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