March 2022 Carolina's 10,000 P5
1. PRAY FOR THE TRAGEDY AND TURMOIL IN UKRAINE
What we have witnessed over the past few weeks and has dominated the heartbreaking news reports is the incomprehensible suffering in the lives of those trapped by the vicious attacks of a ruthless tyrant against the innocent and peace-loving people of Ukraine. The crisis in Ukraine is spiraling into a widespread humanitarian catastrophe. The United Nations is warning that continued conflict in Ukraine could lead to 5 million refugees— a staggering number that would make it one of the largest refugee crises on earth.
There are refugees on the move inside of Ukraine leaving the cities under attack. Many have already crossed the border into Poland or are now making their way to Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Adventist Church volunteers from those regions are helping to distribute food, water, and hygiene supplies. In Romania they are already providing shelter to refugees in youth centers and church buildings and expect to accommodate hundreds of families.
“ADRA calls for peace and the protection of the millions of people impacted by the crisis in Ukraine. Join us in prayer for the safety and well-being of tens of thousands of children and families who are in harm’s way and will be displaced,” ADRA president Michael Kruger said. “We are taking measures to ensure the protection of our staff on the ground and working with trusted partners and the Adventist Church to ensure our humanitarian aid can quickly reach those in need.”
As we pray for this desperate situation that is escalating with each passing day, we feel so helpless and yet our hearts are moved with emotions of anger against the evil of power-hungry Russian forces and sadness with the loss of innocent and precious lives – especially that of children.
What can we do?
▪ First and foremost, PRAY for peace and divine intercession. We urgently need the miraculous involvement of God’s mountain filled with the overwhelming power of “horses and chariots of fire” against the seeming odds that the servant of the prophet Elisha saw till his eyes were opened! (2 Kings 6:17)
▪ Secondly, OPEN YOUR HEART of generous living and DONATE to ADRA in their efforts to provide humanitarian provisions and compassionate care to relieve those impacted by this senseless aggression.
The best way is to donate online at: https://adra.org
2. PRAYING FOR HAPPENINGS IN OUR CAROLINA CONFERENCE
A. Evangelistic Events in March & April
B. Mission Trips of Mount Pisgah Academy & Tri City Christian Academy
C. Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School Building Program
D. Wake Forest Seventh-day Adventist Church Building Program
A. Evangelistic Events in March & April
In the closing words of Jesus to His faithful followers, He provided us with
His calling and commission in Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV): “Go therefore and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The proclamation of the everlasting gospel in the context of the urgent messages of three angels in Revelation 14 is our unique purpose for existence as a Seventh-day Adventist movement.
During the coming months of March and April we have a number of evangelistic initiatives across the Carolinas with the sole intent of connecting lives in an abiding relationship with Jesus and winning hearts for Heaven. As a conference family, I invite you to join me as we earnestly seek the Lord in uplifting these events in prayer. Let’s pray for Latter Rain power to envelope the Carolinas as lives are led to Christ through the proclamation of Heaven’s messages. Here are the upcoming evangelistic events in North and South Carolina during the next two months:
B. Mission Trips of Mount Pisgah Academy & Tri City Christian Academy
I thank God for Seventh-day Adventist Education. While many high school students spend their spring breaks on the beach in a very secular climate of entertainment and immoral activity, our Adventist high schools are committed to mission-filled experiences for our students.
Every four years Mt. Pisgah Academy coordinates school-wide mission trips in which all students and staff embark on an experiential opportunity in service for Christ. This year we have six different groups heading out to serve both domestically and internationally.
Tri-City Christian Academy, our satellite affiliate for Grades 11 & 12 with Mount Pisgah Academy is also venturing out on an exciting mission trip adventure to the heart of Africa. Let’s uplift these mission projects, the safety of our students, staff and volunteers, and the rich experience they will carry with them as they dedicate their service for Christ during this spring break. Here are the trips that are taking place:
C. Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School Building Program
Please continue to prayer for and support our Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School as they seek to add a new classroom building to their much-needed expansion to accommodate their growing student enrollment. This school just went through a full-scale evaluation this week
and came out with a stellar accreditation review. It ranked high with commendations and very low with recommendations! Currently they have raised $296,400.04 and after paying for their well and the deposit for the building plans their balance in hand is $216,664.89 according to Principal Sue Holt.
D. Wake Forest Seventh-day Adventist Church Building Program
We’re getting closer and closer to finally procuring an occupancy permit as the Wake Forest Seventh-day Adventist Church nears completion of raising the needed funds for Phase 1 of their building program. Here’s how our church has come along this year –
In January they raised $1,302.27; In February, they raised $3,542.52. So far (not including March) they’ve raised $4,844.79. To complete their project and begin worshiping in their new facility, they need $81.733.49.
Let’s continue to pray for and support our brothers and sisters in Wake Forest as they eagerly anticipate a dream come true to worship in their new church facility before the end of this year.
3. REMEMBERING OUR CHURCH SCHOOLS
As we complete uplifting our Carolina Church schools, let’s pray specifically for:
▪ God’s protective care over our teachers, parents, and students during this pandemic period that has impacted all our lives during the past two years and now into our third year.
▪ Let’s pray for wisdom and happiness in the lives of our principals/head teachers, teachers, and staff as they mentor and prepare our students for a life of service on this earth, but most importantly for their citizenship in Heaven.
▪ Let’s pray for our school boards and church boards as they manage and finance the major investment in the operation of our schools as educational and evangelistic centers consecrated for the salvation and education of our children and youth.
4. 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. Donovan Davis ...............................................................................................................................Pastor
Spartanburg SDA Church
Gaffney SDA Group
2. Scottie Deal ....................................................................................................................................Pastor
Salisbury SDA Church
Concord SDA Church
Kannapolis Harvest SDA Mission Group
3. Artem Dmytriyev ........................................................................................................................Pastor
Burnsville SDA Church
Erwin Hills SDA Church
Slavic/Russian Mission
4. Jeff Donaldson ...........................................................................Pastor/ Overseeing Pastor*
Aitken SDA Church
Blythewood SDA Church*
Batesburg-Leesville Three Angels SDA Church*
North Augusta SDA Church
5. Cris Dutra .......................................................................................................................................Pastor
Raleigh-Bethel Haitian SDA Company
Apex The Vine SDA Company
6. Jonathan Edwards, Sr. ........................................................................................................Pastor
Clinton-Laurens SDA County SDA Church
Greenwood SDA Church
7. Julio Flores .......................................................................................................................Lead Pastor
Charlotte Spanish SDA Church
West Charlotte Spanish SDA Church
South Charlotte Spanish SDA Company
Rock Hill Spanish SDA Company
Lancaster Spanish SDA Mission Group
5. 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:
Last month we focused on praying specifically for our Human Resources Department.
This month I invite you to join me uplifting in prayer
our Information Services under the very skilled and valued leadership of Elias Sandoval II, our Network Director and Data Administrator along with Tank Brooks who oversees the Audio/Visual services of the Conference.
The mission of the Conference Information Technology Department is to oversee the use of technology throughout the Carolina Conference. They achieve this by providing the following:
Laptops/Desktops
Evangelistic Equipment
Wireless Access
Phones Systems
Accounting Software
Email for Pastors, Teachers and Office Staff
Organizations that are directly assisted by their department are the Conference offices in Charlotte, NC, Nosoca Pines Ranch in Liberty Hill, and Mount Pisgah Academy in Candler, NC.
6. SATURATED WITH THE WORD – Fundamental Belief #4 – God the Son
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 # 4: God the Son God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things.
A. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NKJV) — “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
B. Daniel 9:24-25 (NKJV) — “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. 25 “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.”
C. John 1:1-3 (NKJV) — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
D. Philippians 2: 5-11 (NKJV) — “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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:
