Comments From Monthly Church Reports
From the United States
MANSFIELD, OH — JIM HAEFFELE: The brethren appreciate hearing Mr. Armstrong preach on prophecy. It seems it has been quite a number of years since we have heard him dwell specifically on this subject. We hope he will continue to relate events in Europe and update us on prophecy.
QUINCY, WA — GENE WATKINS: Most of the brethren are becoming very interested in prophecy as they hear Mr. Armstrong speak on the subject. We are gearing up here to follow his lead and begin having more Bible studies and sermons on prophecy.
ONTARIO, OR — JEFF McGOWAN: Because the majority of the congregation is near senior citizen age, health problems seem to dominate the brethren as far as trials are concerned. It is really inspiring to see how God keeps sustaining and healing these brethren so they can continue to serve Him. The resolve of the members and their commitment to God's work is truly inspiring to me, because the tendency for people in their place is to become resentful and begin to flag in their commitment. With more activities in the area, this group has become more dynamic at Church and their personalities have become more outgoing.
GARDEN GROVE, CA — TERRY MATTSON: The church area continues to grow in numbers as well as in a deeper bond of fellowship and love. Many have remarked about how close everyone feels toward each other. It's truly a big family. More and more John 13:35 is being fulfilled. New people coming to services for the first time are saying they have never experienced so much real love from others as they do from those in God's Church! This is having a profound effect in bringing new people along towards baptism and conversion.
From Southern Africa
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — JOHN WHITE: The Cape Town congregation is very enthusiastic to receive more information from the Ministerial Refreshing Program. Mr. Armstrong's tape on prophecy was a great success and many thought it was one of the best on this subject.
BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA — SYDNEY HULL: Slow but steady growth is being maintained in this area. Pressure from other churches against our PLAIN TRUTH newsstand effort is increasing. That is a sign that God's work is being done!
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — DANIEL BOTHA: A number of members have transferred out of the area due to job problems. In the Pietersburg area finances are becoming a problem for some of our outlying members. Drought still grips the area. Jobs are difficult to come by.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA — JOHN BARTHOLOMEW: I was able to visit a man who lost contact with us many years ago. He has been struggling all these years to keep his trading store going in the remote mountains of Lesotho, and has faithfully been observing the Sabbath and holy days despite opposition from the entire community and his wife, who left him for six months. There has been a gradual, steady increase in visits, PMs and baptisms in the South Coast area.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — ANDRE VAN BELKUM: We continue to receive 5-10 new visit requests each month. These people show a keen desire to attend services, but most have a very superficial knowledge of the truth. They need time to develop. There were three baptisms this month. Newsstand distribution has jumped from 10,000 to 15,000 in one month. This was due to two excellent doors opening — at the Johannesburg Central Station and Jan Smuts Airport. Members are responding exceptionally well to Church activities as a very high percentage attend these functions. Fellowshipping is very evident among members.
— Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services
