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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JANUARY 27, 1984
1983 saw good steady growth for God's Church in Canada and the same is
anticipated this year.
Netherlands Year-end Summary 1983 was a very good year for the work of
God's Church in the Netherlands. Some 16,000 new subscribers were added to
the list of De ECHTE WAARHEID, an increase of 34.6% compared to 1982. Ads
were placed in the Dutch and Belgium Automobile Association magazine and in
TV guides, and flyers were placed in De TELEGRAAF, a national newspaper.
The average response was 1.5% at a cost of $3.50 per response.
Twelve new booklets were translated in 1983, bringing the total number of
Dutch-language booklets to 40--40% more than in 1982.
In 1983, 12 people were baptized, bringing the membership total to 201.
Church attendance went up from 277 to 294 in the Dutch-language area, which
consists of four church areas.
Weekly Sabbath services are held in the
Dutch language in Zwolle, De Bilt and Tilburg. The De Bilt Church (just
outside Utrecht) offers simultaneous translations into English for
visitors. Twice-a-month services are held in Antwerp, Belgium, also in
Dutch.
Several outdoor and indoor social activities were held in all four congre
gations. The Dutch-language area has a healthy and active YOU consisting
of 25 members, of which 18 were able to attend the SEP camp in Scotland.
Financially, the year ended with a small increase of 0.17% at an inflation
rate of 2.4%.
While the number of co-workers dropped slightly, the
increase in donors was a fine 30.6%.
The Feast of Tabernacles will again be held in Hoogeveen, "De Tamboer" in
the beautiful province of Drenthe, with adequate bungalow and motel
accommodations within driving distance.
Mr. Armstrong has approved a spring 1984 advertising campaign; we are
looking forward to being a blessing to the descendants of Jacob in this part
of the world.
Comments From Monthly Church Reports
From the United States
VISALIA, CA--GLEN WHITE:
The PMs who are attending Church are
actively seeking baptism. We've had several dramatic interven
tions in healing and other encouragement among several of our
PMs. Overall growth is good and solid.
BETHLEHEM, PA--RAY LISMAN: I seem overloaded with counselings!
My evenings are booked up at least two weeks in advance all the
time. I am very encouraged that the members are wanting to talk
about their problems and trials, which shows that there is a
desire to change.
CHAMPAIGN, IL--RANDY HOLM: Baptismal counselling among the youth
in my congregations is increasing greatly.
There were many
positive comments from members about wanting to fulfill their re
sponsibilities more fully after Mr. Kelly's sermon tape.