Author: WWNTBM

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The Homegoing of Norman Johnston

In Memory of Norman Johnston
March 23, 1950-May 14, 2018

Norman Lee Johnston entered into the joy of his Lord on Monday, May 14th. He passed away of a heart attack while at home, the day before he was scheduled to travel to share the Gospel in remote unreached mountain villages of Madagascar.

“Pastor J,” as he was affectionately known, was born in Ohio on March 23, 1950, and attended Bob Jones University. He and his wife Joy served for many years as missionaries to Korea, until the Lord closed the door for them to remain in that country. They moved next to Vancouver, where he pastored a Korean congregation. He later pastored in Pennsylvania. In 2002, he joined the faculty of Ambassador Baptist College, where he was the chairman of the missions department.

Bro. Johnston had a burden and passion for reaching the lost, and for encouraging young people in their service for the Lord. He was known for his contagious smile, and his “can do” approach to life. He was a friend and mentor to hundreds of students and loved nothing more than to play matchmaker and see new Christian families established. He could always be counted on to share an encouraging word or to challenge an individual to set aside excuses and simply do the next thing to serve God and spread the Gospel.

In 2005 during a Mission Prayer Band meeting, Bro. Johnston presented the idea of placing the Bible and other Christian resources on the internet in multiple languages. The Alethia Project was born out of this meeting. It continues as a student-led organization at ABC and is a tribute to his memory.

Bro. Johnston came to World Wide as an associate missionary in 2009 while assisting a Korean church, and also planting a multi-language church in Charlotte, NC. Today, Every Nation Baptist Church continues to reach many ethnicities in Charlotte’s inner city area.

Funeral services were held at Ambassador Baptist College on May 18th. A recording of the memorial service is available here.

Bro. Johnston was well known for sharing quotes and poems. Some of his favorites include:
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do, and by the grace of God, I will do.
-Edward Everett Hale

All the people,
all the towns,
every need as it is found,
all the people, every one,
all my heart until it is done.

Go forth serving God, loving others, and winning souls.

We really have no excuse for not trying to reach this world with the Gospel.

As Christians our partings are never good-byes, they are only “see you later.”

In addition to his wife Joy, he is survived by four children: Ahna Johnston, Rebecca (and husband Robert) Harr, Seth Johnston, and Benjamin Johnston. Please be in prayer for the family, and especially for Mrs. Joy.

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From the Memo Board: June 2018

Summer Dates to Know

June 18-21 – Family Fellowship Week in Shelby, NC.

July 1 – May financial reports will be due.

July 4 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Independence Day.

July 30 – Adjusted pay date for those who normally receive funds on the 29th.

August 1 – June financial reports will be due.

August 13 – Please contact us by this date if you will need funds in your account before August 31st.

August 20-24 – Encouragement Conference in Germany.

August 31 – Adjusted pay date for those who normally receive funds on the 29th.

September 1 – July financial reports will be due.

September 3 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Labor Day.

New Babies

Amadeo Dante Ortiz was born on May 11th. He was 21 inches long and weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces. Amadeo is the son of Rolando and Hannah Ortiz, who serve in Mexico, and the grandson of our board member, Fred Jr. and Beth Daniel. Amadeo joins two older sisters, Azelia and Viana.

Priscilla Marjorie Rose was born on May 24th. She was 20 inches long and weighed 8 pounds and 13 ounces. Priscilla is the daughter of Matthew and Rebecca Rose, who are on deputation to go to Kenya. Priscilla joins four older sisters, Deborah (6), Hannah (5), Esther (4), and Lydia (2).

Kezia Leigh Knickerbocker was born on May 26th. She was 21.5 inches long and weighed 6 pounds and 2 ounces. Kezia is the daughter of Stephen and Julie Knickerbocker, who serve in Burkina Faso. She joins her sister Alina, who is almost 2.

New Missionary

We rejoice that the Lord continues to bring new missionaries to join our growing World Wide family! Kevin and Hannah Taylor are missionaries to Mexico. They are sent out of the Calvary Baptist Church of Statesville, NC, with Pastor Chris Haizlip. The Taylors have served in pastoral and evangelistic ministries in IL and NC. Most recently, they have been assisting a Hispanic church whose pastor needed to return to Mexico for a time. Their goal is to work with an established ministry in Puebla, Mexico, training church members in discipleship and family counseling. Eventually, they would like to assist other churches throughout Mexico in developing strong family-centered counseling ministries. The Taylors have three daughters: Tirza (6), Hadassah (4), and Aletheia (2). Pray for them as they travel on deputation.

Student Interns

Kaitlyn Whitney and Tyler Scott spent a week with us in May, completing a portion of their internship requirements for Ambassador Baptist College. One of the ministries our staff enjoys being a part of is training students for whatever the Lord has called them to do, whether on the mission field or in a ministry office. Please pray for these ladies as they serve the Lord this summer, and return to finish their education at ABC this fall.

Summer Support

Bank holidays and the timing of weekends this summer in relation to when we close the books may affect the days you receive your support. Please make a note of the adjusted pay dates for July and August listed above, and contact us in advance if you have special needs for early deposits during those months.

Most of our staff will be traveling to Germany for the Encouragement Conference in August. We are trying to plan ahead to reduce interruptions in our service to you during this time. Please message us via Signal by August 13 if you would like funds in your accounts before August 31. Contacting us by August 13 will enable us to schedule your funds before we leave. Upon our return, we will need time to handle the mail that will arrive during our absence. Therefore, final August support distributions will be made on August 31.

Uplift Podcasts

The following recordings were recently published on Uplift.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Recent Episodes

Family Ministry On The Road by Pastor Frank Camp

Dangers of Spiritual Indifference by Pastor Freeman Weems

It’s Not Over Until God Says It’s Over by Pastor Mike Renfrow

Helpful Resources Recently Shared on Uplift:

The Plague of Plagues by Ralph Venning

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

What Do I Know About My God by Mardi Collier

Go Ye There Podcast by Leland Johnson

Breeze Church Ministry Software

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Prayer & Dates: June 2018

June Prayer/Praises and Special Dates

Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for June. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.

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Featured Article: God, Deal More In Me Than Through Me!

By Dr. Eric Franks

I cannot speak to others, unless God speaks to me.
I cannot teach others, unless I myself am taught of God.
I cannot lead others into holiness, until holiness becomes me.
I cannot make others love the Word, until His Word is my daily bread.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

I cannot love others until I realize God’s love to me.
I cannot make others love their enemies, until enmity ceases in me.
I cannot make others to forgive until a vessel of mercy I first trust.
I cannot make others reverent with Christ, until the alabaster has broken on me.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

I cannot make others to sacrifice, until I myself become a sacrifice.
I cannot help those that suffer until I myself suffer for Christ.
I cannot ask others to give, until with me is left nothing more to give.
I cannot make others unselfish, until I myself am poured out like Christ.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

I cannot make other soldiers of Christ until scars of battle I reflect.
I cannot make others give up their treasures, until my only treasure is Christ.
I cannot make others cease from self, until I cease from my own conceit.
I cannot make others labour, until I am faint yet pursuing for Christ.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

I cannot make others meek, until my own self-will I desert.
I cannot make others thankful, until my own unworthiness I confess.
I cannot make others humble, until to God’s sovereignty I first submit.
I cannot induce true values in others, until eternal values I possess.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

I cannot make others think Scripture-sense until I cease from my own common sense.
I cannot make others spiritual, until in me, fruits of the Spirit ripen.
I cannot make others trustworthy, until my own suspicions I forsake.
I cannot make others sing with praise, until I myself sing out with broken heart.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

I cannot break others, until I myself am broken by God.
I cannot help shipwrecked ones, until I myself on Christ am shipwrecked.
I cannot get others to repent until I myself have changed my mind.
I cannot make others dead to the world, until I myself am from this world freed.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

I cannot make others Christ-like unless I myself am like Christ.
I cannot make others close to Christ until my only love is Christ.
I cannot make others conscious of Christ until I myself consciously reflect Christ.
I cannot make others devoted to Christ until my passion is only Christ.
O God, deal more in me than through me!

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Prayer & Dates: May 2018

May Prayer/Praises and Special Dates

Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for May. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.

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From the Memo Board: May 2018

Dates to Know

May 28 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Memorial Day.

May 30 – Adjusted pay date for those who normally receive funds on the 29th.

June 1 – April financial reports will be due.

June 18-21 – Family Fellowship Week in Shelby, NC.

July 1 – May financial reports will be due.

July 4 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Independence Day.

July 30 – Adjusted pay date for those who normally receive funds on the 29th.

August 1 – June financial reports will be due.

August 13 – Please contact us by this date if you will need funds in your account before August 31st.

August 20-24 – Encouragement Conference in Germany.

August 31 – Adjusted pay date for those who normally receive funds on the 29th.

September 1 – July financial reports will be due.

September 3 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Labor Day.

Summer Support

Bank holidays and the timing of weekends this summer in relation to when we close the books may affect the days you receive your support. Please make a note of the adjusted pay dates for May, July, and August listed above, and contact us in advance if you have special needs for early deposits during those months.

Most of our staff will be traveling to Germany for the Encouragement Conference in August. We are trying to plan ahead to reduce interruptions in our service to you during this time. Please message us via Signal by August 13 if you would like funds in your accounts before August 31. Contacting us by August 13 will enable us to schedule your funds before we leave. Upon our return, we will need time to handle the mail that will arrive during our absence. Therefore, final August support distributions will be made on August 31.

Family Fellowship Week

This year’s Family Week will be hosted by Pastor Barry Goodman and the Faith Baptist Church in Shelby, North Carolina. Family Week will begin with registration at 4:30 p.m. Monday evening, followed by a dinner in the fellowship building of the church at 5:30 p.m. The evening service will immediately follow. Guests will be housed at the American Inn in Boiling Springs, which is approximately 15 minutes from the church.

Each missionary is invited to bring their ministry display to set up in the gymnasium area. Church members, visitors, and other missionaries will have time to visit the displays throughout the week. Children’s activities for the week will include skating, laser tag, bumper cars, mini golf, a playland, and a ropes course. Please watch your email for more details as the week approaches.

New Missionary

Garrett Conley is the newest missionary to join the World Wide family. He is a member of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Shelby, NC, with Pastor Jim Davidson. Brother Conley will graduate from Ambassador Baptist College this spring. He has traveled for three years with Neighborhood Bible Time, including spending two summers in Ireland. He plans to go to Ireland later this year, where he will complete a one-year internship with Pastor Bob Zemeski while he seeks the Lord’s will for future ministry. Pray for him as he travels on deputation this summer.

New Baby

Grace Elizabeth Fry was born on April 24th. She was 20 inches long and weighed 7 pounds and 4 ounces. Grace is the first child of Nathan and Hannah Fry. The Frys have a ministry called Lens of the Harvest, through which they assist missionaries and churches with photography and presentation needs.

Uplift Meetings

Have you joined us for one of our Uplift meetings? We host a video conference call every Friday morning at 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time. In addition, we host bi-monthly meetings that alternate between Tuesday mornings and Tuesday evenings to give those in other time zones an opportunity to participate.

Each meeting features a time of prayer for those in our missions family. Most feature a board member or other guest who shares devotional thoughts to challenge and encourage you. Staff members are available to give announcements and answer office-related questions. Sessions are recorded and published in a podcast for those unable to attend the live meetings. Once a month we also have unrecorded meetings to provide a forum where you can openly discuss ministry needs with John O’Malley and Jeremy Lockhart.

Upcoming Tuesday meeting times will be as follows. All times listed are Eastern Time.

  • Tuesday, May 8 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, May 22 at 9:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 12 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 26 at 9:00 p.m.

If you have not yet joined, we encourage you to try us out.

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The Homegoing of Eric Franks

In Memory of Dr. Eric Franks
October 27, 1939-April 11, 2018

Eric (Bobby) Wilfred Franks was born in southern India on October 27, 1939. Although he lost his father at a young age, his mother saw to it that he and his siblings received a good education. He attended the National College in Bombay and studied to pursue a career as a medical doctor. On April 15, 1960, at the age of 20, he was saved under the ministry of a single lady missionary. Within a few months, the Lord called him into a life of ministry. As he described it, “The Lord stole my heart in 1960 and my life changed for the better.”

He married Molly Dorcas Suttle on May 2, 1964. That same year he began pastoring the Chembar Baptist Church, the first of many he would shepherd through the years. He began teaching at the Biblical Baptist Theological College and Seminary in 1970, where he eventually became Dean of Academics. The Franks were blessed with six children: Leena (and Francis) Newton; Leah (and Richard) Jacobs; Abigail (and Charles) David; Emma (and Adrian) Hendricks; Lemuel Franks; and Stephen (and Geena) Franks (not pictured).

As his ministry grew, so did his passion for education. In 1977, he left his family and went to California to continue his studies at the San Francisco Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1980. During this time the Lord gave him a burden to begin extensive church planting throughout India.

In 1986 the Franks joined WWNTBM. They based their deputation out of Trinity Baptist Church in Wilson, NC, which was pastored by one of our founding board members, Robert Winstead. Herb and Ruby Kersey became close friends during this time and assisted them with their travels.

In 1987 he began the Grace Baptist Trust, along with the Calvary Baptist Bible College and Seminary. In the following years he also founded the Grace Baptist School for the Underprivileged, Hearing Impaired, and Physically Handicapped. He also started several other churches, among them the Heritage Baptist Church, Kuramberi Baptist Church, the Jawadhi Hills ministry, the Tiruapttur Baptist Church, and the Whitefield Baptist Church. Many students have graduated from their programs and started other ministries throughout India.

Dr. Franks lived a life of service to others. He knew that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,” and he preferred to use his resources to make others comfortable, often at the expense of his own comfort. Dr. Franks has been quoted as saying, “When God’s got a great work to do, he looks for a man, and often his family. God’s methods are men!” This truth has been evidenced in his own family, and his legacy is continuing in future generations as his children and grandchildren are active in ministry.

When Parkinson’s Disease began to slow his physical body in 2008, Dr. Franks did not allow it to distract from the work that the Lord still had for him to do. He faithfully continued to travel, preaching and teaching the gospel for ten more years, until the week of his death. On April 11, 2018, he laid down to cease from his labors on earth and to wake in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

 

 

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Featured Article: Anthropology and Missions

In Titus 2:1, Paul instructs, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” Theology is the foundation of our faith. Throughout this year, we will be sharing some articles with you that have been penned by our board members. A few of them have taken much time to research and write about an area of systematic theology. We hope this will be an encouragement to your faith. This month, Bro. Gene Krachenfels has written an article on Anthropology–The Doctrine of Man.

Just a few minutes into a conversation one can tell a great deal about a person’s outlook on life and eternity. The difference between a Biblical and secular worldview is significant and few subjects bear a greater difference than that of Anthropology or the study of man. As believers, we are grateful to find God’s Word gives ample instruction as to our origin, nature, condition, and remedy.

The Creation of Man

Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

True saints of God accept the Genesis account of creation, which includes the origin of mankind, as literal. God in His wisdom chose to establish man as the pinnacle of His creation. Our chief purpose was that we might worship God in the beauty of His holiness and keep His commandments (Psalm 29:2; Ecclesiastes 12:13). We were created unlike any other being in that we were made with a natural and moral likeness to God which involves our self-awareness in relation to God and this world. Everyone is born with the inherent knowledge that there is a God, there is a difference between right and wrong, and that we are accountable to Him (John 1:9; Romans 1:18, 19; 14:12). This truth is evidenced on a daily basis in the thoughts, words, and deeds of every person who has ever lived.

The Fall of Man

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Though Adam, the father of the human race, was created an eternal being with a holy nature, he was susceptible to temptation. This is evidenced when he, by his own choice, disobeyed God’s divine command and ate fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This singular act brought about his being expelled from the Garden of Eden and plunged the entire human race into sin (Genesis 3:22-24; Romans 5:12). This in no way implies, as some inaccurately claim, that God is the author of sin, as sin was already in existence with the presence of Satan in the Garden.

The Death of Man

Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

When considering the Biblical account of Adam’s fall and the resulting curse, there is some confusion about the death of which God spoke. It is obvious Adam did not experience physical death at the time of his disobedience. In Genesis 5:5 we read Adam was nine hundred and thirty years old when he died. This fact in no way invalidates God’s very clear declaration of judgment to Adam and Eve for violating His command. The death of which God forewarned Adam was spiritual death. Simply put, death means separation. Physical death is physical separation from this world, spiritual death is spiritual separation from God, and eternal death (also referred to as the second death, Revelation 20:14) is eternal separation from God. When Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating of the forbidden fruit, their fellowship was broken as illustrated by their attempt to clothe themselves and to hide from the presence of God. It was at that point they died, being separated from God spiritually, and thus experienced the death He warned them about. This is the state of every person born into the world since that time: alienated from God, hopelessly lost, and in bondage to sin. However, we are grateful the story of man’s fate doesn’t end there.

The Hope of Man

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Because everyone is born a sinner we are all in need of a Saviour. Despite one’s fallen condition, no one need suffer eternal separation from God. The Good News for all, whatever their sinful condition, is that the Lord has provided a means by which anyone may obtain forgiveness for their sin. God’s plan for the redemption of lost mankind is through His Son (John 14:6), therefore God has commanded His saints to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature (Mark 16:15). The only hope of eternal life for anyone, wherever they may be in the world, is to acknowledge their lost condition, repent of their sin, and receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour (Acts 17:30; Romans 10:9, 10). This does not eliminate (or eradicate) the Adamic or fallen nature of man, as some claim, but as new creature’s in Christ we can have victory over sin through Him (II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:12-18). A lost world needs to hear of the Living Saviour. More details on the topics of Sin, Salvation, the Savior, and Sanctification are covered under other doctrinal studies.

If this has been a blessing to you or you would like to share your thoughts with Bro. Krachenfels, you can contact him via email here.

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From the Memo Board: April 2018

Dates to Know

May 1 – March financial reports will be due
June 18-21 – Family Fellowship Week in Shelby, NC

New Missionaries

Matt and Colleen Dundon have recently joined the World Wide family. They are sent out of the Hampshire View Baptist Deaf Church of Silver Spring, MD, with Pastor Terry Buchholz, where he has been serving as assistant pastor. Bro. Dundon is a graduate of Capital Baptist Deaf College. Their goal is to plant a deaf church in Philadelphia, PA. Please pray for them as they begin deputation.

 

 

Colton Lee is a new associate with World Wide. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of La-Salle, IL, with Pastor Wesley Waddle. Bro. Lee will graduate from Ambassador Baptist College this spring and plans to do short-term evangelistic missions trips several times a year to different locations. He recently took a trip to India to minister with the Hendricks family. In addition to missions trips, he will be working as a staff evangelist for Camp Joy in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Pray for him as he completes his studies and begins making plans for his next overseas trip.

Doctrinal Agreements

If you have submitted your doctrinal agreement statement, your new card for 2018-2019 is now available for you to download and print from your SecureCloud folder. If you have not yet submitted your annual agreement, please click here, or email Naomi Torberson as soon as possible, indicating that you have read and are still in agreement with our Articles of Faith. If you have questions or concerns, please contact John O’Malley.

Donations for Adult Children

We recognize that donors often wish to show kindness to our missionaries by sending birthday gifts, etc., for their children. However, WWNTBM cannot receive funds designated for adult children of our missionaries (age 18 and older). This is to protect financial integrity by not issuing charitable contribution receipts for funds designated for individuals who are not missionaries with us. In some instances, receiving such donations through WWNTBM could also create tax issues for the recipient, and/or possible visa issues if they are not US citizens. If a donor is interested in assisting your adult college student, we suggest that funds be sent directly to the student, or to the student’s educational institution.

We are here to serve all the needs of our missions family. If there are other ways in which we can assist your college student while they are away from family and home, please let us know.

Uplift

Several new recordings were recently posted on Uplift! We hope you find encouragement in these devotionals. (Access Information: Username- wwntbm Password- gospel)

Finish Your Race Well by Steve Zeinner

Comfort In God’s Characteristics by Fred Daniel, Jr.

Flee And Follow by David Fulp

Raising Kids In Missions (Part 1) by Jonathan Earnhart

Amazon Shopping Donation

Did you know that it is possible to support the ministry of World Wide through your regular purchases from Amazon? Simply click here to begin your shopping experience at smile.amazon.com, and then link your account to authorize Amazon to make donations to World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions Inc. Amazon will then donate a portion of their proceeds to the Office.

Teaching English as a Second Language

Crown College of the Bible in Powell, Tennessee is offering an eight-week summer course which can equip you with internationally recognized certificates to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Structured Literacy. It is their desire to help missionaries preparing for the field to get this certification quickly and easily. You will earn your TESOL certification by completing courses on different teaching methods, choosing the right curriculum, and using the Word of God as your English Textbook. You will have opportunities to student teach and practice what you learn. The Lord is already using graduates with this certification around the world—including many creative access nations. Other graduates are using these certifications in the United Kingdom to reach many of the Muslim immigrants coming into the nation. A church has recently been planted through these efforts!

Classes begin May 8th. Contact Crown College at 865.938.8186 or [email protected] for more information.

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Prayer & Dates: April 2018

April Prayer/Praises and Special Dates

Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for April. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.