It feels good to be in the office with the great team of leaders that you have been enjoying for several years.  I couldn’t be more pleased with the opportunity to serve in the Lord’s vineyard in this specific place.  The spirit in the office is fantastic.  There is a sense of camaraderie that makes it fun to come to work.

What a blessing I received at the Minnesota camp meeting back in June.  I was impressed with Maplewood Academy and the wonderful staff that I got acquainted with.  It was fun meeting and greeting so many folks - I just wish I could remember all of the names of the people I met.  From the speakers and fellowship right down to the cafeteria food--all were a blessing.  The friendly attitude on campus seemed to be contagious.

In our conference we are blessed with two wonderful academies and 11 elementary schools.  I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of our parents with school age young people to seriously consider putting your children in one of our schools this year.  Our schools are way above the national norms for good academics, and to have our children in an environment where they learn more about Jesus every day is worth every dime.  My fear has always been that if I didn’t send my two boys to Adventist schools and they left the church someday, that I would feel that I hadn’t done everything possible to help them to walk with Jesus both at home and at school.  So I sent both of my boys all the way through our school system, both have degrees from Union College, and so far the Lord has blessed with the result.

This coming Sabbath, July 25, I will be preaching in two of our churches, Aitkin and Brainerd. They will be the first churches that I have preached in around the conference.  My preaching schedule is basically full through the rest of this year.  I enjoy getting around the conference and preaching.  I look forward to someday being able to say that I have been in all of our churches in the conference.  The sad thing is it will take 3-4 years to get to all of them, but nonetheless, I am looking forward to it.

The first week in August we will be having all of our teachers and preachers getting together at our North Star Camp for our annual employees meeting.  I am anxious to get acquainted with more of our employees at that time.  I would ask that each of you commit to praying for our teachers, preachers and office staff every day.  I believe there is power in prayer.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible on prayer is found in James 5 and verse 16 (last part).  It says…
“The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”  NRSV translation.  Is that great or what?  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.  I believe that this is absolutely true.  There is a power in prayer that makes a difference in our lives and in our schools, churches, and the conference office.  Please continue praying for our teachers, preachers, office staff and one another.
 
There is a quote that I would like to share from a letter that Ellen White wrote to Elder Farnsworth in January 28, 1903. I just ran across this last year in one of the churches in Illinois. It goes like this… “The promise is made on condition that the united prayers of the church are offered, and in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to private prayer.  The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love of God and for one another.”

That is a statement that is very interesting.  Here are some of the things that strike me.

Proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and one another.  Folks, think about that for a few minutes.  It shows once again why the unity of our members is so important.  Folks, if you have a problem with a fellow brother or sister in the church, go and get it taken care of.  You don’t want to hold back the power of God in the church.  Walk closer to Jesus and watch your prayer life become even more powerful.
 
Brothers and Sisters, I am anxious to get to know you and work with you.  We have a job to do, and that is to take Jesus to everyone in our wonderful state.  That is the commission that God has given us.  That is our territory.  Let’s work and pray together as we go through these final days here on this earth.  Thank you for your faithfulness!
 
D. Edward Barnett, President