FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES

International News

From the Netherlands Four hundred four brethren registered this year at the Dutch-language Feast site at Hoogeveen, in the beautiful province of Drenthe, the Netherlands. Of that number, 54 came from such areas as the United States, Canada, Australia, the Philippines and Ireland.

Mr. Rod Matthews, his wife Ruth and their two sons were guests from Pasadena. Mr. Piet Michielsen, a Dutch-speaking minister from Grande-Prairie, Alberta, Canada and his wife Joy were also guests. Most services were conducted in the Dutch language with simultaneous translation into English.

Highlights of the Feast at Hoogeveen were the inspiring messages of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong via video (first day message) and the film, Behind the Work IV, as well as the Young Ambassadors film and the family afternoon barbecue. The family afternoon brought everyone together for games, fellowship and good food. All games were organised so that parents and children were involved as a family unit.

The weather throughout the eight days of the Feast was pleasant. All outdoor activities such as bicycling, horseback riding, soccer and the seniors' outing were a great success. The Dutch language area brethren can indeed look back on their best Feast ever and great blessings from God.

The holy day offerings resulted in a 9% increase year to date.

At the end of the Feast, the management of the convention centre "De Tamboer" advised Regional Director Bram de Bree that we have first priority for 1985. This means that the next Feast of Tabernacles in the Netherlands will again be held in Hoogeveen.

Appreciation for Ministerial Refreshing Program III

Dear Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Tkach:

Thank you for MRP III. It was at the same time sobering and inspiring. The growth and growth potential of the work of God's Church are staggering. We came away with the serious focus that there isn't much time left to accomplish the current part of our job. We will do our best, with God's help, to stir our people with a sense of urgency and to help guide each one toward being prepared for Christ's return.
Cecil and Karen Maranville

Dear Mr. Tkach:

This is a note of gratitude from Margaret and me for the opportunity to attend Refreshing Programme session nine. It was hard to think of a way in which the material covered in the second program could have been improved upon, but we found this recent round to be the most thought-provoking yet.

We returned home with a greater sense of urgency in wanting to work with God's people, to serve them and help them attain the highest goal imaginable. More than before we can see what a Christ-inspired blessing the Refreshing Programme is.
Robert and Margaret Harrison

Dear Mr. Tkach:

Greetings from South Africa! My wife Gwen and I have been back home for about two months — enough time to evaluate Ministerial Refreshing Program III. It seems such a short time ago that we were in Pasadena, enjoying the terrific physical and spiritual atmosphere.

It's good to go over the lectures, to remember the fellowship, to recall the instruction and to realise the tremendous privilege of being a part of the work of God's great Church. We continually refer to the notes and will no doubt use them for months to come. We would therefore like to thank you and your team for all your efforts in giving us a true "refreshment." Regards also to Mr. Armstrong, who makes it possible.
John and Gwen White

Comments From Monthly Church Reports

From Australia

MELBOURNE (EAST), VIC — BILL BRADFORD: The PLAIN TRUTH newsstands have really taken off. In the Melbourne area we are placing about twenty new stands each month. The members are very excited and support the programme 100%. These past few months have been very successful in terms of spiritual growth in members.

ADELAIDE, SA — KERRY GUBB: We have noticed a definite trend with waiting room programme phone-call recipients saying they already know about The PLAIN TRUTH. It wasn't this way when we started, but now people seem to be far more aware of who and what we are. This is encouraging our telephone operators a great deal.

BUNDABERG, QLD — MARK GULLY: I have found that quite a large number of people have questions they want to ask in the weekly Bible studies concerning things they have come across in their personal Bible study. It is refreshing to see people getting their noses into the Bible.

From Asia

INDIA (SOUTH) — MOHAN JAYASEKERA: The radio broadcast from Radio Ceylon is being heard loud and clear throughout the area. A number of members are having trials regarding the Sabbath, with the greater pressure coming from employers. Many single members are experiencing pressure from their families to marry outside the Church. In both these matters they express commitment to do what God wills. They request prayers on their behalf in these areas of life.

From the United States

SAN ANTONIO, TX — GREG SARGENT: The church seems very stable at this time. I attribute this to the strong direction we are constantly receiving from Headquarters — especially from Mr. Armstrong's tapes. The repetition of his messages is finally sinking in and the prophecy sermons help us concentrate more on the work of God's Church.

DENISON, TX — CHUCK CALAHAN: Mr. Armstrong's tapes on prophecy were excellent! You had to listen closely lest you miss something — the pace was so quick!

MIAMI, FL — AL KERSHA: Prospective member activity continues to be high in this area when compared to previous months and years.

Though several of these people proved to have superficial interest after a personal visit, nonetheless, we have had some very fine prospective members start attending services. Once again, we owe it to the great team effort God has inspired between His Apostle, other leaders at Headquarters and our diligent local members supporting the work of God's Church.

ALBANY, NY — LYLE WELTY: Our teens cleaned up the local fairgrounds. The owner was very impressed — he said we did a far better job than anyone ever did and did it in about a quarter of the time. He was surprised that teens could be so well behaved and hardworking. He even called the local newspaper, who sent someone out to write an article about the group. The owner was so pleased that he gave us almost double the price we had agreed upon.

— Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services