From Frank Brown: It was a pleasure to welcome Mr. Leroy Neff, Treasurer of the Church, and two of his staff — Mr. Fred Stevens, Accounting Manager, and Mr. Ritchie Gaston, General Ledger supervisor — who visited Elstree House recently. They took the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the financial reporting systems we are using here in the U.K.
Our new computer accounting system is now almost "de-bugged." This is a highly sophisticated system which enables us to produce a report of either an individual country or region, or a consolidated report, and also a report detailing either indigenous or subsidy expenditure. These reports, which will be right up to date, will provide a valuable managerial tool for improved budget control.
The January 1986 issue of "The Plain Truth" had a circulation of 157,271 in the United Kingdom and Eire, an increase of 6.4 percent over January 1985. In line with these increases, the mail count for the month of November was up 32.1 percent, bringing the year-to-date total to 259,723 pieces of mail, an increase of 15.9 percent. There is good news about mail income as well — the month of November saw a month-to-date increase of 7.2 percent, bringing the year-to-date increase to 13.4 percent. "The Good News" increased by 144.9 percent since last year, from just over 8,000 to almost 20,000.
The autumn series of advertisements in Scandinavian newspapers have not only brought us excellent response rates, but have also stimulated comment from readers. Several readers of BERGENS TIDENDE wrote to the editor asking about the organization behind these inserts. These questions prompted some free (if not altogether accurate) publicity. BERGENS TIDENDE carried a picture of the insert under the heading "An unfortunate mixture of religion and politics." The article, although sneering in tone, did give some food for thought, explaining our belief that the British people descended from some of the 10 lost tribes of Israel, and that the English throne will become the governing seat of the coming Christ. With a response rate of almost 1.9 percent, higher than any we have ever had before in Scandinavia, it would seem that the article made some people look again at the insert!
The combined Norwegian- and English- language "Plain Truth" circulation in Scandinavia for the January 1986 issue was 44,619 — up 39.6 percent over last year. The "Good News" list has increased from 679 to 1,689 — a 149.9 percent increase since the December 1984 issue.
With the "World Tomorrow" program now appearing regularly in Norway, we are beginning to receive responses from viewers requesting literature. We now have an inventory of 23 titles in the Norwegian language, including both booklets and reprint articles.
English "Plain Truth" circulation on the continent of Europe is now 35,800 copies, slightly down from last year due to measures taken to curb growth in the file. The "Good News" file is up 148.5 percent to 5,126 copies, and "Youth 85" is up by 72.5 percent to 552 copies.
In the Middle East, following unprecedented growth in the "Plain Truth" file, new subscribers are being held and not added immediately to the file, since budgetary limitations do not permit us to fulfill all these requests. Even with these measures, the January 1986 circulation is up 21.4 percent over the January 1985 issue. The "Good News" list has increased by 171.5 percent in the last year, and "Youth 85" by 468 percent!
Mr. Chukwudi, a full-time minister in Nigeria, appears to be getting weaker and suffers from swelling in both legs and feet, headaches and a persistent cough. Speaking has also become a problem for him. He very much needs the prayers of the Church.
At the end of December Mr. Steve LeBlanc will be leaving Kenya to return to serve in the United States and will be working in Pasadena. Mr. John Andrews, a 1983 graduate of Ambassador College, has now begun to assist Mr. Willis in Kenya with a view to taking a fuller role when Mr. LeBlanc leaves. He has gone to Kenya on an initial trial basis to enable him to acclimatize himself with that part of the world, and to see if he will be able to fit into the very different life-style he will find in East Africa.
International News
Worldwide Church of God