As I write some of the last preamble reflecting the final days of the Worldwide Church of God before the establishment of the United Church of God, I think it is worthy to briefly reflect on the purpose of this history. As I sit and recall these often-painful experiences, I sometimes ask myself: “why am I even writing these recollections?” Wouldn’t it just be easier and cleaner to just dismiss what happened 30 years ago and move on? If there was injustice – and from many perspectives, indeed there was – can we not simply forgive as Christians and let it go?
From 1949 to 1952, I was an apprentice tailor in Judendorf - 'the Jews' village' - near Leoben in Steiermark [Styria] in the heart of Austria. The boss, 3 tailors and I would work 7 days a week.
I first met Ernie Klassek on July 14, 2016, in Perth, Australia, during an unforgettable visit to Western Australia in the middle of winter. Our journey took us to various churches in Australia and Singapore. The acquaintance with Ernie Klassek and his family left a lasting impression on us. His life of devout faithfulness to God serves as an example to us all. Bev and I were deeply moved by his faith, warmth, and friendliness. Since then, we have corresponded regularly.
Humbling and exciting was a personal tenor for me in the early 1990s. The wide-reaching organization that I considered a privilege to be a part of was growing. It had not only survived the death of its human founder a few years earlier, it was thriving. I counted myself fortunate for the humbling opportunity to serve, having experienced a broad spectrum – from ministerial trainee to a pastor serving multiple congregations to senior administrator, the latter a position I had never sought.
Since the founding of LifeNets International some 25 years ago, from time to time we’ve met or worked with a number of public figures, including elected officials. Notable of course is our long-time relationship with former Indiana First Lady Judy O’Bannon, who supported LifeNets’ direct connection with the Ukraine-based Revival Centre in Chernihev near Chernobyl. As many know, I was also able to join the then-First Lady’s extensive formal tour of Russia, back then quite a different nation than today.
Here's the latest January / February 2024 edition of BEYOND TODAY in Russian. Again we thank Natasha Teague for a job well done! Cover article is "A Biblical Worldview in Dark."
Read it at http://ru.ucg.org
In this chapter, I would like to rewind the clock by five years to 1990. Many people associated with the Church of God community today perhaps have less familiarity with what life was like serving in Pasadena and other areas of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG).
