1 THE JOURNAL bids farewell to the Church of God’s pastor in Jamaica 1 John Warren recalls AC’s ‘big dig’ in Jerusalem in his brief history 1 The Feast reports in this issue are TheJournal probably THE JOURNAL’s final ones 5 F. Paul Haney asks what’s the News of the Churches of God point of prayer if it’s not answered Vol. XXI, No. 11 Founded 1997 Issue No. 201 (Dec. 31, 2017) AC students suddenly found There’s only one themselves digging in Israel more Journal This is an updated version of an min Mazar to begin participation on to advertise in article that appeared in THE JOURNAL an archaeological excavation at the issue No. 80, dated Sept. 30, 2003. It Temple Mount in Jerusalem. HE JOURNAL: NEWS OF THE is part of THE JOURNAL’s continuing Mr. Armstrong told coworkers in a CHURCHES OF GOD invites series of history articles. letter dated Dec. 10, 1968: Treaders to take advantage of “Today I can announce this big the last chance to advertise in this By John Warren news at last. newspaper. THE JOURNAL’s 21 years everal hundred people—mostly “I have just returned from my sec- of publishing will end with issue Ambassador College students— ond visit to Jerusalem in approximate- No. 202, which will be dated Jan. Swere part of a continuing archae- ly four weeks. Four weeks ago all pre- 31, 2018. ological excavation known informally liminary discussions took place, and Advertising your Feast of Tab- as the “big dig” in Jerusalem from the [on] this trip it was made official! It’s ernacles site is a valuable way to late 1960s through the early ’70s. one of the most important things that make use of JOURNAL ad space, and THE JOURNAL talked with people ever happened for God’s Work. it’s not too early to announce your who were part of the big dig during “Ambassador College has just been 2018 observance. those years. given the great honor and responsibil- To ensure your message is heard, whether about the Feast or Ray Dick of Hawkins, Texas (who ity of entering joint participation with other topics, you may buy adver- Hebrew University of Jerusalem in was to die in 2004), in 2003 provided tising space in THE JOURNAL. For many details to this writer of his per- the most important archaeological ex- more than two decades we have fi- sonal involvement with the archaeo- cavation of our time—uncovering 3,000 FAREWELL, IAN BOYNE—Ian Boyne with his wife, Margaret, pauses for nanced this publication by selling logical excavation sponsored by the years of history!” a photograph among the books in the Boynes’ collection. Mr. Boyne was a subscriptions and ad space. Worldwide Church of God. Fruitful arrangement voracious reader with more than 2,000 volumes in his personal library. A For more information including Mr. Dick served from 1967 to 1970 media celebrity in his native land of Jamaica, he was also a frequent con- ad rates, write or phone Linda as manager of the church’s office near It is THE JOURNAL’s conclusion that tributor of articles to THE JOURNAL. Mr. Boyne died Dec. 18, 2017. See the Cartwright at lkcartwright@aol. the Holy City and was closely in- Mr. Armstrong’s public announcements article on this page and his obituary on page 7 of this issue of THE JOURNAL. com, P.O. Box 1020, Big Sandy, volved with the startup of the church’s about the dig in those early years were [Photo by Ricardo Makyn, staff photographer, The Gleaner] Texas 75755, or (903) 636-4779. and college’s participation in the dig. incomplete and in some cases inac- Although anyone who was a WCG curate. member during that era was well After the contacts had been made aware that there was a dig sponsored and much behind-the-scenes work in part by the church, many of the had been undertaken through the aus- CGI pastor was widely known as journalist and details chronicled in this article may pices of the church’s office in Jeru- not be so widely known. salem, the excavation arrangement in- In 1968 Herbert Armstrong, chan- deed came to fruition. media personality in his homeland of Jamaica cellor of Ambassador College and But Mr. Armstrong’s announce- pastor general of the WCG, announced By Dixon Cartwright server of Dec. 18, Mr. Boyne was chief Profile of Excellence, cowritten with ments were incomplete in that they an Boyne, whose photograph ap- executive officer of the Jamaica Infor- Glenford Smith, who has also written that the church had arranged with He- failed to mention that one of the men peared on page 1 of last month’s mation Service. articles for THE JOURNAL. brew University and Professor Benja- See THE BIG DIG, page 22 I issue of THE JOURNAL, died Dec. 18, He entered the University Hospital Mr. Boyne was known for what the 2017, in a hospital in Kingston, Jamai- of the West Indies on Saturday, Dec. 2, Observer called his “weekly unortho- ca, after a series of four heart attacks in and died 16 days later. dox television show Religious Hard- rapid succession from which he seemed While he was in the hospital recu- talk,” as well as newspaper columns. to be recovering. perating, this writer for THE JOURNAL Jamaican prime minister Andrew Mr. Boyne was E-mailed Mr. Boyne a get-well-soon Holness expressed his condolences at Branson and cruise file reports pastor of at least message. He responded on Dec. 9 that the passing of Mr. Boyne: east of Tabernacles reports within each sealed firstfruit through- five congrega- he was grateful for his friends’ love “It is with deep sadness that I ac- sent in by readers of THE out seven eras (congregations) tions of the Tex- and prayers. knowledge the death of veteran jour- JOURNAL continue below for that will make up the future com- as-based Church nalist and a true friend Ian Boyne. This F of God Interna- 30-year journalism career is a shock to me.” Feast 2017. Many, but not all, 2017 pleted Bride. tional, founded This writer and Mr. Boyne commu- observances started on the evening The 144,000 Government funeral of Oct. 4 and ran through by Garner Ted nicated numerous times over the past Oct. 12. The Feast also pictures Armstrong and two decades, by telephone and E-mail. Online media in Jamaica reported the future marriage of the associates in 1978. I considered him a close friend al- the nation’s government plans a funer- The following reports He was a frequent though I had never met him in person. al service worthy of a head of state. are from a Christian Edu- Bride (God’s church: contributor of Ian Boyne Mr. Boyne’s journalism career spanned Last month’s JOURNAL featured the cational Ministries cruise 144,000 sealed firstfruits) church news and 30 years, including his long-running tel- last article Mr. Boyne submitted to THE to the Groom-Lamb, and that visited the Church of other articles to THE JOURNAL. evision series, Profile, featuring inter- JOURNAL, his report of the CGI-spon- God International obser- their dwelling in Third Mr. Boyne was famous in his native views with famous people and others sored Feast of Tabernacles in Ocho Rios. vance in Jamaica and a Heaven, a temporary booth, land of Jamaica. He was a print jour- who weren’t as famous but who had See also “Pastor Boyne Celebrating site in Missouri sponsored for 1,000 years plus a nalist and radio and television broad- overcome significant hardships or had 30 Years of His Profiles Program” in by God’s Church. short season. caster and was one of the best-known other interesting stories to tell. issue No. 193 of THE JOURNAL, dated While people on earth MR. ROENSPIES’ media personalities in the country. He wrote and published a book March 31, 2017. See his obituary on Robert Roenspies will live through a human As reported in The Jamaican Ob- about his TV series in 2013 titled page 7 of this issue. SERMONS utopia for that 1,000 years RANSON, Mo.—Oct. 5-12, (with Satan confined to the pit), the B2017, another delightful, spiri- firstfruits will reign with Christ tually rewarding Feast of Taberna- while learning to become kings and cles and Great Last Day at the West- priests, and eventually return to gate Branson Woods Resort in Bran- earth to serve those who become CGI and CGBS combine for event son, Mo., occurred with brethren God’s children after the second IG SANDY, Texas—Members Bible study about Proverbs 3:5-6. formerly incorporated as God’s resurrection. of the Tyler congregation of At 2 p.m. John Reedy of Tyler pre- Worldwide Church, now called sim- During the Sabbath between the Bthe Church of God Interna- sented a Bible study, “The Changing ply God’s Church. Feast of Tabernacles and the Great tional (CGI) traveled to Big Sandy on of the Guard.” Sermons previously given by the Last Day, Mr. Roenspies explained Jan. 6, 2018, for combined activities During the service at 3 p.m. Jim late General Pastor Robert Roen- how the billions of human beings, with the Church of God Big Sandy Johns of Ephrata, Pa., gave a sermon, spies were played for services. after the second resurrection, will (CGBS) for a winter family event. “Forward-Looking Christians.” In a Feast sermon he gave 11 begin to joyfully live their daily “Our congregation enjoys it when Also during the service Bea Gus- years ago, Mr.