Clyde Kilough Roy O. Holladay
Chairman President

Warm greetings everyone,

In just two days we will be observing the Feast of Trumpets, thus beginning the fall festival season! Since this will be the last communication from the Council of Elders and the home office prior to the Feast of Tabernacles, we decided to coauthor this letter.

This past week saw the successful completion of the Ministerial/Pastoral Candidate Program (MPCP). Eighteen couples from across the United States participated in the five-day program, and we were very encouraged to see their level of enthusiasm for serving God and His people. The Council and administration have been concerned for some time about replacing pastors and elders who need to retire or step down from their duties because of health and/or age. The MPCP gives us the opportunity to see whom God is calling to this work of service, and to provide them with additional training and education on how to fulfill ministerial responsibilities. One of the key scriptures we focused on was 2 Timothy 2:1-2, which says: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

If this first leadership conference is any indication, we certainly do have individuals who are willing and able to serve in greater ways within the Body of Christ. We appreciate the work of Richard Pinelli, the Ministerial Services team and all others who had a part in developing this program. Please continue praying for the success of this endeavor, for "the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest'' (Matthew 9:38).

Gary Petty was in the home office this week to tape another series of radio programs for the Good News radio program. Some of the titles of the programs are as follows: "The Great Disappointment (When Will Christ Return?)," "Secular Humanism," "Whatever Happened to Sin?" and "Why Isn’t Sex Safe?" (two programs). As you know, radio is just one of many methods we use to preach the gospel. As always, we seek God’s will regarding the methods we use and their effectiveness because we want to spread the seed on fertile soil and get the message into the hands of those whom He is calling.

We believe that many exciting opportunities exist and lie on the horizon for the Church to fulfill its mission to "preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God in all the world, make disciples of all nations and care for those disciples." It is humbling and sobering to think that God has given us an opportunity to participate in His plan of salvation that is being offered to all who have ever lived.

During this time of year, we focus more intently on the plan of God and how He reveals it through the annual festivals. The Holy Days both ask and answer two crucial questions for humanity: What is God’s work? What is the goal of preaching the gospel and caring for the disciples? Why do we do what we do, brethren? What is the underlying reason and purpose for His work? Our Vision Statement says: "The vision of the Church derives its inspiration and motivation from God’s purpose for humanity: bringing many sons to glory. God’s desire is that all be saved and live eternally in His Kingdom and in His family. Assisting in the fulfillment of that vision is the mission of the Church." Nothing articulates this more clearly than the Holy Days!

God has called us to participate in His work of expanding His family! In all that we do, we must be motivated by this underlying purpose. Whatever we say, whatever we do and however we do it should further that goal. This is what the annual festivals are all about – steps in God’s plan to bring many sons to glory.

In observing the fall Holy Days we celebrate something rare in the religious world: future events – specifically the return of Jesus Christ and establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Revelation 11:15 looks to this time: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’'' Where the spring feasts show us God’s intervention in our lives on a more personal basis, the fall feasts show how He will intervene in world affairs, so that His work of bringing many sons to glory will be realized.

With Jesus Christ directly in charge of the earth, having removed Satan for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-6), His ways will be taught. Those left alive after the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord will want to learn (Isaiah 2:2-4). Succeeding generations of human beings will be born during this time, in a world without the influence of Satan. God will demonstrate what life is like when He is in charge (Isaiah 65:21-25; Zechariah 8:4-5) and millions, maybe even billions, of human beings will have their opportunity to become a part of God’s family!

How utterly awesome it is that God will grant us a role to play in that as well, as kings, priests and teachers (Revelation 5:10; Isaiah 30:20-21) – filling responsibilities of leadership in civil government, in religious observances and in direct instruction. As exciting as it is to participate in God’s work today, how much more so will it be when Jesus Christ is on earth and we are working directly with Him and thousands of fellow children of God!?

We will be hearing much more about this in the next three weeks – it truly is the good news, the best news, we can have these days! Please remember and support those who cannot attend the Feast. May God take you safely on your travels and may you have the most spiritually profitable fall festival season possible.

P.S. As we were finishing this letter, we received notification that Gerald Waterhouse died yesterday afternoon. Funeral arrangements are still being worked out. Once we have this information, it will be announced. Please keep his family in your prayers during this time.

United Church of God, an International Association, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027