As we approach the spring festivals, our thoughts are again directed toward the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
These spring celebrations are of "first importance" to us, for they remind us of the meaning of Jesus' death and the importance of his resurrection.
Because of God's great love for us, he sent his Son to die for us, to pay a ransom to redeem us from sin. This is a central truth of our lives as Christians. Pages 6 and 7.
Let me tell you about two people who worked side-by-side serving in the church, writes pastor Ted Johnston. But something happened. They fell into a deadly trap--a disagreement arose between them.
Perhaps it began as a small argument, but it mushroomed into a rift that not only affected their relationship but began to hurt their entire congregation.
You may know of similar circumstances. The people I'm referring to, however, lived more than 1,900 years ago. Their story is told by the apostle Paul in Philippians. He doesn't provide much detail, but we get the picture if we read carefully.
"I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other" (Philippians 4:2). Here in the midst of his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul exhorts Euodia and Syntyche to end their disagreement.
Mr. Johnston then goes on to explain how this short exhortation packs a powerful lesson for us today--a lesson about addressing division and producing unity in the church. Pages 8 and 9.
Randal Dick wrote this month's Window on the World column as he and Mike Feazell were en route to Australia for a ministerial conference.
In his column, Mr. Dick acquaints us with some of our newest brethren--located in the hills of northwestern Kenya. He met them on a visit with James Henderson, superintendent of African Missions.
In Kibirichia, Kenya, they gave a wheelchair to Tom Ikunya, a polio victim and lay preacher. The Elkhart, Indiana, church, the sister church of the Kibirichia church, sent money to buy the wheelchair.
They then visited members in Kitale. This group was built through the evangelism efforts of about six original members there as various groups asked to become associated with the Worldwide Church of God. Pages 10 and 11.
This month's Regional Snapshot features the Worldwide Church of God's Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific region.
Rod Matthews, regional director, writes about the challenges of evangelism in Australia, where people express high levels of belief in God but demonstrate low levels of commitment to the Christian life. Pages 12 and 13.
The daily average mail income for January was $90,013, well below our projections of $112,500.
However, February has seen a significant strengthening of income and, if it continues, the trend for the year will tend to stabilize closer to our projection.
Nonetheless, the financial need is still acute, so I do pray, and ask you to pray, that we stay on a solid financial course for the rest of the month and year. Thank you for your support and freewill offerings. Page 28.
Feb. 24, 1998, WN, page 2
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