Dear Friends,

Since my last post I have been to our annual summer Minister's meeting at Nosoca Pines Ranch. It is a special time when our pastors and famlies gather for a few days to worship, fellowship, and learn together. Elder Gary Moyer, our Conference Secretary, gave inspiring and challenging devotionals each morning. The continuing education time was provided by Merlin Burt, who is the director of the White Estate research facility at Andrews University. He spoke each day on reaffirming our faith in the Spirit of Prophecy as well as reminding us of the wonderful gift which God has given to this church.

It has also been my privilege to spend Sabbath with our folks at the Hickory Spanish Church as well as the Columbia 1st Church. Both of these congregations are vibrant and growing. In Hickory, in addition to church, I spent some time in the afternoon meeting with the congregation and we shared together regarding the upcoming year of pastoral/lay evangelism coming in 2009. They are strategizing now how they can double the number of people who join their church next year. In Columbia 1st they are still reaping benefits from the field school of evangelism that was conducted there earlier this past summer.

Next week across the Carolinas the church school year begins. I would like to encourage any parent who has not already made the decision to send your child to an Adventist school next week to seriously consider it. There is no better way to help keep our young people close to Jesus and in His church than enrolling them in one of our schools. In fact, the education department tells me that studies indicate that 80% of those who go through our school system remain in the church versus only 30% of those who don't. The eternity of our young people is the most important gift which we can give. Please don't hesitate to speak with your pastor if you have questions or are interested in providing this for your children.

There are so many wonderful things which God is doing which I don't have space to share. But will continue next week as God continues to pour out His blessings upon the Carolinas!

Your friend,

Jim