Humanity’s Most-asked Question: “Why Were You Born?”
August 27, 2014
Humanity’s Most-asked Question: “Why Were You Born?” to Be Addressed by Gary Petty at United Church of God public Bible Presentation on Sept. 10
From BBC research to legendary psychologists, the age-old question “why were you born?” shows up as the most-asked question in human history. “In the uncertain age that we live in, understanding the answer to the question ‘why was I born’ can help people find peace, meaning and real spiritual strength,” says national TV host and author Gary Petty, who will lead a major presentation in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sept. 10.
The above quote is a lead-in to a worldwide press release about the United Church of God’s Cincinnati “Why Were You Born?” public appearance campaign. A local, Cincinnati version of the press release has also been published. The PRWeb release can be accessed here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/08/prweb12124005.htm.
News outlets in Cincinnati have already picked up on the release, including the FOX19 television channel: http://www.fox19.com/story/26379831/humanitys-most-asked-question-why-were-you-born-to-be-addressed-at-united-church-of-god-public-bible-presentation-on-sept-10
Here is the press release:
CINCINNATI – High-profile Interstate billboards and other media with the message “Why Were You Born?” (reflecting the most-asked question in human history) announced the upcoming United Church of God-sponsored public Bible presentation during the month of August. Set for Sept. 10 in east Cincinnati, the event will include a multi-media presentation featuring national Beyond Today television host Gary Petty.
“In the uncertain age that we live in, understanding the question ‘why was I born’ can help people find peace, meaning and real spiritual strength,” explained Petty, who pastors three Christian congregations in Texas in addition to his role as a Beyond Today TV host.
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From research conducted by the BBC to legendary psychiatric professionals like Victor Frankel, the question ‘Why were you born’ and its variants ‘Why do I exist?’ or ‘Does my life have meaning or purpose?’ show up as the most asked in all of human history,” said Victor Kubik, president of the United Church of God. “The Bible includes a great deal of exciting information that answers these questions, so Gary will present critical biblical truth that many will find interesting, illuminating and practical.”
The Sept. 1o event will take place at the Holiday Inn Eastgate, just off of the I-275 on the eastern side of Cincinnati (4501 Eastgate Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio). The event will be begin at 7:30 and last a little over an hour, all presented free of charge to the public.
Understanding humanity’s purpose from a biblical perspective allows a person to better appreciate and tap the spiritual power available to Christians, continued Kubik. “God has a discoverable and definite purpose for each one of us, and this presentation will make that plain, as well offering practical advice to improve one’s life” he said.
While reservations are not required, they are encouraged so planners can provide adequate space and resources. More information about the event and a registration form is available at www.whywereyouborn.com.
In addition to Petty’s regular appearance on the Beyond Today national TV program, he also makes regular contributions to The Good News magazine, a free international Christian publication available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and other languages. He also authored and published a work on early Christian history, titled Plato’s Shadow: The Hellenizing of Christianity, which is available on Amazon and other retail outlets.
Guests can sign up at Why WereYouBorn.com for free tickets.
During the presentation Petty will be joined by Steve Myers, another host of the Beyond Today program, who also pastors a Cincinnati congregation of the United Church of God. Darris McNeely, the third Beyond Today host, will also be on hand at the event with others. The three men will be available, together with other Church officials, to answer additional questions at the event.
The “Why Were You Born” presentation is being made in the public interest. No collections for funding or appeals to join any organization will be made. “Jesus Christ instructed His disciples, ‘Freely received, freely given,’ and we follow that,” Kubik said. A free companion copy of the Church’s Bible study guide “Why Were You Born?” and other relevant handouts will be distributed free to attendees, he added.
The Church is considering producing additional public Bible presentations in cities across the United States and Canada.
Peter Eddington—Operation Manager, UCG Media and Communications Services
Beyond Today Program: “Is God a Trinity?”
Episode Generates Highest Response for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year
August 18, 2014
The Beyond Today television program “Is God a Trinity?” produced by the United Church of God and hosted by Steve Myers aired August 10-16, 2014, on the ION Television network. A total of 907 telephone and Internet responses were generated, which makes this program the highest viewer response program aired so far this fiscal year (which began July 1, 2014). The previous first place position was held by Beyond Today episode “The Rich Man and Lazarus,” which aired the week of July 6-12, 2014.
Additionally, we are pleased to report that so far this fiscal year Beyond Today has received Internet responses from the following 26 countries and territories.
- Australia
- Belgium
- England
- Finland
- Germany
- Guam
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Philippines
- Puerto Rico
- Russia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Thailand
- Trinidad/Tobago
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United States
- Zimbabwe
We are sincerely grateful for your prayers as the United Church of God continues carrying on its vital mission to teach about Jesus Christ and His coming, marvelous Kingdom.
Peter Eddington—Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
“Mary, Martha and Lazarus:” LIVE Bible Study Webcast
Mary, Martha and Lazarus
August 18, 2014
The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God (UCG) is continuing its bi-weekly Bible studies with the series: “How To Be God’s Friend.” The study continues on Wednesday, August 20, at the time of 7 p.m. EDT and is available live via webcast.
Steve Myers, a presenter on Beyond Today television and Cincinnati East UCG pastor, will discuss “Mary, Martha and Lazarus.” This is a rescheduling from an earlier cancellation in the Bible study series.
Friendship implies a relationship that is intimate and trusting. Friends have influence over one another and hold each other accountable for their actions. They respect and accept each other. In this study we’ll examine these traits in the example of a family in the Book of John. We’ll notice that Martha served, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet and Lazarus died.
Join us as we discover how their friendship with Jesus intersects our lives.
Plan to attend in person, or you can listen online. You can also view the Bible study using your smartphone Internet browser.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services, UCGIA
Why Were You Born? — Video Tease
August 15, 2014
As a prelude to the United Church of God’s “Why Were You Born?” public appearance campaign, a short video tease has been prepared to share. The full video will be shown during the seminar on September 10, which will take place at the Holiday Inn Eastgate. Beyond Today host Gary Petty will serve as the featured speaker.
We asked Cincinnati residents just one question: Why were you born? Here’s a preview:
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
“Why Were You Born” Public Appearance Campaign Set
August 5, 2014
Answering Humanity’s Most Asked Question
Campaign billboard on I-71 in Cincinnati.
Large Interstate-highway and downtown city billboards started going up around Cincinnati on August 3, marking the launch of inviting area residents to attend the United Church of God’s first major public appearance campaign on Sept. 10.
Asking the question, “Why Were You Born?”, the campaign focuses on humanity’s incredible potential of becoming literal Children of God in the God Family—all within the coming Kingdom of God.
Beyond Today host Gary Petty will serve as the featured speaker for the first event, which will take place at the Holiday Inn Eastgate, a full-service hotel on the east side of Cincinnati.
In addition to billboards, the Church will air TV spot invitations locally on the History Channel, Fox News, the National Geographic channel, USA network and others; and radio spots and illustrated messages will appear on Pandora Internet Radio in the region, all directing people to visit the seminar website at www.WhyWereYouBorn.com.
“Using the same principle that both the apostle Paul first used in preaching the Gospel to the Athenians and that the church later deployed successfully in the 20th century, the campaign will quickly lead directly into a powerful and exciting message about the Kingdom of God,” said Victor Kubik, Church president. “We have spent a number of months prayerfully preparing for this, exploring different ideas, formats, and opportunities. This is the first time the United Church of God has organized a high-impact public event of this magnitude and we know we’re up against the varsity, so prayers from all for the powerful preaching of the gospel will be much appreciated.”
Guests can sign up at Why WereYouBorn.com for free tickets.
The Sept. 10 event is expected to increase awareness of both the gospel message of the Kingdom of God and the presence of the United Church of God in the greater Cincinnati area. The event will feature a special edition of the Bible study guide What Is Your Destiny, and a live video feed is expected to be available for Church members in the area who would like to view the proceedings. A follow-up special Bible study will be conducted for new attendees and Church members at the home office before the Feast of Tabernacles.
“The video, Web and print production staff at the home office have done a great job in putting together the key elements for this, and the Church was able to leverage negotiated discounts for the media,” explained Mr. Kubik. “If this event is as successful as we hope and expect it to be, we will consider plans to later expand the format into different cities around the United States and Canada.”
Peter Eddington—Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
Pandora Internet Radio tile, which will have accompanying audio spot.
LIVE Bible Study Webcast
David
August 5, 2014
The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God (UCG) is continuing its bi-weekly Bible studies with the series: “How To Be God’s Friend.” The study continues on Wednesday, August 6, at the time of 7 p.m. EDT and is available live via webcast.
Gary Petty, a presenter on Beyond Today television and UCG pastor in San Antonio, Texas, will discuss “David.” This is the fourth part in the Bible study series.
King David was “a man after God’s Own heart,” a man of great faith and obedience and conversely a man who made terrible mistakes. Through it all, he was a man God could work with because of his “heart.” Wednesday night we’ll look at some of the high points and low points of David’s life and see why he is a friend of God. The lessons from his life can help each of us in our daily relationship with God.
Please make a note of the remaining series topic and presentation date:
- August 20: “Mary, Martha and Lazarus” by Steve Myers (postponed from July 23).
Plan to attend in person, or you can listen online. You can also view the Bible study using your smartphone Internet browser.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services, UCGIA
Inside United: Realtime 