April 8, 2004

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1. The Northern California Conference mailed the Sow 1 Billion cards
about two weeks ago. These cards invite people to write, call, or
e-mail back to ask for Bible studies. Phone calls came in during the
second week. On Monday of this week there were 850 cards in the mail,
and 105 phone calls, and more e-mails, most of which were from Northern
California.

2. Mike Tucker, pastor of Arlington Texas Church, has indicated that
he will accept the position of Speaker-Director of the Faith for Today
ministry. He will continue pastoring the Arlington Church.

3. Today, as I woke up, I began praying for my special list of people.
Always on that list is my wife and my two children. I've also had the
habit, for the last few years of praying every day for my prayer
partner. Elder Malcolm Gordon and I became prayer partners while we
were both Union Presidents. Every day we each know that the other one
is praying. Sometimes I have sent my calendar to Mal so he could pray
for me more specifically. He promised me that since he retired he would
pray for me even more. There are, of course, others for whom I pray
regularly, and lately I've make sure that there is another special
person for whom I pray every day. I've been praying every day for Elder
A.C. McClure who is being treated for lung cancer. I'd invite you to
add him to your prayer list too, if you have not already done so.

At the General Conference office, we are approaching the time of the
Spring Meetings. I'd invite you keep these meetings as a matter of
prayer, too.

4. More than 100 new churches were established in the NAD during 2003,
with more being contemplated every day as conferences strategically look
at their territory and decide where new churches need to be planted.
Student groups in some of our colleges meet regularly to talk about
where they should locate when they graduate. They plan to work in their
chosen profession, but also to establish a new church in the city where
they work.

5. Jere Patzer, North Pacific Union President, just returned from the
Philippines where he and a group of 100 pastors from the Northwest
conducted 45 evangelistic meetings. On the final Sabbath, the groups
all met at the Astrodome, and then for two hours 50 pastors were
baptizing people. One of the series was conducted by first time
evangelist, Sue Patzer, wife of the Union President. During her series
more than 50 people were baptized.