October 31-November 1st the Lay Advisory of the Carolina Conference convened at Nosoca Pines Ranch. During this time together we were greatly blessed by three devotional messages by Dr. Ron Smith, Southern Union Executive Secretary. During this time the delegates also received reports from various departmental directors of the Conference as well as the administration. There was also time spent in five break-out sessions where delegates got with departmental directors and discussed future plans and directions for those specific ministries. There was good discussion and many good ideas were generated during this time together. One idea that I asked the young adult/campus ministries group to discuss was the concept of having a young adult summit for a weekend of planning and strategizing with Conference administration. The purpose would be to involve our young adults in a dialogue about how they see God's work moving forward and hastening His soon coming. This concept was accepted and we are planning a young adult summit for next summer at Nosoca Pines Ranch. Our churches will be receiving more information on this at a later date.



I just returned late last night from the North American Division Year-End meeting. This is the annual meeting of the NAD Executive Committee. One of the main discussion points was next year, 2009, the year of pastoral/lay evangelism. The North American Division has accepted a faith goal of 100,000 baptisms next year. The Carolina Conference has also taken on this faith challenge and set a goal of 10% growth for our conference next year. This would mean 1,900 baptisms. At our lay advisory meeting as we discussed this goal one of our laywomen suggested the theme 10% by 2010, or 10 by 10.



Everyone at the NAD meeting acknowledged that this was a faith goal and that humanly it was impossible to reach. But we were reminded that with God all things are possible. If your church does not yet have a plan or strategy in place for 2009 begin working immediately with your pastor so that 2009 can be a year where the power of the Holy Spirit falls upon the North American Division with a power never before experienced here.



Much was also discussed relative to the state of the US economy. I can't help but think as we head towards the Thanksgiving holiday how much the Seventh-day Adventist Church has to be thankful for. Our people continue to be faithful so that God's work can continue to move forward. Please join me in praying not only for our nation and recently elected new administration, but also pray that God will put a protective hedge around our church members so that even in the midst of the storm our people will find peace. For one thing we can always be sure, God loves us very much and God is in control.



Your friend,



Jim