Let me bring all of you up to date on what is happening around the Carolina Conference. The weekend of March 26-28 saw approximately 500 local church representatives gather at the YMCA retreat center in Black Mountain, NC for a ChurchWorks conference. The purpose of this conference was for each church to strategize how to reach every person in their territory. Maps were given to each church delegation showing the boundaries of their ministry area. All of the world field, General Conference, Divisions, Unions, Conferences know what their boundaries are and what their mission field is. However, local churches typically don't always know what area they are responsible for. The team from the North American Division included Dr. Ron Clouzet, Dr. Ed Schmidt, Dr. Rod and Donna Willey, and Marti Schneider. Elder Don Schneider joined the conference via telephone hookup on Sabbath afternoon. One of the areas of teaching by this team was to remind us that we are all ministers for Jesus. We can all be used of God to share His good news with those around us. It was a tremendous inspiration to see virtually every church represented. All had the same goal and passion, reaching the Carolinas for Jesus. There was overwhelming consensus by the end of the weekend that God has given us an awesome task, but through the power of His Spirit it can be accomplished. I hope each church has received a report from their delegation about the weekend and that plans are continuing to be laid and carried out to bring the Gospel to our communities.

The next weekend was a tremendous blessing as on Sabbath, April 3, Jeff Donaldson, pastor of the West Columbia and Orangeburg, SC churches was ordained to the Gospel Ministry. Elder Donaldson first heard the Seventh-day Adventist message during an evangelistic meeting conducted by Dale Pollett, conference evangelist at the Spartanburg, SC church. He and his wife Melissa both took their stand during that series of meetings. Jeff soon felt a calling to full time ministry. His first district was the Union and Woodruff, SC district. Following this he obtained his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University after which he returned to Carolina and took up duties in his present district.

That afternoon a Conference rally was held at the Columbia, SC church. This was the fourth rally that has been held in recent weeks throughout the conference. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet and share with those who attended. There are two more rally's scheduled. May 8, at 3:30 pm at the Kernersville, NC church. And May 15,, at 3:30 pm at the Spartanburg, SC church. If you live near either of these areas I hope you will attend. I know you will be blessed as you hear what God is doing throughout the Carolinas.

On Sabbath, April 10, it was my privilege to be at the Charlotte Sharon Church for their international Sabbath. What an inspiration it was as representatives of nearly 50 countries marched into the Sanctuary carrying their nations flag. Plus, it was a real inspiration to hear music from many different parts of the world. Following the worship service an international fellowship dinner was held. (That was a highlight too!)

April 16-18 was the Hispanic camp meeting held at Nosoca Pines Ranch. The gymnasium was filled to overflowing. On Sabbath, Pastor Freddy Villamil, pastor of the Hilton Head, Hardeeville, and Charleston Spanish congregations was ordained to the Gospel Ministry. Freddy had a beautiful testimony of how God has led in his life and his call to ministry. In fact, it was at Nosoca Pines Ranch that he and his wife, Silveliza, first met. That meeting not only led to them joining their lives together in marriage but it was now also the scene of them joining their lives together in ministry. Freddy's father, a retired minister, delivered the ordination address. His father-in law, also an ordained minister, had the ordination prayer and charge.

It is hard to imagine that camp meeting at Lake Junaluska begins next month. The dates are May 30-June 5. As you see on the website there is a wonderful group of speakers and presenters who are scheduled to be with us. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

As the nation's economy continues to struggle we are praising God that through March there is a 5.6% increase in tithe. Truly, God's people are faithful. We continue to pray that God will provide jobs for all of our church family and that He will keep each of us faithful to Him.

I will close for now, but please know I pray for our churches daily for God's Spirit to be poured out. Please continue to remember us in you prayers as well. May God continue to richly bless.

Your friend,

Jim