Basic HTML Version
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, MARCH 25, 1983
PAGE 2
47.4% increase in income for the month to date and a 49.4% increase for the
year to date.
From New Zealand Jesus Christ is blessing His Work in this part of the
world with very fine increases in income this year. January's income was up
by 28% and February's by 23.4%, making the year-to-date figure 25.2%. Con
sidering New Zealand's beleaguered economy--with a freeze on wages now in
force--and the poverty of the small, storm-battered Pacific Islands, in
creases of this magnitude show that God is certainly supporting and sus
taining those who are seeking to do His Work.
Another very encouraging factor so far this year has been a remarkable in
crease in visit requests. In January, new visits were up by 100%, and Feb
ruary saw 275% more visits than last February!
Just under 5,000 items of mail were received during February. Incoming
mail is down by 27% so far this year, but is expected to rally during March
as a large renewal mailing has just been sent out.
Newsstand copies of The PLAIN TRUTH are bringing increasing numbers of re
sponses. We are now distributing 45,000 newsstand PLAIN TRUTHS per month
and receiving around 500 responses monthly. "The World Tomorrow" broadcast
has now been on four radio stations in New Zealand for the past five months,
and each month brings in more responses than the month before.
Spanish Department Update
La PURA VERDAD subscription list stood at
171,501 as of late February, a decline of 7.2% from January, and 12% from
the end of 1982. At this time very little subscription promotion is being
undertaken in order to level off the total circulation to 150,000 by the
June issue. Nevertheless, PV circulation currently stands at 55% more than
the same time last year. Through the first two months of 1983 only 8,544
new subscribers have been added, a 12.3% drop from the same period last
year.
As of late February there were 10,359 PV subscribers in Spain, the all-time
high for that nation and 157% more than a year ago! Of the worldwide total
of 8,544 new subscribers added in 1983, some 24% of those are from Spain.
These new subscribers are coming mostly from the efforts of five or six
scattered brethren who are distributing cards in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga,
Granada, and several small cities. These members have informed us that
they could distribute two or three times more cards, but again, strict
budgetary constraints discourage expanding the effort. It is hoped that by
mid-year finances will allow us to expand card distribution in Spain.
A baptized member residing in Guatemala City was killed near the provincial
capital of Huehuetenango February 9. Please continue to pray that God's
people in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua will be protected from the
hardships in that area.
Appreciation for the Second Ministerial Refreshing Program
Dear Mr. Tkach:
Little did we realize that returning to Pasadena for the Refresh
ing Progra� could do so much for us. Well, it did! And my wife
and I wish to express to you and those who work with you our deep
est gratitude and love.