History and Development of GTM
The need for Fellowship identified :
The concept of bringing the scattered brethren together became obvious after hearing from the many brethren at different Feast sites around the world. The question was frequently asked, "Fellowship at the Feast is great, but how can we get together with other brethren throughout the year?"
This question became a regular one asked by brethren around the world. It was clearly apparent that some kind of service was needed for this purpose. The internet, with it’s online software offerings, was the obvious form of media to accomplish this worldwide need. The question was, what software would be best in order to accomplish this task? Skype was
initially tried but soon fell short. Skype was used once or twice in the USA but soon was obvious that it was not equipped to adequately provide the facilities needed to reach the members worldwide.
The concept of bringing the scattered brethren together became obvious after hearing from the many brethren at different Feast sites around the world. The question was frequently asked, "Fellowship at the Feast is great, but how can we get together with other brethren throughout the year?"
This question became a regular one asked by brethren around the world. It was clearly apparent that some kind of service was needed for this purpose. The internet, with it’s online software offerings, was the obvious form of media to accomplish this worldwide need. The question was, what software would be best in order to accomplish this task? Skype was
initially tried but soon fell short. Skype was used once or twice in the USA but soon was obvious that it was not equipped to adequately provide the facilities needed to reach the members worldwide.
GoToMeeting Software chosen:
Simultaneously, the USA and Austrailia had been discussing the best software to use to initiate the on-line sessions with the brethren. GoToMeeting software had been suggested by an office employee in the AU. It was soon apparent that GoToMeeting was the software needed to provide the online services for brethren around the world. The brethren were finally able to meet and fellowship in an interactive, real time environment worldwide.
A few months after GoToMeeting was employed in Australia, a second time zone was begun in the USA, in the eastern time zone. This offering in the eastern time zone proved to be more advantageous for all involved worldwide and the sessions in the AU were dropped.
Simultaneously, the USA and Austrailia had been discussing the best software to use to initiate the on-line sessions with the brethren. GoToMeeting software had been suggested by an office employee in the AU. It was soon apparent that GoToMeeting was the software needed to provide the online services for brethren around the world. The brethren were finally able to meet and fellowship in an interactive, real time environment worldwide.
A few months after GoToMeeting was employed in Australia, a second time zone was begun in the USA, in the eastern time zone. This offering in the eastern time zone proved to be more advantageous for all involved worldwide and the sessions in the AU were dropped.
Two sessions running:
We now have two GTM sessions running at two different time zones for the brethren. The eastern time zone which is called GTM1 and begins at 8:00 P.M in the summer months and 7:00 P.M. eastern in the winter. The second time zone which is called GTM2 and begins at 8:00 A.M. Sabbath morning. This GTM2 session services the brethren in the EU, UK and RSA.
The software, GoToMeeting, has stepped up to the challenge. It allows for multiple callers to speak when invited and to write chat messages at the appropriate times during the session. It also allows for more control of the features. The moderator and the presenter have a video presence. GTM allows for up to 25 web cams to be viewed at the same time even though
only the moderator and the speaker use their web cams at present. After the message portion of the session the moderator opens a discussion of the message. The brethren are then encouraged to give comments or ask questions. In addition to this the brethren may use the private chat feature before the speaker begins and after the speaker finishes. This allows for further fellowship among the brethren.
We now have two GTM sessions running at two different time zones for the brethren. The eastern time zone which is called GTM1 and begins at 8:00 P.M in the summer months and 7:00 P.M. eastern in the winter. The second time zone which is called GTM2 and begins at 8:00 A.M. Sabbath morning. This GTM2 session services the brethren in the EU, UK and RSA.
The software, GoToMeeting, has stepped up to the challenge. It allows for multiple callers to speak when invited and to write chat messages at the appropriate times during the session. It also allows for more control of the features. The moderator and the presenter have a video presence. GTM allows for up to 25 web cams to be viewed at the same time even though
only the moderator and the speaker use their web cams at present. After the message portion of the session the moderator opens a discussion of the message. The brethren are then encouraged to give comments or ask questions. In addition to this the brethren may use the private chat feature before the speaker begins and after the speaker finishes. This allows for further fellowship among the brethren.
GTM Bearing Fruit:
GTM is supported by eight CBCG Elders who speak on a rotating basis. It is growing in interest and has borne much fruit providing a family atmosphere of worship and continued learning of God’s truth.
GTM is supported by eight CBCG Elders who speak on a rotating basis. It is growing in interest and has borne much fruit providing a family atmosphere of worship and continued learning of God’s truth.
Evolution and Development of GTM
As mentioned in the preface of this booklet, the vision for GTM initially was to provide fellowship for the scattered brethren. By doing so, GTM is naturally providing other benefits to the Church of God as a whole. That is to say, as GTM evolved or developed naturally in stages it would progress from serving the scattered brethren to ultimately providing benefits and services for the entire Church of God as a whole.
Here was the vision seen for GTM as laid out in 2017 and again in 2018. We are right on track with GTM’s development.
As mentioned in the preface of this booklet, the vision for GTM initially was to provide fellowship for the scattered brethren. By doing so, GTM is naturally providing other benefits to the Church of God as a whole. That is to say, as GTM evolved or developed naturally in stages it would progress from serving the scattered brethren to ultimately providing benefits and services for the entire Church of God as a whole.
Here was the vision seen for GTM as laid out in 2017 and again in 2018. We are right on track with GTM’s development.
First stage: ( online fellowship)
Initially GTM was started with 18 people in 2017 and has grown to
approximately 125 in attendance weekly with around 250 on the invitation list. The first part of the vision was to provide worship and fellowship for the scattered brethren around the world.
Initially GTM was started with 18 people in 2017 and has grown to
approximately 125 in attendance weekly with around 250 on the invitation list. The first part of the vision was to provide worship and fellowship for the scattered brethren around the world.
Results so far:
Brethren have benefited:
The Elders have benefited:
Brethren have benefited:
- The brethren have benefited from fellowshipping with other like-minded brethren. They have benefited from the spiritual food that has been provided by committed and loyal elders in CBCG under the support of Fred Coulter.
- The brethren have gained friends and increased in their relationships with others in the Church.
- The brethren are getting to know those who labor among them as stated in I Thes 5:12
The Elders have benefited:
- The elders have gained friends and family members locally and worldwide that they may not have known, if not for GTM.
- The elders have committed to providing messages for GTM have increased in their speaking opportunities and also increased their speaking talents and presentation skills. They have been given more opportunities to handle the Truth of God skillfully and thus have grown in the knowledge of the Truth of God. See: II Timothy 2:15
- The elders have grown closer to one another due to the common purpose of serving the brethren together in unity and the bond of peace.
Stage two: ( planting fellowship groups)
As stated initially at the conference in 2017 and again in 2018, the next step for GTM naturally would be the identification of the pockets of GTM members and bring them together physically. As the demographics have become more obvious and people hear of others in their areas, it naturally follows that they will want to get together. How is this being accomplished?
Visits to local areas by the elders is the best way to accomplish this. The visits to Conway Arkansas, Cleveland, Ohio, Michigan Lexington, Ky, Knoxville, Tn and Charlotte, VA are just a few of the examples of how this is being accomplished now in stage two.
As stated initially at the conference in 2017 and again in 2018, the next step for GTM naturally would be the identification of the pockets of GTM members and bring them together physically. As the demographics have become more obvious and people hear of others in their areas, it naturally follows that they will want to get together. How is this being accomplished?
Visits to local areas by the elders is the best way to accomplish this. The visits to Conway Arkansas, Cleveland, Ohio, Michigan Lexington, Ky, Knoxville, Tn and Charlotte, VA are just a few of the examples of how this is being accomplished now in stage two.
What does the Future Hold for GTM?
Future developments will be obvious and bear fruit as we continue to Give God the Credit.
The fruit that has been borne is due to God’s involvement and direction through the lead of the Holy Spirit. As we remember that it is God who gives the increase and adds to the church, as it pleases Him, we will continue to see God’s blessing on our efforts to serve him and the brethren.
I Corinthians 3: 5-9
5. Who then is Paul? And who is Apollos? They are but ministers through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one.
6. I planted and Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7. Therefore, neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters; for it is God who gives the increase.
8. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9. For we are God’s fellow workers; and you are God’s husbandry, even God’s building.
(A Faithful Version)
Future developments will be obvious and bear fruit as we continue to Give God the Credit.
The fruit that has been borne is due to God’s involvement and direction through the lead of the Holy Spirit. As we remember that it is God who gives the increase and adds to the church, as it pleases Him, we will continue to see God’s blessing on our efforts to serve him and the brethren.
I Corinthians 3: 5-9
5. Who then is Paul? And who is Apollos? They are but ministers through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one.
6. I planted and Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7. Therefore, neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters; for it is God who gives the increase.
8. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9. For we are God’s fellow workers; and you are God’s husbandry, even God’s building.
(A Faithful Version)