June & July 2022 Carolina's 10,000 P5
1. PRAYING FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS ON ALL THE MAJOR HAPPENINGS IN HIS CHURCH
CAROLINA CAMP MEETING
Our Carolina Camp Meeting 2022 is now a memory of May and June. Despite the fact that some of us tested positive for COVID after our event concluded at Lake Junaluska, our recovery period was short, and I thank God that it didn’t pose a major threat to anyone’s health and well-being. The beautiful theme of The Gospel Changes Everything was highlighted in the messages of each speaker and the Sabbath culminated in a beautiful highpoint ending of this long-awaited gathering. Those who came were blessed by the inspiration of music and message, fellowship and action. Those who joined us online also were able to experience the joy of worship from remote locations across the Carolinas and beyond. May God bless the commitment and renewal of our hearts from our time together as we long for Heaven and home. We march forward as we plan for Camp Meeting 2023!
THE 61ST SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
Immediately following our Camp Meeting, delegates from around the world gathered either in person in St. Louis, Missouri, or as virtual delegates to conduct the business of the world church for Seventh-day Adventists. Based on the COVID challenges both nationally and internationally, this was the first hybrid gathering of the World Church.
Overall, I must commend the tremendous strategical planning and organization of this massive gathering of laity and leaders from our global church family. The voting process of this meeting included the election of the three officers of the General Conference, the general vice presidents of the General Conference, and the three officers of each of the 13 divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist world church. All modifications and adjustments to the world church’s constitution and by-laws were reviewed and voted on by the delegates. Probably the single most time-consuming discussion and confirmation went into the changes and additions to the new Church Manual. Almost 5 pages of additional material were dedicated to discipleship. Praise the Lord! During the final weekend, Carole and I especially enjoyed the wonderful display of pageantry and picturesque reports from each of the 13 world divisions and a Sabbath filled with some of the most inspirational and uplifting music.
On the Final Sabbath morning of the General Conference Session on June 11, 2022, President Ted Wilson delivered the sermon during the 61st General Conference Session. His message was titled "Hold Fast What You Have" and he spoke to the world church in general session as well as to a wider global audience through live streaming. Elder Ted Wilson spoke about the importance of clinging to our faith as the signs of the end were literally being fulfilled. He once again reiterated the need to earnestly plead for the Latter Rain.
NAD CALLED PASTORS’ FAMILY CONVENTION IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
The 2022 CALLED Pastors’ Family Convention started on June 19, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky, with a special pre-session on mental health. Of the nearly 6,000 expected CALLED attendees, more than 1,100 registered for the Kettering Health Mental Health Seminar, which ran in two parts from 1 to 4 p.m. The third and final session, on pastors’ mental health, was held on June 21.
“The pandemic has highlighted the need for pastors to be aware of mental health needs and how to ensure that their congregants receive mental health care,” said Ivan Williams, NAD Ministerial Association director. “The pandemic has also demonstrated that pastors, too, need mental health support. We are honored to partner with Kettering Health to provide this to our CALLED attendees.”
At the 2022 CALLED Pastors' Family Convention the doors also opened up for 670 registered children, ages 3-12, to the unique experience of CALLED Kids Go Fish for Kids: Where Kids Explore Their Spiritual Gifts. “God has given children such special gifts,” said Sherri Uhrig, NAD Children’s Ministries director.
All the pastors and their families met each night in a large arena setting. During the day, there were numerous seminars that pastors could engage in along with a wide variety of display booths and resources. This event was well planned and a tremendous amount of time, energy and financial investment were devoted to this gathering by the ministerial department of the North American Division. Although we walked away from this convention with a degree of concern with some of the music and some of the positions being advocated especially with respect to the LGBTQ agenda, there was much also from which our pastors gleaned valuable information and inspiration. One of the greatest blessings was the reconnection and fellowship of our own Carolina pastoral colleagues and that of meeting new and familiar pastoral colleagues from all over the North American landscape.
I urge us to pray for our church in North America. The arch-enemy of Christ’s church, in his desperation, seeks to distract and divide us. Let us pray especially for a renewal of our faithfulness to stand true to the unique mission and message Christ has entrusted of us as His remnant church as we live in this time of the end. Let us pray with fervent hearts for an outpouring of the Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit’s power and presence upon our church in North America. By God’s grace and guidance, may we remain a bright beacon of hope to the hearts we desire to reach for Heaven and home.
Ellen White on page 509 of her book Ministry of Healing penned these words not only for our reflection; but also, for our life’s practice: “We do not value the power and efficacy of prayer as we should. Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish.”
2. PRAYER REQUESTS FROM AROUND THE CONFERENCE
APCS [Ashville Pisgah Christian School] is growing in its student enrollment to a capacity that requires a major building initiative to expand the facility and accommodate a number of needs. As they have launched this initiative between their constituent church membership of both Asheville Foster and Mount Pisgah Academy Seventh-day Adventist Churches, please hold them in your prayers as they plan and raise funds for this multi-million-dollar project.
Wake Forest Seventh-day Adventist Church is reaching a crossroads of having to make a critical decision with respect to the future of their church. For years they have been trying to finish and gain an occupancy permit to worship in the new but uncompleted facility that has now been sitting vacant for years. Last month they were still in need of raising $73,000 to complete the first phase and procure their certificate of occupancy. However, that cost keeps rising with inflation and time is running out to the point where this church will have to scrap all their plans, sell what they have, and start all over again in a location that is not as cost prohibitive and code-restrictive as Wake Forest is in their community. They have borrowed all that they can borrow from the Southern Union Revolving Fund and received as much in appropriations as is allowable by policy from the Carolina Conference. It will take the full commitment of its members and the gracious generosity of caring donors to prevent a most unfortunate situation for our church family at Wake Forest. Please uplift this church and its circumstances to the Lord.
Last week our Rockingham Spanish Church suffered a tragic loss. Manuel Bautista, a young 21-year-old ordained deacon suffered a massive heart attack and died. Manuel loved the Lord and loved serving his church. He was one of a team of young adults who helped in leading a ShareHim evangelistic campaign in the country of Lesotho, in southern Africa just four years ago. I had the privilege of knowing him on that campaign and am saddened with his family and church family at this incomprehensible loss. As I write this, my prayers are with his family as I will be having the funeral service for Manuel today (Tuesday, July 5). Please uplift this family in your thoughts and prayers.
A member of our Asheville North Church has contacted me with a desperate need for a car/vehicle that can be donated to her. That may call for a miracle, but the God we worship is a God of miracles. Because of her financial circumstances, even though she is working as a CNA, she cannot manage to live without such a vehicle that is in good running condition. For more details on this, please contact me by e-mail if you have a vehicle that you are willing to donate or know someone who is in a position to donate such a vehicle.
We are still in need of two more teachers – An English teacher at Tri-City Christian Academy and a Mathematics teacher at Mount Pisgah Academy. As our search continues, please keep these much-needed positions in your prayers.
Our School at Mills River, North Carolina is still raising the needed funds to begin the construction of an addition to their growing school facility. Please uplift the needs of this church school as they strive to accommodate a growing number who want the safety of a Christ-centered educational environment.
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
Pastor Columbia Korean SDA Church | |
Children & Youth Ministries Director Asheville Foster SDA Church | |
Pastor Greenville South SDA Church Pickens SDA Church | |
Pastor Hilton Head SDA Church Beaufort SDA Church | |
Pastor Lexington SDA Church Thomasville SDA Church Denton SDA Company Liberty Mission Group | |
6. Pastor Mark Kim | Pastor Raleigh RTP SDA Church |
Part Time Pastor Greensboro Korean 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.
During the month of September. 2021, we began the second full cycle of remembering all the ministry departments of the Carolina Conference.
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 been focusing our prayers for the Administrative Branch of our conference. The Administrative Branch of the Carolina Conference is divided into the following branches of service:
In our last issue of May, we focused on praying specifically for our Medical Recruitment Services.
This month we want to focus our prayers on another vital ministry of the conference in the role of our Conference Clerk who oversees the membership records of the churches in North and South Carolina. In the office of the Conference Clerk, statistical and membership records are updated and maintained for our over 200 churches, companies, and groups within the Carolina Conference. We are very grateful for the work of Ellen Roberts who does a phenomenal job in accurately keeping our membership records accurate and up-to-date as much as possible in partnership with our local church clerks.
We strive to prepare local church clerks to work as effectively and maintain overall statistical data/membership information for all of the churches and companies. The local church clerk has one of the most important church offices, upon which the proper administration and efficient functioning of the church depends.
6. SATURATED WITH THE WORD – Fundamental Belief #7 — The Nature of Humanity
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 # 7: The Nature of Humanity Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment.
A. Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV) — “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
B. Psalm 1:3-5 (NKJV) — “When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.”
C. Romans 5:17 (NKJV) — “For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”
D. 1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24 (NKJV) — “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”
6. PRAY FOR OUR UPCOMING REVIVE YOUTH RALLY THIS MONTH IN CHARLOTTE, NC
After missing two Revive events in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID concerns, the Carolina Conference Youth Department in partnership with the Charlotte Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church is planning for a major youth rally at the end of this month on the weekend of July 29-30.
What is the purpose of this rally? The worship, fellowship, speakers, and community service activities planned are designed to make this a Gospel-centered conference where students can discover their purpose in Christ, ignite their passions by equipping them to make a difference in the world around them.
This major event, to reach young people for Christ, will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ball Room in downtown Charlotte.
It is primarily aimed at reaching non-Adventist youth and our Seventh-day Adventist youth with invited guest Christian speakers as well as Seventh-day Adventist speakers Roger Hernandez and Richie Halverson.
This event is based on advance ticket sales and is also proudly being sponsored by Compassion, a ministry to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Please pray for the major fundraising involved in hosting an event of this magnitude. Pray that the music and the messages of this weekend will truly glorify, uplift, and honor God. Pray that there will be an amazing outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the youth who come together for this event to be captivated in a love for Jesus and be drawn to the truths of Scripture.
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:
