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PASTOR GENERAL
1
S REPORT, FEBRUARY 3, 1984
Many are being called by God to become donors and co-workers. Co-workers
contributed 50% more than in 1982, while donors gave 55.8% more. An all
time record 685 donors were added to our list in 1983, resulting in the
highest number of donors in years--1,020. The articles on tithing in The
PLAIN TRUTH, along with the prayers of God's people, have undoubtedly
contributed to this increase.
In 1983, The PLAIN TRUTH more than doubled its circulation. In December
1982, there were 58,227 subscribers, whereas a year later there were
149,405. The circulation peaked at 160,357 with the December issue, but
the renewal system trimmed that considerably by the year's end. A total of
106,642 renewal letters were sent out in 1983 with the response being
28,801 letters or a 27% return.
The insertion of PLAIN TRUTH insert cards was stopped in the first quarter
of the year, which affected the volume of incoming mail as reflected in the
187,390 total--a decrease of 19.6%. But the volume of outgoing mail did not
diminish; 387,758 items were mailed out--an increase of 5.4%. Other in
creases came from responses to "The WORLD TOMORROW" telecast and donation
mail.
Another �rea of growth in 1983 was in GOOD NEWS circulation, which went up
to 5,045 (up 58%) as a result of offering the magazine during the PLAIN
TRUTH Bible lectures held in 30 places during 1983. Altogether 2,712 new
people attended the lectures.
As the year ended, a camp for Metro Manila singles was held from December
27th to January 1st. A record 146 singles (including several singles from
other churches throughout Luzon and the Visayas), and 14 married staff
members with their children attended. The site at Volcano Lakeview Resort
on the southern end of Taal Lake provided an ideal setting for the camp.
Mr. Reynaldo Taniajura, camp director, and Mr. Pedro Melendez, Jr., Minis
terial services assistant in the Manila office, gave lectures on proper
dating, true masculinity, true femininity and marriage. To balance every
thing, daily activities included basketball, dance instruction, an obstacle
course, swimming and volleyball. Evening activities included an acquain
tance bonfire, impromptu talent show, Bible bowl and a semi-formal dance on
the last night of the camp.
Other singles camps were also held simultaneously in Tabaco, Albay, with
Mr. Med Maninang as director, and in Toril, Davao City, with Mr. Bien
Macaraeg as director. The office has received many letters from campers
expressing appreciation and thanks for the physical and spiritual benefits
they derived from the camps.
Comments From Monthly Church Reports
From the Caribbean
HAMILTON, BERMUDA--CECIL PULLEY: The Church is enthusiastically
supporting Mr. Armstrong. We have been seeing renewed interest
in world affairs and prophecy among members. I was interviewed
on ZFB television explaining why we do not observe Christmas and
gave a brief description of the days we do observe. The telecast
received positive response from members and other viewers.