May 2022 Carolina's 10,000 P5
1. PRAYING FOR OUR UPCOMING CAMP MEETING AT LAKE JUNALUSKA…HALLELUJAH!!
Keep praying!! Camp Meeting is just around the corner! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! After two long and lonely years of not being able to come together as a family for our annual Camp Meetings at Lake Junaluska, we are rounding the bend to the big event!
Join me as we pray for God’s special blessings on this multifaceted ministry event. Literally hundreds of hours of planning and effort go into this time of worship, learning, and fellowship. It’s the prayer of our hearts that all God’s people who gather together at the end of this month will taste and see the power of the gospel message that is our privilege to herald to every corner of the Carolinas and beyond to the ends of the earth.
We have chosen as our theme – THE GOSPEL CHANGES EVERYTHING! Why? Because it does change everything both for now and eternity. How? Because the gospel has two messages for everyone:
First – It is the gospel of peace. Isaiah referred to Christ with the title “Prince of Peace” when he prophesied about the birth of the coming Messiah. Centuries later in the fields of Bethlehem, Angels made a glorious appearance to a group of stunned shepherds as they sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14.
Secondly – It is the gospel of the sword. There almost seems to be a contradiction in the prophetic words of Isaiah and the Angels of Bethlehem when Jesus declared these words: “I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
However, the two-fold message of the gospel blends together in perfect harmony. The gospel is a message of peace. When we as Seventh-day Adventist Christians embrace the message of the gospel and all it teaches us, fully, we receive and reflect peace, harmony, and happiness throughout our communities and the wider circle of our influence.
But at the same time, we cannot be in a Pollyanna state of denial. You and I must recognize that we are in enemy territory. The world at large is under the control of Satan, the bitterest foe of our Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel presents to the world a lifestyle that conflicts with their habits and desires because its values are at odds with the purity that condemns sin. Because the gospel exalts the truth, it can also foster the enmity of hatred and strife emphasized in Genesis 3:15 – That gospel is called a sword.
As we pray for the power of and presence of the Holy Spirit to anoint the reconvening of our 2022 Camp meeting at Lake Junaluska at the end of this month, may we consecrate our lives to courageously echo the sentiments of the apostle Paul in his bold proclamation of Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (NKJV)
2. PRAISING GOD FOR THE SERVICE OF OUR CAROLINA STUDENT MISSIONARIES AT SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY & MOUNT PISGAH ACADEMY
We are blessed to have a wide array of students serving across the world and at our home who are members of our Carolina family. It is our hope that through this report, you can catch just a glimpse of the work both at Southern Adventist University and at Mount Pisgah Academy to spread the gospel through acts of compassion, service and proclamation by our constituents.
First, here’s a report of Carolinas’ student missionaries from Southern Adventist University accomplished for Christ during the 2021-2022 academic year:
Business as a Mission by Ashley Blake
I had the pleasure of meeting Sharai, a first-year medical student. Sharai’s mother got involved in selling Akuna Soap around the time that I came to Zambia. In December, we decided to hold a large training for our sales agents. Sharai was invited to tag along with her mother, so we presented her with a few free soaps to get started. Sharai has been an active sales agent ever since selling on her medical school campus. She uses the profits to help pay her tuition! Vivian is a widowed mother who has decided to go back to school and get her degree in accounting. Vivian is one of our most active sales agents and has already bought and sold over 500 bars of soap. She sells at the Zambian Adventist University and uses the money to help pay for her tuition.
In the process of getting to see business as mission changing lives in real time, my life has slowly started to change as well. I used to be so driven as a business student. I think I still am, but I used to be driven to a fault. I put my goals and my work aspirations ahead of everything else. My priorities were not straight, and my relationship with God was deteriorating. Sure, I felt accomplished with my job and schoolwork, but my social and spiritual life was deteriorating. I needed to get away from the fast-paced work culture that I was experiencing in the States and get my priorities straight! Ever since arriving in Zambia, my relationship with God has grown ten-fold because I have prioritized more time to spend with Him.
Secondly, here is a report of Carolinas’ student mission program from Mount Pisgah Academy that involved every single student for Christ during the 2021-2022 academic year. We are highlighting just 4 of the 6 mission trips that took place this year at MPA!
To love, educate, and disciple students for God's service.
A group of about 30 dorm and day students along with six faculty members stayed in town to lend a helping hand to various local organizations and individuals. They had the pleasure of serving several MPA SDA church members, the Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families (foster care organization), four different ABCCM locations (Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry), MPA Church, and SonRise Community Outreach (MPA Church’s breakfast kitchen).
Several students from Mount Pisgah Academy chose to travel to Dillingham, Alaska to serve. While there, the team helped with a construction project, as well as putting on a nightly Vacation Bible School (VBS) program.
During this mission trip, MPA students worked at the Mount of Olives Orphanage nestled in the mountains of in Baja, Mexico. They helped a new block building project get underway, dug trenches, painted the interior of a home, repaired outdoor equipment, and pulled weeds. MPA students also provided a VBS for the orphanage and some of the town’s children.
This team of MPA students prepared and presented the gospel message in a series of evangelistic efforts in the Dominican Republic resulting in approximately 110 decisions for baptism and 11 actual baptisms while they were there.
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. Brian Hindman .....................................................................................................Associate Pastor
Hendersonville SDA Church
2. Ryan Hodgins ......................................................................................................Associate Pastor
Charlotte Sharon SDA Church
Charlotte Ghana SDA Group
3. Charles Hong .....................................................................................................Part-Time Pastor
Fayetteville Korean SDA Mission Group
4. Justin Howard ............................................................................................................................Pastor
Winston Salem First SDA Church
Clemson SDA Fellowship Church
5. Tom Hughes ................................................................................................................................Pastor
Myrtle Beach SDA Church
6. Victor Jaeger ..............................................................................................................................Pastor
Columbia First SDA Church
Irmo Fellowship SDA Company
7. Jackie James .............................................................................................................................Pastor
Charlotte University City SDA Church
Huntersville Lighthouse 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:
Last month we focused on praying specifically for our Insurance Services Department.
This month we want to focus our prayers on another ministry of the conference that is not often overlooked, but one that we consider an important link to generating medical and dental professionals to our conference family – the Medical Recruitment arm of our Administration. Elder Gary Moyer oversees this ministry with the support of his administrative assistant, Laura Andrews.
Our medical work in the Carolinas has proven to be an important facet of our heritage over the years. Through our annual trips to Loma Linda University, we work to recruit medical and dental graduates. Medical and dental professionals not only minister to the physical needs of individuals, but in turn they are able to minister to the heartfelt needs of their clients thus carrying on the healing ministry of Jesus.
With the Lord’s leading, many of those recruits have set up practices here in the Carolinas and are active members in our churches, helping to advance the gospel of Christ. This great work is a vital part of our Conference ministry. We’ve had somewhat of a pause button with this program during the pandemic but are hopeful to resume our recruitment efforts as the windows of opportunity re-open for us. Let us uplift Elder Moyer and Laura Andrews as they oversee this significant ministry initiative for the Carolinas.
6. SATURATED WITH THE WORD – Fundamental Belief #6 – Creation
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 # 6: Creation God has revealed in Scripture the authentic and historical account of His creative activity. He created the universe, and in a recent six-day creation the Lord made “the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” and rested on the seventh day. Thus, He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of the work He performed and completed during six literal days that together with the Sabbath constituted the same unit of time that we call a week today. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was “very good,”
A. Exodus 20:8-11 (KJV) — “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
B. Psalm 19: 1-4 (KJV) — “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”
C. Colossians 1:16 (NKJV) — “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominion or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
D. Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV) — “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
6. CONTINUE PRAYING FOR OUR CURRENT AND UPCOMING EVANGELISTIC EVENTS ACROSS THE CAROLINAS
Jesus said – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 NKJV
“Evangelism, the very heart of Christianity, is the theme of primary importance to those called to herald God's last warning to a doomed world. We are in time's closing hours, and the Advent message, proclaimed to make ready a people prepared for our Lord's return, must swell to a loud cry reaching the uttermost parts of the earth.”
Ellen G. White, Evangelism, Page 5
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:
