VOL. XVI, NO. 7 PASADENA, CALIFORNIA MARCH 28, 1988

Ministers confer in England

MEET THE PRESIDENT-U.S. President Ronald Reagan (center) sentthis photograph to Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach (right) March 3,commemorating his Dec. 5 to 7 visit to Washington, D.C. While in thenation's capital Mr. Tkach attended the Kennedy Center Honors, met thePresident and First Lady Nancy Reagan (left), and toured the Pentagon.

Paul Kieffer is director ofMinisterial Services in theManila, Philippines, Office.

Thirty-seven full-time ministers,including three trainees, and theirwives, met the first week of Marchfor a four-day conference in thispicturesque community on the rimof Lake Taal, about 50 kilometers(30 miles) south of Manila.

Topics included being a goodshepherd, counseling and sermonpreparation. Supervisors from theManila Office gave updates on fi­nancial planning, mail processingstatistics and vehicle maintenance.

Five hours of questions and an­swers dealt with such subjects asdating, family planning and compli­cations caused by the insurgency.

Rodney Matthews, regional di­rector, emphasized the need to havean annual ministerial conference inthis country, where some pastors donot have telephones and where pas­torates on different islands presentadditional communications andtransportation problems.

just before His death was to "loveone another. .. The events of thePassover-Jesus' willingness tolay down His life for His brt':thren,His instruction to eat His "flesh"and to drink His "blood," His ex­ample ofwashing thedisciples' feetand commanding them to do thesame to one another, His prayerthat those God would call would beone, just as He and His Father areone-all underscore and illustrateHis admonition to "love one an­other, even as I have also lovedyou."

(See PERSONAL, page 71

By Paul KiefferTAGAYTAY, Philippines-For

the first time since the 1985 Minis­terial Education Program, the full­time ministry in the Philippines metfor a conference.

Philippineconferencetakes place

cable broadcasting in Europe.Mr. Suckling and Philip Gray,

assistant pastor of the London andBasildon churches, spoke on YouthOpportunities United (YOU).

A reception and banquet forthose who participated in the con­ference took place Tuesdayevening, March 15.

On behalf of Pastor GeneralJoseph W. Tkach, Mr. Salyer gave aplaque and watches to Robert Bo­raker and his wife, Margaret, for 25years of service in the ministry. Mr.Boraker has been head of the Per­sonal Correspondence Departmentin England since 1960.

The next morning the full-timeministers and their wives heardfrom Mr. Brown on Festival organi­zation; Francis Bergin, businessmanager, on legal and administra­tive matters; and John Meakin, pas­tor of the Maidstone, Croydon andBrighton, England, churches, ontime management.

publications. Mr. Faulkner is edi­tor of the Church's publications.Mr. Omasta oversees the collabo­rative scripting process and the ac­tual production of the World To­morrow program. Mr. Wrightoversees the printing of all theChurch's publications as well asthe many promotional programs,from stitch-in envelopes in themagazinesand booklets to print ad­vertising and renewal letters.

By the time most of you receivethis issue of The Worldwide News,another Spring Holy Day seasonwill havejust ended. We must takecare that the lessons of this impor­tant time ofyear are not lost. As wenow move toward the DayofPente­cost, we need to putspecial focus onour own personal spiritual condi­tion before God.

Certainly one of the major ad­monitions Jesus gave His disciples

attends the Maidstone, England,church, spoke on "Stress: ItsCauses and Treatment." He ob­served that stressful conditions canexact a penalty unless recognizedand dealt with.

John Ross Schroeder talkedabout the British Office news bu­reau. Barry Bourne, pastor of theLondon and Basildon, England,churches, gave pointers on counsel­ing about sexual matters.

On the second day Mr. Salyerspoke on the wife's role in the min­istry. Mr. Brown followed with alecture titled "Helpers of TheirJoy."

After a break Mr. Salyer spokeon baptismal counseling for secondgeneration Christians. In the after­noon the ministers heard fromDavid Gunn, Plain Truth circula­tion manager in the British Office,and Tony Lodge, postal director,whose topics included satellite and

Dear brethren:In ajoyous ordination cer­

emony on the Sabbath,March 12,anumberofhead­quarters ministers joined mein ordaining Dexter Faulk­ner, Larry Omasta and RayWright as preaching elders.

God has certainly blessed thelabors of these three men ex­traordinarily these past twoyears as the World Tomorrowtelevision program has becomeone of the top-rated religiousprograms in the world, and asThe Plain Truth has increaseddramatically in impact and inefficiency of production.

You are all familiar with the en­couraging and inspiring columnsand articles written by Mr.Faulkner in many of the Church's

musical entertainment, includingdistinguished solo artists, orches­tras, conductors, composers, in ad­dition to leading folk ensembles."

The UK/LA segment began witha Scottish performance titled Gath­ering of the Clans Feb. 7, and willend with the West Coast premier ofthe Academy of St. Martin-in-the­Fields, led by Sir Neville Marriner,April 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28.

Civic and community officialswho were at the Biltmore receptioninclude Donald Ballentyne, Britishconsul general in Los Angeles;Mayor Tom Bradley; Los AngelesCounty Supervisor Deane Dana;and their wives.

Mr. Tkach Jr.'s wife, Tamara,and Mr. Albrecht's wife, Karen,also attended.

PERSONAL FROM~'V~

l-.-------r-r---,ol~-

By Jeremy RapsonCROYDO ,England- Minis­

ters, trainees and wives from theBritish Isles and Scandinavia methere March 13 to 15 for their firstconference in two years.

Evangelist Larry Salyer, assis­tant director of Church Adminis­tration for international areas, andhis wife, Judy, attended.

The purpose of the conference,according to evangelist FrankBrown, regional director, was tohelp the ministry serve more effec­tively, to give administrative anddoctrinal updates, to chart the prog­ress of God's work in Pasadena andin the British region and to providefellowship for the ministry.

Paul Suckling, director of Minis­terial Services in the British Office,spoke on ceremonies in the Churchand outlined the Feast coordinatorsconference he attended in Pasadenain February.

Maurice Frohn, a surgeon who

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK

deal of publicity," said Mr. Hulme,"so we used the opportunity to de­scribe the Ambassador Founda­tion's past involvement in severalcultural events in the United King­dom.

"The ad demonstrates our inter­national involvement to an audiencethat otherwise probably never real­ized the depth of the organization,"he added.

The advertisement is part of anoverall approach to inform the pub­lic of "our commitment, goals andpurpose, whether it be AmbassadorCollege, the Ambassador Founda­tion, the Worldwide Church of Godor all three," said Mr. Hulme.

An advertisement in the Feb. 28Los Angeles Times "Calendar"section announced that several UK/LA concerts were taking place inthe Ambassador Auditorium, "fea­turing many of the most prestigiousfigures and ensembles in British

tionally in public is a little bit out ofthe ordinary for royalty."

The duke and duchess announcedfinancial gifts to jointly benefit theUK/LA festival and the Save theBooks Campaign for the Los Ange­les Central Library.

Concurrent with the event, theChurch ran a two-page advertise­ment in the Feb. 28 Los AngelesTimes featuring the Church's in­volvement in the UK/LA festival.

"The festival and the visit ofBritish royalty are receiving a good

By JeffE. ZbomePASADENA-Pastor General

Joseph W. Tkach attended privatereceptions for the Duke andDuchess of York Feb. 28 in the LosAngeles (Calif.) Biltmore Hotel,and March 3 aboard the 412-footBritish royal yacht Britanniamoored at the U.S. naval station inLong Beach, Calif.

Prince Andrew, fourth in line tothe British throne, and Sarah, flewto Los Angeles Feb. 26 to start theirlO-day Southern California tour ashonorary patrons of UK/LA '88, aBritish arts festival.

"Mr. Tkach was able to talk withthem and several other dignitariesin the greater Los Angeles area whoattended the private reception"Feb. 28, said evangelist DavidHulme, Ambassador Foundationvice president for domesticprojects, who also attended.

Mr. Hulme told Prince Andrewthat Herbert Armstrong foundedAmbassador Foundation and hadworked with the prince's brother,Prince Charles, in restoring theRoyal Opera House in London.

After "one of the nicest mealswe've had at such an occasion," ac­cording to Maxine Neff, wife ofevangelist Leroy eff, Churchtreasurer, who also attended, theroyal couple spoke to the audience,after which the Royal Marine Bandperformed.

"When they played 'God Savethe Queen,' Prince Andrew wasstanding, respectfully and digni­fied," said Ellen Escat, Mr. Tkach'sadministrative assistant. "After theband finished he raised his glassand, to honor his mother and her of­fice,led the group in a toast 'To theQueen.' "

After the band played "The Star­Spangled Banner," Prince Andrew,in similar fashion, toasted the Presi­dent of the United States.

"I was impressed with how wellthe duke represented his countryand the example he set when he wasmeeting people and as host to thedinner," said Joseph Tkach Jr., as­sistant director of Church Adminis­tration for the United States. "Iwish we could represent ours sowell."

"The occasion was a good exam­ple of the rapport between theUnited Kingdom and the UnitedStates," said Gregory Albrecht,Pasadena Ambassador College deanof students. "There was somethingthere that goes beyond two coun­tries getting together, especiallywith the toasts to the two leadersand playing the national anthems ofboth countries. Of course we knowit's two brothers-Ephraim andManasseh-getting together."

"What I found noticeable was thefriendliness of both the duke andduchess and the ease with whichthey made conversation with every­body," said Mr. Hulme's wife,Robin.

"They manage to chat about sig­nificant things in an interestingway, which means they have to havea spatter of knowledge about a greatdeal of things," she added. "Youcan't make conversation ifyou don'tknow what you are talking about."

"The duchess seemed to be verydown-to-earth," Mrs. eff said."She made you feel at ease. She ap­pears to be fun-loving, which tradi-

Mr. Tkach guest at royal galas;duke, duchess 'dO'Wn-to-earth'

2 The WORLDWIDE NEWS Monday, March 28, 1988

dent of Europe. Back in Britain thisreporter asked Richard Elphick­chief press spokesman for the Eu­ropean Commission in London­about the possibility of a firstpresidentofEurope. He replied thatthere was no provision for such aone-man or one-woman office in theTreaty of Rome (1957)-the EC'sfounding document.

However, Christopher Tugend­hat, a former European Commissionvice president, wrote in MakingSense of Europe: "The EuropeanCouncil is not mentioned in theTreaty of Rome and grew up later.As a result there are some who ar­gue, even now, that it [the Euro­pean Council] has no proper place inCommunity proceedings and is somesort of constitutional aberration."

So here is a major aspect of theCommon Market that has emergedwithout a mention in the Treaty ofRome, either in the founding docu­ment or as a later amendment.

Mrs. Thatcher concluded her Eu­ropean remarks to the Foreign PressAssociation by saying firmly that"Europe needs to show politicalleadership in the world. But we shalldo so only when we can demonstratesuccess in running our own affairs,in a way which increases Europe'sstanding and strength."

Exactly how and when a firstpresident of Europe will comeabout, we don't know. We are towatch. The idea has gained groundin the past year or two.

The ftrst president of Europe willmost probably not be the last. Per­haps the office will begin symboli­cally-with an individual demo­cratically elected for a fixed term ofoffice. But the end of a thing is notalways the same as the beginning.Circumstances change-and nevermore than at the end of the age.

Europe did not eradicate the con­cept of Mitte/europa. a region con­sisting of Poland, Czechoslovakia,Romania and Hungary plus Austriaand the two Germanies. Today,Mitte/europa is alive and well andlooking to West Germany."

The Soviet Union, too, is pushingfor a role in the Europeanization pro­cess. Visiting Belgrade, Yugoslavia,March IS, Soviet leader MikhailGorbachev proposed, as The NewYork Times reported, "a beguilingvision ofan integrated Europe," witheconomic cooperation being the "ce­ment" of such a Europe.

In his remarks Mr. Gorbachevreemphasized a current theme ofhis, appealing for "building and ar­ranging a truly comfortable home inEurope for all its peoples." Non­aligned states such as Yugoslavia, heimplied, also had an important part.

At the moment, economics is theprinciple focus of unity action. Po­litical unification is still down theroad. "The majority of Europeans,"reported the Feb. 13 Economist."see 1992 mainly as a good way tomake themselves richer."

But even that statement is signifi­cant. What we see developingthroughout Western Europe andeventually extending eastward isthe outline of the awesome end-timeeconomic power described in Reve­lation 18. Labeled Babylon thegreat, it will, for a short while, make"the merchants ofthe earth ... richthrough the abundance of her lux­ury" (Revelation 18:3, New KingJames).

By John Ross Schroeder

John Ross Schroeder con­cludes his discussion of a firstpresident ofEurope.

European Diary

Mrs. Thatcher was invited tospeak at the Foreign Press Associa­tion's centenary celebration Jan. 13in London. Her speech revealed agood grasp of the magnitude of theEuropean Community's agricul­tural dilemma.

In remarks taken from a tran­script she said: "We still have tobring discipline to its finances andreform the Common AgriculturalPolicy [CAP] ... 70 percent of theCommunity budget goes on agricul­tural support; half the total Com­munity budget goes on storage anddisposal of agricultural surpluses;since the Fontainebleau meeting in1984, when we sought to tacklethese problems, the cost of the CAPhas risen from 9 billion pounds to 19billion pounds; the subsidy for everycow in the Community is more thanthe personal income of half the pe0­ple in the world."

Bernard Ingham is the primeminister's chief press officer. He ac­companies her on most interna­tional trips. Mr. Ingham conductsperiodic meetings with the Britishpress during these council meet­ings. During one of these briefingsone journalist remarked that "thecouncil chamber was meeting with­out a chair[man]." This was a refer­ence to the ineffective leadershipstructure within the EuropeanCouncil.

This is one reason why people aretalking up the idea of the ftrst presi-

EN ROUTE FROM BRUS­SELS TO LONDO -Europe re­spects Prime Minister MargaretThatcher for her reputation to meteout unpleasant fmancial discipline.

Feb. 15 U.S. News & World Re­port. they "see no conflict betweentheir ties to the West and a self-ap­pointed mission to lead the WarsawPact countries back into the Eu­ropean fold."

The Federal Republic of Ger­many has the financial resources tohelp out the East European states,nearly all of whom are in desperatefinancial condition. The East Eu­ropeans are responding favorably.

"For East Europeans," the U.S.News article continued, "links withBonn are an affirmation of their Eu­ropeanness. The postwar division of

tional borders will be more andmore diminished ... We want thisnew border quality for all countriesofEurope and also those of the East­ern Bloc. That will be the historicsignal for overcoming the divisionof Germany."

The West Germans are aggres­sively pursuing stronger ties withEastern Europe. According to the

Europe's first president:an idea gaining ground

weRLDWATCHBy Gene H. Hogberg

natural mind cannot fully compre­hend. Even though people in theworld may at times experience thegood feeling that comes from do­ing an occasional unselfish deed,they cannot comprehend that giv­ing can and should predominateover getting as an entire way oflife.

Our God is generous. He is theGod who gives "to all liberally"(James 1:5). He lets even the unjustbenefit from His generosity(Matthew 5:45). It is God's plea­sure to give-especially to Hiselect. Jesus said to His Church: "Donot fear, little flock, for it is yourFather's good pleasure to give youthe kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

What is your pleasure? As wegrow in becoming more like God,we should be finding more and morepleasure in giving, in helping othersand getting interested in their wel­fare. We can still experience plea­sure in receiving, but our greatestpleasure should be giving pleasureto others.

Even when we might be temptedto think someone may be undeserv­ing ofour attention, we must be sure"not to please ourselves. Let each ofus please his neighbor for his good,leading to edification. For evenChrist did not please Himself' (Ro­mans 15:1-3).

Jesus did not do His own will; Hedid the will of His Father. Hepleased God (Matthew 3:17; John8:29).

God inspired David to describewhat it will be like for those who aremade immortal in God's Kingdom."You will show me the path oflife,"he wrote concerning God; "in Yourpresence is fullness of joy; at Yourright hand are pleasures forever­more" (Psalm 16:11).

You can be sure that these plea­sures are not merely selfishly ori­ented ones. Rather they are plea­sures derived from everyonelooking out for the welfare of every­one else as the two brothers did.

What a wonderful time that willbe! What we need to do now,though, is work on making our ideaof pleasure agree with what Godsays is pleasure. Examine yourself.Are you putting on the divine na­ture and seeking pleasure in givingrather than in just getting?

Their plan envisions a "Europeaneconomic space" encompassing the18 EC and EFTA nations, which al­together represent more than aquarter of world trade.

Reaching out to East Europe

It is becoming more evident thatthe European economic superstateunder construction is not going tostop at the present borders dividingEastern and Western Europe.

Before his December trip to theSoviet Union to confer with Sovietleader Mikhail Gorbachev("Worldwatch," Feb. I), WestGermany's Franz Josef Strausswrote in the Winter, 1987, Eu­ropean Affairs quarterly: "We canassume that the importance of na-

munity. Industrialists throughoutthe EFTA countries are concernedover their nations remaining on theoutside of the EC looking in.

Of the EFTA states, orway issaid to be closest to actual member­ship in the EC. Officially, however,EFTA officials are pushing for acloser link between the trade blocs,short of actual merger.

as well as videos and movies-is apopular pleasure. Spectator sportsare also high on the list.

Eating, relaxing, sleeping, travel­ing, accumulating material things,gaining reward, admiration, accom­plishment-such are what consti­tute pleasure in the eyes of mostpeople. And such can indeed be en­joyable.

All the "pleasures" mentioned,however, have something in com­mon. Did you notice what it is?They all involve receiving-getting

some thing or some sensation. otthat it is necessarily wrong to enjoyreceiving. If no one ever received,no one could give either.

But Jesus explained what theproper balance is. He said, "It ismore blessed to give than to re­ceive" (Acts 20:35, ew KingJames throughout). The Greekword translated "blessed" ismakarios. It can also be translated"happy." So Jesus here affirmedthat getting produces happiness-itis therefore pleasurable-to re­ceive. But, and this is the importantpoint Jesus made, giving producesmore happiness-more pleasure!

That concept is something the

Unit-the ecu-into a fully ac­cepted money to be used, perhapsinitially, alongside the various na­tional currencies. They furthermaintain that an EC central bankmust be created, relegating the 12national central banks to the statusof regional reserve banks.

ot every EC state is in favor ofsuch a fiscal transformation. WestGerman banking officials fear thatsome of their EC partners, less con­cerned than they are over inflation,would mismanage a centralizedmonetary system. However, they donot squelch the central bank concept,labeling it instead as "premature."

Already, some farsighted Eu­ropeans have pointed out what mustoccur at the end of the EC's unifica­tion process.

A single European market, com­plete with a common currency and acentral ~nk, would still be a"headless" Europe unless a central­ized government to rule it is cre­ated, complete with a President forEurope (see "European Diary," thispage). And finally, there must be aEuropean army to defend it.

The accelerating integration ofthe European Community is pro­ducing an agonizing reappraisal to­ward it on the part of nonmemberEuropean states. This is especiallytrue with the six nations of the Eu­ropean Free Trade Association-

orway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland,Austria and Switzerland.

Four of the EFTA members areneutral states, but all have indis­pensable trade links with the Com-

By Dexter H. Faulkner

What's your pleasure?

PASADE A-A Gallup Pollrevealed that less than one third ofAmericans surveyed-29 percentto be exact-had heard of the 12­nation European Community, orCommon Market.

From this startling statistic itmight be safe to deduce that the vastmajority of Americans are, almostcompletely unaware of importantdevelopments taking place withinthe Community and its relationshiptoward other nations in Europe.

Throughout the Community, forexample, the number 1992 is com­mon fare in the news media. Thisrefers to the Dec. 31, 1992, targetdate that the EC has set for itself toachieve an economic "Europe with­out frontiers."

On this date, remaining bureau­cratic and legal barriers to tradewithin the Community are sched­uled to be eliminated. The goal is atrade bloc in which national borderswill be erased in the economic sense,allowing for the free flow of goods,services and labor among the EC's320 million citizens.

Whether the target date isreached exactly on schedule is, inone sense, immaterial. There is acompelling sense of inevitabilityabout the process under way.

ext: one currency, central bank

The vision of a single great mar­ket is accelerating calls for the nextlogical steps, this time in the area ofmonetary reform.

Influential voices say the time isripe to turn the European Currency

I woke up about 2 o'clock theother morning. While contemplat­ing why I was awake at that hour, Ithought of a story I'd heard yearsago about two brothers who farmedtogether for most of their lives. Onebrother was married and had a largefamily. The other I~ed alone. How­ever, they divided equally the har­vest from their fields.

One night each brother gave seri­ous thought to the other. The singlebrother asked himself why he wastaking half the harvest when hisbrother was struggling to support alarge family.

In sincere love he devised a planto help out his married brother.Each night he would fill a huge bas­ket with a portion of his share of theharvest, slip over to his brother'sbarn and unload the basket there.

The married brother often wor­ried about his single brother nothaving a mate and children to carefor him in his old age. His heartwent out to his single brother.So each night during harvest healso filled a basket with a good mea­sure of his share and sneaked qui­etly to his brother's storage shedsand left the grain there as a silentoffering.

One night as they crossed thefield, the brothers met. When eachfound out what the other was doing,they cried and embraced there inthe dark. They realized that theirgreatest wealth lay not in theircrops, but in the love and concernthat they had for one another.

These two brothers found greatpleasure in giving to each other.But, what is the pleasure of mostpeople? To judge by the number ofwaking hours devoted to it, espe­cially in the developed nations, en­tertainment-watching television,

Europe moves toward singlegreat market

Monday, March 28, 1988 The WORLDWIDE NEWS 3

Three media heads ordained

was going to be right. Chaos every­where. Teachers racing around withloudspeakers in hands trying to getdisobedient and pushy kids to formAustralia.

Then I thought back to the camp ...The whole process probably took lessthan 20 minutes to complete, even in­cluding the staff who formed Australiaby joining hands on a marked-out map.

My thoughts were interrupted bysome kids pushing me sideways andsaying they wanted to play human domi­noes ...

It took probably a little over 40 min­utes of yelling and shouting to get peoplein the formation, and even then kidswould get pushed out, making Australialook like it had suddenly grown a largeamount of small islands ...

I realised how proud I was to be a partof the making of Mr. Tkach's sign. Atcamp, everyone was cooperating andworking together as one family to getthings done. At school, the oval was likea battleground with teachers shoutingand kids pushing each other to get in thefront row ...

I know that we at camp achieved itfaster than school because we had coop­eration from all people.

At school we did it because it wasAustralia day, and we were told to. Butat camp we did it to show anyone whocould see us that we were workingtogether as one united family.

Susan DownesOrmeau, Australia

RAY & LINDA WRIGHT

Ambassador College in BricketWood, England. "I was not un­happy with Texas Instruments. Iloved my job, but felt I had to beinvolved with God's work," Mr.Wright said.

While attending Ambassador as afull-time student, Mr. Wright con­ducted management studies and es­tablished a student training pro­gram that became part of thejunior-senior men's curriculum.

In 1970 Mr. Wright becamemanager of the Church's Europeanpublishing operation based in En­gland.

In 1972 the Wrights were trans­ferred to Pasadena, where Mr.Wright served in the Financial M­fairs area of God's Church, becom­ing vice president for Financial M­fairs in 1978,

In 1979 Mr. Wright was ap­pointed director of Publishing Ser­vices and is still serving in this ca­

(See ORDAINED, page 8)

ethics at a young age. He feels thisearly background and close familyrelationship contributed greatly tohis approach to business.

After graduation from highschool he attended the University ofTexas at Arlington, majoring in ge­ology and electrical engineering.

Mter working first for Procter &Gamble and then for Bell Heli­copter, Mr. Wright established acareer in management in the Dal1as­based electronics firm of Texas in­struments.

In December, 1966, the companyasked him to be its operations man­ager for England. He was also to es­tablish a new light-sensor division inits English plant to serve all of Eu­rope,

After moving to England Mr.Wright and his wife, Linda, firstheard the World Tomorrow broad­cast. Because the broadcast couldnot be aired on British radio sta­tions, the program was transmittedfrom "pirate" ships off the coast.

The Wrights were baptized in1968. In 1969 Mr. Wright resignedfrom Texas Instruments to attend

way a husband and wife should betoward one another. The same principlewould apply, I feel, to the way weparents handle our teenagers.

With an unconverted mind having todeal with the many things which besetthem, our teenagers need a strong, lov­ing, solid family unit exercised by pa­tience, trust, longsuffering and all of theattributes our great God possesses. Withmy two teenagers, I try so hard to dealwith them as God does with us. It isn'teasy at times, but at least they knowwhere we stand with each other.

Mrs. Morris Owings Jr.Childersburg, Ala

'* '* '*Cooperation makes differeace

It was my first day back at school andI was starting year 10. One of theteachers in our school decided last yearthat on the first day back after theholidays, seeing as it is the bicentennialyear, he wanted to get our school to formAustralia out of the kids and teachers.

When I heard this it triggered mythoughts back to the 1987-88 SEP[Summer Educational Program] campwhere we formed the words We Are OneFamily and a map of Australia [see Jan.18 WN]. I thought it would be fun tocompare God's people at camp to thepeople in my school.

I had a vague idea of what was going tohappen, and as soon as the whole schoolgot down to the oval I knew my thinking

production assistant. "That's kindofa catchall," he said. "I was a floordirector, a film projectionist-I didwhatever needed to be done."

He said his "hobbies were alwaysphotojournalism and writing. Iworked with my high school andcollege yearbooks and the collegenewspaper."

Mr. Smith encouraged the staffto learn professional skills by takingevening courses at the University ofSouthern California. Over a periodof eight to 10 years, Mr. Omastatook courses in production, direct­ing, editing and other aspects of thetelevision industry.

He went from production assis­tant to video editor and then becamea production director. In 1980 hebecame Media Services director.

Mr. Omasta traveled extensivelywith Mr. Armstrong. "I haveshaken the hand of Anwar Sadatand others. I was there for many ofMr. Armstrong's discussions withworld leaders, such as King Bhumi­bol [of Thailand], and videotapedthem," he said.

When Mr. Armstrong was doingthe telecasts, production stoppedwhen he went on a trip, so Mr.Omasta was able to travel with him.When Mr, Tkach travels today, thetelevision production schedule isnot interrupted. ow one crew, di­rected by John Halford, associateproducer of The World Tomorrow,travels with Mr. Tkach, while an­other stays to produce the telecast.

Mr. Omasta married the formerJudith Russell in 1966. Mrs.Omasta was born in Lufkin, Tex.,and began attending Sabbath ser­vices with her parents when she wasabout 10 years old. She graduatedfrom Pasadena Ambassador Col­lege in 1966.

The Omastas have one daughter,Carmel, who is an Ambassador Col­lege junior.

Aside from his reading widely,especially on history, people andforeign affairs, Mr. Omasta and hiswife are avid bridge players.

He said he appreciates that hiswife "is a very capable person and achallenge to me, which helps me toimprove in areas that need improve­ment. We work well as a team andcomplement each other. In some ofthe areas where I am weak, she isstrong and vice versa.

"Spending time with my familyis a commitment and a priority. It isalso one of my hobbies," Mr.Omasta said.

Ray Wright

Ray Wright was reared in asmaUtown in Texas, between Dallas andFort Worth.

Mr. Wright said he came from aclose family that taught him work

Thank you from the bottom of myheart for letting us know, once again, the

Daniel E. PageLeeds, Ala.

riages. My husband is not in the Church,but he's absolutely wonderful abouteverything. I have to watch what I sayand do, because it teaches him andreflects on God. We all need to bereminded ofour duty to our mates and toGod every once in a while.

Shirley ShortOrlando, W.Va.

I was moved to write a note to youexpressing my appreciation after read­ing the "Personal" in The WorldwideNews on the proper marriage roles. Mywife of three years is such a goodexample of "balanced" meekness that Ifind myself learning from her actions... Her attitude has been so ingrainedthat she almost automatically looks forthe right way to do things.

I must struggle with myself to do theright things in life, and it sure helps toreceive the loving advice and propercorrection that comes from God via Mr.[Joseph] Tkach's writings, the sermons,Spokesman Club and all the literaturewe receive.

LARRY & JUDITH OMASTA

specialization he chose was not whathe wanted to do. He returned to hisparents' home, and it was there helearned about the Church. His par­ents, Michael, who died in 1975,and Margaret, listened to the WorldTomorrow radio program and re­ceived The Plain Truth. Mr.Omasta and his parents were bap­tized in 1964.

That was also the year Mr.Omasta came to Ambassador Col­lege in Pasadena. His first job at col­lege was with Custodial Services.From there he went to literature in­ventory and then to Editorial Ser­vices.

In 1966 evangelist NormanSmith was given the responsibilityof setting up a television studio. Heneeded one more person but did nothave the budget for another em­ployee, so Mr. Omasta was loanedto him from Editorial.

He graduated from Ambassadorin 1967 and was hired full-time atTelevision in 1968, "and I've beenhere ever since," Mr. Omasta said."I came into TV at a unique time­literally at the basement floor."

His first responsibility was as a

Larry Omasta

Larry Omasta, 47, was born inPittsburgh, Pa. After high school heattended the University of Pitts­burgh and earned a bachelor of sci­ence degree in bacteriology and im­munology.

While in graduate school Mr.Omasta realized that the area of

and professional skills. "She is aprofessional secretary, a motivator,a continual source of inspiration anda fantastic mother. You know, hon­estly, I don't think I've ever seen aday that she didn't have a smile onher face."

I thank you for bringing out the role ofwomen. I have read these scripturesabout what is expected of women in theChurch and have tried to live by them,but reviewing the rules as you did helpedme to try to do better.

Elma ChestnutParkdale, Ore.

I think it's wonderful how you aretrying to get the family together, espe­cially by your last "Personal" on mar-

Husbands and wi,esThe Jan. 18 paper ... was not only of

great interest and informative, but the"Personal" from you was particularlyenlightening. I trust that all who readthe article will be so filled with thoughtsabout it that couples will endeavor to livethe right way together.

Actually this article does not apply tome personally now, as I am a widow inmy 78th year, but I was most impressedby your love and understanding of theway in which the whole family couldbecome more united when husbands andwives learn how to apply true spiritualunderstanding.

Ina MorganHavelock North, New Zealand

ILetters TO THE EDITOR I

ture. When he requested a visit, itwas Mr. Armstrong's oldest son,Richard, who came in July, 1958­just two weeks before he was killedin an automobile accident.

Mr. Faulkner was baptized in1958, and his wife was baptized af­ter they came to Ambassador Col­lege.

From Ambassador College theFaulkners served in the AustralianOffice from 1960 to 1966. It was inAustralia that their two sons,

athan, 25, and Matthew, 23, wereborn.

In 1966 the Faulkners came backto Pasadena, where Mr. Faulknerworked for the Church's News Bu­reau until 1971.

Their next assignment wasWashington, D.C. From 1971 to1975 Mr. Faulkner was a regionalcorrespondent for The Plain Truth.His office was in the National PressClub building, where he came intocontact with leading newspaper andtelevision correspondents, He metand talked with then-PresidentRichard Nixon, and attended someof the Watergate hearings.

The Washington years were "avery exciting time,jam packed withexperiences you wouldn't get as ajournalist anywhere else."

When Mr. Faulkner returned toPasadena in 1975, it was to serve asa managing editor at Editorial Ser­vices. He has been director of thedepartment and editor of the

. Church's publications since1979.

In addition to his editorial andmanagerial duties, Mr. Faulknerwrites a column for the Church'sthree magazines and The World­wide News.

When he isn't working, Mr.Faulkner's hobbies are "acquiringgrandchildren, antique cameras andantique bottles-in that priority,"he said. The Faulkners have twograndchildren, Stephen, son ofNathan and his wife, Melody, andDavid, son of Matthew and his wife,Ruth.

Nathan is a ministerial trainee inSalt Lake City, Utah, and Matthewis a computer graphics specialist forEditorial Services.

Mr. Faulkner describes himselfas family oriented. He is close to hissons and says: "My wife and daugh­ters-in-Iaw are very important tome. It is through family that we de­velop the highest-quality characterof our lives."

He praised his wife's domestic

The Worldwide NewsCIRCULATION 64,000

Dexter Faulkner

Dexter Faulkner, 50, editor ofthe Church's publications, was bornin Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 10,

DEXTER & SHIRLEY FAULKNER

1937, but didn't stay there long. Hegrew up on the West Coast, living inWashington, Oregon and Califor­nia.

When he was in high school, Mr.Faulkner lived on a farm in DosPalos, Calif., one mile from ShirleyHume, his childhood sweetheart,who was to become Mrs. Faulkner.

After high school he spent twoyears at the University of Californiaat Fresno. Miss Hume took classesthere for one year before they bothattended Pasadena AmbassadorCollege from 1958 to 1960. Theywere married in the winter of 1959.

Mr. Faulkner, who had no reli­gious background, heard HerbertW. Armstrong on the radio andwrote to Pasadena for some Iitera-

Editor in chief: Joseph W. Tkach

Editor: Dexter H. Faulkner

senior editor: Sheila Graham; managing ed­itor: Thomas C. Henson; layout editor: RonaldGrove; news editor: Jeff Zhome; associateeditor: Kerri Miles; "Iron Sharpens Iron":Norman L. Shoaf; steff writer: Marie Myera;composition: Tony Styer, Dawna Borax,Marianna Laursen; photography: WarrenWatson, G.A. Belluche Jr., Kevin Blackburn,Charles Feldbush, Hal Finch; proofreaders:Peter Moore, Lana WalkerPUblishing Services composition: DonPatrick. Barry Gridley, Steve Doucet, LarryMiller, Linda Snuffer; prepress production:Dale Machi, Jeremiah Frazier; printing coor·dinator: Robert W. RichardsRegion" correspondents: Debbie Minke,Vancouver, B.C.; Terri Conti, lIalian Depart·menl; Eleazar Flores, Manila, Philippines;Frankie Weinberger. Bonn. West Germany;Rex Morgan; Auckland, New Zealand; JeremyRapson, Borehamwood, England; RichardSteinfort, Nieuwegein, Nelherlands.

Notice: The Worldwide News cannot be re­sponsible lor the return of unsolicited articlesand photographs.SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriplions are sent au­tomatically to the members of the WorldwideChurch of God. Address all communicafionsto The Worldwide News, Box 111. Pasadena,Calif.• 91129. See The Plain Truth tor addi­tional mailing offices. Entered as second­class mail at the Manila, Philippines, CentralPost Office, Feb. 10, 1984.ADDRESS CHANGES: U.S. changes of ad­dress are handled automatically with PlainTruth changes of address. Postmaster:Please send Form 3579 to: The WorldwideNews, Box Ill, Pasadena, Calif., 9tt23.

The Worldwide News is pUblished biweekly,except during the Church's annual Fall andSpring festivals. by the Worldwide Church ofGod. Copyright co 1988 Worldwide Church ofGod. All rights reserved.

Founder: Herbert W. Armstrong 1892·1986

PASADENA-Pastor GeneralJoseph W. Tkach ordained DexterFaulkner, director of Editorial Ser­vices, Larry Omasta, director ofMedia Services (Television and Ra­dio Production), and Ray Wright,director of Publishing Services,preaching elders March 12.

"This is something that has beenlong overdue," said Mr. Tkach."These individuals should havebeen set apart a long time ago ... Asthe apostle Paul said, he who seeksthe office of bishop seeks a goodwork. That means he's willing to beindustrious, that means he's willingto do a labor of love," Mr. Tkachsaid.

'Long overdue,' says pastor general

4 The WORLDWIDE NEWS Monday, March 28, 1988

"At that time ministers weretransferred every five years," Mr.Rice said. "In 1971 we were giventhe option to go elsewhere or cometo Pasadena. We opted to come toPasadena. I was asked to work on anew program to work with peopleon the subscription list in a muchmore personalized way."

This project didn't get off theground, but Mr. Rice was appointeddirector of the newly formed MailProcessing Center in December,1971. Before then departmentssuch as mail receiving, terminalsand international mail were scat­tered over the campus.

About his responsibilities Mr.Rice said: "There is never anythingboring. There are so many opportu­nities, and the biggest joy is the realand vivid knowledge that this isGod's work. Just being involved inthe work of God is something over­whelming."

He continued: "I hold the philos­ophy that a manager has to literallyunderstand the meaning of being aservant. We want to, in our leader­ship roles, do everything in ourpower to encourage employees todevelop their potential." On hisdesk was a book on becoming a bet­ter servant titled Improve YourServe.

Aside from his MPC responsibil­ities, Mr. Rice has guest lectured atAmbassador College; directed Am­bassador, Women's and Spokesmanclubs; and traveled extensively tospeak in church areas and give lec­tures for singles groups. He wasraised in rank to evangelist in 1984and is a member of the AdvisoryCouncil of Elders.

The Rices have three sons, all ofwhom are married. Phillip is ass0­

ciate pastor of the Fresno andVisalia, Calif., churches; Anthonyworks with architecture and prede­velopment in the construction in­dustry; and Michael works inChurch Administration. They alsohave three grandchildren and onedue before the Feast.

Mr. Rice likes to fish, camp andwatch and participate in athletics.He is also an avid reader and enjoyswoodworking, when his schedulepermits.

Mrs. Rice works part-time asregistrar for Imperial Schools. Sheis "very domestically inclined. Sheloves entertaining, sewing, mac­rame and interior decorating," Mr.Rice said.

"She is a terrific companion, anexcellent listener and a kind andgracious counselor. She is alwaysencouraging and supportive andpositively oriented."

RICHARD AND VIRGINIA RICE

fall of 1962 he was ordained a localelder and hired into the full-timeministry.

After serving as assistant pastorin the Minden and Shreveport, La.,and Big Sandy churches for fouryears, Mr. Rice pastored the Bir­mingham and Huntsville, Ala.,churches. He was raised in rank topreaching elder in 1964 and pastorin 1969.

ABLE ASSISTANT-Helen Halbe, senior secretary since 1981, assistsevangelist Richard Rice, director of the Mail Processing Center. [Photoby Warren Watson]

lege's only campus.It was at college in 1957 that Mr.

Rice married Virginia McAllister,also a student. "I don't think I couldget away with that now," he said."Things were a little different atcollege then. It has worked outbeautifully, though."

After graduation Mr. Rice spenttwo years teaching at ImperialSchools in Big Sandy. Then in the

504

103

24412

55

Full-timePart-timeStudent employeesOn-call (students)On-call (other)

Total

Other areas of MPC analyzetrends in the types of mail and tele­phone responses received, train em­ployees, maintain literature indexesand handle subscriber complaints.

Family and team spirit

Mr. Rice described MPC as a de­partment that is "very keen on unityand family togetherness. We stresscamaraderie and team spirit. Peopleare our major resource."

He said that many of the supervi­sors were trained within the depart­ment and have moved up throughthe ranks. Employees are encour­aged to develop themselves. "I be­lieve in the principle ofdelegation."

Mr. Rice added, "There is an at­titude in the department of close­ness and respect ofeach other's pro­fessional abilities."

By Kerri MilesPASADENA-"I've always

thoroughly enjoyed people. I findthem an exciting challenge. I reallyenjoy watching them develop andgrow," said evangelist RichardRice. That's one reason he loves hisjob as director of the Church's MailProcessing Center.

Mr. Rice, 52, a native of MidwestCity, Okla., near Oklahoma City,first learned about the Church ofGod in 1946 when he was II yearsold. It was his brother, Robert, whohas worked for the Church's Custo­dial Services Department for morethan 26 years, who introduced himto the broadcast. It was 1953, how­ever, before "everything began tosink in," Mr. Rice said.

Mr. Rice was so anxious to cometo Ambassador College that hecame after his junior year of highschool. He finished his final year ofhigh school by correspondencecourse while he was a freshman inPasadena, at what was then the col-

Helps employees develop potential

Director has service philosophy

17015

1738

916

463

MPC EmployeesPASADENA BIG SANDY

Full-timePart-timeStudent employeesOn-call (students)On-call (other)High school studentsTotal

MPC SUPERVISORS-Evangelist Richard Rice, center, meets with supervisors in the Mail Processing Centerconference room. From left, Carroll Miller, Personal Correspondence; George McFarland, mail receiving; GaryEndres, terminals; Mr. Rice; Ron Urwiller, international mail; William Butler, telephone response; and Eric Shaw,postal center. [Photo by Warren Watson]

dia Production Services (MPS) inovember,1987.

Six sections

MPC is organized into six mainsections: mail receiving, telephoneresponse, terminals, Personal Cor­respondence, international mail andthe postal center.

Mail receiving, supervised byGeorge McFarland, picks up, sortsand processes mail addressed to theChurch, its publications and Mr.Tkach. Mail receiving personnelalso bank and tabulate tithes and of­ferings.

William Butler supervises thetelephone response area, which han­dles WATS calls from the WorldTomorrow telecast and advertise­ments. Telephone response also re­ceives calls from people requestingministerial visits or asking for timesand locations of Sabbath services.

The in-home WATS program ismanaged by Mr. Butler.

The terminals area maintains thecomputer master record, adds newnames to the mes, fulfills literaturerequests, handles name and addresschanges, updates records and entersdonation information. Gary Endresis the supervisor of terminals.

Personal Correspondence, super­vised by Carroll Miller, is the sec­tion of MPC that answers questionsabout the Bible and the Church.Mr. Miller's area is also responsiblefor responding to personal prob­lems, prayer needs and visit andbaptism requests.

Ron Urwiller oversees interna­tional mail, which serves as a liaisonbetween MPC and the internationaloffices in mail-handling matters.This area maintains subscriber filesfor international offices that do nothave computer equipment, and as­sists with major mailings.

The postal center, managed byEric Shaw, handles mailings for theChurch from Pasadena, includingliterature, letters, renewals andbusiness mail. The postal centeralso looks for ways to cut mailingcosts and provides information toother departments to help themplan their mailings.

By Kerri Miles.PASADE A-What happens

when the Church receives a letterfrom a co-worker that includes a do­nation, a literature request and aBible question? When the work be­gan, Herbert W. Armstrong and hiswife, Lorna, opened and answeredall of the Church's mail personally.

Today, the Mail Processing Cen­ter (MPC), with its specialized sec­tions, does this job. The letter ispicked up from the post office bymail receiving; the donation and lit­erature request are entered into thecomputer in the terminals section;the Bible question is answered byPersonal Correspondence; and thepostal center mails the literature.

MPC occupies the second floor ofthe Office Facilities Building, pur­chased by the Church in December.The department's purpose is to pro­cess the mail from post office to postoffice in one continuous work flow.

More than 900 employees andvolunteers work in MPC, includingon-call employees and those work­ing with the Wide Area TelephoneService (WATS) program in BigSandy.

The W ATS in-home program,operated by MPC, includes an addi­tional 5,200 volunteers from 182congregations in 31 states, saidevangelist Richard Rice, MPC di­rector. Early morning calls can berouted to the East Coast, and late­night calls to the Western states. In­home operators answer 48 percentof the weekend telecast responses.

Mr. Rice outlined the history ofthe department. In the 1950s as thePlain Truth subscription list grew,the department expanded to processliterature requests. EventuallyMPC became fragmented as sec­tions were moved into differentbuildings on the Ambassador Col­lege campus.

"These separate and independentlocations began to experience seri­ous problems with efficiency," Mr.Rice said. "Bottlenecks occurred inthe work flow as mail was trans­ported to scattered areas."

In 1971, under the direction ofMr. Armstrong, the sections werebrought together under one depart­ment head-Mr. Rice. He hasserved in that position ever since.

MPC is now responsible for re­ceiving, opening, reading, process­ing and answering mail, and fulfill­ing all mail requests generated bythe media and publishing areas.Telephone responses are also han­dled by MPC.

"MPC also works in close com­munication with the Media Ser­vices, Publishing and Editorial Ser­vices departments," Mr. Rice said.All four departments are coordi­nated by Bernard Schnippert.

Pastor General Joseph W. Tkachappointed Mr. Schnippert to coor­dinate the four departments as Me-

FAITHFUL SERVANT-DavidHunsberger, employed in the Per­sonal Correspondence Depart­ment since 1963, researchesquestions and answers letters.[Photo by Warren Watson]

MPC's continuous work flow:A-to-Zmailprocess never done

Monday, March 28, 1988 The WORLDWIDE NEWS 5

The Plain Truth About Healing

BE READY TO GIVE AN ANSWER

GodJs purpose is not simply to give youperfect health now, nor eternal physicallife. He will do nothing for you now that willjeopardize your chances for His Kingdom.

Here are seven vital keys to answered prayer:• Seek God's will, not your own (Rom. 12:2). This

leads to answered prayers (I John 5:14-15),whereas self-will leads to unanswered prayer(Jas. 4:3). You must put God's will ahead ofyour own (Matt. 26:39).

• Believe God's promises; have faith that He canaccomplish them (Rom. 4:20-21). Without thisfaith you will receive nothing from God (Jas.1:5-7). If you permit yourself to have prolongedfeelings of worry, anxiety or doubt, you arepracticing the exact opposite of faith.

• Be fervent (Jas. 5: 16). In Greek, the words for"fervent" mean "without ceasing" or "with in­tensity or emotion:' Make sure fervency is fromthe heart (Hos. 7:14) and not feigned or insin­cere. Don't just temporarily work yourself upinto an emotional frenzy. Follow through withdetermined, intentional action. Ask God to helpyou be consistently zealous and fervent.

• Humble yourself before God. Dwell on His great­ness. Recognize your insignificance in compari­son to Him; don't be proud and puffed up. Seeyour 'auIts and shortcomings (Luke 18:9-14).

Realize that God resists the proud but helpsthe humble (I Pet. 5:5-6).

• Be persistent. Follow the example of the widowand the gentile woman-they both receivedanswers because they kept asking (Luke 18:1­8, Matt. 15:21-28). Realize that God may bebuilding your patience by delaying His interven­tion (Jas. 1:3). Also, realize that you may not bereceiving answers simply because you aren'tasking for them (Jas. 4:2).

• Obey God. This is an absolute requirement forreceiving answers to prayer (I John 3:22). Godcuts off those who disobey (I Pet. 3: 12. Isa.59:2). But He enjoys listening to the righteous(Prov. 15:8).

• Pray to God the Father, but ask in Christ'sauthority (John 14:13-14,16:23-24). Thismeans to ask on the authority Christ hasbecause He died for us and serves as our HighPriest (Rom. 14:9, Heb. 4:14-16). He lived asa human in the flesh and knows exactly whatit's like to be tempted like we are. Becauseof this, Christ is willing to intervene on ourbehalf.

God's overall direction in our lives.

Correct understandingof key scriptures

But what about James 5:14-15and Psalm 103:3? Don't theseverses prove we are healed everytime we are sick? In answer, wemust ask a question ourselves: Whatabout all the dozens of other Bibleverses, some of which we saw in thelast chapter, which show conclu­sively that God did not and does notheal every time? Don't these otherverses deserve to be believed aswell? And what about commonsense that tells us everyone diessometime, and almost always of anillness or disease?

There simply is no contradictionhere at all, as long as we don't try toforce a meaning on Psalm 103 orJames 5 that God doesn't intend.

Psalm 103 lists the "benefits" ofserving God. It simply does not listA Y absolute, unconditionalpromises at all, let alone an abso­lute, unconditional promise to healeverybody every time. And this in­cludes God's promise in verse 3 toforgive our sins.

Look at verse 3 closely. Some saythat in this verse God promises toheal every illness as surely as Hepromises to forgive every sin. Butrealize this: God does not promise toforgive our sins unconditionally.We must first repent and be bap­tized, as we see from other verses.

Neither does God promise un­conditionally to heal us every time.There are, just as in the case of for­giveness of sin, conditions-<:ondi­tions which are clearly stated else­where in the Bible. In the case ofhealing, though, the conditions are(often) faith, obedience and alwaysthe condition of what is best for theperson's eternallife-God's will forthe person!

Now, it is true that healing has acondition which forgiveness of sindoes not-namely, the condition ofwhat God deems best in our life. Butthis is only because it is always inour best interest to be forgiven of arepented sin immediately, but notalways in our best long-term inter­est to have the suffering of illnessinstantly removed (I Peter 5:10).

Now examine James 5:14-16.Does this section promise uncondi­tionally that God will heal everyoneevery time? To read it that way notonly contradicts our own experi­ences and, even more importantly,many other Bible examples, but alsois not fair to the context itself. AI-

(See HEALING, page 7)

Some have wrongly thought thatit is always God's will to heal us ev­ery single time, and have turned forproof to Luke 5:12-13, whereChrist said it was His will to heal acertain leper. But that verse onlysays it was Christ's will to heal thatleper then, not that it is always Hiswill to heal everyone then or now.To the contrary, Christ simply didnot heal every person with whomHe came into contact back then, nordoes He heal every Christian now.It simply is not His will to removeall suffering in this age.

Certainly, God wants (i.e.,"wills") to heal ALL in the sense thatHe does not like to see people suffer.But God has clearly decided to al­low man to suffer so he may buildcharacter and qualify for God'sKingdom. He wants to bring sonsinto His Kingdom more than Hewants to heal everyone now, and ifHe removes all suffering now, Hewill defeat His own plan and Hisgreater will for humans!

Do you understand that? Godsometimes does not heal the faith­ful and obedient not because Hedoes not love, but because in Hisgreat love He wants eternal life foryou. To gain that eternal life takescharacter-the character thatcomes, sometimes to our chagrin,through the suffering of illness anddeath. Did not Jesus Christ Him­self suffer in excruciating pain andhumility to become the firstborn ofmany brethren? Did He not, as He­brews 2:9-10 states, become "per­fect through sufferings"? Yes, ofcourse He did. And we all must be­come perfect through suffering,even if that means the suffering ofdisease.

AIl true Christians know that thepurpose ofsuffering is to build char­acter. And all true Christians knowthat every prayer they pray for helpin time of need is predicated uponGod's will and His overall view ofwhat is in our ultimate-not neces­sarily our immediate-best inter­est, and in our best interest as it ap­pears to Him, not just to us. Butwhen it comes to sickness and dis­ease and healing, we tend to forgetthese things.

But we shouldn't. We shouldn'tforget that illness is a trial like anyother. And we shouldn't forget that,just as in any other trial, we musttrust that God will do what is best inour lives. In reality, saying we musttrust that God knows what is bestfor us in the long run is merely an­other way of saying we must havefaith not simply for healing, but for

PRAYER

who has faith and obeys, and, yes,there is another co DITIO ! It is avery real condition found in theBible, not just coupled to healing,but to every single answered prayerfor relief from every kind of trial. Itis this: God heals UPON THE CO 01­

TIO THAT SUCH HEALING IS GOODFOR YOU in terms of His overallmaster plan for your life.

What is God's will?

God's great purpose for you is togive you eternal life as His own sonin His great Kingdom. His purposeis not simply to give you perfecthealth now, nor eternal physicallife. He will do nothing to you or foryou now that will jeopardize orlessen your chances for His King­dom, nor that will lessen your p0­

tential degree of reward.Remember, I John 5:14 states

that God hears us whenever we askanything in prayer "according to hiswill." Sometimes it just is not God'swill to heal us, because the sufferinghas an overriding purpose in ourlives!

faith. Clearly, in those cases, Christsimply honored their own humanfaith or belief.

On the other hand, faith can berequired today of true Christians asa prerequisite of healing, for James5: 15 clearly and expressly condi­tions such healing upon faith: "Theprayer of faith shall save the sick."

But faith is not the only conditionoften stated for healing. A second,obvious condition is obedience toGod's law. As I John 3:22 states,"And whatsoever we ask, we receiveof him, because we keep his com­mandments, and do those thingsthat are pleasing in his sight." Noone would even think of believingthat God has bound Himself to healall unrepentant sinners!

Still, we must ask whether Godhas bound Himself to heal every sin­gle person who has the faith andobeys Him, or whether He has notso bound Himself. In other words,are there any more conditions?

The answer is, no, God has notbound Himself to heal everyone

first, then God has made a condi­tional promise.

There are very few truly uncondi­tional promises in the Bible, or inhuman experience for that matter.Some condition or other is almostalways stated or implied.

Some have said that God's heal­ing promises are "absolute." Bysaying this they merely wish to em­phasize that God is totally reliable-that He will indeed do what Hepromises to do. And, of course, thatis true. God is totally reliable. Hewill always do what He promises.But what is it that He has promisedto do?

Certainly God has not promisedto heal everybody every single time.And EVEN THOSE WHO BELIEVEGOD'S PROMISE IS ABSOLUTE DON'TDE:-.IY THAT. For they inevitablyfirst state that the promise is abso­lute and then later state that this ab­solute promise has conditions (usu­ally stated to be faith and obedience-proven below). But an absolutepromise is the same thing as an un­conditional promise (see Black'sLegal Dictionary: "absolute"). Tosay therefore that an absolutepromise has conditions is to say anunconditional promise has condi­tions-a clear contradiction.

But, since all agree God'spromise to heal is conditional, thenwhat are the conditions? And howdo you explain James 5: 14-15,Psalm 103:3 and other verses?

Conditions for bealing

One condition long understood tobe a condition of healing is the con­dition of faith or belief. In Matthew9:29 Christ promised to heal if andonly if the men had the faith. Thus,plainly, faith can be a condition forhealing. Yet, it would not be correctto say that faith has always been acondition of healing, nor that it nec­essarily must be every time Godheals. The Bible records examplesof healing where faith doesn't seemto have been a factor. Acts 3:1-8 issuch a case.

Another reason that spiritualfaith has not alw,ays been requiredfor God to heal is the truth thatChrist healed the unconvertedmasses. Since they were uncon­verted, they by definition did nothave God's Spirit living in them(Romans 8:9). Without the Spiritof God, one cannot have spiritual

ings and promises are opposites.Let's understand! And let's begin

by understanding about promises ingeneral and God's promises in par­ticular. To start, any promise(whether from God or not) is simplyan "oral or written agreement to door not do something" (Webster'sNew World Dictionary). Certainly,by this defmition, numerous Biblestatements about healing are indeedpromises, for many statements sayGod will heal.

But a promise may be either con­ditional or unconditional. An uncon­ditional promise is one in which thepromisor will fulfill his promisewithout any action on the recipient'spart. Thus, if God has promised toheal everyone every single time im­mediately upon request, then He hasgiven an unconditional promise. Aconditional promise is a promise todo or not do something, but only ifsome event occurs or if some actionis taken by another party. Thus, ifGod has promised to heal us, butonly if we ourselves do something

Chapter fourDivine healing

Promise or blessing?So far, we have learned some im­

portant truths about healing.We have learned that sickness is

the malfunction of one's body, per­haps but not invariably the result ofbreaking God's revealed law. Fur­ther, we have seen that sickness is atrial like other trials and that heal­ing is simply God's miraculous an­swer to prayer for relief. Healingthus entails no special connection toChrist's physical beating in any waydifferent from any other type of an­swered prayer. Nor does it entailany complicated or unusual theo­logical process.

But some questions still loom.One is, "Has God bound Himselfwith an absolute promise to heal ev­eryone every time?"

An absolute promise?

A cursory rea4ing of some com­monly cited verses about healingcan certainly give the impressionthat healing is an absolute promiseof God.

For example, James 5:14-15 di­rects a sick person to call for the el­ders of the Church and to beanointed, with the promise that"the prayer of faith shall save thesick, and the Lord shall raise himup." Such a statement certainlysounds like an absolute promise! Af­ter all, it says, "The Lord SHALLraise him up."

Psalm 103:3 also sounds like anabsolute promise to heal every per­son every time, saying God is one"who forgiveth all thine iniquities;who healeth all thy diseases." Sincewe all know that God forgives everysingle iniquity, it is only logical, onereasons, that God also heals everysingle disease. That seems to bewhat the verse says.

But, as everyone can see, the situ­ation is not at all that simple. Inspite of how we tend to read thesescriptures, experience proves notevery single Christian is healed ofevery single disease every time. Andthis is true even though he has beenproperly anointed, and even thoughhe has been baptized and had all hissins forgiven (as Psalm 103 says).No one can deny this.

Further, the Bible records nu­merous cases where righteous per­sons became ill and were not healed.As proven in the last chapter, Isaacand Jacob were blind in later years.Elisha died of an illness. Timothyhad "often infirmities." The apostlePaul had an infirmity which Scrip­ture implies had a physical compo­nent, and which Paul flatly stateswas not removed. Therefore, to saythat God always heals every trueChristian simply contradicts plainScripture and our own experiences.

It can seem to us to be a paradox,therefore, that while God has abso­lutely bound Himself to heal therighteous every single time byscriptures like James 5:15 andPsalm I 03:3, in reality He onlysometimes heals.

Is healing a promise of God, ormerely a blessing God only some­times gives, based, as it might ap­pear to us, upon mere whim?

The surprising answer is simple,and it is tremendously reassuring! Itis this: Healing is both a PROMISEand a wonderful BLESSING God be­stows in His good judgment!

The nature of God's promise

Actually, the very act of askingwhether healing is a promise ORa blessing starts the questionerdown an erroneous path of reason­ing. It does so because the questionpresumes certain fallacious con­cepts about the nature of God'spromises and His blessings. Forexample, it assumes that bless-

3·88

BICKERS, Louella. 54. 01 Laxington, Ky.,died Jan. 20. She has been a Churell mem­bOf since 1985. Mrs. Bickers is SUIVIVed byherhusband, Gilbert; a son, G--.I..8e; anda daughter.......w. Debbie; all Clturcll mem­bOfs. She is also survived by anoIher son,two SIsters, two brothers and lour grand­children. F..-al services-. conductedby David Haw. pastor 01 the Laxington andMount Sterling. Ky.. churches.

STURGIU. Suzannah. 97. of Laxington,Ky.• died Feb. 16. She has been a Clturcllmember since 1965.

MclNTYRE, Beatrice, 87. of Vulcan, Alta,diedFeb. 6. She has been a ChurcllmOfnbOfsince 1968. Mrs. Mclntyre was pred&­ceased by her husband, BiIy. in 1975.

BAILEY. Peart. 74, of Frankin. Pa.. diedFeb. 8 alter a prolonged illness. She hasbeen a Church member since 1980.

PETET, Pauline. 79, 01 Grand Island, Neb..died Jan. 7. She has been a ChurcIl membersince 1963. Mrs. Patel was predeceased byherhusband. Grant, in 1983. She is survivedby hOf mother, Stela Hal. and two daugh­ters. Maxine HohnhaIt and Shirley Kale. allChurcll members. Other SUIVlYOfS oncIudeone son. two _ daughters, 21 grandchi­dien, some 01 whom are Churcll members,and 22 great1l'andchildren. Funeral ser­vices were conducted by Fred Davis. pastorof the Grand Island and North Platte, Neb.,churclles.

JONES. Stela M.• 90, of S81em, Ore., diedFeb. 16. She has been a Church membersince 1966. Mrs. Jones is survived by th<eesisters; one daughter. Audrey Bates, aChurch member, and th<ee grandsons. Onegrandson. Jell Bates. IS also a ChurchmembOf. Funeral services were oonductedby Donald Henson. assistant pastor 01 theS8Iem and Albany. Ore., churclles.

ARCHER, Matthew, 17. 01 PiIol Knob. Mo..was killed instantty in an alltolnobite acQ.dent Feb. 2. He attended the CapeGirardeau. Mo., ch..-cIl with his parentssince infancy. Matthew is survived by hISparents, Mr. and Mrs. JOfry Archer. bothChurch mOfnbers: one brother. David; threeSisters, Becky. Be1h and Lori, all 01 whomattend churcll services: his paternel andmaternal grandparents; and several auntsand uncles. Funeral services were c0n­ducted by AmoId Clauson. pastor 01 thePaducah. Ky.• and Cape Girardeauchurclles.

HOLLOWAY. Virgi E.. 68. 01 Elrna, Wash.•died Jan. 3 01 a stroke. He was baptized in1980. Mr. Holloway is survived by his wile,Bessie. one son. two grandson. and twobrothers. Funeral_ were conductedby Paul Sht.mway. associate pastor of theTacoma and Olympia, Wash.. churclles.

HASHA, Lorraine T.• &4, of Eagle Point,Ore.• died Feb. 23. She has been a Churellmember lor just more than one year. Mrs.Hesha is survived by hOf husband. W_,also a Churcll mOfnber,lour daughters. twosons. two stepdaughters and three .tep­sons. FUIl8falservices were conducted byJellOfY McGowan. pastor of the Medfordand Klamath Falls, Ore., cIlurclles.

McCLOUD. Edith, 68, 01 Mount Clara,W.Va., died Dec. 27 alter an extended WI­ness. She has been a Churcll member StnC81975. Mrs. McCloud is survived by hOfhUsband. WOOdrow; one daughter, AnnSimms; and three sons, Scott, a ChUrcllmember, Neil and Woodrow Jr. F"'*81services were conducted by CharlesGrimm, a minister in the Clarksburg. W.Va.,church.

COOPER, Martin A..... of Ortarido, Fla.,doed Feb. 9. He was shot and k.ilIed in arobbery attempt at a pizza parlor where hewas working. He has been a Church mem­bOf since 1972. Mr. Cooper is survived byhis wile, Virginia, a ChurcIl member; th<eedaughters, Rebekah. 12, 5aral. to. andLeah, 2; and one son, Dana, 8. He is alsosurvived by hIS mother. brother and sister.FUIl8fal services were conducted by RandalDIck. pastor of the Orlando A.M. and P.M.cIlurclles.

MURPHY, Otye. 87. 01 Tupelo, MISS., diedFeb. 17. She has been a Clturcll membersince 1970. Mrs. Murphy i. survived by twodaughters. one son, lour grandchildren andeight great-grandchildren. One daughter,Ir_.is a Churcll member. Funeral serviceswere conducted by John Cafourek. pastor01 the Tupelo and Columbus. Miss ..churclles.

LANNOM. James "Ene," 28, of ClarksviRe.Tenn., died Nov. 5 when he was electro­aJted at work. He has been a Church mem­bOf sin"" 1985. Mr. Lannom is sumved byhIS wile, Pamela; twosons.J...emy. 10, andCody, 2; and 25 relabves who ettand theClarf<svWIe churell. Funeral services wereconducted by Stephen EllOll. pastor 01 theBowling Green, Ky.• and ClarkSVIllechurclles.

Our coupon babies thia issue areAmber Dawn and Kryatle Marie Koa­tur•• children of Emory and DoloresKostur. of Orefield, Pa.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT'THE WORLDWIDE NEWS'BOX 111PASADENA, CAUF., 91129, u.s.A.

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Last name Father's first name

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Church area or city 01 residence I state I country 1Baby's sexo Boy

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Month: Date:

Time of day .1 Weight Number 01 children you have·

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o P.M. Bovs: Girls:

HOPKINS, Walter J .• 87, of Mian, II., diedFeb. 9. Hehas been a Church member since1982. Mr. Hopkins is slXVlved by a daugh­18l, Dons Marshall; two sons, Leo andGilroy; 10 grandchildren; and 19 great­grandchildren. Memorial services wereconducted by John Knaack, aSSOCiate pas­tor of the Davenport, Iowa City, Mason Cllyand Water1oo, Iowa, churches.

BUSBICE. lvie, 88. of Quitman, La.• diedJan. 13. She has been a Church membersince 1972. F..-al services wera c0n­ducted by George Pinckney. pastor 01 theMonroe and Alexandria, La., and Natchez.MISS., cIl..-ches.

TOMASEK, Ardith L.. 68.01 Bellevue, Nab..died Jan. 30 of a heart attack alter a series01 stJOkes. She has been a Churell membersince 1966 and served as a deaconess.Mrs. Tomasal< is survived by her husband.Frank; her mother; and two sons. Richardand Raget'. a Church membOf. MemonaJ_ e conducted by Terry Swag-8f1y.pastoroltheOmahaandUnooln, Neb.,and Sioux Clly.lowa. churches

THOM AND GAIL HOLLIS

Thom and Ga~HoIis. members who attendthe Albuquerque. N.M.• churcll. _atedtheir 30th wedding an..versary Feb. 8.They ha... been Churcll members since1964. The HoIises have six children and"..., grandcNlclren. Family members andfriends ga... a surprise par1y in their honor.

Mr. and Mrs. Woliam Galoway _atedtheir 43rd -.g annivOfsary Feb. 26.The GaIIoways have one son. one grand­son and three great1l'andcllildren Thecouple attend the Tallahassee, Fla..churcll.

• Including newborn

OBITUARIES

ANNIVERSARIES

Monday, March 28, 1988

Please write your Worldwide News subscription number here;

OIIIIJ-ITTIJ-O

TAYLOR, Annie Mae. 81. 01 Rlchmond,calif.. died Jan. 2 after a long _ •. Shehas been a Churcll member StnC8 1958.Mrs. Taylor is survived by a daughter; twograndchildren. Gary Ford and lilda SoocIl,both Church mOfnbers; and several great·grandchildren.

Porter and Margaret Beane 01 Palestine.Tex., celebrated 40 years 01 marriageMarell2O. They ha... three children and sixgrandcllildren. The Beanes attand thaTyler. Tex.. church.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

PRITCHARD. Frank, 66, of Nassau,Bahamas. died Feb. 16 01 a heart attack.Hehas been a Churcll member since 1973.Mr. Pritchard is survived by hIS wile. Mary.a Church member; three daughters.Margaret, Heather and Frances and theirhusbands; and five grandchildren.Graveside services were conducted byKingsley Mather. pastor of the Nassau.Freeport and Marsh Harbour. Bahamas,congregations.

KLEIST. Ida W.• 72. of AppIetoo. Wis.• diedFeb. 24 alter a long illness. She has been aChurcll member since 1970. Mrs. Kletst isslXVlvedby hOfhusband, Maart; a daughtOf,Dorothy Skinner; IIvee sisters; six grand­children; th<ee great-grandchildren; andniece. and nephews. Wiliam Mi..... pastor01 the Appleton and Green Bay, Wi•.,churclles, conducted tuneral services.

BRANDT. Valarie 0., ... 01 UttIeton, Colo..died Dec. 9. She has been a ChurcllmemberSInce 1982. Mrs. Brandt is sumved by herhUsband 01 16 years. Wiliam H. Funeralservices were conducted by Douglas Hor­chak. pastor of the Denver, Colo.. North andSouth churclles.

FINKELSTEIN. Jessie, 78. of St Peters­burg, Fla.• died Feb. 15. Mrs. Fonkelstein. awidow lor the last 25 years. has been aChurell member since 1986.

,..

Leo de FoIIer and Marleen Hendriks wereunited in marriage Sept. 2. The ceremonywas performed by Bram de Brae. regoonaldirector lor the Churcll in Dutch-speakingareas. Thecoupte reside in Drunen, Nether·lands.

MR. AND MRS. RON A. MAURER

Lynn Marie Marson, daughtOf 01 Mr. andMrs. Don Marson 01 Anchorage, Alaska.and Ron A. Ma~erwere united in marriageJuly t9 .n Anchorage. The ceremony wasperformed by samuel Butter, associatepastorolthe Anchorage. Palmer. Fairbanksand Soldotna, Alaska, churches. KathenneKizer was maid 01 honor. and Riel< Maur...was best man. TheCO<4'le reside in Anchor­age.

MR, AND MRS. W. TOWNSEND

Fredda Suelynn Beam, daughter 01 saun­dra Meyer of Pica)'Lll8, Miss.• and WiliamPerry Townsend, son of Mr. and Mrli. G. K.Townsand of Laurel. M.ss.• were _ inmarriage Dec. 20 in Laurel. The ceremonywas performed by Thomas Damour, pastor01 theM_,M.ss.• and Laurel churches.George Townsend. brother 01 the groom.was best man, and Melan", Townsend,SIster oltha groom, was maid of honor. Thecouple reside in Halllesburg. M.ss.

MR. AND MRS. FARON BLAKEMAN

Ten I..8e Pfiest8f. daughter of Jack andcarolyn Pfiest8f 01 Bryan, Ohio, and FaronGene Blakeman. son of Bobby and FayeBlakeman of Gr~sburg.Ky..-. ..-.tedin marriage Oct. 4. The ceremony was POf­lormed by Roger West, pastor 01 the Som­ersat. London and Middlesboro, Ky.,churches. Tina Pfiester, sistOf 01 the bOde,was maid 01 honor. and Tom CannichMlwas best man. The couple are 1987Pasadena Ambessador College graduates.They reSIde in Campbellsville. Ky.

MR. AND MRS. LEO de FOLTER

MR. AND MRS. BYRON NORROD

Byron Alexander Norrod, son of IliI andMary Norrod of San Antonoo. Tex.. andcathy Elaine McNoeI, daughtOf of Pete andJoy McNoeI 01 Brownfield, Tex.. were unll8din marriage Nov. 29 in Lubbock. Tex. Theceremony was pertormed by Stanley Mc­Niel. brother 01 the bOde and pastor 01 theWIChita. Kan.. cIlurcll. DIane Kinder wasmaid 01 honor. and Bil Norrod,latller 01 thegroom. was best man. The CO<4'Ie, bothPasadena Ambassador College graduates,reside in Pasadena.

The WORLDWIDE NEWS

MR. AND MRS. DANNY JOHNSON

DannyJomson and SheldnahPerkins-.united in marriage Jan. 2. The ceremonywas performed by Donald Mason. pastor ofthe Raleigh and Rocky Mount. N.C.•churclles. Beverly Turner. s.ster 01 thebOde. was matron 01 honor. and Joe Free­man was best man. The coupe reside inBoston. Mass.

MR. AND MRS. D. ZACHARIAH

Mary J. D'Souza, daughter 01 Helen Fer·nandes, and Daniellachariah, son 01 thelate K.S. Zachariah. WOfe united InmarriageJan. 10 in Pasadena. The ceremony waspertormed by evange~stRIChard Ames, di·rector of admissions for Pasadena Ambas.-.sedor College. Usa Roe was maid 01 honor,and Bobby Zechariah was best man. Thecouple reside in Pasadena.

MR. AND MRS. D. LOVELADY JR.

Donald G. and Unda K. Nicholson 01 Mun­cie.lnd.• are pleased to annot8lC8 the mar·riage 01 their daughter Lori Alane to DarrellE. Lovelady Jr., son 01 Clif H. and KayHerring 01 S~ver Creek. Miss. The cere­mony was performed Feb. 21 by RichardBaumgartner, pastor 01 the Muncie andRlchmond. Ind.• churches. Susan Mils wasI1llUd 01 honor. and the groom's stepfatherwas best man. The CO<4'Ie, both 1987 Am­bassador College graduates. reside in Hat­tiesburg, Miss.

MR. AND MRS. BRIAN GRAY

Charlene Faith Brock. daughter of Mr. andMrs. Charies Brock 01 Parsons. W.Va., andBrIan Rob8f1 Gray, son 01 Mr. and Mrs.Robert Gray 01 WeI~ngton, New Zealand.were united in marriage Nov. 22. The cere­mony wasper10rmed by Peter Nathen, thenreg.onal dIrector lor the Churell in NewZealand and the South Pacilic. AngelaShowalter was maid of honorI and DeanNewcomb was best man. The couple residein South Pasadena. CaIn.

MR. AND MRS. LLOYD ANTHONY

Barbara E. Velasco of Tucson. Ariz.• andLJoyd D. Anthony. formerly of WIChita, Kan.,were united in maniage Feb. 28. Tbe cere­mony was performed by cart McNair, pas­tor 01 the Tucson and Sierra Vista, Ariz.,cIlurches. VlCid Velasco. daughter of thebOde. was maid 01 honor, and Bia Anthony.son 01 thegroom, was bestman. TheCO<4'lereside in Tucson.

pleased to announce the mamage 01 herdaughter VIOlet V. to Floyd Crawford 01Atlanta, Ga. The ceremony was performedDec. 19 by John Comino. pastor ot theKnoxYil1e A.M. and P.M. and CookeYille.Tenn., churclle•. Addie E. Higgs. sister 01the bOde. was maid 01 honor. and MyronWatson, nephew 01 the groom. was bestman.

MR, AND MRS. MICHAEL HUBERT

MIChaeIR. Hubertand Terranciya Devi-.,,",led in marriage Feb. 8. The ceremonywas performed by Bharat Naker. assistantpastor 01 the Bombay, India, cIlurcll.Sherina Rita was I1llUd 01 honor. and AllertRaj was best man. The CO<4'Ie reSIde inMadras, India.

MR. AND MRS. LARRY JOHNSON

Ka1hy Ann Burell and Larry W. Johnsonwere united in marriage Jan. 17 on thePasadena Ambassador College campus.Theceremony was per10rmedby eVangelistLeon Walker. regionaJ director for theChurcll in Spanish-speaking areas. JulieBraden was matron of honor. and DickClark. steplather of the groom, was bestman. The CO<4'Ie resode in Los Angeles.Calif.

WEDDINGS

Mr. and Mrs. VOfOOn ScIlemm 01 SharonSprings. Kan., are pleased to annot-<lC8 theengagement 01 their daughter DIane Lynaeto Mike Kuykendall. son 01 Mr. and Mrs.Matthew Kuyl<andall 01 Hixon. Tenn. A July17 wedding is planned.

Mr. and Mrs Rodney PuIs 01 Melbourne.AuslJ'aia, are pleased to annoo.nce the en­gagement 01 their daughter Wendy toS~ Alter. son 01 Mr. and Mrs. HarryAIter,alsoofMoIbourne.AS8ptember_cling is planned.

do~ Zacllarias, son 01 Mr. and Mrs.Lawrence lacharias of WlMlpeg. Man. AJune 5 wedding in Duluth is planned.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Vargo of Pasadenaara happy 10 announce the engagement oftheir daughter Karen to Gerald Awane. son01 Alberta Awane of Mesa, Ariz. A June 26wedding in Pasadena is planned.

Mr. and Mrs. DennIS Benson 01 Prescott,Ariz., are happy to announce the engage­ment 01 their daugh18r Debbie ElizabethAnn to Charles Anton Aybar, son of Mr. andMrs. Lou.s Aybar 01 Rushing, N.Y. A May 1_ng is planned.

Mr. and Mrs. James Walden of Columbus,MISS., are happy to announce the engage­ment 011heor daugh18r Pallle to Tony Dlaz.son 01 Mr. and Mrs Tom DIu 01 Laurel,Miss. A May 29-.g is planned.

Mr and Mrs. POfry Cardott of Vancouver.Wash.• are pleased to announce the en­gagement of their daughter Natalie toRichard Gutman 01 Portland, Ore. A Decem­bOf wedding is planned.

Gary L. Howe of Jacksonville, Fla., i.pleased to announce his engagement toDagmar Thomas of SL Petersburg, Fla. AJuly 3 weddong in PineIas Park. Fla.. isplanned.

DIanna Lynn Hinds and Allen Roy Hackmanare happy to announcetheir engagement. AJune 12 wedding is planned.

MR. AND MRS. FLOYD CRAWFORD

Addie L. Higgs 01 Knoxville. Tenn., is

MR. AND MRS. GARY CLAYTON

Jeanne Marie Bar- and Gary Wayne Clay­ton were ..-.ted In mamage Aug. 23. Theceremony was pertormed in East Lansing,MICh.. by GOfald Wille. pastor 01 the Len­sing and Flint. MICh., cI1urches. DIane Milerwas maid 01 honor. and Terence Robisonwas best man. The couple reside in SouthLyon, MicI\.

ZASTROW. Mark and Yvonne (2-), 01WallSau. WIS., girt. Brenda Renee. Feb. 24.2:52 a.m., 8 pounds 3'" ounces, now 2 girts.

GONZAU). Dennos and Michelle (del Gau­dio). 01 Vallejo, Calif., boY. Garrett del Gau­dio. Jan. 22. 12:57a.m.• 8 pounds 5 ounces.Iirs1chzld.

CARTER. Jackie and Patricia (Smith). 01Tupelo, Miss.• girl. Eizabelh Ellen. Dec. 8,2p.m.. 7 pounds 1 ounce. now 1 boy. 3 girls.

CONVERY. Brian and lilda (Wmslow). ofRochester. N.Y.• girl, Laura Rose. Dec. 5. 7pounds 9 ounces, now 2 boys, 2 girls.

CROCKER, Lary and Donna (Donovan). ofHouston, Tex.• boy, Benjamin Edward. Feb.17.12:10 p.m.• 9 pounds 7 ounces, now 3boys, 1 girl.

FENSTERMAKER, Jerome and 0Ie1a (sal­now), 01 Helena. Mont. girt, Rachel Mae.Feb. 12,2:32 a.m., 8 pounds 9 ounces, now2gif1s.

LAFFlTTE. Christopher and Shawna (F...­tig). 01 C8spef. Wyo.• girt. Renea Dyan. Feb.16. 6:42 a.m.• 6 pounds 11 ounces, now 2gif1s.

BREDEHOFT. Leo and A"13 (Haering), 01Fort CoIins. Colo., girl. Km Nicole. Feb. 13.9:33 p.m.. 7 pooods 7'" ounces, now 2 gorts.

BREMFOERDER, Fred and Anita (Buntam).01 Detroit. MICh., boy. Ryan Robert, Feb. 24.12:20 a.m.• 8pounds4 ounces, now 1boy,lglfl.

WILSON. Gary and Pam (Hagan). 01 Boston,Mass.• boy, Bryoa Patrick, Oct 23, 8:13p.m.• 7 pooods t3 ounces. now 2 boys.

WISENBAKER. Michaal and Sandra(Ashcralt).ol Fort Worth, Tex., boy, MIChaelEdward II, Jan. 11, 4:35 a.m., 8 pounds 3ounce•• now 1 boy, 1 gi1.

HANSON. Ronald and Bonita (Francour). 01St Paul, Minn.• girt. Ann Eizabeth. Oct 24,3:33 a.m., 7 pounds 5 ounces, now 3 boys. 1girl.

SMITH, Nevin and Nora (Tellord), 01Youngsmwn. Ohio. girl. Lydia Virginia, Feb.26.8:12 p.m.. 7 pounds 10 ounces. now 3girls.

MIRANDA. LeopoIdo and Columba (Mellin).01 Escondido, Calif.• boy. LeopoIdo III. Dec.10.7:58 a.m.• 7 pounds 13 ounces. now 2boys,l girl.

WIlliAMS. Freddie Jr. and Lasa (Dlspain),of GaInesville. Ga.. boy, Preston Jay. Dec.17, 5:38 p.m.• 7 pounds 8 ounces. now 4boys.

NEILSON, Tarry and Donna Mae (Weppler).of W_, AIla.• girt. Candace Terrill,Jan. 5. 7:45 p.m.• 3 pounds 7 ounces, now 2boys,l girt.

REECE, Ste... and Joyoa (Bailey). 01 Plym­outh.lnd., boy. MIChael Jared, Jan. 7. 5:48p.m.• 8 pounds 11 ounces. now 2 boys, 1girt.

ENGAGEMENTS

EBEUNG. Allan and Cheryl (Olsen). ofBoston. Mass.• girt, Stephanie Ruth, Feb.14, 11:35 a.m., 6 pounds 13 ounces, firstchild.

ATHANS, Murray and Julie (Coston). 01Anchorage, Alaska. girl, Rachel Anne, Feb.25,3:57 a.m., 6 pooods8 ounces, firstcllild.

BARE. Dale and Kathy (Wor/ell), 01FayeltEMle, Ark., boy, Tomothy Jesse 1..8e.Jan. 22, 1:29 p.m., 10 pounds 14 ounces,now 2 boys, 3 girts.

RUSCO, Kevin and Candaoa (Matson). 01V...de Valley. Ariz.• girt. Ember Shaa. Feb.18,11:47 a.m.• 6 pounds 14 ounce•• now 2girls.

TRONE, Drew and Lydia (Van KoI). 01saa-amento. Ca~f.. boy. Joseph Peter.Marell 1. 8:05 p.m., 7 pounds 13 ounces,now 2 boys. 1 girt

DYCHES. Sleven and Jane (Zahradnik). 01Garden Grove. Calif., girt. Kris1en Marie,Feb. 9. 1:04a.m.• 9 pounds 7 ounces, now 1boy. 1 girl.

KITT. Ed and Lorraine(Thomas). 01 calgary,Alla., boy. David Ryan. Feb. 17.1:52a.m.• 8pounds lB. ounces, now 2 boys.

BIRMINGHAM, Tom and Lori (Lund). of sanJose, Calif., boy. Andrew Thomas. Feb. 10.12:45 p.m.• 10 pounds 8 ounces. now 2boys.

SAGE. MeI1< and Holy (James), 01 SanDiego. Calif.• boy, Jonathan Bryoa. Jan. 30,7:39 a.m.. 8 pounds 1,. ounces.1irs1 child.

SCHOLTZ, Ricllard and Rebecca (VanMecI1eIen). of Autun, Wash.. girt. RachelAmelia. Aug. 20, 4:40 a.m.. 7 pounds 6ounces, first cIliid.

SEWARD, Jerry D. and Suzanne (Mi1cheI).of Fort Worth, Tex.• boy, lacllery RylanMilchell. Jan. 24. 1:23 p.m.• 9 pounds 4ounces. first cIliid.

STARK, TOfry and Drucie (Moms), 01 GrandIsland. Neb., girt. Btrttany Lynne. Feb. 13,5:38 a.m.• 8 pound. 1 ounce. now 1 boy. 3gorIs.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald eartson of Duluth,Minn., are pleased toannounce the engage­ment of their daughtOf Julie Anne to Ran-

DIGGINS, Steven and Rhonda (Collins), 01Baltimore, Md.. boy. Brett Edward, Jan. 18.8:18 p.m.• 6 pounds 13 ounces, first cIliId.

DURBIN. Edward and Jane, of Belleville,lll..I'Mn boys, David Andrew and Daniel Alan.Dec. 26. 12:20 and 1:26 a.m.. 6 pooods 10ounces and 6 pounds 13 ounces, now 2boys, 3 gorts.

ARNFIElD. Mar1< and Sheny (Weppler). ofEdmonton. Alta. boy. Daniel Robert, Feb.16. 12:16 a.m.• 6 pounds 6 ounces. Iirs1child.

BRIXlUS, Peter and CalMn (Rockey), 01Cheyenne.Wyo.• boy. casperGarrett.S8pt.9.8:12p.m.• 9 pounds9 14 ounces. firstcllild.

BROWN, Brian and Be1h (McEIwaJn). 01WWldso<, OnL, boy, Chris10pher Jonlan.Jan. 30, 12:42 p.m.• 8 pounds 4 ounces, now3 boys. 1 girt.

BIRTHS

ANNOUNCEMENTS6

Monday, March 28, 1988 The WORLDWIDE NEWS 7

CHINESE VISITORS-Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach greets repre­sentatives from the Chinese Ministry of Culture in his office March 9.Plans are under way to build a national theater in Beijing, China, and atechnical team, including architects and specialists, came from China tolook at American performing arts halls. The group, accompanied byrepresentatives from the Chinese Consul General's office, toured theLos Angeles (Calif.) Music Center, facilities in San Francisco, Calif., andthe Ambassador Auditorium. [Photo by Warren Watson]

PERSONAL(Continued from page 1)

Brethren, I wonder if we reallyunderstand the full significance ofthat instruction. Are we making apart ofour lives the kind of "un­feigned love for the brethren" thatJesus and the apostles taught?

The apostle Paul correCted theCorinthians, explaining that theywere missing the point of thePassover. Their conduct showedPaul that they did not grasp the fullimplications of the Passover in thepractical Christian life-theylacked understanding of whyChrist had to die, as well as forwhom He died.

They were divided (I Corinthi­ans 11:18). They were despisingthe Church of God by shamingthose that were poor (verse 22).Theactions and attitudes some hadtoward others demonstrated thatthey did not understand the con­nection between Jesus' sacrificeand the Church of God of whichthey were called to be a part (verse29).

In the previous chapter, Paulhad reminded them that the breadand wine taken during the Passoverservice symbolize the body andblood of Christ that make possiblethe unity and oneness of the mem­bers of the Body of Christ-theChurch (I Corinthians 10: 16-17).

Chapter 12 further illustratesthe oneness to which God hascalled His people: "For as the bodyis one, and hath many members,and all the members of that onebody, being many, are one body: soalso is Christ. For by one Spirit arewe all baptized into one body,whether we be Jews or Gentiles,whether we be bond or free; andhave been all made todrink intooneSpirit. For the body is not onemember, but many" (verses 12­14).

In verse 21 Paul admonishes,"And the eye cannot say unto the

hand, I have no need of thee: noragain the head to the feet, I have noneed ofyou." Yet this is an attitudethat was being exhibited amongsome of the Corinthian brethren,and it is an attitude that is some­times displayed even among someofGod's people today.

Vanity and arrogance are atti­tudes that arecommon tomankind.But as members of the Body ofChrist, weshould begrowing in ourability to recognize these attitudesin ourselves and be repenting ofthem.

Verses 25 through 27 areparamount: "That there should beno schism in the body; but that themembers should have the samecare one for another. And whetherone member suffer, all the mem­bers suffer with it; or one memberbe honoured, all the members re­joicewith it. ow ye are the body ofChrist, and members in particu­lar."

The indication is that they wereguilty of neglecting the needs offellow members of the Body of

Christ. As a result of such neglectof the Body of Christ, God hadwithdrawn His blessing of healingfrom them as a punishment to helpthem come to repentance (ICorinthians II :30-32).

But what about us, today? Areany of us guilty of a superior, arro­gant attitude toward any ofour fel­low Christians? Do we also neglectthe care of brothers or sisters inneed?

Just as Paul admonished theCorinthians to "let a man examinehimself' as he prepares to partakeofthesymbols ofChrist's sufferingand death, so should we.

But let's not permit that exami­nation to be merely a once-a-yearevent! Such examination ought tobe a continualprocess in the life ofany Christian. And brethren,much of that examination shouldrevolve around how we treat oneanother, how weget alongwith oneanother, howwe LOVEone another!

Paul follows I Corinthians 12with the well-known love chapter,chapter 13. It is in the light of this

telling "spiritual looking glass"that we need to regularly examinethe fruit of our Christian lives.

The apostle James also gave cor­rection about despising the poor(James 2). He warned in chapter 3about envying and strife (verses 14to 18). In chapter 4 he cautionedagainst speaking evil ofoneanotherand against boasting.

In chapter 5 he condemns theholding of grudges and admon­ishes Christians to care for andpray for one another in times of ill­ness. He also instructs us tostraighten out any wrong attitudeswe may have against one another,and to pray for one another in thatregard.

I will not take time to go into theother admonitions we are given byPaul, James, Peter, John, Jude andChrist about the supreme impor­tanceoflearning how to loveonean­other according to the will of God.

But suffice it to say that we muststrive continually and wholeheart­edly to grow in our relationshipswith one another, thereby demon­stratingour graspofthefuU signij­icanceof the Holy Days weobserveeach spring in commemoration ofJesus' sacrifice and of our deliver­ance from the bondage of sin.

We must be asking God daily toopen our minds to see ourselves asHe sees us. We should ask Him forunderstanding to see where wemay be allowing a personal weak­ness to go unchecked. Is our per­sonal manner and example a help toour families and to our brethren, oris it too often a hindrance? Are wein better control of our problemsand shortcomings than a year ago?Are we growing in patience, inmercy, in love?

What about our family lives?What is the state ofour marriages?Have we faced any problems inthose areas and are we working onthem? How about our relationshipwith our children? Are we spend­ing enough time in conversationwith them?

We should each also ask our­selves: What is the state ofmy rela­tionship with God? Is prayer theregular partofmylife that it shouldbe? Am I taking the time I shouldto study the Bible for personal cor­rection and instruction? When wasthe last time I fasted? Is fasting aregular part of my life?

How about my emotional state?Am I depressed or discouraged? Ifso, have I taken steps to find outwhy? Have I asked God for faith,for confidence in His power tocause all things to work togetherfor good?

Am I truly looking to God for allmy needs? Is "true religion" a partof me, or am I just a Christian inname only?

At this time of year the need forsuch introspection should be all theheavier on our minds.

And the encouraging thing isthat when we recognize our sinsand shortcomings, and go to workon them, God is faithful and just toforgive us of them. A Christiandoesn't need to fear to face hisproblems. When he does facethem, he is that much closer to hav­ing the burden removed. And Godwill help you see them, face them,work on overcoming them, andHewillforgive them.

Brethren, we have a long way togo. Like the Corinthians, we havenot yet come to the place where weall can say that we truly exhibit thelove ofGod for one another that weshould. But as His begotten chil­dren let's put our hearts into thecalling He has given us. Let's growin faith and love toward the won­derful unity that is in Jesus Christ!

As we take spiritual inventory,we can rejoice and thank God forHis unspeakable mercy and love inmaking possible our deliverancefrom the bondage and corruptionof our own natural-and sinful­way of life. How wonderful it is tounderstand that no matter how badthings may look, there is hope! Andthat hope is a sure hope.

Youth hosts and hostesses accent formal affair

ACCENT ON THE LOCAL CHURCH

SYMMETRY IN MOTION-Glendora, Calif., cheerleaders demonstratetheir skills at a district cheerleading jamboree in the Pasadena Ambas­sador College gymnasium March 13. [Photo by Charles Feldbush]

host's job was to keep conversationgoing in an uplifting manner, andthe hostess was to set an example inusing the right silverware.

The meal included sparkling fruitcompote, beef consomme, sirloinsteak, baked stuffed potatoes, greenbeans almondine, green salad, non­alcoholic wine and cocoa cake role.The group used finger bowls, anddemitasse and after-dinner mintswere served. Joan Tuck.

with bow ties, and the young womenwore formal evening gowns. Twoweeks before the event, the youthsreceived instructions on propertable manners and what to expectduring the dinner. Instructionswere also given to parents whoserved the dinner.

Four tables were set with china,crystal stemware, silver and can­dles. A YOU host and hostess weredesignated for each table. The

About 130 brethren from Darm­stadt. Duesseldorf, Bonn and Stutt­gart, West Germany, attended amarriage seminar in Wolfstein,West Germany, Feb. 12 to 14. Visi­tors from the United States andEngland also attended.

Members filled out a survey rat­ing their marriages, and the prob­lems that were most often men­tioned were addressed in fourtwo-hour lectures, which coveredmarriage in the Bible from Genesisto Revelation and Christian mas­culinity and femininity.

Winfried Fritz, pastor of theBonn-Duesseldorf and Darmstadtchurches, instructed all the marriedpeople to give their mates a list ofwhat they appreciated most aboutthem.

Other activities included anevening of entertainment Saturday,Feb. 13, that included dancing, mu­sical performances and games. Theweekend ended with a one-hourhike followed by coffee and cake.Frankie Weinberger.

Twenty-eight youths from theBoise, Idaho, church attended a for­mal dinner Jan. 31 at the home ofLawson Tuck, pastor of the Bakerand Ontario, Ore., and Boisechurches, and his wife, Joan.

The young men wore dark suits

Seminar

discusses

marriage in Bible

explain what they thought was anunconditional promise to heal everytime when experience showed oth­erwise, have no.ted that God ofcourse will heal every true Chris­tian, but that the healing will insome cases be at the resurrection ofthe dead. This is of course true, andJames 5:14-16-with its dualmeaning---corroborates this.

But it is not the right way to ex­plain why God does not heal everytime. For, as an explanationofwhyallare not always healed, it labors underthe false impression that God's heal­ing promises are unconditional. Fur­ther, eventual healing of the body bythe resurrection is categorically notwhat a sick person is asking for whenhe prays to be healed. He automati­cally assumes he will not besick in hisresurrected state.

By now it has become quite clearthat healing for sickness is simplyGod's miraculous answer to prayer forthesick person, usually, in ourday, re­quiring faith and obedience, and al­ways based upon what is best for theparty in the long run. God haspromised to heal us, but has set condi­tions upon such healing-thepossibleconditionsof faith andobedience, andinvariably theconditionofGod's will.

On the surface these conditionsseem easy to understand. But whena person becomes ill, these simpleconcepts can become confused.Usually the confusion is over thematter of faith, although it may bestated in the form of questions suchas, "If God loves me, how can Hesee me suffer and not intervene?"Or, "How can I have faith that Godwill heal me if I don't know whetherit is His will to do so now?"

To answer these important ques­tions, we must briefly examine theoft-misunderstood but vitaIronnec­tion between faith and healing.

(To be continued)

Healing(Continued from page 51

though this one statement appearson the surface to be written withoutqualification, it sits amidst the restof the Bible and is, of course, quali­fied by it. Every verse of the Biblemust be read in the context of thewhole Bible-not in isolation.

It is thus plain that here, as in ev­ery other case of a request for an­swered prayer, is the implied condi­tion of healing being in the bestinterest of the party. It is an impliedcondition here, but one nonethelessexpressly stated by the Bible to ap­ply to all prayer! "If we ask anything according to his will, heheareth us" (I John 5:14). So real­ize this: The condition of God's willis as relevant here as the conditionof obedience, the other necessarycondition also not mentioned here!

Further, the word translated savein James 5: 15 is a Greek word that isused only a few times in the Bible inreferencetoa person being made wellfrom sickness (e.g., Mark 6:56). Thevast majority of times this word isused in the N ew Testament, it is usedin the sense of spiritual salvation.Likewise, the word translated raisein this sameverse can mean "to rousefrom sleep or lift up as from a bed orfloor," but most often is used in theNew Testament to represent the res­urrection from the dead (see Mat­thew 10:8, 11:5, 14:2, 16:21, etc.).

Thus James in this verse speaksnot only of physical healing uponthe implied condition of God's will,but also about the spiritual resur­rection from the dead (also basedupon conditions unstated here butfound elsewhere in the Bible). Theverses have a double' meaning.

We must here address another,related point. Some, in an effort to

•8 The WORLDWIDE NEWS Monday, March 28,1988

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banks in Cameroon," said evange­list Dibar Apartian, French re­gional director.

Even though Saturday is a non­work day in Cameroon, Mr. jamtawas threatened with being fired fornot working on the Sabbath.

"Mr. jamta, who has held avery responsible post in that bank,was forced to take a demotion," Mr.Apartian said.

Mr. Apartian also said that in onevillage in the South Pacific nation ofVanuatu two members supervised30 people in constructing a buildingwith bamboo walls and a corrugatedsteel roof.

"This meeting hall will give thebrethren ... a place to gather andplay cassettes on the Sabbath," saidthe regional director.

promise to return to the Philippines,will accommodate 600 Feastgoers.

International guests will behoused at the Baluarte San Josebeach resort. Services will be in ahall overlooking the beach andLeyteGulf.

Temperatures during the Feastshould range from 23 to 35 degreesCelsius (73 to 95 degrees Fahren­heit) with rain showers possible.Tacloban is served daily by Philip-pine Airlines jets. •

Baptisms in Cameroon

During a trip to Cameroon inFebruary, Bernard Andrist, pastorof the Geneva and euchatel,Switzerland, churches and GenevaOffice manager, baptized two pe0­

ple, blessed four children and madeseveral visits.

Jean-Paul Njamta in Cameroon"has been facing several problemsat his work in one of the national

About 15 attended. "The brethrenthere are very gung ho, very enthu­sias ie," he said.

In La Paz, Mr. Seiglie and hiswife, Catalina, could hear gunshotpellets flying by from their 10thfloor hotel room.

While walking down a street, Mr.Seiglie encountered an oncominggroup of demonstrators being tear­gassed and driven back by police.The crowd and the police forcedMr. Seiglie to change direction andstart running.

Although Bolivian brethren arelittle affected by the events in LaPaz, they and the ministers "appre­ciate the prayers of the brethren forthe day-to-day situations that theyfind themselves in," he added.

ewsstand vandalism

Plain Truth newsstands havebeen vandalized in Britain, reportedthe British Office.

Magazines have been found lit­tering Oxford Circus in London. Astand in Croydon, England, hasbeen "repeatedly knocked down,and other stands around the countryhave been either stolen or broken,"said evangelist Frank Brown, re­gional director.

The British Office has looked forways to protect the magazines fromrain and wind, including putting abox-shaped dispenser at London'sPiccadilly Circus outlet.

The office also reported thatFrench, German and Italian PlainTruths are available together on aspecially designed newsstand atLondon's Leicester Square under­ground (subway) station. The head­board to the stand advertises themagazine in each language.

15TH ANNIVERSARY-As The Worldwide News marks 15 years ofservice to the brethren of God's Church, it will continue to help bindChurch members together in unity as it pUblishes news of the Church,its work and the brethren scattered worldwide. The staff appreciates thesupport of you, the members of God's Church, in helping to make thepaper possible. Front row, from left, Kerri Miles, associate editor; DawnaBorax, typesetter; Lana Walker, proofreader; Ronald Grove, layout edi­tor; Tony Styer, typesetting supervisor; Dexter Faulkner, editor; backrow, Marie Myers, staff writer; Sheila Graham, senior editor; PeterMoore, proofreader; Jeff Zhorne, news editor; Marianna Laursen, type­setter; and Thomas Hanson, managing editor. Mr. Hanson, Mr. Zhorne,Mr. Grove, Miss Miles and Miss Myers work primarily on The WorldwideNews, while the other employees divide their time among several of theChurch's publications. [Photo by Warren Watson]

to a telecast and the second programin 1988 that brought in more than50,000 calls.

* * *MANILA, Philippines-The re-

gional office here announced thatthe Feast of Tabernacles will takeplace in Tacloban, Philippines. Thisis the fifth Philippines site.

Tacloban is on the northeast sideof the island of Leyte. This site,where U.S. Gen. Douglas Mac­Arthur fulfliled his World War II

tion has deteriorated.Mr. Cisneros also canceled a

scheduled trip to Honduras.March 17 he and another mem­

ber barely escaped harm as theyprepared to exit the building wherethe church meets in San Salvador.A student protest was in progress,and police were ready to confrontthe group.

About that time the police beganhurling tear-gas canisters, so Mr.Cisneros and the other membertook refuge in the building. Duringthe commotion they heard some ag­itators cry, "Burn the automobiles"and expected that their vehicle,parked just outside, would be setablaze.

As the two prayed for protectionthe rioters passed by the building.

After a few minutes Mr. Cisnerosfelt it was safe to exit the building.Finding the car untouched by the ri­oters, they quickly drove away fromthe area. About a block away theyspotted several burning vehicles butwere able to stay clear of the distur­bance.

Rationing in Peru

"The situation in Lima [Peru]has worsened considerably,''' re­ported Mario Seiglie, pastor of theSantiago and Temuco, Chile,churches, after a trip to Peru andBolivia, March 4 to 13.

"There was rationing of the sim­plest consumer food items: milk,beef, chicken," Mr. Seiglie said. "Itis hard to find certain food items tobuy right now."

March 12 he conducted the firstSabbath service in La Paz, Bolivia.

lam; Joyce Starr, project directorfor Near East programs at the Cen­ter for Strategic and Internationalstudies; Yabya Sadowski, a special­ist on Syrian and Egyptian affairswho is a research associate at theBrookings Institution; and Mo­hammed Kamal, Jordanian Ambas­sador to the United States.

Mr. Stump said they "all spokeforcefuIly and candidly in apprais­ing the seriousness of the Mideastcrisis."

Selected portions of the inter­views will be included in the first ofa two-part telecast on the MiddleEast scheduled to air in May.

* * *AUBURN, Wash.-The Wet­

more Medical Fund, set up to assistthe family of Bryan and SbaronWetmore, whose daughters Erin, 5,and Crystal, 8, died in a home fITeFeb. 2, has reached capacity, ac­cording to Ricbard Parker, pastorof the Auburn and Bremerton,Wash., churches. 0 further con­tributions are necessary.

"The Wetmores are somewhatoverwhelmed with the concern thebrethren have shown and would liketo thank everyone for their cards,prayers and assistance," Mr. Parkersaid.

"This has been quite a witness tothe people who are handling thefund. They were astonished by theresponse of the Church."

* * *PASADENA-The World To­

morrow telecast, "The Four Horse­men of the Apocalypse," presentedby evangelist Richard Ames, whichaired March 19 and 20, produced53,759 responses, according toevangelist Richard Rice, director ofthe Mail Processing Center.

This is the fifth highest response

ATEis associate pastor in the Audito­rium A.M. church, and TbomasPickett, who has worked in the Se­curity & Safety Department for 18years, is Auditorium A.M. assistantpastor.

Warren Zebrung, an assistant inthe Auditorium A.M. church, isnow assistant pastor of the ImperialA.M. church.

Donald Contardi, associate pas­tor of the Glendale and North Hol­lywood, Calif., churches, was trans­ferred to Imperial P.M., to serve asassociate pastor.

Steven LeBlanc, who was Impe­rial P.M. associate pastor, now as­SISts Dennis Van Deventer, directorof Security & Safety.

In addition, Mr. Tkach an­nounced that the boundaries for thePasadena churches have been ex­tended and the North HoIlywoodand Glendale churches will be com­bined as one congregation.

These transfers and changes wereeffective March 20.

* * *PASADE A-Plain Truth se-

nior writer Keith Stumpjoined JohnHalford, associate producer of theWorld Tomorrow telecast, and afilm crew, in Washington, D.C.,March 13 to 16 to interview expertson the Middle East for the telecast.

Mr. Stump interviewed RobinWrigbt, senior associate at theCarnegie Endowment for Interna­tional Peace and author of SacredRage-The Wrath of Militant Is-

PASADENA-Because ofpolit­ical unrest, Sabbath services werecanceled March 19 in San Salvador,EI Salvador.

Herbert Cisneros, pastor of theGuatemala City, Guatemala, andSan Salvador churches, in a tele­phone conversation with DionisioVelasco, an employee of theSpanish Department in Pasa­dena, requested prayers for theprotection of God's people inCentral America, where the situa-

ally Trying. Mr. Wright happenedto be in Chicago on business.

One evening "I pulled up to a redlight, and there she was in the carnext to me. I didn't even know shewas in Chicago," he said. Theystopped and talked. Two monthslater they were engaged and a yearlater, Nov. 26, 1966, they were mar­ried.

The Wrights have one daughter,Tanya, 17, who is a high school ju­nior. "We have a very close family,"said Mr. Wright. "I have a wife whomeans everything in the world to meand a daughter I think the world of.We have a good relationship."

Mrs. Wright was hospitalizedlast summer with an abdominalmass. Doctors gave her only a fewdays to live. Since then doctors haveconcluded that the mass may not becancerous, but her weak immunesystem and low blood level continueto place a severe strain on her heart.

"Her condition is still very seri­ous. It goes up and down," Mr.Wright said. "We are praying forGod's complete healing."

"That also he should gather together in one the children ofGod that were scattered abroad." (John 11:52)

(Continued from pBge 31pacity. Mr. Wright said, "Theexperience gained from my six-yeartenure in Europe has served me wellboth in the financial and publishingareas of God's work."

Mr. Wright said of his wife,whom he became friends with inhigh school: "My wife has been anincredibly positive and inspiring ex­ample for me. She has supported mein every endeavor I have put mymind to. She is the perfect mate."

Mrs. Wright graduated from theUniversity of Texas with a bachelorof fine arts degree in theater. Sheworked through college by singingwith a dance band, modeling anddoing television commercials. Aftercollege she worked in New York,performing in musical comedies,summer stage productions and tele­vision commercials.

While she was performing withthe Chicago company of How toSucceed in Business Without Re-

PASADE A-ehurch Admin­istration released the foHowing or­dination.

Virgil Gordon, a deacon in theSan Diego, Calif., church, was or­dained a local church elder on theSabbath, Feb. 27.

* * *PASADENA-Pastor General

Josepb W. Tkacb announced sev­eral personnel changes in thePasadena area at afternoon Sabbathservices in the Ambassador Audito­rium March 13.

Clint Zimmerman, pastor of theAuditorium A.M. church, nowserves in Church Administration,and Victor Root, associate pastor,replaces Dr. Zimmerman as pastor.

Curtis May, formerly associatepastor of the Imperial A.M. church,

VANCOUVER, B.C.-A Cana­dian Summer Educational Program(SEP) will be conducted July 12 to26 at Lake Shawnigan on Vancou­ver Island, about a 45-minute drivenorth of Victoria, B.C.

The camp, owned by the BritishColumbia Lions Society for Crip­pled Children, features a clear-wa­ter lake, "ideal for swimming, wa­terskiing and canoeing," saidevangelist Colin Adair, Canadianregional director.

Activities will include watersports, tennis, basketbaIl, voIley­ball, photography, archery, softball,riflery, Christian living, newspaperproduction and a wilderness hike.

The camp, which will accommo­date about 90 campers plus staffmembers, will be open only toCanadian Church youths and willhelp ease the numbers at the Orr,Minn., and Big Sandy SEP camps.

Douglas Smith, pastor of the Ed­monton, Alta., North and Southchurches, has been appointed campdirector, and John Stryker, asso­ciate pastor of the Courtenay andVictoria, B.C., churches, is assis­tant director.

* * *PASADENA-A better time

slot has opened up for the WorldTomorrow telecast on Sky Channelin Europe. The program was airedon Sundays at the end ofthe normalbroadcast day-about midnightGreenwich Mean Time (GMT). Itnow airs at 7:30 a.m., Sundays, ac­cording to evangelist Darid Hulme,director of Communications &Public Affairs.

The telecast also airs on SuperChannel at 12:30 p.m., Sundays.

* * *

NEWSOF(J PPEOPLE,PLACES &EVENTS IN THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

Ordained