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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, November 21, 1980
Page 11
PROVIDENCE, RI., JIM FRANKS: Outstanding beginning for clubs and
Bible studies. We had record turnouts for both. We have so many
new people that it is really refreshing to see them throw themselves
into the activities.
RICHMOND, VA., KENNETH GIESE: A member was miraculously healed of
cancer this month! We hope to submit a detailed article for the
WN. Some post-Feast letdown, but most of that was eliminated by
the announcement of the California Attorney General dropping all
charges against us...great news! Our attendance is improving and
everyone seems to be looking forward to a good year ahead in God's
Church.
MACON-ATLANTA, GA., F. OTTO LOCHNER: This years Refreshing Program
gave Nancy and me more direction and inspiration to know how better
to serve God's Churches in Georgia. I've attended my share of
conferences and even a sabbatical program , but those three weeks
turned out to be the most exciting, mentally stirring and profitable
hours of my 12 years in the ministry. Even inspired me to start
doing my office paper work. That's a powerful great amount of stir!
Weekly Letter Comments
Almost.every week we receive one or two letters from members who left
God's Church and have now returned. A selection of their accounts show
the misery and frustration experienced outside the Church. In the second
group of comments, brethren excitedly share the good news of how God has
healed them or their family and friends, expressing gratitude for God's
love and mercy. Finally, Mr. Rader's book, AGAINST THE GATES OF HELL,
was very well received. Many have related how it has helped them to
better understand the recent California attack on the Church, as well as
appreciate the efforts and sacrifice of Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Rader.
Brethren Return to Church
I have been a baptized member since 1973, and I'm now a prisoner in
a Department of Corrections facility. My incarceration has nothing
to do with the Church. Quite the contrary, it is the present situa
tion and God's hand in it that has brought me back into the Church
of God. I fell away from the Church in 1977. I started blaming God
for my problems, forsook Him and went the way of the world. But
thankfully, He never forsook me. I spent two and a half years in
sin, being a slave to the "get" way of life. I caused a lot of my
own problems and allowed another to involve me in a crime for which
I'm now paying the price to society. However, God was there waiting
patiently for me to turn back to the way or..;:-ighteousness and I'm
glad to say I did almost a year ago. I praise God that with the
help of the minister in our area and the love of the brethren in the
Church, I'm once again an active member.
Member, (San Luis Obispo, CA)
I grew up in the Birmingham Church but later decided that the world
was a lot more "fun." Well, it didn't work out that way. Through
being addicted to narcotics, alcohol, and ending up in jail (among
various other "knocks and bumps"), I finally gave up on the idea that
the world's way was better.