National Organization of the New Apostolic Church of North America Erwin Wagner September 7, 2000 To all Ministries in Canada, United States of America, The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland, [and our Apostles in the Overseas Countries My dear fellow Servants and Brothers: The summer vacation for our children and their families comes to’a rapid end. During these months, because of holiday time, many church functions such as Sunday School, Religious Instruction, Confirmation Instruction, Choir rehearsals, Youth functions, and even family and guest visits, have been curtailed. When any routine is changed a special effort has to be put in motion to get these activities “out of the rut of summer casualness and on the track of daily natural and spiritual support and direction, which is the essence of our life”. In conversation among various ministries the plan was awakened that each Rector arrange and assign Brothers and Sisters in his congregation, to families who have children in the aforementioned groups who may have become lax in attendance, and visit these families personally. This could be done two or three times to rekindle their awareness and interest in the activities for their children. Only personal contact arouses the awareness in the souls of parents who by and large are also concerned about the future of their children. If we don’t take steps and initiate a “campaign” to draw them into God’s House the world will, because it is constantly doing this in countless ways to captivate their interest and draw them away from their faith, its benefits, and eventually from every godly promise for time and eternity. There is no better time than now when everything gets back to normal. It will not only be interesting to see the results of such a “campaign” but the joy it brings to the entire congregation, its members both young and old, and God Himself, as in Jeremiah 32:41, “Yea | will rejoice over them to do them good, and | will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul”. ‘Administration Ofice Incorporated in Ilinois 3758 North Troy Street, Chicago, Ilinois 60618_United States of America Telephone (773) 539-3652 Telefax (773) 478-6691The families being visited will be made happy. They will know they have not been forgotten and will feel wanted. Such a “campaign” (according to Webster's dictionary this is “a series of organized, planned actions” cannot come about by a few announcements after a Divine Service, but through an enthusiastic presentation to the congregation: Gather the members Assign these aforementioned far Come together afterwards Assess the results “+ Re-assign families where necessary * Se Keep doing this several times and exercise the “Four P’s” - “planning, preparing, promoting and praying”. When this is done wholeheartedly and immediately through the Brothers and Sisters, it will be our Heavenly Father's delight to fulfill His words over us in Malachi 3:10, “Bring ye the tithes (sacrifices) into the storehouse (a place where things are kept secure), that there may be meat (living and nourishing substance) in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if | will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (full to overflowing)”. When this is done through us in zealous enthusiasm, it will catch fire in the congregation and we will have wonderful experiences of faith. To this end, | send you the love and greetings of our Chief Apostle, District Apostle Freund, the Apostles and myself, in the assurance of our prayers and support, cerely-yours, EW/bmp