The Feast of Tabernacles is a cherished annual highlight for members of The Restored Church
of God. With the Last Great Day following, this eight-day period is filled with opportunities
for spiritual instruction, fellowship, serving others, and living the abundant life.
Ken Orel: What I enjoy most about the Feast of Tabernacles
is meeting new people. Vidal Wachuku:
It creates a binding unity. Nestor Toro:
They come, not just to learn to rejoice, but also to learn to fear God.
Larry Cockshutt: It’s God’s Feast, and God puts it all
together. God commands His people to participate in
this festival as a rehearsal, foreshadowing the coming reign of the Kingdom of God over
the whole Earth. The prophet Isaiah wrote of Jesus Christ, “…His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of
the increase of His [empire] and peace there shall be no end…” Christians are today
preparing to be part of this divine government!
Andrew Holcombe: The
Feast is a great opportunity to see growth in the congregations, not only in quantity,
but also in quality, and seeing people learning and growing and overcoming. When you have
an opportunity to really get to know others, that's what it's all about. We are people
people. We're here to learn about other people, we’re here to spend time with God's people.
And what better way to do that than to spend eight days together.
Edward Winkfield:
The Feast of Tabernacles is so important for us as God's people because it's a time for
us to come together. You have brethren from all over. Some in smaller congregations, some
larger congregations, but no congregation as large as the Feast, so it's a great time
for us to come together and fellowship.
The Church prints and distributes a vast library of literature that thoroughly explains the
Holy Days and God’s Plan of Salvation, as well as many other Biblical teachings.
To keep the Feast, Christians leave their homes and usual routines, traveling to beautiful
locations at which God has placed His name. They are there to rejoice, and to develop
greater fear and reverence of God. This year, there were 22 festival sites. At each, peace,
joy and unity were evident. Members were elated as they saw others arrive
at their site. Many hugs, handshakes and smiles were exchanged. Existing friendships were
strengthened, and new ones quickly formed.
Nestor Toro: Having had the opportunity to be here at this
site for a number of years in a row has afforded me the opportunity to see the brethren grow.
You go from seeing someone come to their first Feast and be all nervous, not sure about what
to expect. Sometimes overcoming different trials at home. Then they come here, they
left that. They take a step forward in obeying God and learning His way of life, and then
suddenly you come the next year and they're stronger, they’re more confident. They've
been able to practice what they learned last year. And especially as a minister, you see
the growth and it brings you a joy that you can't compare to anything else. It's almost
like you see yourself in them, growing along with them.
Larry Cockshutt:
What speaks to me and what I enjoy and I really find heartwarming, is to come to the Feast
and listen and to hear God's messages to us. They're absolutely built for us. He gives
the men that are speaking the words to say, and they speak them with confidence and clarity.
God gives us the ability to understand them. He gives us the ability to retain them and
that's absolutely wonderful.
Michael Gammel: It's good to see that first love in action
again, but also see the other people that have been to the Feast many times and rekindle
old friendships.
The 2017 Feast began with Pastor General David C. Pack’s Opening Night video sermon, which
set the tone for the time ahead. Throughout the eight days, the ministry delivered
messages focusing on the many facets of Christ’s coming empire, and how Christians must prepare
to rule in it. Musical performances were another highly edifying component of services.
The video premiere of Behind the Work 2017: Members of One Body at every Feast site was
tremendously memorable. All were galvanized by its in-depth look at God’s Work.
Mr. and Mrs. Pack traveled to each North American Feast site. During the first leg of the trip,
in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Mr. Pack delivered an installment of his sermon series, “The
Greatest Untold Story.” It was video-recorded and edited the same night for immediate distribution
to all other Feast sites. Brethren were inspired by the understanding it presented. New members
also had the opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Pack for the first time.
One of the Feast’s richest benefits is the many opportunities it offers to serve. Every
year, members sign up for various teams which carry out essential functions, helping to
ensure this large-scale event is run smoothly. Some of these include the stage crew—setup
crew—information table—sound team—photography—videography—and much more.
Social events were held at each site to help brethren spend quality time together. These
included Family Day, an afternoon of stimulating games and activities; a Seniors Luncheon,
in which those with senior experience are honored and entertained, and a Dinner Dance,
where an elegant meal and lively dancing are enjoyed.
Brian Jackson: The Feast has been very exciting with all
the brethren from various areas of the southwest and southeast. Just coming here and just having
a wonderful time with fellowship and hearing God's Word on a daily basis. It's nice to
see the brotherly love and the joy that they get from all of the sermons from Mr. Pack
down through the ministry and just seeing them apply that each day has been wonderful.
Vidal Wachuku: The Feast has also offered the opportunity
for people who have just returned from the splinters, meeting again some 30 years they
saw each other last. I have somebody from one of my congregations who this is his first
Feast in 23 years and he's met some people he knew way back, right here. So it gives
this wonderful opportunity and privilege for people to reunite and reignite the fellowship
and the friendships that had and to take it on from there to continue to express the love
of God in their lives.
Ken Orel: What I would encourage anyone in terms of
looking forward to the next Feast: there is nothing more important in life than what we
are being worked with and trained to become. As soon as we leave this Feast, we should
already be looking forward to the next Feast, because when you think about what our future
is, it is so big. It is so wonderful. There's nothing in this world that should take the
place to push that out of the way. The Feast of Tabernacles is the highlight of the year
for God's people and we need to be thinking about that constantly.
The eight days for which God’s people assemble to observe this holy convocation are unforgettable.
The Feast of Tabernacles is a unique spiritual boost for Christians, and is a preview of
the way of life all nations will experience when God’s Kingdom is governing the entire
world. To learn more about The Restored Church of
God, and how you can be involved in this festival next year, contact us.