Mr. Brandon Fall: Beyond All Odds

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

In a recent forum presentation, Regional Pastor Mr. Brandon Fall spoke to the Living Education-Charlotte students on the subject of God’s design in the universe. God’s handiwork is visible throughout the many wonders of creation, and the incredible design of our universe points directly to Him.

Ramifications of a Designer

As we in the Church understand, there are numerous proofs throughout creation that point to God, disproving the atheistic idea of the universe randomly coming into existence. The simple reality is that to believe in evolution requires more effort than to accept the evidence of intelligent design. The ramifications of intelligent design dictate purpose, order, and intent in everything that exists.

God’s Detailed Design

We see evidence of that intentional design in unique ways. For example, our sun is not only 400 times larger than our moon, it is also 400 times further away—meaning that from earth, we are able to witness perfect solar eclipses. The mathematical improbability of such precision points not to blind chance, but the wisdom of an intelligent Designer. 

The dramatic scale of the universe in which we live is also deeply impressive and an exciting thing on which to meditate. Mr. Fall explained that the earth could fit into Jupiter 1400 times—and that Jupiter could fit into the sun 900 times itself. While we may not realize the size and scale of the universe in which we live, it all points to the design and creativity of God.

Conditions for Life

Mr. Fall explained that in the past, there have generally been two criteria by which scientists believed life could exist on other planets:

1. A planet needs the right kind of star

2. A planet must be the right distance away from a star

Using this criteria, scientists have carefully searched for life on other planets. With only two parameters, it should seem easy—but over time, we have determined far more specific criteria for the kind of planet that can host life. As more and more criteria is added all the time, the odds of a planet like our earth that is capable of hosting life becomes far more slim—showing that the earth is unique by God’s design.

Stretching the Heavens

Mr. Fall pointed out that the truth about the universe defies the logic and probability that tries to refute the idea of a Creator. It takes far more blind faith to believe in blind chance than it does to believe in God’s intelligent design. That design is visionary and expansive—Isaiah 40:22 states: It is He who sits above the circle of the earth… who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.” Science shows the universe is constantly and rapidly expanding—something that God has placed in motion. 

The Same Sky

The design and beauty of the universe and its elements is incredibly complex, and points to the wonderful and creative mind of God. King David mused in Psalm 8:3-4: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” We can be filled with wonder and excitement at the thought that the sky full of stars we see today is the same sky King David looked at ages ago, and that the God who created it all is the same God who has called us now.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Rod McNair: CAD – A Story in Statistics

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

In a recent forum message, Mr. Rod McNair, an evangelist serving as the Assistant Director of Church Administration, spoke to the Living Education-Charlotte students about what the Church Administration Department does. CAD fulfills a variety of functions within the Church, and Mr. McNair spent time explaining in particular how CAD organizes Tomorrow’s World Presentations, and how it works with the local ministry. In order to do so, Mr. McNair referred to a number of statistics that highlighted what CAD has accomplished over the years. Statistics can be a helpful measure of how much progress is being made. 

CAD’s Mission

Church Administration’s mission statement is as follows: “Our mission is to serve, edify, and support the worldwide ministry of the Living Church of God in fulfilling Christ’s commission with coordination, training, and administrative assistance.” This mission statement covers the commission Christ gave His apostles to both preach the Gospel and to feed the flock. Christ’s words implied a sense not only of tending and guiding, but also overseeing and governing. 

Tomorrow’s World Presentations

From the early days of Mr. Armstrong’s ministry, not only did he host his popular radio program, he also conducted live presentations. This was part of a 3-point campaign on his part to spread the Gospel: hosting the radio program, printing the mimeographed magazine, and hosting personal public meetings. This was a helpful and important method for promoting the Gospel. Over time, as Dr. Meredith helped revive the Work, ministers who had experience hosting public lectures led the way to a new series of public presentations, what we now call Tomorrow’s World Presentations, or TWPs. TWPs have been an important effort in giving people who are responding to the telecast and the magazine a chance to attend local services.

Today, CAD handles the organization and logistics of TWP planning, coordinating with local pastors and sending out invitations to guests. Since the program’s inception in 2006, over 52,000 people have attended a TWP. There are a variety of topics that intrigue potential guests, such as prophecy and the Holy Days. With so many people looking for someone to answer their questions, TWPs stand in the gap to answer these and other questions. To date, we have held over 2,360 TWPs, and 135 new attendees began coming to Church in 2024 and 2025 thanks to a TWP.

The Local Churches

Another major aspect of what CAD handles is the area of the local Churches. Director Douglas Winnail and Mr. McNair coordinate and work with the local ministry and area pastors to ensure the wellbeing of areas and congregations. We have 433 congregations around the world, with over 12,500 people attending the Church. About 7,400 people have been baptized since 1999—reflecting the growth in the Church in recent decades. There are about 3,000 responses per week to the telecast—an average of which 800 were first-time literature requests.

Our Part Before God

As the local ministry seeks to fulfill the needs of an ever-growing Church, Church Administration fulfills a necessary function within the Body of Christ—not only to govern, but to serve. Mr. McNair referenced Matthew 24:45-46: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” This instruction is relevant to all of us in the Church, and we should bear it in mind as we do our part to support the Work being carried out to preach the Gospel.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Crossword Puzzle 02/06/26

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Credit for questions and answers: Colleen Frank