"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."  This is a duty and a privilege that Jesus gave to His disciples and Church.  Have you ever considered that when we "Go into all the world" to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, we can become direct participants in the work of the Church?   

Our examples are definitely noticed by many as we gather and observe the Feast.  The staff of the facilities where we meet see the light of Jesus Christ as they witness our gatherings and our social times.  They can see that "this group," the Church of God, is different than those who normally stay at their lodgings, eat in their restaurants and tour their towns.  I'm sure most of us who have traveled have had encounters with "locals" who ask about our beliefs.  We wind up preaching the gospel by example and by word.

Sometimes when we travel to places in the world that are less blessed than the US, our eyes are opened as well.  We can see the contrast between the blessings that God has given to our country and the deep poverty and substandard living conditions of much of the world.  Becoming aware of these things can change us, increasing our desire to share the good news of the coming Kingdom of God with others in the world.  Bonds can develop and be strengthened between us and other members of the Church who live on different continents, and these bonds of love and friendship become part of the true light that is already shining (1 John 2:8), preaching the gospel through love of our brothers and sisters in distant lands. 

This year members from Olympia and Tacoma traveled to New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, India and eight locations in the US.  All who traveled were, even without realizing it, helping to fulfill the mission Jesus gave His Church. 

"Now back from observing the Feast with his family in India, our recently ordained elder will be giving a sermon about experiences and lessons learned as his family was blessed to get to know and serve our brethren there.   Let's share our stories, too.  Insights gained by some can become lessons for us all.  We see this pattern in the Scriptures, and it is still part of how Christ is working in and through His Church.