Early voting wraps up this week on October 31st—make sure to cast your vote! Click the image above to find polling locations, days, and times for voting in Shelby County.

“They don’t do nothing but pray. We already know how to do that”. That and other comments of doubt were expressed when the Prayer Ministries Department was started years ago. Around 2006, the South Central Conference officially began the Prayer Ministries Department, which is a resource for church and conference prayer coordinators, pastors and small groups, who wish to experience and to teach others how to develop a dynamic lifestyle of prayer.

That leads to a fundamental question. What is prayer? Prayer is a two way conversation with God in which believers listen and talk. Ellen White in the book Steps To Christ says “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend… Through sincere prayer, we are brought into a connection with the mind of the Infinite…but without unceasing prayer and diligent watching, we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path.”

The next question is why should we pray if God already knows everything including our needs? Isn’t that just a waste of time? Here’s another question. Why should we pray for each other? Doesn’t God know their needs also? What is the purpose of prayer?

Communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. Prayer is how we develop our relationship with God. How are you going to get close to the Maker of the Universe and the One who has a purpose for your life if you don’t talk to Him? Well, some might argue, why talk to someone who doesn’t speak back. But the counter-argument would be that; God indeed does speak back. He speaks through other people, sermons, books, podcasts, and worship music and certainly through the Bible. If you listen to Him, He will speak to your spirit the more you spend time talking to Him.

Another reason that we should pray is that some things won’t happen unless we do pray. There are dozens of verses in the Scriptures that talk about prayer and many verses instruct us to do it. James 4:2, 3 says 2 ……ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Of course, not everything that we ask God for is given in the way that we want. God knows what is best and has a better way, so He doesn’t always give us what we ask for. However, the Bible has countless stories about how someone interceded for someone else and God heard them and changed things. This is why we are also commanded in James 5:16 to …. “ pray for one another.” Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”. That’s one of the goals of the Prayer Ministry group. They want the church to be known as a place where prayers are offered to God and answered according to His will.

There is actually a Prayer Room on the ground floor, adjacent to the kitchen. The room is available for members to use for meditation and prayer each Sabbath.

When the South Central Conference added the Prayer Ministry Department in 2006, Pastor Roy Rugless was assigned as the leader. Prayer Federation groups were established all over the conference. Pastor Rugless would ask the various Prayer Federations groups to pray for different needs each week. While many churches have prayer ministries that are still going, unfortunately, some of them have faded away. However, the West Tennessee Prayer Federation, whose President is Sandra Johnson, just recently celebrated their 10th year anniversary. They have prayed through births and weddings, job losses and illnesses, tragedies, and triumphs for over a decade.

One memorable event happened when the group was led to do a Children’s Prayer Summit. The first summit was held at Shelby Forest in 2008. It was the first children’s prayer summit in the conference. The theme was “Children Who Have the Faith to Move Mountains” To the group’s surprise, young people showed up from all over to participate in the prayer summit. The day was filled with food, fun activities and fellowship but most importantly, the young people were taught to assiduously develop a prayer life that would benefit them for the rest of their lives. They even introduced Children Prayer Summits to churches in other parts of the South Central Conference.

It was always an epic event was when annually, the regional prayer ministry groups from the entire Conference met at Cohutta Springs, Shocco Springs, Indian Hills and other locations. The places would be filled with “prayer warriors” and the worship experience, the testimonies, the prayers and teachings made these gatherings so wonderful that is was hard to leave when it was over.

In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic came from out of nowhere and knocked

In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic came from out of nowhere and knocked the whole world to its knees. People were dying, businesses were closed, gatherings, including church attendance was not possible. Hand sanitizers, spray disinfectants, face masks, and even toilet paper was hard or nearly impossible to find. The hospitals were filled to capacity and because many were out of work, there were food shortages.

While the world was knocked to its knees, the Prayer Ministry group willingly fell to their knees in prayer. In addition to their regular early Morning Prayer sessions, they added Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. to intercede for their stricken community and the world. These special sessions of prayer continues today.

When asked, what were their most significant and memorable answers to prayer, Sandra Johnson and Sis. Annie Miller were not able to point to any one particular answer to prayer because there had been so many. God had literally performed miracles. People had been healed of devastating diseases, lost children had been found, financial situations had turned around, students had passed their tests and graduated, and marriages were restored. God has been faithful and has kept His promises through the years.

Sandra Johnson and Sis. Miller also remembered a time when they were in “the zone of prayer”. What’s “the zone of prayer”, you may ask? The best way to describe it, they said, was like in sports, when a player does everything right. For example, in basketball Stephen Curry has been known to be in “the zone”, where it seemed like he couldn’t miss a shot. No matter how far or difficult, he would always make the basket.

When the Prayer Ministry Team was “in the zone” it seemed like every prayer that they prayed was answered just as they had requested. Their prayers and God’s will were so closely aligned that the blessings were overflowing. No matter what the situation, God was moving in an awesome way. That’s why Philippians 2: 5 says 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: We are told that when we have the mind of Christ, our prayers will be so guided by the Holy Spirit, we won’t even ask for things outside of God’s will.

Occasionally there is a need for a SOS prayer that comes to Sandra in the middle of the night. When it does, she will text it immediately to the group. They don’t have to know all of the details. They just know that is an urgent call to prayer, and that’s what they promptly do.

When the Prayer Ministry idea was first presented, many were skeptical. People wondered if anyone would come that early in the morning, or if prayer alone could really change anything. Some even questioned whether the group would last more than a few months. "People are too busy," they said. "Who will wake up that early for something so intangible?" Undeterred, Sandra Johnson and the rest of the team pressed forward. Now over a decade later, the group has the same passion, and still feels compelled to pray for a world in need.

While most of the city is asleep or just beginning to slowly start their day, at 5:30 a.m., fifteen to twenty people in the Prayer Ministry group are praying for the city, for families, for businesses, and for those in need of healing and hope. They also read books and discuss it together. Sandra Johnson said that “We have been invited to come to His throne so we should take advantage of the opportunity”. They can truly say, “We have seen the hand of God”.

The Prayer Ministry group would love to have you join them daily at 5:30 a.m. for a time in prayer. You are also invited to join them at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays. Here is the information

West Tennessee End Time Prayer Line (717) 908-1741 Access# 1062901

From across the country, we witness the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene as search and rescue operations continue and response efforts grow in the Southeastern U.S.

“With wind damage to homes; downed trees and power lines; flooding; and collapsed highways, roads and bridges, Helene, as a tropical storm, has likely been the most catastrophic storm that this region has ever experienced,” said Leslie D. Louis, Carolina Conference president, in a Facebook update.

Louis, in his Sept. 30, 2024 Facebook posting, reported that Mount Pisgah Academy is closed for two weeks as power and water are anticipated to be restored to the area. One church — Swannanoa Spanish Church — suffered severe damage and will undergo a major reconstruction operation.

“While we are grateful that there were no known casualties in our churches from the recent storm, our heartfelt sympathies extend to many in our communities who lost loved ones in this devastating event,” Louis said. “It is in times like this that we cling to the assurance that our gracious God has provided for us in His promise: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,’ (Isa. 41:10).”

Phil Wilhelm, Fletcher Academy principal, titled his weekly Fletcher Focus e-mail for Sept. 30 with a single word: “Unprecedented.”

“My mind is boggled at the destruction that has occurred all around our school. Despite being relatively protected from the effects on the campus, the chaos all around us is a bit overwhelming,” he wrote. “So many people have wells that require power to pump water out, and their supplies are either gone or almost gone. Stores can’t open yet without power and supplies. People are still trapped in their homes, especially those who live far off the beaten path. Many homes and businesses near a creek or river have been flooded. Others are trapped by washed-out bridges and culverts.”

Wilhelm further reported that almost all dormitory students had made it home. CERT-trained students from Highland Academy and 2Serve volunteer crews were on site to aid with response efforts. Carolina Conference Community Services is also actively responding to local needs.

The Fletcher Academy community rallied, Wilhelm shared, to provide the school with a loaned Starlink and then a gifted Starlink to allow satellite internet communication for coordinating efforts through a local command center.

W. Derrick Lea, North American Division Adventist Community Services executive director, reported in an update on Oct. 1 about various response efforts throughout Southeastern states.

“South Atlantic and Carolina Conferences have decided to work as one, as the affected area is too large for one single conference to cover,” Lea shared. “This partnership has been extremely effective and both South Atlantic and Carolina Conference volunteers have risen to the call as we away goods and a building to house them in for distribution.”

A distribution site in Ashville, North Carolina, was later secured on Oct. 1.

Lea further shared how Georgia Cumberland Conference is currently setting up a warehouse in Georgia in addition to operating two shower trailers for state of Georgia shelters run by American Red Cross.

Elsewhere, Florida and Southeastern Conferences are also working together to aid in response efforts in the state of Florida.

“Please keep us in your prayers, as the work is just beginning and will go on for months and months,” Lea said. “We understand this will be a long-term recovery effort and we’re securing names of conferences and people that are interested in helping in the future.”

Derek Lane, Washington Conference ACS-DR director, plans to stay connected with Southern Union Conferences about ways Pacific Northwest volunteers can be supportive in long-term recovery needs.

“Tune in for updates from disaster response leaders on the most appropriate ways to begin response and recovery efforts,” Lane said. “We are NOT in the Recovery Phase yet, we are actively responding (search and rescue efforts, setting up shelters, providing emergency rescue, etc.) We are encouraging individuals to refrain from traveling to the affected areas at this time.”

Lane continued, “If you have received Community Emergency Response Team or Emotional and Spiritual Care training and would like to assist, we encourage you to be on stand-by on how best we can mobilize our efforts if needed. Check periodically at [your] conference website on additional ways we can assist.”

ACS posted the following message on their website: “ACS Disaster Response is actively responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. We are setting up relief centers where people can receive essential supplies. Your contributions, prayers and support make a real difference. Together, we can bring hope and healing to the affected communities.”

Financial donations can be made at communityservices.org. In-kind donation needs are currently not specified. Trained Adventist Community Service and disaster response volunteers are encouraged to connect with their local conference ACS director for further opportunities to assist.

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Have you seen this brown fruit in the grocery store?

Did you know that what is called fruit is actually a berry?

The Haywood Cultivar (Kiwi) is an oval shaped berry with a dull brown hairy skin, but one of the most attractive features is the strikingly beautiful appearance of the bright translucent green flesh interspersed with several rows of small black seeds.

There is also a gold fleshed kiwi fruit Zespri Sungold has a bright yellow flesh surrounded by a smooth hairless, bronze-colored skin.

The flesh of the green hayward cultivar is described as a tangy, sweet and sour combination providing a unique flavor combination, whereas the gold cultivar is described as having a sweet and tropical taste and the skin is edible.

Kiwi contains vitamins: C,E,K, folate, potassium and dietary fiber. Kiwi contributes to normalize the following:

· Collagen for normal function of bones, cartilage, gums, skin ad teeth.

· Energy-yielding metabolism

· Nervous system

· Psychological function (a better mode)

· Oxidative stress

· Eye health

· Blood pressure

· Weight loss

· Tiredness and fatigue

· Muscle function

· Inflammation

· Cholesterol

These are only a few benefits of the kiwi fruit. It sounds like kiwi is one fruit to add to your daily routine along with a healthy overall diet!

Data from the UDSA national database for standard reference and the NZFCD, New Zealand food composition database.

The overall theme for Children’s Church this year is “Fruits of the Spirit”

Below are the dates/themes for each Month this year:

January 13th | Joy

February 10th | Love

March 9th | Faithfulness/ Resurrection

April 13th | Peace

May 11th | Gentleness/Mother’s Day

June | No Children’s Church Skip due to Camp Meeting

July 13th | Patience

August 10th | Self-Control/Back to School September 14th = Kindness

October 26th | “Fall 4 Jesus” Trunk Show November 9th = Goodness/Wrap-Up

December | No Children’s Church due to Children’s Day

The View would like to include all birthdays, anniversaries and special events in the church newsletter. Please send photos, videos and information to theview685@gmail.com.

Claude Jones, Jr.

Sabbath School Advisors

Brenda Cowan | Alicia Steele

Sabbath School Program Director

Micheal Cleveland

Sabbath Morning | 11:30 a.m. In-Person

Sabbath School Overtime 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Kindergarten | Ages 0-4 | Kristina Johnson

Primary | Ages 5-10 | Mary Tate | Alice Conley | Tammy Sims

Juniors | Tanya Elliott

Teen & Youth | Joseph Morris | Reggie Owens

Young Adults | 18+| Brian Johnson | Lanita Johnson

Adult Teachers | Herbert Brown, Jr. | Florine Jones | Gwen Simon | Sandra Johnson | Charlean Seay | Roger Turner | Claude Jones, Jr. | Brenda Cowan

Email: theview685@gmail.com

Website: https://longviewheightstn.adventistchurch.org/
Location: 685 East Mallory Avenue, Memphis, TN, USA
Phone: 901-774-5431

Sabbath Service 10:30 am

Sabbath School 11:30 am