August 2021 Carolina's 10,000 P5
1. TAKING TIME TO PRAISE OUR GRACIOUS GOD
Praising God is full of benefits. Let’s consider two of them this month:
1. It’s a means by which we come into His presence. The Psalmist referred
to this fact in Psalm 100:4 thus: ‘’Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His
courts with praise…’’. Meanwhile, in God’s presence lies fullness of joy (“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore’’- Psalm 16:11), and liberty (‘’Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty’’- 2 Corinthians 3:17).
2. It’s a means by which we perceive God’s glory. When we praise (worship) God, His Glory will come down. In 1 Kings 8:1-11, King Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to witness the bringing of the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David. They then praised God with their sacrifices. After a while, the priests brought in the ark into the inner sanctuary of the temple, i.e. the Most Holy Place. And when they came out, the glory of God, via a cloud, filled the house of the LORD, such that the priests could not continue to minister. In essence, praising God facilitates the coming down of His glory, and His glory is profoundly beneficial to humankind in various ways. For example, it brings down His mercy: ‘’And he (Moses) said, “Please, show me Your glory.” 19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion (mercy) on whom I will have compassion’’ (Exodus 33:18-19). The glory of God also protects (guards): ‘’Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard’’ (Isaiah 58:8).
This month I’d like us to continue praising the Lord for the amazing blessings of more of our newest laborers that Heaven has blessed us with in our commitment to the sacred trust of accomplishing Christ’s mission in the Carolinas. As people retire or move on to new responsibilities, we are constantly on the lookout for new laborers to fill the needed posts of responsibility in this part of His vineyard. Praying For laborers in Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus says, “The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” The Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to plead with God to call, equip, and send laborers into the harvest.
It is for these newest laborers (who joined our Carolina team just this year) that we pause to welcome and bring our praises to Christ this month:
Carolina Conference Headquarters
Lorraine Gonzales
Ministerial, Evangelism, and Hispanic Ministries Secretary
(Beginning on September 1, 2021)
Carolina Conference Pastors
Pastor Bryan Arvelo, Associate Pastor
Charlotte Spanish SDA Church
Rock Hill Spanish SDA Company
Lancaster Spanish Mission SDA Group
West Charlotte Spanish SDA Church
South Charlotte Spanish SDA Company
Pastor Jackie & Lauryl James
Pastor for University City SDA Church &
Overseeing Pastor for Huntersville Lighthouse SDA Church
New Teachers at Our Carolina Conference Church Schools
Emily Austin
Tri-City Christian Academy
Shari Bellchambers
Asheville-Pisgah Christian School
Dewald Coetzer, Principal
Tri-City Christian Academy
Steve Green
Asheville-Pisgah Christian School
Deanna Hamilton
Adventist Christian Academy - Raleigh
Cole Haynes
Tri-City Christian Academy
Bailey Labrenz
Asheville-Pisgah Christian School
Tammy Mapes
Mills River SDA School
Sandra Munoz
William Johnston SDA School (Hickory, NC)
Kim Nicholson
Silver Creek Adventist School
Crystal Poholka
Adventist Christian Academy - Raleigh
Rubydeb Ramirez
Poplar Springs SDA School (Westminster, SC)
Charles Rennard
Asheville Pisgah Christian School
Karie Sheffield
Tri-City Christian Academy
Kari Sheldon
Tri-City Christian Academy
Ashley Skidmore
Myrtle Beach SDA School
Camille Taylor
Adventist Christian Academy - Raleigh
Bobby Tincopa
Adventist Christian Academy – Charlotte
Lizette Trawick, Principal
Adventist Christian Academy - Raleigh
2. PRAYING FOR NEEDS ACROSS OUR CONFERENCE
Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School Building Project
Enrichment classes include choir, art, guitar, physical education, Spanish and educational field trips. Many families need the option of Christian education for their children. Due to the ever-increasing numbers that they have been blessed with, it is their hope and plan to start construction on a new school building this year. They keep their tuition as low as possible only to maintain the school, therefore their school does not have the funds for a new building. We know that through faith, God will provide the needs of our church school in Mills River. Please join us in prayer by adding the Mills River SDA School Project to your prayer list. May Heaven open up generous hearts to assist in the accomplishment of their needs.
Here’s where they currently stand in their fundraising efforts toward realizing their dream based on the latest information from Sue Holt, the Principal of our Mills River Church School:
They received an $83,000 donation from an estate.
Their new building fund total raised is $228,292.12.
The total needed for their building project is: $838,000
The requested amount for the SURF loan was for approximately $650,000 but supplies have gone up since then.
3. PRAYING FOR OUR PASTORS & THEIR CHURCH DISTRICTS
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, these words of encouragement were penned for our churches: “Ask of me, and I will answer your requests. The promise is made on condition that the united prayers of the church are offered, and in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and for one another.” [9MR, 303]
Praying for our pastors is very important. They are serving God and the attacks of the enemy are relentless. They must be covered in our prayers on a daily basis.
Our prayers should be personalized by saying the title of pastor along with their name since they hold a position of sacred trust for God’s remnant church.
Why not pray specifically for our pastors by name using these seven needs and scriptural promises:
For Protection from Satan — "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
For Protection from Our Own Sinful Hearts — "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (James 1:14-15)
For Deep Spiritual Encouragement — "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine." (Romans 1:11-12)
For Wisdom — "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5)
For Doctrinal Faithfulness — "By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:14)
For A Healthy Body — "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27)
For A Strong Marriage & Family — "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church." (1 Timothy 3:2-6)
PASTOR CHURCH(ES); COMPANIES & GROUPS
1. Oscar Montes ..................................................................................................................................Pastor
Lincolnton SDA Church Shelby SDA Church
2. Kevin Morgan .........................................................................................................Part-time Pastor
Warrensville SDA Church
3. Enock Omosa ................................................................................................................................Pastor
Umojah Central SDA Church Charlotte Safari SDA Company Raleigh Imani SDA Company
4. Will Oosthuizen ..........................................................................................................................Pastor
Durham Five Oaks SDA Church Hillsborough SDA Church
5. Jo Ottinger .................................................................................................................................Chaplain
Mount Pisgah Academy
6. Jin Yong Park .................................................................................................................................Pastor
Charlotte Korean SDA Church
7. Domingo Paulino ........................................................................................................................Pastor
Bluffton Spanish SDA Church Hardeeville Spanish SDA Church
4. PRAYING FOR OUR DEPARTMENTAL MINISTRIES
Beginning with our April 2019 issue of P5, we began highlighting a department of the conference each month – not so much as to give a full-length report of all that they have been or are accomplishing, but rather to simply uplift all our leaders and their faithful service in our prayers. The Ministries of the Carolina Conference are basically structured under 6 organizational department functions. They include:
1. The Adventist Christian Book Center
2. Camp Meeting
3. Administration
4. Outreach
5. Church Ministries
6. Children & Young Adults
We have now been focusing our prayers with the departmental functions on the ministries of the Carolina Conference that impact our children and young adults.
So during this month of August, 2021
I invite you to prayerfully continue uplifting our
leadership of Pastor Hector Gonzalez and his secretary
Zuri Scroggins whom we focused on last month in their
role for the Young Adult Ministries.
In addition to that role they also provide their dedicated
and gifted direction for:
The Youth Ministries Department
Youth Ministry is a vital part of the Carolina Conference. With thousands of young people in our Pathfinder and Adventurers clubs and other programs, we are training the youth of our church to be future leaders for Jesus.
Our summer camp, Nosoca Pines Ranch, is a big favorite among all ages, allowing even our college students to get involved as camp staff.
Everyone in the Carolina Conference is excited about Youth Ministry. If you are, too, and would like to find out how you can get involved in Youth Ministry, please contact them.
5. SATURATED WITH THE WORD – Fundamental Belief # 25 – The Second Coming of Christ
As a President’s Prayer Partner, we again invite you to truly be a people of the Word. As Seventh-day Adventists, we embrace 28 Fundamental truths that are based on the Bible alone. This is the second cycle in our emphasis on these vital beliefs that are centered in Christ as our Savior and as our Lord.
Let’s continue to place His Word prayerfully in our hearts each day of this month. I carry a set of these passages with me in my car and repeat them aloud as I drive from place to place. My goal is to prayerfully say one verse at least five times a day for a week, thus embracing the promise of God’s Word – “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11.
Repeat these passages over and over till they become a part of your very being. Of course, you can always choose to do more. Prayerfully consider how you can saturate your soul and make His Word a part of your heart every day.
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF # 25 – The Second Coming of Christ The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour’s coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is near. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times.
A. Job 19: 25-27 (NKJV) — “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
B. Daniel 7: 13-14 (NKJV) — “I was watching in the night visions,And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,And His kingdom the onewhich shall not be destroyed.”
C. John 14:1-3 (NKJV) — “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so,I would have told you.I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
D. Hebrews 10:37 (NKJV) — “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”
6. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW
Here’s more reason for which we can praise God as a Carolina family! In this COVID time of great uncertainty fueled by the enemy of mankind, God has certainly cared for His church and for the continual support of the myriad of ministries that take place across the Carolinas.
People who say money isn’t appropriate for pastors to talk about will have to set aside much of what Jesus said during his earthly ministry. In fact, Jesus had more to say about money than he did about heaven and hell combined!
In fact the only subject Jesus talked about more than money is the Kingdom of God! And some of his teaching on the Kingdom of God dealt with money too.
In the parable of the unjust steward Jesus calls managing money the “least” of our responsibilities.
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much;
and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches? — Luke 16:10-11
Jesus didn’t mean that we should ignore money because it’s insignificant. When he says it’s the “least” of our responsibilities he means that money is the first thing we need to get sorted. If we can’t even handle our money properly in godly ways, then we are going to have problems in all other areas of our life.
Therefore, money is critically important. Our attitude towards money and how we manage it is the foundation that sets the stage for every other aspect of our spiritual lives.
And if our understanding of money lays the foundation of our spiritual lives, then tithing is the place we need to start.
There is a very sacred responsibility that has been placed on the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Tithing is the source of income for the Church to carry forward all its activities in fulfillment of our mission. Often the need is always greater than the availability. This month, however, we can praise God for the faithful disciples of Christ in the Carolinas who have helped us in a fabulous way of observing this great principle which comes from him with his marvelous promise.
We are seeing a tithe trend that has never happened in the history of the Carolinas. We simply praise His name for providing us with these resources to advance Christ’s kingdom in this part of Heaven’s vineyard of the Carolinas:
This information from the North American Division indicates that within the first half of this year (first 6 months from January – June) we had a tithe gain of over $2 million reflecting a 17.22% gain. Wherever we are seated as we read this, we should find a place of worship and sing the Doxology – “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” Now let’s use it with Heavenly wisdom to accomplish Heaven’s desire for Heaven’s work across the Carolinas!! Hallelujah!!!
7. REMEMBERING AND UPLIFTING GOD’S ANOINTED LEADERS FOR THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN CONTINUOUS PRAYER
Be part of God’s praying church across North America by uplifting these leaders also in the Pacific Union of Seventh-day Adventists and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada who guide God’s work in these territories of God’s vineyard:
