Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – October 9, 2026 - Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

Greetings from Tyler,

Murray Allatt has gone. He often called me on Friday afternoon. I’ll miss those calls. My son Michael is going to Australia for the funeral service and a special Sabbath meeting. I’m sure the Australians are going to love him.

We had a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles in Florida. I shredded a tire on the way down, and spent the night in the front seat of the pickup. Couldn’t tell you if I slept or not. I’ll tell you all about it, someday. Florida was wonderful this year, but now a hurricane is bearing down. I’m glad we’re gone. Michael and his family went to Tahoe this year, and enjoyed it.

We have a new WATCH magazine on its way. It’s 36 pages, and beautiful, and you should have yours soon.

The more Trump takes it to them the more they hate him. He’s a threat, the way they see it, and no amount of… well they’re hardly trying. If you read the internet, and most of you do, the gap between what the media tells you and what’s really going on is vast. And they take advantage of that. The way things are now, Trump is at war with the media. They’ve got to stay on offense, otherwise they come under scrutiny. They wouldn’t want THAT!

Iraq is not giving up. Neither is Ukraine. I think it will be bad for both of them. But we have the United States, and let me tell you there’s no place like it.

Mark Armstrong

PS from Michael Armstrong:

Greetings friends,

We hope everyone has had safe travels home from the Feast of Tabernacles! There were good reports all around, with particularly robust crowds in both Branson and Myrtle Beach. If you were not able to attend, it is never too soon to start planning for next year! Many thanks to all of those who pitch in and make each site a success.

There were many happy moments, but I am sad to have to report a couple of deaths. Ms. Angela Pollard, from the Atlanta area, was in Panama City Beach for the Feast this year. Unfortunately she was not feeling well and stayed home from services the first day. When a friend checked on her later in the day she was found unresponsive. She will certainly be missed by all. We have not received any details on a memorial yet but please keep her family in your prayers.

Also sad news from the site in Nelson Bay, Australia. Many of you will be familiar with Mr. Murray Allatt, who has handled all of the church’s affairs and been our primary contact on the continent for over 20 years. He began feeling unwell during the Feast. After being examined by a local facility he was transferred to a major hospital for emergency surgery. Most sites heard prayer requests on his behalf.

We were overjoyed when he came through the procedures well, and those with him reported he was recovering and sounded strong. Tragically, despite the positive outlook, he passed suddenly from a heart attack about 24 hours after the Feast had ended. The news came as quite a shock, my dad was particularly devastated as they were quite close, speaking every week through these many years.

Please remember his wife Dita and all of the brethren there in your prayers, they are all reeling from the loss. We will gladly forward any condolences to her through the office here. His funeral will be Friday, October 16^th at 2:30pm. It will be held at Woronora Memorial Park, Linden St, Sutherland, in New South Wales, Australia.

I will be flying over for the funeral, in addition to having a special Sabbath meeting with the local Sydney group the following day. It is a sad occasion, but it will be good to be there to honor Murray and his years of service in the work of God, and I look forward to meeting with our brothers and sisters down under. Even though the Feast reminds us that what we have now is temporary and not to be compared with the Eternal promises, we mourn the loss of our fellows and look forward to the Great day when we will meet again.

-Michael