THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF david c. pack VOLUME TWO This book was prepared by the editorial staff of The Restored Church of God and others. Contributing writers, researchers, editors and graphic artists include: Jeffrey R. Ambrose, Frank Crowl, Jennifer L. Denee, Kevin D. Denee, Charles E. Herzog, Darnitra D. Jackson, Robert W. Pack, Shirley M. Pack, Vernia I. Pack, William R. Pack, Justin T. Palm, Stacey L. Palm, Bruce A. Ritter, Paula C. Rondeau and David C. Pack Copyright © 2009, 2012 The Restored Church of God® All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America David C. Pack has held a variety of leadership roles throughout his dynamic, event-filled life: author of more than 20 books, scores of booklets and a vast array of articles— Pastor General of The Restored Church of God—voice of The World to Come pro- gram—founder of Ambassador Center—and publisher/editor-in-chief of three magazines. The Authorized Biography of David C. Pack tells the life story of a man who was care- fully prepared by God for a unique position. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE Spotlight on the Family ...................................................... 9 CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Descent into Apostasy ...................................................... 19 CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN Startling Developments .................................................... 39 CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Truth—and Consequences ............................................... 57 CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE The Global Church of God ............................................... 79 CHAPTER FORTY Growth and Priorities .................................................... 101 CHAPTER FORTY-ONE Deeper in Global ............................................................ 127 CHAPTER FORTY-TWO United Church Forms—House of Health Inc. ................ 159 CHAPTER FORTY-THREE Growing GCG Problems ................................................ 185 CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR Demoted—Gaining Business Experience ...................... 211 CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE House of Health Provides Unique Opportunity ............. 227 CHAPTER FORTY-SIX Much More Happens ...................................................... 235 CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN Coming to a Head .......................................................... 261 CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT Post-split Global ............................................................ 285 CHAPTER FORTY-NINE The Restored Church of God Begins .............................. 307 CHAPTER FIFTY Early Challenges—Against All Odds ............................. 331 CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE Watershed Court Decision ............................................. 357 CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO Building and Leading an Office ..................................... 371 CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE The Work Transforms ..................................................... 391 CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR Growing Office ............................................................... 409 CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE Understanding Roles ...................................................... 425 CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX So Much Accomplished .................................................. 451 CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN Loss of Mrs. Shirley M. Pack .......................................... 475 CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT Another Personal Trial ................................................... 497 CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE Turning Point in the Work .............................................. 513 CHAPTER SIXTY Unusual Relationship ..................................................... 533 CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE More Growth, Big Plans ................................................ 549 CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO God’s Work Surges Forward! ......................................... 561 CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE Dramatic Advancements ................................................ 581 CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR Race to Finish the Work! ................................................ 595 CHAPTER thirtY-FIVE 9 Spotlight on the Family hirley Pack taught all of her children to play musical Sinstruments, beginning with the accordion—because of her German and music roots—at the age of five instead of the usual several years older. Randy went on to play the trombone, Robby the trumpet and Jenny the flute. They all enjoyed their instruments. But by now it is obvious that the extended Pack family has always been involved in sports of many kinds. This in- cludes the three Pack children. Mrs. Pack would often jok- ingly comment how she tried to “counteract” the “athletic genes” in the family, but that the “music genes” were just not strong enough. Family Basketball Opportunities Since the family had moved from New York, Mr. Pack’s sons continued to develop their athletic abilities in basket- ball. While Randy, the oldest son, stayed in the New York City area for six weeks to finish his senior basketball season, the Pack’s second son, Robert, his season over earlier, moved to Ohio with his family. 10 THE BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID C. PACK Quite a story developed! After being pulled away in the middle of a school year late in his sophomore year, it was difficult for Robert to cre- ate a new identity in Wadsworth. But he had one thing that most other teenagers did not: height. At age 15, he was 6 feet 3 inches, and still growing. Because of his height and the influence of his father, Robert was heavily involved in basketball and developed his skills as high school progressed. However, due to the Sab- bath, he was unable to participate in many of the games dur- ing the season. Unlike the New York area, where most games were during the week because of so many Jewish children in the school (most schools also closed on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), almost half the games in Ohio were on Friday nights after sundown. Even though the Sabbath schedule did not permit much play during his junior year, Robert progressed enough that he was invited to Five Star Basketball Camp, an invitation- only weeklong camp to help budding teens develop their basketball skills under the watchful eyes of college scouts from around the country. After returning home, Robert’s basketball skills took off, as did his height. By the time his senior year began, the now 6’7” senior was slated to start on the Wadsworth High School (Grizzlies) varsity team later that year. As the season progressed, the team stretched its record to an undefeated 10-0. They began to be recognized state- wide for their accomplishments, with Robert leading the team in scoring in many games, even though he was only playing in about half of them. Through the winter, the Grizzlies advanced toward the State playoffs. As their streak continued to 18-0, they climbed in the state rankings, reaching as high as the top five. Subsequently, the local media began to pay even more attention to the team as the possibility of a state champion- ship came into view. But there was another story that cap- Spotlight on the Family 11 tured the attention of the Akron and Cleveland media: a starting player on this team refused to play on Friday nights! By this time, several Division I colleges contacted Rob- ert, interested in offering athletic scholarships. Media Focus Once they learned that the boys state championship games were scheduled for Friday night and Saturday afternoon, media outlets buzzed about what would happen if the team advanced that far. Many in the community found it hard to believe that he would not play. Certainly, if the team ad- vanced, an exception could be made, right? His father, the church pastor, would surely grant him an exception, wouldn’t he? It soon became clear there would be no compromise. “All that occurred and followed during this time was wonderfully exciting for our family. This time we sat in a lot of bleachers and did watch the games. “This whole period was made more interesting, and to some degree more possible, because an astonishing thing happened: the wife of the principal of the high school came into the Church, and was baptized. Her husband, a fine and very likable man, wanted to be with her and decided to attend services and activities with their children. He was very involved in and supportive of Robby’s playing, and understood the Sabbath issue. Further, he only lived two houses away, and our daughter babysat for their children. “Because I am their father, I am somewhat biased of course, but our sons were very good players. Robby would go on to be the MVP in the county all-star game. He also was a little more known because he could jump so far above the rim as a high school player. He 12 THE BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID C. PACK was invited to participate in the greater Akron slam dunk championship, but the Sabbath prohibited it. All of this created a little more interest for those watching events progress. “But as the story develops with some detail, there is an interesting twist that appears at the end.” Newspaper Articles Lead to Television Segment As interest in the story grew, the media contacted Robby. Although at first only smaller local newspapers called, tele- vision reporters and cameramen soon showed up at practice asking him a myriad of questions. Over the course of just a few months, he had gone from complete obscurity to being seen as an example of the Church’s beliefs in action. “What started with something as simple as me keeping the Sabbath and having a great coach turned into something so much beyond that,” Robby recalled. “It was even an in- spiration to kids. I didn’t grasp it at the time.” Robert’s first interview was for an article in the Medina County Gazette. It was published with the headline “Reli- gious Choice Forces Pack