I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas. Surely the Christmas season is one of the most special of the year. It is a time for family and friends. But most of all it is a time when we can remember the miraculous birth of our Savior. For it is that miraculous birth, sinless life, selfless death, and glorious resurrection which provides for each of us the opportunity of eternal life. How bleak and dreary this world would be if it were not for the realization that we can live eternally with Jesus. It is this sure and certain hope which brings joy and glad tidings to this holiday season.

As we approach a new year we hear much about 'new years resolutions'. And yet with all of these good intentions some say as many as 75% of all resolutions fail and are disbanded. But what if 2010 were to be the year that we carried out our resolutions. What if 2010 were the year when we finally declared victory over that besetting sin? Over that annoying habit. What if 2010 were the year when we truly experienced the daily joy of living in God's grace? The good news is we can! Jesus wants us to have victory. He desires that our joy may be full. Let us resolve now that we will daily put God first in our lives. That He will come before any other cares or obligations we may have. What a difference it will make!

As we prepare to begin a new year certainly the challenges are all around us. But so too are the opportunities. What if we each resolved to daily share our faith and see at least one person give their hearts to Jesus for the first time. I believe that God brings into our pathways people who desperately need to hear of the salvation of heaven. He brings them into our lives so that we may be a witness to them. What if we started the new year by every day intentionally sharing our faith with those we meet? I believe God's kingdom would be greatly increased.

This week as you begin a new year please know that I will be praying for God's leading in our Conference, in your church, in your life. I would ask that you remember me in your prayers as well. As we go forward in 2010 on our knees together I am confident that God will lead us and that His name will be glorified. God bless you.

Your friend,
Jim

What a special time of year this is. I hope all of you had a very blessed Thanksgiving. Even though this is a difficult time for our nation we still have an abundance of things to be thankful for. Family, friends, the necessities of life, life itself. I'm also thankful for our church. What a blessing to have the message of hope that God has given to His remnant church. To know that His coming is very, very near. The signs that we see being fulfilled, while perhaps trying, are exciting because we know that His return is right around the corner.

We are pleased that so far this year there have been more baptisms than any other time in our history to this point in the year. Please pray that many more will give their hearts to Jesus before this year draws to a close. There are many evangelistic meetings to take place in December and we are praying that God will provide a rich harvest.

I'm sure most of you have now heard of the tragic death of Elder Jim Cress. Elder Cress was the Ministerial Director of the General Conference. Prior to that assignment he was a pastor here in the Southern Union. Bonnie and I consider both he and his wife Sharon personal friends. Jim had just been in Carolina this year as the speaker for our Elder's retreat at Nosoca Pines Ranch and Bonnie had just visited with Sharon a few weeks before his death on Thanksgiving day. He died from a rare pathogen that he contracted while visiting some of our overseas divisions. This is a tremendous loss to the church and his family. But how much more urgent and sweet it is to know that Jesus is coming back soon!

The Charlotte Sharon church reports that over 6,000 visitors came to the church during November to visit Messiah's Mansion. This is a recreation of the sanctuary model. Student guides take visitors through the sanctuary explaining the meaning of the building as well as its services. They apply these explanations to the heavenly sanctuary and the mediation work of Christ that is going on there now. It was a tremendous blessing and witness to the Charlotte community.

Also, Minner Labrador, senior pastor of the Sharon church and Men's Ministries Director for the Carolina Conference has begun a weekly television program entitled, "Old Man New Man". This program is being aired each Sunday night on WAXN in Charlotte. This is a program designed especially for men to enable them to have a closer and more authentic walk with the Lord. In January this will also begin to be aired on the Hope Channel. The Hope Channel may be viewed either by special satellite dish or is also carried on Direct TV. We appreciate what Elder Labrador is doing to bring men to the foot of the cross.

Also, the ShareHim television program will soon be airing on the Hope Channel as well as 3ABN where it is currently viewed. While we don't have exact dates yet we are pleased that Carolina is well represented on these two television networks.

As we enter into this Christmas season it seems that all too often the busyness of life seems to try to crowd out the real reason why we have the season. To celebrate the birth of Jesus and what He means to the world. This Christmas season let's resolve to not let anything take priority over rejoicing that we serve a Savior who was born, lived, died and was resurrected that we might all have life.

Have a wonderful and blessed Sabbath day.

Your friend,
Jim

What a wonderful blessing the year end meetings of the North American Executive Committee were last week. Let me tell you about a wonderful blessing that you will be hearing more about in the next few months. On Friday evening it was announced that a special documentary on the Seventh-day Adventist church would be airing on PBS television around Easter time 2010. We were privileged to see a sneak preview of this documentary. It was not filmed by an Adventist, in fact the producer is a Roman Catholic. However, it is a wonderfully positive look at Adventist's and their medical work and health message. It tells the viewer about the history of the church and the role of Ellen White in establishing our health beliefs and sanitarium work. It documents the fact that SDA's in the United States, on average, live longer than the general population. It interviews numerous Adventists as well as non-SDA's who have been patients in some of our hospitals. While the exact air date has not been announced please keep checking the Carolina Conference website and we will post it as soon as we receive it. You will want to put this date on your calendar. It will make you proud to be a Seventh-day Adventist. In fact, I hope this can be a tremendous blessing to the church throughout the US.

Another very exciting development here in our own Conference has to do with Mt. Pisgah Academy. For the last several years the students of MPA have produced a daily devotional book. The students have written the devotionals and the academy has produced the book. Many of you have received this special devotional at campmeeting. It was just announced last week that the Review Publishing Association has asked the Mt. Pisgah Academy students to write the teen devotional book for 2011 for the entire North American Division. What an honor for our students! Again, as I have many times in the past, I want to affirm our students at Mt. Pisgah Academy. What a tremendous witness for Jesus they are! Now, they will have the opportunity to witness to untold thousands of teenagers through the writing of this book. Please remember them in your prayers that God will continue to bless and use them to His honor and glory.

This past Friday the Community Services department of the Conference conducted a training weekend at Nosoca Pines Ranch. Friday afternoon I met with our Community Services committee and it was good to hear a brief report from some of our local Community Services leaders as to what they are doing in their local communities. In these trying economic times many of our churches are being called upon to provide more and more support and relief to families throughout their regions. Even though many of our church members have lost jobs themselves there is still very much a giving spirit among our church family.

This past Sabbath I had the privilege to be in Wilmington, NC and worship with our church family there. How good it was to see and experience a new vibrancy and enthusiasm among our folks both in Wilmington and the Delco church who joined with us for this Sabbath service. I appreciate the ministry that Pastor Wennerberg and the two congregations are providing for those communities.

This week the Southern Union Department Council is taking place in Myrtle Beach, SC. Administrators and departmental directors from each conference in the Southern Union are meeting to lay plans for the coming year. Please pray that God will bless as these plans are being formulated and laid before the Lord.

May God continue to richly bless each of you as you minister for Him.

Your friend,
Jim

This week I am attending the North American Division Year end meetings at the General Conference Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland which began yesterday. I will be sharing more with you about some of the actions taken in our next visit. But let me share with you an interesting encounter I had as I was taking my daily exercise walk.

I had paused at a bridge overlooking a small stream. As I was looking at the view a man stopped and began to engage me in conversation. He asked where I was from and then what I did for work. When I told him I was a minister he said, "I don't believe in that religion thing". He proceeded to tell me that he had served at the tail end of World War II and then in the Korean War. Then had spent a lifetime in a lucrative profession and was now retired. He said, "I have really enjoyed my life. I've been able to travel the world, buy the things I want and now have a comfortable retirement. I don't really need anything else."

I said, "So what do you see in your future after you've died?" "Oh," he said, "I believe there will be another life. In fact, I believe everyone will have a future life." I readily agreed that I too looked forward to a life eternal. But I shared with him my belief that our only real hope lay in our acceptance and faith in Jesus. He replied, "Well, that may be a fine tonic for you but I've always made my own way in the world and I expect to make my own way in the next one as well."

I've thought about this brief discussion. How many people are there who are just like him who believe they can work out their own salvation. We live in a nation of many self-made individuals. And yet when it comes to our eternal life it is not something we can work out for ourselves. It is only as we come to the foot of the cross and accept Jesus as our Savior that we can have hope of eternal life.

As I parted company with this elderly gentleman I told him that I would keep him in my prayers. He smiled and said that was fine with him. It is only the wooing of the Holy Spirit who can soften a heart such as this. And yet I believe strongly that these are just the kinds of hearts that are softened by God's grace.

As we prepare today for the Sabbath hours let us rejoice that we serve a God who provides for our salvation. It isn't something that we have to earn but it is a free gift of a loving Savior. What a wonderful blessing! What a wonderful realization as we begin these special Sabbath hours with Him.

Your friend,
Jim

Let me tell you about the wonderful blessing which God provided at Eastern Carolina Campmeeting last weekend. Dr. Philip Samaan, professor of religion at Southern Adventist University, presented the messages. What a blessing as he shared from God's word as well as from his own life experiences. On Sabbath afternoon Jamie Jorge presented the musical concert. As always we were blessed not only by his music but by his personal testimony. We are grateful that in these trying economic times we are still able to provide this special campmeeting and that a good number of our people were able to attend. The fellowship at this campmeeting is always something that blesses us all.

Certainly we are in trying economic conditions. As I travel the conference I am finding hundreds of our people have lost jobs. As expected this is having an impact on conference tithe and local church offerings. I would ask for your prayers as we seek to navigate through these challenging times. Currently the tithe is down between 4 and 5% from last year at this time. We are praying that God will provide a strong fourth quarter. Please join me in praying that God will not only provide jobs for those that are seeking them but will keep all of us faithful to Him in our returning of the tithe and giving of our offerings.

Last week I reported to you on the results of an evangelistic meeting held in Clinton, SC. At that time I told you that six people had been baptized in this small church where average attendance is about 15 each Sabbath. Now, let me give you an update. The following Sabbath two more were baptized making a total of eight. What a difference this can make as it increases their attendance by over 50%! Praise God!

As we approach another Sabbath day let us ever remember that we serve an all knowing, all powerful, loving God. My prayer is that as the Sabbath hours begin we may all enter in to that Sabbath rest that God has so graciously given us. May God bless you each one.

Your friend,
Jim

The year of evangelism is producing exciting results across the Carolinas. Let me highlight just a few. In Clinton, SC the church averages about 17 people per week in Sabbath services. In September Elder Glen Garver, pastor of the Florence, SC church along with the pastor, Elder Alex Romanov, and the church began evangelistic meetings. On opening night 41 visitors were in attendance. By closing weekend 17 of those were still attending faithfully. This past Sabbath 6 of those united with the church through baptism with more continuing to study. What a wonderful addition to this small church family.

This past Sabbath it was my privilege to be in the Durham Spanish Church. The week before they had just concluded an evangelistic series with 25 new additions to the church through baptism and profession of faith. What a joy it was to meet these new members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church family.

Elder Roy Robinson, pastor of the Raleigh North and Henderson, NC churches is conducting a revelation seminar with over 60 visitors in attendance. Elder David Dobias just started evangelistic meetings in the Durham church this past Friday evening. I could go on and on sharing how God is bringing people to understand the Gospel and the good news of Christ's soon coming. There are numerous meetings and outreach activities that are taking place across the Carolinas. I would ask that you lift these efforts up in your prayers that God's Holy Spirit will enter in to these communities and a great harvest of souls can be realized.

A few weeks ago a young adult retreat took place at the Black Mountain YMCA retreat center in Black Mountain, NC. This was the first joint young adult retreat co-sponsored by the Carolina Conference and the South Atlantic Conference. There were over 100 young adults in attendance. It was a real pleasure on Sabbath afternoon to join with South Atlantic Conference president, Elder VJ Mendinghall and do a town hall meeting with these young adults. I can tell you these young people have a real passion for Jesus and for seeing the work of God's church move forward. It was an inspiring time to dialogue with these folks and talk about the future of the church and what God desires for His people.

There have been two new churches that have been formed in the last month. The Columbia Mid-Town company has been formed into a church and the Rockingham English group has been formed into a company. Both of these church plants are led by laypeople. They are both focused on taking the Three Angels Message to their respective communities. In Columbia they have a desire to minister to the community of downtown Columbia as well as college students. In Rockingham a number of years ago the SDA church there was closed. Following that closure a Spanish church was planted and has grown rapidly the last few years. A couple years ago some laypeople from the Spanish church took on as a ministry the mission to plant an English speaking church once again in Rockingham. Through diligent efforts and prayers this group has grown until they have now reached company status. How thankful we are that these visionary folks from our Spanish church family have restarted an English work in this part of North Carolina. We lift up both of these ministries in our prayers.

A week ago this past Sabbath I was with the Raleigh Clayton group. Again, a lay led ministry and church plant in Clayton, NC. Nearly 70 people were in attendance for the Sabbath worship service. They are reaching out to their community through personal Bible studies and felt needs programs. It is exciting to see all these new church plants that are taking place across the Conference. There are many, many more I could tell you about. All of them are being led by wonderful lay leaders and they are making an impact across the Carolinas.

A couple of weeks ago it was my privilege to attend the grand opening of the Greensboro Korean Community Center. This ministry is providing information, training as well as teaching English to recent immigrants into the Greensboro area. In attendance and participating in this grand opening were the mayor of Greensboro, the local congressman to the US House of Representatives, as well as area members of the city council. The grand opening was reported on the local Fox news channel that evening. We applaud our local Korean church for undertaking this important outreach ministry.

God is blessing the endeavors of His people in remarkable ways. Even though the Carolinas are being greatly impacted by unemployment and the current economic crisis His work continues to move forward. I would ask your prayers for our church members that they would be blessed with jobs. The unemployment is high within the church as well as the population at large. Certainly this has impacted the tithe of the Conference in a negative way. I would seek your prayers that God would bless our members and also that He would help us each remain faithful in our tithes and offerings. The times we live in are too crucial to reduce our efforts. It is only as we each remain faithful to Him that He will bless and His work can soon be finished. May God bless you as you remain close to Him.

Your friend,
Jim

Since my last blog there have been two wonderful events that have taken place which have involved a number of our Carolina church family. As I mentioned to you last the ASI convention has taken place in Phoenix, AZ. This is always an inspirational event showcasing what lay ministries are doing around the world. There were over 2,000 people in attendance. A new president, Norman Reitz, was elected. An update on the one-day church program was presented as well as the launch of the one-day school initiative. On Sabbath a special offering was taken to help with different ministries and projects around the world. Over two million dollars was donated by this group of dedicated laypeople.

While there I had an interesting experience. A young man came up to me and said, "Elder Davidson, do you remember me?" Now, that's a disconcerting question. Especially when I couldn't bring from the recesses of my memory who he was! Well, he explained that I had baptized him while pastoring the Madison Campus church in Madison, TN. I then remembered him as a seventh grader in the church school. As I was catching up with what he was doing now that he was grown he told me of how God was leading him. He had graduated from college with a degree as a Nurse Practioner. He had married and she also was a nurse. They are now doing an independent ministry by boat on the Amazon River of South America. They sail the river taking healing both physical and spiritual to those natives who live along this great river of the world. As one incredible experience after another was shared with me I asked him if he would be willing to come to campmeeting next year and share with our Carolina family. He has accepted and I know we will be blessed by his presentations.

This past weekend I was in OshKosh Wisconsin along with over 37,000 Pathfinders from across the North American Division and the world. Over 550 of our own Pathfinders from Carolina were in attendance. What a blessing it was to see this vast throng of young people gathered united with the theme, "Courage to Stand". It was an incredible inspiration to listen to the presentations and the speakers at the evening meeting challenging our young people to stand up for the beliefs that God has given to this church. On Sabbath as I entered the huge field where the entire camporee had gathered what a sight! Over 37,000 pathfinders in full dress uniform, flags flying in the breeze filling and overflowing that parade ground. I couldn't help but wonder if it was a sight such as this that Ellen White saw when she wrote the phrase, 'An army of youth...' I believe it would have made you proud of your church to see the commitment of the young people and their leaders. I want to say a special word of gratitude to all the adults who took a week of their time to make sure that their Pathfinders could be blessed by this event.

As always there are many other things I could share but time doesn't permit. Suffice it to say that God is leading His world church and His Spirit is blessing. Thank you for allowing me to share these events with you. May God richly bless you as you continue to serve Him.

Your friend,
Jim

This week the annual ASI convention begins in Phoenix, Arizona. As you know ASI is a laymen's organization of business owners and professionals who join together to promote the work of the Seventh-day Adventist church. They have done wonderful things for God's work down through the years. Beginning Wednesday evening thousands of devoted church members from across North America will gather to conduct business, worship and share their testimonies. If you are interested in becoming a member of this worthy organization I would welcome a call from you and will be happy to direct you as to how you can be part of this work. I look forward to sharing with you a report from these meetings once they have ended.

It hardly seems possible that in just two short weeks school will once again be starting throughout the Carolinas. If you are a parent of a school age young person or know one in your church I would like to encourage you to enroll them in this upcoming year. Whether they are elementary, academy or college age the benefit they will gain from being in an Adventist school is an eternal one. Also, as the recent ValueGenesis studies have borne out the education received in an Adventist School is superior to public school in all subjects and categories. This advantage holds true whether it is a large school with multiple teachers or a single teacher classroom. As I travel throughout the Carolinas I find that typically the majority of our churches are made up of people who attended an Adventist school as they were growing up. In fact, it has been cited that over 75% of those who attend Adventist church schools remain in the church. I know it requires a sacrifice on the part of parents but what a blessing in return!

I remember some years ago stopping in at a local grocery store. As I was checking out I recognized the gentleman who was bagging my groceries. He was one of the members of the church. I knew that he had another job and so I was somewhat surprised to see him there. I greeted him and he said, "Pastor, it's good to see you. I just took this second job because both of our children are now in church school and my one job doesn't cover the bills. So I started working evenings here so we don't get behind." As I left that store I thought to myself (and actually said to him) what a wonderful witness you are to the setting of priorities. I know that God is going to richly bless you and your family for the sacrifice you are making. That was almost 20 years ago and both of those children are now strong and active leaders in their church.

This past week the pastors from across the Conference gathered in Charlotte for a one day Minister's meeting. Elder Bill McClendon, Ministerial Secretary of the Oklahoma Conference, was the featured speaker. Elder McClendon planted a church in Tulsa a few years ago which has now grown to over 800 members. He greatly inspired our pastors with what God can do when we step out and evangelize for Him.

Across North America the church is feeling the effects of the economic recession. I am thankful that through June Carolina recorded a very slight gain in tithe compared to last year. Even though it is less than 1% I am thankful as many of our sister conferences are reporting substantial losses. Let's continue to pray that God will bless our membership with employment and that our membership will then remain faithful in their returning of tithe to the Lord.

Please know that I pray daily for the membership of this conference. I know there are many challenges that are faced each day by many of you. But we serve a God who is more powerful than any challenge Satan could hurl at us. What a wonderful comfort to know that God is in charge and that He is leading and guiding! May God richly bless.

Sincerely,

Jim

We have often heard that there is nothing more powerful than a personal testimony. Last week I had the privilege of hearing a number of powerful testimonies. Let me tell you about them.

This past Tuesday I presented worship to a team of over 20 young people who are doing MegaBook ministry in the Triad area of North Carolina. Each day these teams of young people, mostly academy and college age, go out and knock on doors sharing our wonderful books and literature. In a single summer literally thousands upon thousands of homes will be contacted. It was thrilling to listen as they shared with me the experiences God is providing them. Two young ladies shared with me an especially interesting encounter. They had gone to the gas station to fill up the team van. After pumping their gas they discovered they had locked the keys inside. Several people who saw their plight tried to help but to no avail. Finally, a man probably in his thirties came over and offered to help. After working on the door for a few minutes he was successful and the door popped open.

The girls thanked him for his help and he said, "Well, you haven't gotten my bill yet." They both looked at each other and then said, "Sir, we don't have any money." But then they remembered they had some of their literature in the van. So they said, "But we would like to give you a special gift." They handed him a copy of the 'Desire of Ages'. As he opened the book and realized it was a religious volume he said, "This is just what I have been needing." He explained that he had been drinking just before he came over to help them with their locked door. He said, "I've been needing to get my life turned around. I'm going to take this book home and show it to my wife. We need to have God in our home."

The next day the girls called the phone number he had left them and his wife answered the phone. When she realized who was calling she said, "My husband shared with me the book you gave him. I have already read part of it and it is wonderful. Thank you for giving this to him. We so need to have Jesus in our home. As the girls spoke with her they invited her and her family to church. The wife said, "We will plan to be there this Sabbath."

As I listened last week to this story and many others just like it I realized that what Jesus said so long ago is true. "The fields are white for the harvest." As these young people go out day after day and meet people Jesus is leading them to those who have a hunger for spiritual things. I realized anew that there are untold numbers of people who are just waiting for someone to knock on their door or share with them a piece of literature or invite them to church.

As we go through each day God brings into our pathway those who are searching. May He give us discernment and courage so as we meet them we can share with them the wonderful news that Jesus loves and is coming back soon for them.

Your friend,
Jim

What a wonderful week at campmeeting! First, I want to say thank you to the thousands of you in attendance last week. What a joy to be together from all parts of the Carolinas. For those of you unable to attend I hope you were able to attend via the live streaming that was taking place. If you haven't been able to watch the evening meetings yet I encourage you to do so. I know you will be blessed.

It was heartwarming to also meet several visitors who were not members of the Seventh-day Adventist church. One lady spoke to me and said it was the first time she had attended an Adventist event. She could not have been more thrilled with the meetings and the friendships which she formed. She attended all week right through Saturday nights meeting. Another visitor told one of our church members that she too was visiting a SDA meeting for the first time. She said, "I think these people must take happy pills before coming here because they are all so happy."! I thank all of you who were such a wonderful witness to these people.

I also want to thank all of those who were present and gave so sacrifically to the Carolina Breakthrough offering. The final total far surpassed anything that had ever been given at a Carolina campmeeting. The final total was over $170,000. Praise God! During a time of economic challenge how inspiring it is to see God's people step out in faith in order to finish His work. If you were unable to attend but would like to be part of this exciting faith endeavor you can still make your contribution to Carolina Breakthrough.

On another note I want to share with you that now that the new boys dormitory at Mount Pisgah Academy is finished and is debt free we are looking at doing some renovations to the girls dormitory. This would include a new heating system as well as air conditioning for all the rooms which we currently don't have. We are praying for God's leading in this and I will keep you posted as we continue to look toward this. It isn't definite yet but we are praying that God will make a way for this to happen. Again, I will keep you updated as we proceed.

I know many people will be taking time this summer for vacations. What a special opportunity to take extra time with God. When Jesus was here on earth He had times when He sought refuge and solace with His Father. If this summer affords your family this time I would hope that it would not be a vacation from God but instead will be a vacation with God. For it is only as we sit at His feet that true refreshing will come. May God continue to bless each of you as you follow Him.

Your friend,
Jim

Before campmeeting begins this Sunday at Lake Junaluska let me bring you up to date since my last post. I apologize that our web site has been experiencing difficulty in the last few weeks. Be assured we are working on it.

So many things have taken place I'm not sure where to start. We had a wonderful elders retreat at Nosoca Pines Ranch. Elder Jim Cress, General Conference Ministerial Secretary, was the featured speaker. He provided ongoing education for our elders and was greatly appreciated. We were happy to have one of the largest group of elders we have ever had.

In May the Conference Officers concluded the last of six town hall meetings that were held across the Carolinas. We were met with a wonderful spirit in each place and greatly enjoyed sharing the things that God is doing in the many ministries that are taking place across the conference. It provided opportunity for us to share but also to receive questions from those attending. It was a very special time. I hope you were able to attend.

Also, this past Sunday I was at Mount Pisgah Academy for the commencement service for graduation. What a great group of young people! I wish you could have heard the addresses and music that were presented by these seniors. As I listened to the class president tell of the desire of the class to be used by God and then challenge herself and her fellow graduates to always dedicate their lives to the Lord I can't tell you how moving it was. As I have often been with our students from MPA the past few years I have been so impressed and thankful for the desire they have to be Seventh-day Adventist Christian young people. As the seniors leave MPA I know you will join me in praying for them. Let's also pray for each academy age young person and their parents across the conference that they will choose Adventist education this coming school year.

I hope you are in the final process of planning for campmeeting beginning this Sunday. We are truly blessed this year with outstanding speakers. Each night Michael Hasel, professor at Southern Adventist University, will be the speaker. This is his second time to be with us at Lake Junaluska and he is back by popular demand. I know he will be a blessing. Ty Gibson and Dennis Ross are the speakers each morning. Ty Gibson is not only a sought after speaker but is also a prolific author. Dennis Ross, Southern Union Evangelism Coordinator, has spoken around the world and always provides inspiration and spiritual insight. Some of the seminar presenters include Ed Reid, stewardship director of the North American Division. Elder Reid is one of our most requested speakers and we are glad to have him returning to Lake Junaluska. Russell Burrill will also be presenting a seminar centered on church growth. He is considered to be one of the foremost experts within the Seventh-day Adventist church in the realm of church planting and church growth. He too is not only a talented speaker but the author of a number of popular books as well. Mark Finley, will be the featured weekend speaker. Elder Finley brings a wealth of spiritual insight and experience from around the world. Before becoming Vice-President of the General Conference he was the speaker and director of the It is Written television program. He will be presenting the messages on Friday evening, Sabbath morning and Saturday night. On Sabbath afternoon Michael Harris will be presenting the musical concert. Not only does Michael provide a rich blessing in song but you won't want to miss his personal testimony. It is one of the most powerful stories you will ever hear. I won't tell you more except to say you don't want to miss it! If you are unable to attend campmeeting each evenings and Sabbath morning services will be streamed here on this website. We hope you can attend but if you can't please join us here on the web.

As we as a conference wide church family prepare to spend the next week together I would ask that you would join me in a time of special prayer that God will make this a time of great spiritual renewal. I am sure that during these difficult times in America there will be those in attendance who have lost jobs, others may be experiencing family difficulties, others may have recently lost loved ones who have passed away. There will be many needs represented by all of the thousands of people who will be gathered. But there is no challenge, no difficulty too great for God. And so let us join together and make next week a time of special prayer for an outpouring of God's Spirit and grace greater than ever before.

Your friend,

Jim

What a tremendous experience it has been to be part of nearly 15 evangelistic series conducted by conference office departmental directors and executive committee members. The series have now all concluded with well over 30 decisions for baptisms. Praise God! It was my privilege to conduct meetings at the Umoja church in Raleigh. This is a relatively new congregation. Many of the members are recent immigrants from Kenya. What a delight to be with them and share the wonderful news of Christ's soon return. The Lord blessed with twelve baptisms on the final Sabbath including the daughter of the pastor being baptized.

I wish you could all hear the reports from the various sites. As one executive committee member put it, "Of all the blessings received I believe I received the greatest from having participated in sharing my faith." As we are in this year of evangelism I encourage you to experience the blessing that comes when you witness for your faith. To see someone's eyes light up as they grasp the love of Jesus and realize He is soon coming back is the greatest thrill that God can allow us to have. If you would like to participate in a ShareHim evangelistic meeting don't hesitate to contact me.

In fact, as I write this I am at the ShareHim festival at Atlantic Union College. Last night was the opening meeting with over 300 in attendance. Bob Folkenberg, Jr gave a stirring message followed by some wonderful testimonies. One of the featured testimonies was given by Bobby Carpenter who has just finished a ShareHim meeting in Monroe, North Carolina. He shared the dramatic story of how God has led in his life. From being a teenage alcoholic to being convicted of a serious crime to finding Jesus in a prison cell. Now he is preaching the gospel and has just concluded his first series of meetings. What a beautiful story of God's wonderful grace!

This Sabbath Pastor Mark Finley will be the ShareHim festival speaker. It is a dynamic weekend that our ShareHim staff has put together.

Let me also mention the upcoming campmeeting at Lake Junaluska. The Lord, I believe, has blessed in bringing together the most dynamic line-up of speakers we have ever had. Mark Finley will be our weekend speaker. Elder Michael Hasel, of Southern Adventist University, will be the nightly speaker. Our other main auditorium speakers are Ty Gibson and Dennis Ross. Both dynamic presenters of God's Word. We also will be blessed with seminars from speakers including Ed Reid and Russell Burrill among others. I hope you are planning to be with us for this spirit filled week.

One final note. As we are painfully aware the nations economy is struggling through a severe recession. North and South Carolina are both in the top five for unemployment in the nation. Let's remember our brothers and sisters in prayer who have lost jobs. This is a very difficult time and we need to support one another all we can. And certainly we must ever remember that our God has promised to meet all our needs.

As the Sabbath hours begin this evening I pray that you will all have a wonderful Sabbath day's blessing. May God bless.

Your friend,
Jim

The year of evangelism is getting a boost this month as numerous evangelistic efforts are beginning across the Carolinas. Let me share with you some encouraging news.

This past weekend twelve evangelistic meetings were started around the conference. They are being conducted by our Conference departmental directors as well as members of our executive committee. It is thrilling to hear the reports of the first weekend of meetings.



In the Columbia 1st Church executive committee members Faith Durkin and Ernie Baughman were joined by their spouses in presenting the messages. What an inspiration it was to hear of how God is blessing their efforts. Samuel Bonham, also of the executive committee is holding meetings in Orangeburg, SC. The pastor, Jeff Donaldson, reports a good attendance each evening and great appreciation for Samuel's messages.



In Hendersonville, NC Pastor Charles Ferguson and his wife Sharon are conducting meetings. Opening weekend saw a nightly attendance of 150 and at the close of the weekend three people had already indicated a desire to be baptized and join the church.



My wife Bonnie and I opened meetings in Raleigh, NC at the Umoja church. This is a church comprised largely of folks from Kenya. What a delight to be with them! It is going to be a wonderful blessing to be with them during the three weeks of this crusade. They are a vibrant and growing church and it is an inspiration to be part of their church life during this time.

Two of the women from the Conference office are teaming to conduct a series in Salisbury, NC. Each night 30+ people were in attendance with visitors each evening. One of these ladies is preaching evangelistically for the first time. We appreciate all of these folks who are stepping out in faith and allowing God to work through them.

This weekend additional meetings conducted by office staff and executive committee members begin in Erwin Hills, NC and the Foster church in Asheville, NC. Please remember these in your prayers this week.

As we see world events unfolding around us this is a wonderful time to share our faith. I would encourage you to allow God to witness through you. If you would like to be involved in preaching an evangelistic series please call me and we will assist you in this. Perhaps you would prefer to study the bible with someone in their home. Whatever the method let's not miss this opportunity to tell the glorious news that Jesus is coming back soon.

May God continue to richly bless you.

Your friend,
Jim

The month of February is a time of meetings for the North American Division as well as Adventist Health systems. Earlier this month I attended the NAD Conference President's Council at Pine Springs Ranch in California. Pine Springs is the youth camp of the Southeastern California Conference. In fact, Dave and Dottie Schwab, from Nosoca Pines Ranch, their son and daughter in law are the directors of Pine Springs. It was good to see them again. While I would have thought it would be warm since the camp is located in Southern California a storm blew in and it was bitter cold with a foot of snow. It was good to get back to Carolina! During the days there Dr. Leslie Pollard, Vice-President of Loma Linda University, presented a devotional each morning that was extremely uplifting. On the final day Elder Don Schneider, NAD president led out bringing a number of matters of importance to our attention.

This week the Adventist Health system board met. It is always encouraging to see how God is leading in the medical work of the church. Even with the current economic challenges the system is growing and prospering. I believe the growth they are experiencing is because of the emphasis they put on mission. Following the board meeting their annual Conference on Mission is being held. Several hundred representatives from across the system have gathered in Orlando Fl., the corporate headquarters, for the sole purpose of discussing the mission of our hospitals. It is a blessing to hear the different ways the doctors, nurses, and staff are reaching out to their communities with the message of Christ. Literally hundreds of thousands of people are touched each year by going to an Adventist Health System facility. Last year alone over $800,000,000 (yes, that millions!) of services and benefit were provided without cost to the communities in which our hospitals and health care facilities reside. We are grateful in the Carolinas to have Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher as part of this system.

I have been reminded the past two weeks of the diverse and multi-faceted work of the Adventist Church. We are a movement of churches, schools, hospitals, clinics, and other ministries all designed to hasten the return of Jesus. As we look at what the Seventh-day Adventist church encompasses and does there can be no doubt that this is truly a movement of destiny of God. What a privilege it is for each of us to be part of such an exciting last day church.

As the Sabbath hours approach you are all again in our prayers that God will give you a wonderful Sabbath days blessing.

Your friend,
Jim

The past two Sabbaths I have enjoyed meeting in two different town hall meetings. The first Sabbath Bonnie and I were in the Charleston, SC Church where I was speaking. It was wonderful to see a nearly full church and to be part of their vibrant service. The church and school are both growing and have a number of exciting plans for the future. Let me share with you one story that was shared with us during the fellowship dinner that really warmed our hearts. A teenage young lady, a member of the church, invited two of her friends, who were brother and sister, to attend church with her. Neither of them had ever been in an SDA church before nor were any of their family SDA's. But after asking their parents they agreed to attend. They enjoyed their first church service and began to attend regularly, although their parents never attended with them. Just two weeks prior to our being there this brother and sister, 7th and 9th graders, were baptized together and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And their parents were there to witness it! All because a young lady witnessed for Jesus and invited them to church. What a thrilling story it was!



That afternoon we made our way to the Columbia First Church where the town hall meeting was conducted. We were so appreciative of the large attendance and such a wonderful spirit. The time ended all too quickly.



On Monday the Executive Committee of the Conference met. One of the actions taken was to elect Ken Ford as director of the Health and Temperance and Stewardship departments. He will carry these responsibilities as well as continuing as director of Trust Services and Planned Giving. Ken has a real passion to see our health message presented and understood. He believes that stewardship of our physical health is integral to the overall understanding of stewardship. He is planning an aggressive schedule of promoting the health message as part of overall Christian stewardship and serving as a resource to our local churches. We welcome him to these added responsibilities.



Last Sabbath I spoke for the worship service in the Kernersville church. Again, a wonderful experience to worship with God's people. There are so many wonderful things happening there. Just last month during the Christmas season the Kernersville church provided the community with a "Walk through Bethlehem" at the church. Over 1,000 people attended and were blessed. In March John Earnhardt will be conducting an evangelistic series in their beautiful new family life center. God is greatly blessing their ministry.



That afternoon the second town hall meeting was conducted for the Triad area in the Kernersville church. Again there was a good attendance and a wonderful spirit as the officers of the conference gave a report on the state of the conference as well as reports on each of the departments of the conference.

This Sabbath I will be speaking in the Greenville, SC church. Bonnie and I greatly look forward to being with the folks there. Following this we will be going to Spartanburg, SC for another town hall meeting for the upstate region of South Carolina.

As the hours of the Sabbath draw near my prayer is that each of our churches will feel the presence of God and each of you will be greatly blessed as you worship Him. We have so much to be thankful for as followers of Jesus! May God richly bless you.

Your friend,
Jim