NEW YORK, New York--Pastor General Joseph Tkach was invited to attend the annual American Bible Society (ABS) National Church Advisory Council (NAC) meeting in New York City Dec. 3 and 4. The council addressed the challenges facing denominational and ministry leaders as they proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
ABS has distributed 6.4 billion Bibles since 1816 (both complete and portions of the Scripture). ABS currently distributes the Bible in 300 to 400 languages annually.
However, less than half of the world's 5,000 languages and dialects have any portion of the Bible available to them. Therefore, the ABS is extensively involved in Scripture translation. The goal of ABS is to make the Scriptures readily available to everyone, everywhere.
Mr. Tkach and Mr. Albrecht addressed the council, explaining the historic changes in the Worldwide Church of God.
The advisory council specifically addressed the needs of inner cities, discussing strategies and objectives of sharing the Scriptures with a society desperate for the good news of the gospel.
Mr. Tkach said: "The American Bible Society does the godly work of spreading the Word of God to people of various languages. They are the largest translators of Scripture, and it is our joy to become associated with their work of making Bibles available to people in all the world."
Denominational leaders, pastors and representatives attended the conference from the following churches: African Methodist Episcopal Church; Armenian Orthodox Church; Assemblies of God.
Church of God, Anderson, Indiana; Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Church of the Nazarene; Evangelical Congregational Church; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Free Methodist Church; Greek Orthodox Church; International Church of the Foursquare Gospel; Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod; Mennonite Brethren; Moravian Church; National Baptist Convention.
North American Baptist Conference; Pentecostal Church of God; Presbyterian Church (USA); Reform Church in America; Roman Catholic Church; Seventh-day Adventists; Southern Baptist Convention; United Brethren in Christ; United Methodist Church; and the Wesleyan Church.
BEAVER CREEK, Colorado--Pastor General Joseph Tkach attended the North American Ministerial Council of the Church of God (Seventh Day) in Beaver Creek, Nov. 11-15. Mr. Tkach said that "the invitation to attend as observers is yet another positive cooperative development between our two fellowships."
Mr. Albrecht commented: "We attended all-day meetings that discussed doctrine and teaching. In addition, we were invited to join in worship and praise services, as well as a concert of prayer. Not only do we know these fine people as friends, we know many of them personally, as brothers and sisters in the Lord."
Mr. Tkach and Mr. Albrecht had several lunch and dinner meetings with Church of God (Seventh Day) officials, including Whaid Rose, chairman of the board of directors; Calvin Burrell, president of the General Conference; Jerry Griffin, director of the Summit School of Theology; and Robert Coulter, coordinator of the Southeastern District, member of the board of directors, and past president of the General Conference.
Worldwide News readers may remember that Mr. Rose spoke at the Worldwide Church of God fall festival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Both fellowships plan to continue to meet and explore future cooperative projects.
OCALA, Florida--Missionary and author Steve Saint spoke to the Ocala church Nov. 16.
His sermon on evangelism included examples from his experiences in Ecuador, where he works with the Huarani Indians in the Amazon jungle.
Mr. Saint is the son of Nate Saint, one of five missionaries murdered by the Huarani in 1956. That event became the subject of numerous documentaries, as well as the best-selling book Through Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot.
Steve Saint's article, "Did They Have to Die?" appeared as a lead story in the Sept. 16 issue of Christianity Today.
The Worldwide Church of God headquarters choir, with director Ella Marie Schatz, united with 19 other church choirs to form a 1,000 voice choir at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Nov. 24. This event marked the 100th anniversary of the Lake Avenue Church.
Mrs. Schatz was one of several asked to help with the worship celebration by reading a part of the litany. Gordon Kirk, senior pastor of Lake Avenue, started the evening by welcoming the participants. Mark Thallander, Lake Avenue organist, was the main organizer of the event. Duane Funderburk, Lake Avenue choir director, was one of several conducting that evening.
Mrs. Schatz said the worship celebration "was an uplifting and spiritual experience." The event was covered by Channel 7 News in Los Angeles.
Dec. 17, 1996, Worldwide News, page 16
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