August 2025 Carolina's 10,000 P5

Leslie D. Louis
Aug 18
10 min read

Embracing Carolina with the Compassionate Call of Christ

The 10,000 President’s Prayer Partners is a fast-growing group of Carolina Conference constituents who take matters such as these to their knees. We invite you to join us and make this monthly list a matter of prayer. Together we seek the Lord for His answers and provisions to every need we bring before Him.

Pray the Gifts of the Holy Spirit – The Gift of Faithfulness

Pentecost 2025 is the launching of a bold plan of the North American Division to experience 3,000 proclamation events across the expanse of this great division of God’s remnant church. It is a plan that will only be successful through prayer and the intervention of the Holy Spirit. In Carolina, we have added a prayer-plea tagline to the Lord – “Let it Rain!”

What began with our July (2024) issue of P5 and will continue through 2025, we invite our President’s Prayer Partners to continue coming together in an earnest and heartfelt appeal for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as we near the soon return of our Savior.

Galatians 5: 22-23 provides us with a listing of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit as: Love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Beginning with our February issue of P5, we launched our prayerful focus on asking our Heavenly Father to bless us with each of the specific gifts of the Holy Spirit as we continue praying for the outpouring of the latter rain across the Carolinas as we experience Pentecost 2025. In our last six issues we focused on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness.

In this, our August issue, let’s pray for the seventh fruit of the Spirit in Galatians which is FAITHFULNESS.

Faithfulness is an important fruit of the Holy Spirit because it reflects God’s own character and shows that His Spirit is truly at work in a believer’s life. In Scripture, God is repeatedly described as faithful—He keeps His promises, never abandons His people, and remains constant even when we are inconsistent. The Scriptures are the best confirmation of this. 2 Timothy 2:13 (NKJV) reminds us that “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” One of my favorite promises is found in the book of Lamentations by the prophet Jeremiah during some of the saddest times in the story of God’s people. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 22-23 (NKJV).

When the Holy Spirit produces faithfulness in us, it means:

We reflect God’s trustworthiness – Others can depend on us because we live with integrity and keep our word, just as God keeps His.
We persevere in our relationship with God – Faithfulness means staying committed to Christ through trials, temptations, and dry seasons, not just when it feels easy. Paul (whom Ellen White confirms as the writer of the book of Hebrews) appeals to each of us with these words: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)
We are consistent in love and service – Instead of acting from impulse or convenience, we remain steadfast in loving God and others, regardless of changing emotions or circumstances.
It builds spiritual stability – Faithfulness keeps us rooted in truth so we’re not “tossed to and fro” by every challenge or new teaching. Paul in his letter to the church in Ephesus counseled us “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” Ephesians 4:14 (NKJV)
It makes our witness credible – The world sees the reality of God when Christians live with long-term commitment and reliability in both small and big things.

In short, faithfulness matters because it is how we live out loyalty to God and His mission in a world that often prizes convenience over commitment. Without faithfulness, the other fruits of the Spirit that we’ve been specifically praying for since February can easily fade when life gets hard.

I love the passionate plea in that great anthem entitled “Find Us Faithful” written by the Christian music artist Steve Green:

“Oh may all who come behind us

find us faithful.

May the fire of our devotion light the way.

May the footprints that we leave

lead them to believe.

And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

Oh, may all who come behind us

find us faithful.”

I love being on our campus at Mount Pisgah Academy (MPA). The vibrancy and joy of our staff and students make it a beautiful environment for every young person to gain a Christ-centered secondary educational experience under the guidance of gifted and Godly leadership.

MPA’s MISSION: To nurture a relationship with God, pursue academic excellence, and emphasize service to others.

MPA’s VISION: To be an exceptional provider of quality, affordable Adventist Christian Secondary Education.

MPA’s PHILOSOPHY: To promote the development of body, mind, and spirit, so that we may love God and love others, expressed through service.

During our summer months (June- August), we continue our prayers for our educational ministry by specifically focusing on the remaining members of our team for the coming school year on the campus of Mount Pisgah Academy. This completes the full slate of all of our educational ministers in the Carolina Conference over the past school year and the new staff for the coming year at Mount Pisgah Academy. Please join me in praying this month for these valued members who will be a part of our 2025-2026 MPA Staff.

With each issue of our President’s Prayer Partners (P5), we continue to focus specifically on one of our goals and share some of the developments that are helping us in our journey toward accomplishing that goal.

Last month we returned to reporting on the progress being made toward our third goal – that of focusing on measurable initiatives to enhance the ministry of Mount Pisgah Academy to enable our campus to reach and maintain a consistent, sustainable enrollment of 125-150 students.

During this month of August, I invite you to pray for our continuing initiatives toward the fulfillment of our first goal -- that of our ongoing quest to develop measurable goals for discipleship. The following report is shared by our Evangelism & Discipleship Director, Glen Altermatt.

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“As we look at our efforts in Carolina in the areas of evangelism and discipleship, I’m excited about what I am hearing. Pentecost 2025 is in full operation with many reporting great results! Thank you for all you are doing. Evangelism is the beginning of discipleship with discipleship being the cornerstone of Christian faith, embodying Jesus’ Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). It transcends mere belief, fostering spiritual maturity, accountability, and transformation.

Through discipleship, individuals grow in Christ-likeness, equipping them to navigate life’s challenges with biblical wisdom and love. It builds resilient communities, combats isolation, and perpetuates the Gospel across generations. Discipleship is the heartbeat of Christian faith, transforming believers into active followers who spread Christ’s teachings. It’s not just about personal growth but it’s about creating an effect that doesn’t stop with just one but continues to ripple out multipling faith through intentional relationships.

Those that have the greatest success utilize the cycle of evangelism, preparation, sowing, cultivating, harvesting, and retention, incorporating a strategic structure that produces disciples. The process of evangelism process of evangelism produces a setting for sharing the Gospel, planting seeds of faith in others.

Preparation equips disciples with an understanding of scripture and prayer.
Sowing involves intentionally building relationships, meeting people where they are, sharing Christ’s love, earning the right to speak spiritual truths into their lives.
Cultivating nurtures these relationships with ongoing support, teaching, and encouragement, fostering spiritual growth.
Harvesting happens when individuals commit to Christ and celebrate their growth into deeper
discipleship.
Retention empowers new believers to disciple others, producing a self-sustaining cycle. This approach ensures discipleship is a living process that grows the Church.

By incorporating these steps, disciples are equipped to share their faith with confidence, mentor others, and grow God’s kingdom. Communities become transformed, ensuring the Gospel’s lasting impact from generation to generation.

This holistic strategy promotes sustainability and aligns with biblical models like Paul’s mentoring of Timothy. It transforms passive believers into active parts of the body of Christ. Amplifying impact and fulfilling God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Ultimately, it honors Christ by producing fruit that lasts (John 15:16).

As we press together as the Body of Christ may this not just be our goal, but may it be our collective experience as we see the day of Jesus appearing become a reality. This reality can only be experienced as we continue to open our hearts to God in prayer. Thank you for all that you do in expanding His Kingdom.

01 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	02 Protection from Our Sinful Heart 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	03 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
04 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	05 Doctrinal Faithfulness By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14	06 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	07 A Strong Marriage & Family 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

The flags in front of the Carolina Conference Headquarters are flying at half-mast as our hearts bear the incomprehensible loss of our beloved Kathy Russell, Children’s Ministries’ Director for the Carolina Conference on July 15, 2025. I was at a Southern Union Conference Presidents’ Council in Florida when I received the anticipated but dreaded message of finality for her precious life on earth. Our hope is our strength in this time of sorrow that death does not have the final say. Jesus does. It is He who has assured us that He is the resurrection and the life. The Psalmist David penned this cherished promise in Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Kathy was a loving spouse of Rick Russell, our Vice President for Finance/Treasurer, compassionate mother of Bradley Russell along with his wife Lesley, as well as their daughter Grace Russell, and affectionate grandmother to their treasured grandson, Julian. With each passing day, we are closer to that grand reunion morning! “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”

Your overwhelming love and support have been a lifeline for the Russell family after their loss of Kathy. Rick is deeply moved by your kindness and generosity. Every meal, donation, and act of service has not only met physical needs, but has been a powerful expression of God’s love through our community.

On behalf of Rick and his family, we invite you to join us in honoring Kathy.

Memorial Service for Kathy Russell:

Date: Sabbath, August 23

Time: 4:00 PM with visitation from 3-3:45 PM

Location: Charlotte Central Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

4620 E W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC

Your continued prayers and compassion are deeply appreciated as the family walks through this season of grief.

If you would like to send a card:

Rick Russell,

Bradley & Lesley Russell, Grace Russell

PO Box 44270

Charlotte, NC 28215

Anyone wishing to send flowers or donations:

We kindly request that you arrange for floral deliveries to the church on Friday, August 22, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The address is Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día Central de Charlotte, located at 4620 E W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC.

In Honor of Kathy Russell, the family invites you to celebrate her life and ministry by contributing to causes close to her heart. Donations may be made to the Children’s Ministry Department VBS Fund to help continue her passion for sharing Jesus with children. Your kindness will honor Kathy’s legacy of joy, compassion, and service.

Checks are accepted at:

Carolina Conference of SDA

Attention: Treasury In Honor of Kathy Russell - Children’s Ministry VBS Fund

PO Box 44270

Charlotte, NC 28215

Your thoughtfulness during this time is truly appreciated. Thank you for being the compassionate hands and heart of Christ.

As we remember Kathy’s family in prayer, one of the greatest tributes to her legacy of leadership would be to pray earnestly as our Administrative Committee and Executive Committee begins the search and confirmation process for a new director of our Children’s Ministries for the Carolinas. We are so grateful for the service of her associate, Yudith Flores, who has been a magnificent blessing to the Hispanic branch of our Children’s Ministries and to the departmental secretary, Chana Gentry, for her faithful support in Children’s Minsitry. Please keep the Russell family and the Carolina Conference family in your prayers during this difficult time of loss and sadness. Please also keep our Children’s Ministries and its new leadership as a matter of your heartfelt prayers.

As a President’s Prayer Partner, we invite you once again to be truly a people of the Word. As Seventh-day Adventists, we adhere to 28 Fundamental Beliefs that are based solely on the Bible. We began our third cycle of focusing on these vital beliefs, which are centered in Christ as both our Savior and Lord, in December of 2021.

Let’s continue to thoughtfully place His Word in our hearts every day this month. I personally carry a set of these passages in my car and recite them aloud as I drive from one place to another. My aim is to say one verse prayerfully at least five times a day for a week, thus internalizing the promise of God’s Word: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

I encourage you to repeat these passages until they become a part of your very being. Of course, you’re always free to do more. Please consider, in a prayerful manner, how you can saturate your soul with His Word and make it a part of your heart every day.

Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in Unity.
Malachi 2:10 (NKJV) “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another by profaning the covenant of the fathers?”
Romans 12:4-5 (NKJV) “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we believing many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NKJV) “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Be part of God’s praying church across North America by uplifting these leaders of our church who guide God’s work in these territories of God’s vineyard: