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December 2024 Carolina's 10,000 P5

Leslie D. Louis
Dec 4, 2024
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.

Pentecost 2025 is the launching of a bold plan of the North American Division to experience 3000 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 tag line to the Lord – “Let it Rain!”

Beginning with our July (2024) issue of P5 and continuing 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.

During this month, I invite you to pray for the power of the latter rain to impact our nation, America, in the aftermath of a contentious election that ended last month. Much of America voted to go in one direction and were elated with the results while others voted to go in a very different direction and were devasted by the results.

As a church, we as Seventh-day Adventists believe in the God-given freedom for each of us to vote according to the convictions of our own conscience; therefore, we do not endorse a political party or a candidate as a body of believers in Christ.

As a nation, we in America – whether Christian or non-Christian; Adventist or non Adventist– are basically divided into two political camps – Republicans and Democrats. We realize that on the fringes are several Independents, although they make up a marginal minority. Let’s be perfectly transparent that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are aligned perfectly with biblical principles of God’s standards.

It is truly sad that extreme positions even within God’s remnant church -- carries us away into discordant, divisive, and often hate-filled political camps. Regardless of your political leanings – whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, let’s be thankful that we are all Americans who love this homeland as our pilgrimage pause while we await our Heavenly home. If we as Americans truly desire to be Holy Spirit led and make America great again, let’s make sure we don’t fall into the devil’s sad trap of making America hate again.

So where are we as we close the pages of 2024 this month and open the pages of 2025 – Are we in the words of President Abraham Lincoln “A house divided” or “A nation with a new birth of freedom?”

That’s where I thank God for the inspired words of prophecy that give us a glimpse into America’s climactic role in the end of the great controversy between good and evil as we pray fervently for the power of Pentecost to sweep over this nation and over North America. We are reminded of that message of merciful caution by a loving God in Revelation 13:11 – “I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” It makes sense that the most powerful and influential nation on earth will play a vital role in the final stunning events of our world’s closing history.

Pentecost 2025 is our calling as a people to pray passionately as Elisha to receive a double portion of the spirit that Elijah exemplified. Pentecost 2025 is our calling to pray fervently for that latter rain spoken of by the prophet Joel; Pentecost 2025 is our calling to accept the loving and persistent invitation of Christ to ask, seek, and knock until the floodgates of prophetic truth are realized by the power of His Spirit.

The prophecy involving America will be fulfilled no matter who is our president. A new president may temporarily speed up or slow down fulfillment, but the final outcome is assured by Bible prophecy.

I thank God for the 155 churches and companies in Carolina and for the 7 schools that have already committed (as of November) to proclaiming the everlasting gospel of Jesus in 2025. That record at the moment is higher than in any other conference across the Southern Union Conference comprised of the eight southern United States. I pray that this passionate fervor will remain for every subsequent year till we see the face of our Savior. May the importance of our prophetic understanding be an anchor of our faith and love for Christ. Let it rain across all North America, Let it rain across the United States, Let it rain across the Carolinas! Come Holy Spirit, we need You!

Special Inviation to all Local Church Elders, Members, & Prayer Partners to consider attending Evangelism Impact 2025.

Deadline to Register: December 10, 2024

BOOK YOUR RESERVATION FOR THE EVENT at: https://www.carolinasda.org/

BOOK YOUR RESERVATION AT THE HOTEL USING THE GROUP RATE FOR: Carolinas Conference of Seventh Day Adventists - Evangelism Impact 2025 at https://www.carolinasda.org or 888-627-8203.

Event Summary:

Carolinas Conference of Seventh Day Adventists Evangelism Impact 2025

Start Date: Thursday, January 2, 2025

End Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025

Last Day to Book: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: Sheraton Myrtle Beach for $109 USD per night

As a pioneer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ellen White envisioned a kind of education that would develop the mind, body, and spirit. She saw the highest purpose of education was to help students attain spiritual growth along with their mental and physical growth. Here’s how she talked about what she saw as the real role of education:

True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this

world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come. (Education, p. 13 )

One aspect of this educational spectrum involved teachers themselves providing the kind of example students would want to follow:

Teachers are to do more for their students than to impart a knowledge of books. Their position as guide and instructor of the youth is most responsible, for to them is given the work of molding mind and character. Those who undertake this work should possess well-balanced, symmetrical characters. They should be refined in manner, neat in dress, careful in all their habits; and they should have that true Christian courtesy that wins confidence and respect. The teacher should be himself (or herself) what he (she) wishes his (her) students to become. (White, Ellen G., Special Testimonies on Education, p. 48 )

Young Adult Department Update: Exciting Accomplishments and Ongoing Ministry Efforts!

We are thrilled to share some incredible milestones and updates from the Young Adult Ministries in our conference. This has been a season of growth and innovation, and we’re excited about how these achievements are equipping and inspiring young adults across the Carolinas!

1. Launch of www.CYYA.org: A Digital Hub for Connection and Growth

One of our most exciting accomplishments is the launch of www.cyya.org, the official website for Carolinas Youth and Young Adults (CYYA)! This vibrant platform serves as a central hub for everything young adults need to thrive in their faith journey. From upcoming events to ministry resources and opportunities to get involved, CYYA.org makes it easy to stay informed and connected.

In addition to the website, we’re excited to expand our presence on social media! You can now follow CYYA on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at @cyya.connect. These platforms allow us to engage with young adults in real-time, share inspiring content, and foster an online community of faith and connection.

We believe this digital initiative will be a powerful tool to inspire and equip the next generation of believers. If you haven’t already, check it out and explore how you can be part of this growing community!

2. Season 2 of Tea Talks: Real Conversations with Young Adults

We’re also excited to announce that we’ve completed recording the second season of Tea Talks, our podcast-style video series featuring candid conversations with young adults from churches across our conference. This season, we welcomed guests from diverse backgrounds, including a non-Adventist guest, bringing fresh perspectives to the table.

For those new to Tea Talks, this series dives deep into the lives, challenges, and faith journeys of young adults, offering a space for open dialogue about life, church, and spirituality. You can watch the first season now on our YouTube channel, and mark your calendars for the release of Season 2, coming in the second week of December. We’re confident these conversations will spark meaningful reflection and connection.

3. Growing Together Seminars: Building Bridges Across Generations

Beyond our digital achievements, we remain committed to strengthening our churches through the Growing Together seminar training. These seminars are designed to help churches bridge generational gaps, retain young members, and foster thriving, intergenerational communities of faith.

In the second half of this year, we hosted seminars at Cornerstone SDA Church with Pastor Bryan Arvelo and Winston-Salem First SDA Church with Pastor Joe Pieretti. Both events had an excellent turnout, and attendees were excited to implement the principles they learned. The enthusiasm and engagement we’ve seen reinforce the importance of this training in creating churches where all generations can truly grow together. We’re already looking forward to partnering with more churches in the coming year!

As we celebrate these milestones, we’re reminded of the incredible potential of young adults in our hurch. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for these ministries. Together, we are making a lasting impact for Christ in the Carolinas and beyond!

Let’s Talk - Meeting w/ Young Adults of

Chapel Hill Karen & Durham Five Oaks Churches on October 26, 2024.

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

I saw the Statue of Liberty for the very first time in 1965 on my eighth-grade class trip to New York City. As a young boy, I never dreamed that I would ever get to come to America – let alone become an American and make this my homeland. At the base pedestal of the Statue of Liberty are these words engraved on a bronze plaque installed in 1903. The words were written by Emma Lazarus, an American author of poetry and prose. Emma was involved in aiding refugees from persecutions in eastern Europe as she expressed her empathy for these migrants who had fled from their homelands to be greeted by that towering figurine of symbolism that stands as a welcome beacon to one of America’s primary entry points.

Here are those pensive expressions:

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

We just celebrated our national Thanksgiving holiday. Let’s remember that the pilgrims and those who came ashore to America as the founding residents of this great melting pot and celebrated America’s first Thanksgiving were among our original un-documented immigrants. They found their refuge here from their former homelands from oppression and hardship in this new homeland of freedom and opportunity.

Our Adventist Hispanic brothers and sisters – whether documented or undocumented comprise approximately 25% of our 27,000 members in our Carolina Conference. They are hardworking, consecrated, and precious members of God’s church. They are committed to the proclamation of the gospel message by engaging in personal Bible studies and witnessing and have been blessed by the Holy Spirit to realize almost 60% of the baptisms and professions of faith that we praise God for each year.

Times have changed and so have the laws of our land. With the advocacy of mass deportation for undocumented immigrants by the coming administration of our nation in 2025, many of our Adventist Hispanic brothers and sisters are concerned with the impact these measures will have on their future and their families. In their apprehension and fears, in their saddened hearts of feeling deemed as unworthy to make America their homeland, let’s come together and pray with fervent prayer for a miracle – for that’s the intervention of God we will need to resolve the challenge facing their predicament.

Please join Carole and me as we partner with our Prayer Partner Family for these dear brothers and sisters to experience the embrace of God in the crisis before them.

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: