In order to support our international areas, UCGIA treasurer Aaron Dean was asked to attend the UCG Philippine’s annual board meeting held January 8, 2012.  So as to make the trip to that part of the world more profitable, he chose to visit Singapore and Thailand as well.

He left on Thursday, Dec. 29, which allowed him to attend services in Singapore with UCG brethren. He had lunch with the members, gave a sermon and answered questions.

It had been a few years since Mr. Dean visited and spoke with the brethren in Asia. He last visited in 1999 and again in 2001, when he visited there on a business trip for his private employer at the time. At that time he was not employed by UCG, although he was a member of the Council of Elders, so he was able to make the trip for minimal cost to the church.  “It was good to visit them again. They are such wonderful people,” stated Mr. Dean in an update given to the home office staff after his trip. 

On Sunday, January 1, he flew to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he visited the Legacy Institute run by Leon Sexton, a 1974 graduate of Ambassador College. Mr. Dean has connections with the royal family of Thailand and Leon Sexton that go back to the numerous 1970s projects with the Ambassador Foundation and Ambassador College.  The Legacy Institute was once a Youth Corp program years ago under the presidential direction of Roy Holladay, and UCG’s current president, Dennis Luker wished to renew the relationship. 

Legacy Institute teaches classes in English, computers and biblical studies for people from Thailand and Burma. Most of the students come from the Hill tribes in Northern Thailand and some from refugee camps. Many of those who Mr. Sexton first worked with were finally able to get sponsorship and legal status and were sent to other parts of the world. The first group came to America, while others went to Scandinavia. They began attending with United when placed in their new countries.  Anyone interested in working in Thailand as a Youth Corp volunteer can write the home office for more information.

In addition to the meetings with Legacy, Mr. Dean discussed the possibility of having a UCG Feast site in Thailand. Current plans are already made for a site in Malaysia in 2012, but since the Empress Hotel manager was a friend of Herbert Armstrong during his visits to the royal family, UCG would be able to obtain rooms for members that would include meals at less than a third of what costs were for the Feast in Bankok in previous years.  This could make it more affordable for members both in Asia and for foreign visitors.  While airfares may be high,  the rest of the Feast could probably be done for less than $1,000, including the airfare from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which is a much more pleasant and pastoral part of Thailand.

Finishing his meetings in Thailand, Mr. Dean flew to Manila on the Island of Luzon and joined senior pastor Earl Roemer and his wife Carole. On Friday they flew to Davao, located on the southern side of Mindanao, and Mr. Dean spoke to about 100 members in Davao on the Sabbath.

The Philippines has about 600 members scattered on various islands served by eight elders and Earl Roemer.  UCGIA wants more involvement with our regional pastors in all areas of the world. Because most of the Filipino people speak English, it was easiest to begin discussing issues in how to best help and support them in preaching the gospel and preparing a people.

The Philippine UCG board meeting was called to order Sunday morning, Jan. 8. Mr. Dean addressed the manner in which many assets were not securely tied to UCGIA and the many ethical breaches by those leaving.  The president and the Council of Elders of UCGIA do not wish to take control of the many physical aspects of international areas, but does wish to assist them.  However since most areas are heavily subsidized by UCGIA, it is imperative that assets be protected for the use of those wishing to remain in association with us.  He asked that they look over a document that was given to them prior to the meeting.

Larry Darden of the UCGIA legal office had written up a sample constitution and bylaws that are hoped to be a template for other countries. This template is designed to more securely prevent anyone who might wish to leave UCG from taking property, bank accounts and other assets paid by UCGIA subsidy for members wishing to attend and associate with UCGIA.  Unfortunately, recent events have seen over a million dollars worth of UCGIA’s assets taken across the globe, leaving UCG having to go to the courts to prove and obtain legal title to many of these assets. 

The Philippine board will look at their current documents and add whatever is legally necessary to the template and re-file the new legal documents when they are accepted. Mr. Dean noted to them that the current documents specifically required that the constitution would have to be rewritten if they decided something as simple as moving the home office location. He advised they give a little more flexibility to themselves in the new documents.

On Monday, Jan. 11, Mr. Dean toured the church office in Davao. The Philippine office takes care of all the mailings to the Philippines and much of the rest of Southeast Asia, along with help from the Australian office. Although small, the local direction of longtime elder Edmond Macaraeg, a small office staff and further support from senior pastor Earl Roemer, does an incredible amount of work for the operation.

Please pray that God continues to bless UCGIA so that it can further help the many brethren, not only in the Philippines, but all over the world as we look to God and Jesus Christ in doing the work they would have us do at this end time.