From Mr. Frank Brown: We were delighted that Mr. Armstrong was able to visit Elstree House for the annual board meetings held on May 3. He arrived in London on Thursday, May 2, and after attending the two board meetings, was guest of honour at a luncheon attended by all full-time staff. Mr. Armstrong addressed them after lunch, giving a preview of his new book. On Sabbath, May 4, he gave an inspiring message to a combined congregation of 816 brethren at the Kensington Exhibition Centre in London. After the service, Mr. Armstrong flew to Brussels, and then returned to Elstree House on Sunday to address a local elders conference.
The income for April was the highest ever for one month in the history of the British office — 21.5% higher than April 1984, bringing the year-to-date increase to 6.8%.
While PLAIN TRUTH circulation is still around 100,000 in the U.K. and Eire, new subscribers are beginning to come onto our list as a result of our current advertising programme, and we should see rapid growth in the next few months. Over 10,400 new subscribers were added during April.
Delayed renewals have resulted in a temporary dip in PLAIN TRUTH circulation in the overseas areas, except in the Middle East where self-generated growth has offset the losses, so the file is still 17.0% above this time last year. In Black Africa, subscribers receive only one renewal for budgetary reasons, because demand for The PLAIN TRUTH is so high in that area. Circulation there has therefore not been affected by renewal changes and is set on a very steady growth pattern — up 54.5% over 1984.
The GOOD NEWS offer to PLAIN TRUTH subscribers has pulled a very good response from all areas, bringing very healthy growth to the GOOD NEWS files. Here is a summary of the number of offers mailed so far, the responses and the current size of the files:
International News
Worldwide Church of God