sisters of like mind?”
• “I heard several different views and was provided so many different tools to help me find my path and stay on it.”
• “The fellowship was great.”
• “I had a lot of laughs and wonderful fellowship.”

We strive to make each event even better from the last. We have a wonderful lineup of speakers and presenters! We will again have a silent auction and collect food for the local food bank.

For more information on registration and cost, please contact Jamie Bettes at 12345Jamied@gmail.com or (352) 702-6496, or Tim Martens, pastor, at (41) 612-9125.

We hope to see all of you there!

—Jamie Bettes, Merna Leisure Eppick and the Springfield ladies!

2026 Midwest Teen Prom

Registration is open for the UCG Midwest Teen Prom in 2026! We are planning to have it Saturday evening, March 14, at the Encore Hotel in Berlin, Ohio. This gorgeous hotel will again be a beautiful backdrop for our theme this year, “A Trip to Greece.”

This annual event welcomes over 100 teens from states all around the country. The weekend includes a meet and greet Friday evening, a special Sabbath, followed by a formal dinner and prom that evening. Seniors will have a special recognition right before the dinner that parents can join.

This year we also plan to put a teen choir together for wonderful special music on the Sabbath. More information will be added for that as we get closer.

We are also planning to have a sports/social event on Sunday, March 15 prior to departure, so we hope you’ll plan to stay a bit longer on Sunday to allow the teens this extra social time.

More information about registrations and hotel accommodations can be found on our website at www.midwestteenprom.com. If you have any questions please contact Sabrina Massie at (919) 943-9966 or sabrinamassie13@gmail.com.