Herbert W Armstrong

In April our offices were moved from the downtown Utrecht location to a new satellite town some 10 miles south of Utrecht called Nieuwegein. The downtown Utrecht office had become inadequate due to lack of space and high rent. We were offered the south wing on the second floor of a just-completed four story office building in Nieuwegein, with 150% more floor space and 30% lower rent. The new building, its environment and furnishings contribute to pleasant and uplifting working conditions. Although the office space has increased, our staff of five full-time people has remained the same. For occasional rush work we call on members of the De Bilt congregation to help out on a voluntary basis.

In the first quarter of 1984 we conducted an advertising campaign promoting the Dutch edition of The PLAIN TRUTH, De ECHTE WAARHEID, on the back covers of a TV guide and the monthly publication of the Dutch Automobile Association. In the last quarter of 1984, we ran a back cover ad in the Belgian Automobile Association magazine. As a result, 16,570 new subscribers were added to the list, giving us a total circulation of 44,500 at the end of 1984.

The Dutch GOOD NEWS was issued six times during 1984. Circulation increased 1.2%. As of January 1985 the GOOD NEWS (het GOEDE NIEUWS van de Wereld van Morgen) will appear monthly again. The magazine will now be offered to De ECHTE WAARHEID readers who have been subscribers for two or more years.

YOUTH magazine circulation increased 25.7%. Most Dutch YOU members have a good command of the English language. English is taught with German and French as a second language at high school. Also, the participation of the Dutch YOU members at SEP camp at Loch Lomond, Scotland contributes greatly to their English vocabulary.

In 1984 the translation, printing and issuing of the YES lessons in Dutch was begun. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Mr. and Mrs. Gerry van der Wende in Pasadena, Lesson One for all nine levels was issued. The lessons have been received by parents and children with great enthusiasm.

Three new booklets were translated this past year and four booklets were revised. This brings the total number of Dutch language booklets to 41. The highlight was the publication of THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN IN PROPHECY, a long-awaited book in the Dutch language.

Sixty thousand eighty-one pieces of mail were received in 1984. Personal correspondence increased 83.6%. Income increased 8.5% while the number of co-workers increased 47.8% and donors 7.6%.

In 1984, approval was received from Ministerial Services for the Antwerp, Belgium Church to meet each Sabbath. Before that, Antwerp met only twice a month. As of January 1985, four Dutch language services are being held weekly: Zwolle, De Bilt and Tilburg, The Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium.

The number of Spokesman Clubs increased from two to three in 1984. Church attendance increased 10.2%. Membership increased 7.9% with 17 baptisms. Total membership is 217 and total attendance for all four churches is 334.

Again this year the management of the theater complex "De Tamboer" in Hoogeveen advised us that we would be given priority in booking the complex for the 1985 Feast of Tabernacles. Plans have already been completed for keeping the Feast at this location.

We are looking forward to continued expansion in 1985. Mr. Armstrong has approved our advertising program for 1985. The first ad will be in the March issue of HET BESTE (READER'S DIGEST).

Recent Ordination

Mr. Lazarus Chimba, who serves in the Harare, Zimbabwe congregation, was ordained a local church elder October 11, 1984. Hands were laid on him by the Regional Director for Southern Africa, Dr. Roy McCarthy.

Comments From Monthly Church Reports

From the United States

JACKSON-GREENWOOD, MS — MARC SEGALL: We truly appreciate Mr. Aaron Dean's articles on Mr. Armstrong's trips in the WORLDWIDE NEWS. Mr. Dean is so graphic, detailed, and colorful in his reports we feel like we were actually there experiencing it all. They certainly help the brethren understand the immense value of Mr. Armstrong's travel and contacts. The China trip was amazing!

ANNISTON, AL — MICHAEL HANISKO: The taped sermon by Mr. Armstrong on abortion and Dr. Zimmerman's on marital relations were very well received and generated many comments. In response to Dr. Zimmerman's sermon, several couples that are having marriage difficulties commented that what God requires of them in overcoming their problems couldn't be any more clear than what they just heard.

DES MOINES, IA — ROBERT CLONINGER: The taped sermon by Dr. Zimmerman set a record for the number of copies checked out from our library. It is evident that it moved many to listen again and reevaluate the condition of their own marriages.

TAMPA, FL — RONALD LOHR: Mr. Tkach's visit was the high point of the month. The brethren were responsive to his message. His visit was very supportive of the local ministry and unifying in every way.

PORTLAND, ME — LEONARD HOLLADAY: Our YOU members are so scattered from one another that getting together for activities is difficult. I'm trying to help them by getting to know them better. At the Feast I was talking with Mr. Les Schmedes (pastor of the Rochester and Syracuse, New York churches), who instituted a visiting program with each teen. It has opened communications between himself and the teens and improved communication between parents and teens. I've talked with about one fourth of our teens in both congregations so far and feel that it is having a positive impact on them and the Church.

MURFREESBORO, TN — JAMES FRIDDLE: A former Ambassador College student was pinned in his car for two hours with a broken thighbone, broken shoulder blade and three broken ribs. One of the paramedics who helped cut him out of the car said she had never seen a person live after an accident as serious as his. After three weeks in the hospital he is now home and walking. God miraculously kept him alive and healed him.

JOPLIN, MO — VINCE SZYMKOWIAK: The life of one of our local teenagers was miraculously spared after her car ran under the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig. Her car was dragged beneath the trailer for perhaps 50 yards, then the trailer's rear wheels ran over the car. The car was then hurled over an embankment, and she was thrown through one of the car windows. She landed unconscious in about six inches of water. There were undoubtedly several miracles God performed to save her life. After she was anointed, x-rays were taken, and not one bone or tooth was found to be broken or fractured! Not one suture was required. God worked in a powerful way to spare her life.

— Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services