Letter to the Brethren: February 28, 2019

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings again from the Five Cities region of California.

Much is going on in various parts of the world.

Baptisms: Malawi and Mozambique

On Tuesday, evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following report:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Today is a wonderful day in Malawi to bring many people in God’s family.

The baptism of today was wonderful because we had true needy people who are obedient and full of faith. I baptized 29 people in Malawi. They were 31 people but two failed to come because of sickness problem but the 29 came. … The service was good.

Evans

Of the 29 baptized, 5 were from Mozambique and 24 from Malawi.

Jesus taught:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

And that is what we in the Continuing Church of God are doing.

People were critical of the people that Jesus reached.

Notice the following:

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:1-10).

We should all rejoice when so many have come to repentance.

Haiti

From Canada, Herb Haddon sent in a couple of reports related to Haiti. Here is one from last Sabbath:

Dr. Thiel:

I have just been conversing with Moise, asking how things were today.

He said there were 91 in attendance for Sabbath Services.   …
Of the 91, 5 are from {another COG} about 5 are baptized, and 5 new people he had not met before. (invited by others, I guess)  He sent some pictures.

For the sermon he played your Eccl 1-3 sermon with a video projector and stopped periodically to translate for everyone.
He would like material to share about baptism as there are several interested in baptism counselling.  …

Moise concludes with:

they all impressed you in your intervention, for Haiti, I explained to him all. and explain your plan for brethren. He said where was CCOG was before.

Guess the pressure is on!!

Herb

Last Sabbath was essentially a one time event in Haiti as we do not have a regular meeting place there, nor the funds to pay each week for where they had the service (which had been planned to coincide with the arrival of the Haddons, who were unable to get there because of the protests and turmoil in the country when they arrived that prevented them from meeting with the brethren and forced them to return to Canada).

Here is another report related to Haiti:

Dr. Thiel

Just got off the phone with Air Canada.

They are processing a refund for the extra return tickets Gisele and I have.<

Air Canada has suspended all fights to Haiti until mid May. This may possibly change, depending on circumstances in Haiti.

I will talk to Moise, as our ‘feet on the ground’ to see what he is hearing about the current situation.

Will keep you informed.

Herb

Herb Haddon and I had hoped that he and his wife Gisele would be able to return in April. Please pray about that, if it is God’s will.

Feast of Tabernacles in Canada

Herb Haddon informed me that he signed a contract for the 2019 Feast of Tabernacles site in Canada.

Here is the location.

Ramada Plaza Hotel

6445, Boul. Décarie

Montreal (Quebec) Canada

H3W 3E1

(514) 739-3800

The Feast of Tabernacles will begin at sunset October 13th and run through sunset, the Last Great Day, October 21st.

My family and I intend to spend the first half at the site in St. Louis, which is at the The Westin St. Louis 811 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63102 USA +1 314-621-2000. And the second half at the site in Canada.

If you are planning on attending this year in St. Louis (and you do not have to stay at the Westin, although with the discount being offered many will), please send me an email. My email address is COGwriter@aol.com

If you are planning on attending this year in Montreal (and you do not have to stay at the Ramada), please send Herb Haddon an email. His email address is HWHaddon@gmail.com

As mentioned last week, expect to have three sites on the continent of North America: St. Louis, Montreal, and possibly eastern Mexico.

For information on the Montreal site and the other expected festival sites for 2019, you can also check out the page: Continuing Church of God Feast of Tabernacles’ sites for 2019.

NTBO Animation

Yesterday, we finished our latest animation: Night to Be Observed.

Here is what we wrote about it on YouTube:

What is it? When is it? The KJV refers to it as “THE NIGHT TO BE MUCH OBSERVED.” This scripture-packed animation includes background and specific information related to the children of Israel. It also gives some of the Old and New Testament prophetic ramifications of this event. How the NTBO is typically observed is also covered. The animation also includes a chart of scriptures and biblical dates to determine when that NTBO actually is. Furthermore, the animation provides information from the “Jewish Encyclopedia” which, through scripture, shows that many Jews have confused Passover with the “night to be observed.” This is a great animation to give background on the NTBO and is also appropriate to be watched on the NTBO.

For 2019, the Night to Be Observed begins at sunset April 19th.

Some may wish to watch this animation then. Some may also wish to watch it before then.

I would like to thank all those who volunteered and provided voices to the animation.

Radio

On the radio last Thursday, the host and I discussed some prophetic matters as well as our Proof Jesus is the Messiah book. However, the host went off into opinions and topics I did not agree with and was not given enough time to properly challenge on the air. While I may do that show again, when it was over I told the host off-the-air that I was not intending to be on again for a while and that changes need to happen.