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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JULY 22, 1986
PAGE 5
Income for June continued to show a healthy increase. We ended the month
with 17.7 percent, bringing our year to date mail income to 11.1%. Total
income, however, is 7.1% increase (includes Holy Day offerings, interest,
estate donations, etc.). The Pentecost offering was 8.3% increase over
1985.
(Submitted by Colin Adair, Regional Director)
From the Philippines
The highlight of May and June was undoubtedly the
Summer Educational Program held at Baguio City, from May 4 to 19. It has
been two years since the last one was conducted in the Philippines, as
the Ministerial Education Program held last year necessitated cancelling
plans for a Summer Camp during 1985.
280 young people from all over the Philippines attended, using the
Teachers Camp facilities, which includes a fine sports field within the
camp.
A full range of activities was planned, including archery,
riflery, cycling, swimming, table tennis, softball and volleyball, and a
wide range
of educational clubs that teach basic skills in auto
mechanics, photography, drafting, computers, cooking, aerobics and
gymnastics.
A volunteer staff of over 100, mainly from the churches in the Metro
Manila area, served in many capacities.
Regional Director Mr. Guy L.
Ames attended for a major portion of the camp and was involved in all
aspects of the planning.
Camp Director Mr. Edmond Macaraeg, pastor of
the San Pedro and Imus churches, was delighted with the smooth
functioning of the camp in spite of some rains that disrupted several
outdoor activities in the final few days.
The Feast of Pentecost was
Philippines and attendance was
increase of 22.6% over 1985.
exceptional, at an increase of
1985 was up 85% over 1984).
held in 27 locations throughout the
just under 4,000. This is an excellent
The offering from the brethren was
35.5% over 1985 (especially considering
Although the economic conditions in the Philippines are still depressed,
with little tangible improvements yet, the brethren are being blessed and
have responded generously to the needs of the Work at a time of
encouraging growth and activity with new contacts.
More than 60 new
contacts have been registered each month, which has kept the ministry
busy.
Mail is still coming in at exceptionally high levels, with 26,114 items
being received in May and 31,601 in June. These figures represent near
records, the actual highest count being in August of 1982 due to a
semiannual letter response where reply envelopes were included.
These
are not used at present.
Mail received for the first six months of this year is higher than any
previous period of January to June. Responses to the television program
are continuing to rise with 768 for May and 1,086 for June.
Since the
average number received in a single month last year was only 332, this
represents a substantial increase in the number of viewers responding.
We have indications that there is a very large audience that does not
write in, and there are many people who do not identify themselves as
viewers when they do.
(Submitted by Mr. Guy Ames, Regional Director)