Herbert W Armstrong

Other developments during the year included the placing of illuminated PLAIN TRUTH displays in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports, and the installation of a new IBM PC-XT computer in the Auckland office.

On the media front, 1984 saw our first ever direct mail promotion, which brought an excellent 6.8% response. Four READER'S DIGEST advertisements brought in over 2,500 new PLAIN TRUTH subscriptions, and 368,000 newspaper inserts resulted in a further 4,100 requests for The PLAIN TRUTH. All told, 16,500 new PLAIN TRUTH subscribers were added in 1984, an increase of 33.5% over the number added in 1983.

The GOOD NEWS offer to two-year PLAIN TRUTH subscribers elicited a 30% response. This added 3,000 new GOOD NEWS subscribers, doubling its mailing list.

Mail income increased by 7.4% over 1983, third tithe by 41.2% and holy day offerings by 37.6%, giving an increase in total income of 16.0%. White mail was up 56.5%, donation mail up 6.1% and total incoming mail up 1.2%. Outgoing mail increased 18.8%.

We're grateful to God for the fine growth He has blessed us with in 1984, and now we're eagerly looking forward to another productive year in 1985.

Appreciation for Ministerial Refreshing Program III

Dear Mr. Armstrong:

Sonja and I would like to express our sincere thanks for being able to participate in the third Ministerial Refreshing Programme. While sobered by the social problems facing America and our Israelite peoples around the world, it was so encouraging to receive positive instruction on how to prevent the problems from finding a foothold in Church congregations, and how to counsel those God is drawing into contact with His Church.

Truly there is no other programme that could regularly remind us of our own commitment as ministers, and give us the tools to fulfill our calling. We appreciate the time and effort you, Mr. Tkach, and many others give to make the refresher so rewarding.
Peter and Sonja Hawkins

Dear Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Tkach:

Joan and I returned home from Headquarters on a spiritual high! It really is a blessing to be able to come to Pasadena to drink in the Ambassador atmosphere and rekindle the desire to push for higher standards in our lives. We pray that God will give us the wisdom to pass on to the Churches here those things presented to us so well in the Refreshing Program. Our thanks to all the men who were involved in the presentations and a special thanks to you, Mr. Armstrong, for taking the time to speak to each group of ministers coming to Headquarters. We know you are very dedicated to God, and it is much appreciated.

Dear Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Tkach:
Jim and Joan Tuck

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited greatly from the third Ministerial Refreshing Program in December. It is very fulfilling and inspiring to go to God's Headquarters on earth and College every two years. It should help everyone to stay close to the trunk of the tree, and take back the same messages.

We were glad to see old friends and make new friends — making us more aware and closer to the work of God around the world! It was very inspiring to hear you, Mr. Armstrong, at a class lecture, plus two Bible studies.

Thank you again for the fine skilled teaching efforts. The many hours the dedicated teams gave in arranging tours and providing material is appreciated.
Ernest and Evelyn Hoyt

Comments From Monthly Church Reports

From the United States

CINCINNATI (SOUTH), OH — BOB LEAGUE: Mr. Armstrong's latest trip to the Orient was very inspiring and uplifting to all of us. God continues to give him youthful vigor to do His work on earth. We continually pray that God will lead Mr. Armstrong through new opened doors to finish this great work.

WAUKESHA, WI — JOEL LILLENGREEN: Members are very encouraged by the vigorous manner in which Mr. Armstrong carries out his responsibilities in spite of physical limitations. They can definitely see God's hand in the picture. There is much enthusiasm toward the PT newsstand program.

JACKSON, MS — MARC SEGALL: We have appreciated Mr. Tkach's updates and instruction in the PGR. They spark ideas for sermons plus keep us more solidly on track. Please keep them coming.

MERIDEN, CT — LARRY WOOLDRIDGE: The emphasis in teaching more about marriage and family relationships is doing a lot of good in this Church area. Many thanks to Dr. Zimmerman for the fine sermon he delivered. It really was very helpful.

WILMINGTON, DE — DAVID REGISTER: Everyone thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Harold Jackson's visit from Pasadena. It was very inspiring to the brethren. Thank you, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Tkach, for reinstituting this visiting program. The added contact with Pasadena is needed and helpful.

ATLANTA (EAST), GA — KENNETH MARTIN: The brethren really enjoyed Mr. Jackson's visit to the area. They especially appreciated his explanation of the early days of God's working with Mr. Herbert Armstrong and how the Church has grown as a result.

AKRON, OH — BILL JAHNS: The Church was inspired by Mr. Dick Ames' visit to this area. It is always inspiring to have someone from Headquarters come to the local area and give an update on the work of God's Church. This helps us keep our eyes focused on what God has called us to do in this end time.

ROANOKE, VA — ROBERT PERSKY: The PMs that I am now dealing with are very deeply repentant. They have a true Philadelphia attitude — they're hungering for truth, responsive and full of enthusiasm. All the new PMs who have been invited to attend services have told me that the brethren immediately welcomed and accepted them and made them feel like they were part of a big family.

FORT WAYNE, IN — DARRIS McNEELY: The two public Bible lectures held in December resulted in several new visit requests. Many who attended were longtime PMs who had not responded to visits. Hopefully the lectures brought them a step further along. I feel the lectures were helpful for the local members. The topic I covered helped them reaffirm their commitment to the Church. The next couple of months should determine how much of the "sown seed" will grow and bear fruit.

MUNCIE, IN — RICK BAUMGARTNER: The members appreciate and are excited about the material that was presented at the Refreshing Program. Since most of the material that was given is so applicable to the local area, I am trying to cover as much of it as possible in sermons and Bible studies. There is a genuine excitement here about Mr. Armstrong's latest travels to China and other parts of the Orient.

— Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services