May 2026 Carolina's 10,000 P5

May 14
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 for the Armor of the Holy Spirit – The Sword of the Spirit

Across North and South Carolina—and much of the South—we have been experiencing a drought and are in need of rain. As we pray for physical rain, let us also remember to pray for the much-needed spiritual outpouring of the Latter Rain as we seek to reach every heart for Heaven in these end times before the return of our Savior and Lord.

From Pentecost 2025, we have now transitioned into 2026 and beyond with our new marching motto—Beyond Pentecost: Believe. Pray. Expect. We recognize that this ongoing initiative will only be successful through prayer and the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

The words of Jesus in John chapters 14–16 connect the promise of the Holy Spirit with putting on the full armor of God in the midst of the Great Controversy, as Paul charges the followers of Jesus to protect themselves with the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–18.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with the breast plat of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sward of teh Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

These two ideas—Spirit and armor—are deeply connected because both describe how a believer is equipped and empowered to live victoriously in a spiritual battle. As we continue to pray to receive the Holy Spirit, we are asking God to clothe and protect us with the full armor of God, through which we live out that empowerment under the Spirit’s direction. The Holy Spirit provides this armor, activates it, and teaches us how to use it.

Beginning in December, we committed to intentionally exploring each element of this armor as part of our P5 prayer journey:

December 2025 – The Belt of Truth

January 2026 – The Breastplate of Righteousness

February 2026 – The Shoes of Peace

March 2026 – The Shield of Faith

April 2026 – The Helmet of Salvation

May 2026 – The Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit

The “Sword of the Spirit,” prayer, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are not separate ideas—they function together as one unified experience of God’s power in His people.

Paul defines the sword clearly in Ephesians 6:17: “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This is not just Scripture as information, but Scripture empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Greek idea implies the Word spoken, applied, and made living by the Spirit. Jesus modeled this in the wilderness (Matthew 4)—He didn’t just know Scripture; He wielded it under the Spirit’s power.

So the Sword is the Word of God. It is activated by the Spirit of God and used in real-time spiritual conflict.

Immediately after describing the armor, Paul continues in Ephesians 6:18: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” This is not a separate thought—it is the operating system of the armor. Without prayer, the Word remains intellectual, and the sword stays in its sheath. However, through prayer, the Spirit illuminates the Word, giving the believer discernment and power. The Word then becomes a living weapon in our warfare within the Great Controversy.

Ellen G. White captures this beautifully: “A knowledge of the Word of God is of no value unless it is accompanied by the presence of the Holy Spirit” (paraphrased from Gospel Workers).

In our Adventist theological understanding, the Latter Rain (drawing from Joel 2 and Acts 2) is the final, abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit before Christ’s return. Its purpose is specific: to empower the proclamation of the Word, to give clarity, boldness, and conviction, and to prepare God’s people to stand during the final crisis. During the Latter Rain, the Sword of the Spirit is wielded with unprecedented power. God’s people proclaim truth without coercion, yet with deep conviction (Revelation 18:1–4). The Word cuts

through deception, including the final deceptions of Babylon.

In this time, God’s people will be deeply grounded in Scripture and constantly engaged in earnest, Spirit-filled prayer. They will be equipped to proclaim truth with clarity and to stand without compromise under pressure. Ellen G. White emphasizes, “Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light… The Latter Rain will not fall on those who are neglecting present duty” (Last Day Events).

The Sword of the Spirit is not merely a doctrinal tool—it is the living Word in the hands of a praying, Spirit-filled believer. In Zechariah 10:1, we are reminded: “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain…” And in Luke 11:13, Jesus assures us, “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”

Over the past few months, we have uplifted the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving as Christ’s representatives in the classrooms and campuses of our church schools.

As we close this school year, let us now turn our attention to the men and women who serve on the boarding academy campus of Mount Pisgah Academy.

Mount Pisgah Academy focuses on the whole health of each student—physical, intellectual, and spiritual—helping every young person reach their God-given potential. Its strong academic program integrates the latest technology with hands-on instruction. Through the advanced diploma program, interested students can take college-level courses and earn college credit while still attending MPA. At the same time, small class sizes allow teachers to engage students personally and help them discover their unique strengths. Each student is given the tools, encouragement, and support needed to set meaningful goals and strive for their personal best.

Service to others is also a vital part of Christian life at MPA. Faculty and staff work intentionally to develop in students a heart for service that will remain with them throughout their adult lives. Many MPA graduates go on to participate in year-long mission trips during college and continue seeking opportunities to serve their communities for years to come.

Let’s uplift the faculty and staff of Mount Pisgah Academy and thank God for their dedicated service on our campus as we close the pages of the 2025-2026 academic year:

With each issue of our President’s Prayer Partners (P5), we intentionally focus on one of our goals, sharing how the Lord is leading and the progress being made along the way.

This month, in conjunction with our prayer focus for the faculty and staff of Mount Pisgah Academy, we return to our third quinquennial goal: praying for initiatives that will enable our campus to reach and maintain a consistent, sustainable enrollment of 125–150 students.

Here is our latest update from MPA Principal, Dewald Coetzer:

The past several months at Mount Pisgah Academy have been marked by clear signs of growth, momentum, and blessing. Across campus, there is a renewed sense of excitement as we continue to see God’s hand guiding both our present efforts and our future direction.

One of the most encouraging indicators of this momentum has been the incredible turnout for our recent Academy Day events. This year, we welcomed the highest number of visiting students in more than seven years—a milestone that speaks not only to increased interest in our school, but also to the dedication of our staff, students, and recruitment team. Prospective students and their families experienced firsthand the unique environment at MPA: a place where faith, academics, and community come together in meaningful ways. The energy on campus during these events was unmistakable, and it has translated into strong enrollment prospects for the coming school year.

Looking ahead, enrollment is shaping up very positively. Our student information system reflects a significantly higher number of offers extended to prospective students compared to this same time last year. This increase is not just a statistic—it represents young people and families choosing to become part of what God is doing at

MPA. It affirms that our mission, “to nurture a relationship with God, pursue academic excellence, and emphasize service to others,” continues to resonate deeply.

In addition to enrollment growth, we are also seeing tangible progress in our campus development projects.On April 17, we celebrated an important milestone with our renovation celebration event, marking the official start of major improvements to our facilities. This includes the much-anticipated upgrade to our school gym, as well as the replacement of two roofs on key campus buildings. The event brought together supporters, staff, and community members, all united in their excitement for the future of our school.

Since that day, work on the gym has moved forward steadily. Most of the demolition phase has now been completed, clearing the way for the next stage of construction. In the coming weeks, we expect to see visible transformation as new elements begin to take shape. This renovation will not only enhance our athletic facilities, but also create a more versatile space for school events, student activities, and community gatherings. It is an investment in both the present and future experiences of our students.

Another meaningful transformation on campus has been the conversion of our library into a dynamic, multi-purpose space. During the school day, it now serves as a focused study environment where students can read, collaborate, and engage academically. Beyond class hours, the space takes on a new role as a Student Center—an inviting place where students can connect, build relationships, and grow socially. This development reflects our commitment to nurturing the whole student, recognizing that education extends beyond the classroom into the relationships and experiences that shape character.

Taken together, these developments—record Academy Day attendance, strong enrollment projections, significant facility upgrades, and intentional student-centered spaces—paint a picture of a school that is growing with purpose. None of this progress has happened by accident. It is the result of prayer, planning, hard work, and a shared commitment to our mission.

As we reflect on all that is happening at Mount Pisgah Academy, we are reminded of how abundantly blessed we are. We see God’s continued guidance and providence in every step forward. It is our privilege to provide a place where young people can grow spiritually, academically, and socially—a place where lives are shaped not only for success, but for service.

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

We are on our third cycle of remembering these departmental leaders and their ministries. Our purpose is not intended to report all that these departments have been or are accomplishing, but rather to simply uplift all our leadership team and their faithful service in the respective ministries that they oversee in our prayers.

Our fifth branch of our organizational ministry function highlights seven departments of Church Ministries:

• Family Ministries

• Hispanic Ministries

• Men’s Ministries

• Planned Giving/Trust Services

• Prayer Ministries

• Singles Ministries

• Women’s Ministries

In the month of April, we uplifted our Planned Giving/Trust Services Department in prayer. During this month of May, we ask you to remember our Prayer Ministries Department and each Prayer Ministries leader in our churches under the Spirit-filled leadership of Pastor Beth Grissom and her gifted, multitasking secretary, Gwen Haylock.

In Matthew 21:13, Jesus says, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” The goal of prayer Ministries is to equip, train, and encourage God’s people throughout the Carolina Conference to establish HOPE — Houses of Prayer Everywhere. There is power in united, corporate prayer!

Prayer Ministries seeks to empower God’s people to pray more fervently according to the Word of God. Whether this takes place in a church sanctuary, on a neighbor’s front porch, or in solitude, miracles will surely follow. When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works!

Whenever you are available, we invite you to join our weekly Monday evening Carolina Prayer Circle from 7:00–8:00 p.m. To join these prayer warriors, simply call (267) 807-9611 and, when prompted, enter the access code: 205023#.

May God help us experience the power of prayer through the ministry of prayer.

Lake Junaluska Camp Meeting

May 24-30, 2026

visit: www.carolinasda.org for more information

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.

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: