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.
“
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
Inside United: Realtime 
Really impressed with this message – http://whywereyouborn.com/ , and the collateral promotions for the upcoming public appearance campaign. Great work, all!
I’m so excited! Not only do I have the excitement of Trumpets and FOT with TLGD at this time of year………………now there is an additional excitement……..that of potential additional workers for the field work which we are all so grateful to be involved in. May God abundantly bless this endeavour and all the efforts made by all!
This may have been asked already, but will this presentation be webcast?
Hi Devon,
Yes, those are the plans right now. But, we don’t want local guests to use it instead of turning up at the door, so we’re not advertising it at present.
Thank you, Devon, for asking this as we were also wanting to watch this inspired presentation on webcast!
I am very happy at this and other efforts to preach the gospel and prepare people for effective life now and in God’s Kingdom. I am hoping this event will be video recorded and made available for download, so people like me who cannot go to the venue, can have the venue come to us.
This is a really impressive group effort, hoping it bears much fruit. Looking forward to tuning in live or watching it on the arcives.
This reminds me of Peter’s sermon on that first Pentecost in 31 AD when three thousand were added to the Church that day . Maybe God will bless many with something similar. I am so excited about this and pray each day for the Beyond Today team. Wow ! What an honor and also a challenge God has placed upon them! I will be glued to my computer Wednesday the 10th.
Maybe I’m posting in the wrong place, but would like an answer to this. Why suggest there is too high a standard regarding the Fundamental Beliefs if you’re not planning to change them? That high standard was put in place for a reason. If you believe you have “new scriptural understanding”, let’s hear it.
From the Aug. 13 COE report:
“One of the issues is that over one-fourth of the elders of the GCE, for various reasons, do not ballot. Over the last 20 years this has increasingly become our reality.
This makes it very difficult to make any edits or changes to the Fundamental Beliefs.
Such a high standard without responsible measures to address it creates challenges if the Church is ever led to consider new scriptural understanding that may need to be incorporated into our accepted Fundamental Beliefs.
The Roles and Rules Committee drafted an amendment for possible consideration and thus this discussion. The change would consist of going from three-fourths of all General Conference of Elders members to three-fourths of those who actually take the interest and initiative to cast ballots.”
Saenir, there has been one previous attempt to amend the Fundamental Beliefs, the belief of tithing. The intent was to strengthen the biblical commandment of tithing, to make our statement even more watertight. However, the amendment did not pass because even though almost 100% of those elders who voted wished it to pass, the amendment did not pass because of the few elders who chose not to participate. The recommended change in the process would make it the same as every other balloting process in our Bylaws and Constitution. There are no amendments to the Fundamental Beliefs under consideration.
So do we blame Satan, for President Obama scheduling a nationwide address on ISIS for Wednesday night?
Or do we thank God, because more of the “anti-Obama” folks who would see PAC promos on Fox News now are more likely to attend?
My prayer for a successful event!
Your Friend,
Bill Lussenheide
Thank you for the answer. I’m not sure why we need to “strengthen the biblical commandment of tithing”.
Regardless, it was okay for 20 years; why not trust that the outcome of the vote was inspired by the Eternal? Those elders who chose not to vote gave you their answer. It sounds like the Council just didn’t like the answer.
Our family watched the seminar the following night (since it was recorded and posted online), and it was awesome! We eagerly anticipate the follow-up study a week later, at the Home Office – which we plan to watch live from North Carolina.