Herbert W Armstrong

The highest number of TV calls for a single weekend in 1984 was 13,940. Already this year, that record has been exceeded ten times, with two of these occurring in the off-season summer months. Listed below are the ten highest weekend responses ever received, all occurring during the first seven months of 1985:

July 13-14 - 20,064
July 20-21 - 18,540
May 18-19 - 18,050
April 6-7 - 17,585
February 9-10 - 17,229
March 30-31 - 17,008
February 2-3 - 15,992
January 12-13 - 15,852
January 5-6 - 15,836
June 29-30 - 14,834

WATS In-home Program Update

Since its beginning in February 1985, the WATS In-home Program has been expanded to include about 300 members in 13 California churches. We will soon be training volunteers in all California church areas.

In-home operators take calls during the busiest periods immediately following the telecast. These calls are transferred directly to members' homes from our headquarters operation. Each operator takes 5 to 7 calls per ring­through.

Most of the calls are routine requests for the publications Mr. Armstrong offers on the program. Occasionally, a more complicated call, such as an address change or a gift subscription request is received. Extensive training is given to in-home operators so they can properly answer these calls.

Volunteers will be given regular refresher sessions, updated memos and instruction tapes on how various calls should be handled. These training aids will keep everyone up to date on policies and procedures.

Each weekend, in-home operators receive about 1,000 calls, and to date they have taken over 10,000. They are saving God's Church nearly $1,000 each weekend by donating their time. Plans are underway for the WATS in-home program to expand to other states.

Various Services Provided by Church's Toll-free Number

The main function of the WATS toll-free number is to allow "The WORLD TOMORROW" viewers to request the publications offered by Mr. Armstrong. However, we also receive nearly 3,000 calls per month requesting the following services:

• Changes of address.
• Requests from traveling members for the location of Church services.
• Inquiries about missing literature and other similar problems.
• Messages to the Festival, Newsstand Distribution, Legal and other offices.
• Inquiries about contributions and receipts.
• Emergency requests for anointed cloths.

GOOD NEWS Providing Spiritual Meat to Thousands

The dramatic circulation growth of The GOOD NEWS has led to a noticeable increase in reader comments. Many subscribers have expressed their thanks to find such a firm spiritual anchor. Scores have commented that the magazine has brought about significant and positive changes in their lives. The following are a few of the letters we have received recently:

The GOOD NEWS has helped bring peace and happiness to our home, love toward God, relatives and friends. It's the most truthful magazine I've ever read that corresponds directly to the Holy Bible. It has been my study guide, with the Bible holding the answers.
J.& K.M. (McFarlan, NC)

I really appreciate the strong meat in The GOOD NEWS magazine. The issues have shed more light on just how our God wants us to learn to think as He does, and to be careful of what we allow our minds to think, as well as what comes into our minds. Thank you for this eye-opening material. Keep up the good work.
C.C. (Warring ton, FL)

I cannot thank you enough for sending me The GOOD NEWS magazine. I didn't realize until I read it that I was spiritually starving to death. The warmth of the writers comes through and they express themselves so well I find myself drawn to rereading the articles again and again. Thank you so much.
D.B. (Mount Clare, WV)

I received my first GOOD NEWS magazine. The contents interested me so much I could not put it down until I had finished it. Never before has any religious magazine held my attention as this one. I will not let my subscription run out. So many questions that have bothered me through the years have been answered in just one issue. I am now looking forward to more answers in future issues.
J.T. (Westland, MI)

Thank you for the invitation to receive The GOOD NEWS magazine. I enjoy it so very much and always pass it on to a neighbor when I finish reading (unless it is one of the several copies I decide to keep to read again). Since my husband's death several years ago, it has helped me to have a greater understanding of why some things must be as they are.
Mrs. C.F. (Visalia, CA)

I just received my August GOOD NEWS and I didn't put it down until I had read every article. I'm so grateful to the Eternal for the nutritious spiritual food He provides for us from headquarters.
M.D. (San Antonio, TX)

Thank you most sincerely for The GOOD NEWS — that it truly is! The articles in the May issue, "What Does Pentecost Mean to You?" by Mr. Armstrong, and "Pentecost in God's Master Plan" by Mr. Aust, are invaluable in clearing my thinking and helping me to understand the true meaning of Pentecost.
Mrs. C.H. (Bradenton, FL)

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center