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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, DECEMBER 21, 1984
PAGE 3
On the final day of the month, Mr. Bert Burbach, plant manager of Southam
Murray, Mr. David Campbell, a member of the Toronto church, and I were in
Ottawa for discussions with the Revenue Minister of the Conservative Gov
ernment about the second class mail permit. The minister, while not being
able to give a clear yes or no, took note of the case and said he would dis
cuss it with officials at the post office. An interesting sidelight to the
visit was to find out that the minister was familiar with the magazine and
at one time had been a subscriber. Although not subscribing at present, he
occasionally picks up a copy from one of our outlets located near the
Parliament buildings.
While in Ottawa, I met with Mr. Keith Stoner, a lawyer and local church
elder frem the Sarnia church.
During his business stay in Ottawa, Mr.
Stoner contacted the Immigration Department and has received documentation
which we
hope will greatly facilitate bringing ministerial trainees to
Canada.
Because of the Feast backlog, November turned out to be a record-setting
month for income. A 53.7% increase was registered, bringing the year-to
date increase to 13.6%.
Mail received for the month was up 10% over last year. Year-to-date figures
show a 17% increase in incoming mail and WATS calls, and an 18.2% increase
in outgoing mail.
From Mr. Robert Morton Mr. Armstrong's recent tour through a number of
Asian countries was the centre of our attention this month. Mr. Armstrong
visited Japan, China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand. From
Thailand he flew again to Japan before returning home to Pasadena.
We were amazed and excited by the favour and great respect with which Mr.
Armstrong was received wherever he went, and by the doors God opened in this
most populous area of the world for the preaching of the Gospel of the com
ing Kingdom of God.
Excitement and anticipation is mounting as plans for our end-of-year SEP
camp move into high gear. Work on the camp facilities at Lake Moogerah has
continued throughout the year. Members and families from the local church
areas have contributed voluntary labour in upgrading the grounds and
gardens.
Beginning December 27, 224 campers from Australia and Asia will enjoy three
weeks of challenge, education, activities, fun and fellowship.
We
anticipate that this 1984-85 SEP will be the most outstanding camp ever
conducted for our young people in this country.
We are continually encouraged by the increasing number of people who write
in for literature. A total of 22,022 letters were received this month--a
33.2% increase over November, 1983. Our year-to-date mail count is the
highest ever on record--a 44.9% increase over the same period last year.
Our year-to-date outgoing mail count is also the highest ever on record. By
the end of November over 800,000 separate envelopes containing the Church's
publications had been mailed--a 22.2% increase over the same period last
year. Our year-end projection shows that we will pass--for the first time
ever in this area of the world--the one million mark for outgoing mail in
any twelve-month period.
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