Courtney Herod
Courtney Herod
Courtney Herod
Courtney Herod
The Carolina Conference welcomed new members during Welcome to the Family, April 24-26, 2026, a spiritual retreat held every other year at Nosoca Pines Ranch.
This event brought together individuals who recently joined the Carolina Conference through baptism or profession of faith. This year they also wanted to do something different and include members who transferred from other conferences and are new to the Carolina Conference, expanding the event’s purpose as a meaningful introduction to their new Conference family.
Designed to strengthen connections within the Church, Welcome to the Family gave guests opportunities to worship, fellowship, meet Conference leaders, and learn more about ministries serving across the Conference.
One of the features of this retreat is the opportunity for attendees to visit ministry fair booths set up all around the gym, which are hosted by the leadership of Carolina Conference departments and ministries. The booths introduced new members to resources, service opportunities, and ways to become actively involved in the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church across the Carolinas.
Ryan Ashlock, pastor of Fletcher, N.C., Church, served as the guest speaker. Through his messages and personal testimony, Ashlock encouraged new members to continue growing in their relationship with Christ and to remain grounded in faith, and to not become so numb to culture that they cannot see the idolatry surrounding them in their daily lives as to not separate them from God’s leading.
The retreat also featured music ministry by A Better Covenant, the husband and wife team of Andrew and Darby Shultz. Their music added to the worshipful atmosphere, and helped point attendees to the hope and joy found in Christ.
Several Carolina Conference departments were featured during the retreat, giving leaders an opportunity to share resources and benefits available to members. Featured departments included treasury, religious liberty, and Adventist education.
Rick Anderson, Carolina Conference superintendent of education, spoke about the importance of Adventist education in the lives of young people, and the role schools play in helping students grow academically and spiritually.
Rick Russell and Jeff Horn, Carolina Conference treasurer and undertreasurer, explained how tithe dollars are used within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including how they support ministry throughout the denomination, from the local conference to the General Conference.
Leslie Louis, Carolina Conference president and religious liberty director, shared how the Church helps protect members’ First Amendment religious freedoms, particularly when members face Sabbath work conflicts or other religious liberty concerns with employers and others.
As new members continue their walk with Christ, the Carolina Conference celebrates the growth God is bringing throughout its territory, and looks forward to seeing each person become more deeply connected in worship, service, and mission.
Carolina | June 2026
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