Continuing The Vision of 1912

Back in 1912, Bahamas Academy began with a vision of restoring in its students the image of Christ while equipping them for today's world. At that time, the school survived on the generosity of the community. So much has changed over the years. Bahamas Academy has experienced consistent growth in both its student body and its plant facilities. The student body has grown from two to the present total of about 1,000. The challenge of meeting the needs of our students remains our priority.

The areas of urgent needs are:

*Scholarships for worthy students

*Establishment of a technology department.

*Building expansion and retirement of debts.

*Establishment of an endowment fund.

*Developing a multimedia/library center.

In an attempt to meet its recurring financial responsibilities, Bahamas Academy has traditionally relied on tuition and organizational subsidy. We have come to the realization, however, that much more is required if Bahamas Academy is to meet the challenges of the 21^st century. We therefore take this opportunity to introduce the $20/24 month giving plan.

THE $20/24 MONTH PLAN

Bahamas Academy is making an urgent appeal to its constituency to participate in an ambitious plan of raising $1 million over the next two years. This can be accomplished if 2,500 teachers, pastors conference workers, church members, old scholars, and friend commit to giving a minimum of $20 (or whatever you can give consistently) per month for two years.

To sign up for this program, please contact any teacher of Bahamas Academy or call 393-3381 or 393-8898. Help us make our dreams come through. - B. A. S. Public Relations Dept.

SDAs Choose Person, Event of the Millennium

Martin Luther is the most significant religious figure of the last 1,000 years, according to a majority of Seventh-day Adventist leaders, pastors and communicators from around the world who took part in an informal "millennium" survey. More than 70 percent of respondents chose the great Protestant reformer, whose challenge to the Roman Catholic Church in 1517 changed the face of Christianity, as the person having the greatest impact on religion over the last millennium.

Almost 95 percent chose pioneer Ellen White as the most significant person in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with many, such as Luka Daniel, president of the Adventist Church in West Africa, noting the profound effect her writings have had in "shaping Adventist thought and lifestyle."

The Protestant Reformation was cited by a majority (59 percent) as "the most significant religious event of the millennium." In second place, at some 30 percent, was the invention of the moveable-type printing press.

"Not only did it mean the extensive printing and distribution of the Bible," said Bruce Manners, editor of the South Pacific Division Record, "it came just before the Reformation, allowing the wide dissemination of Reformation viewpoints throughout Europe."

The question "What has been the most significant Adventist event?" elicited the most varied responses. Thirty percent cited the church's Global Mission/world mission initiative. The growth of satellite evangelism and the 1888 General Conference Session in Minneapolis dealing with the "righteousness by faith" doctrine were each cited by around 14 percent of respondents. Bertil Wiklander, president of the Church's Trans-European Division, named "the discussions leading up to the issuing of the book Questions on Doctrine," while Dick Duerksen chose the publication of the book Steps to Christ. He said, "This pamphlet is truly the 'Magna Carta' of Adventism. It clearly describes our understanding of Grace and Salvation, always putting Christ at the forefront." Other significant Adventist events named in the survey included "Mrs. White's Great Controversy vision" and the Church's "attainment of 10 million membership."

Although Ellen White was chosen by an overwhelming majority as the most significant Adventist, many participants also named a second important Adventist figure. Suggestions included Francis D. Nichol, Bert B. Beach ("the only Adventist who is-or has been-known, on a first name basis, by most world leaders, and whose views are sought after and respected"), A. G. Daniels ("His 22 years as General Conference president brought stability. He was an experienced missionary and traveled extensively to all continents as president. His experience allowed him to reorganize and reform the church to allow for unprecedented growth"), Robert Brinsmead, and Arthur Maxwell ("Through his Bedtime Stories, Bible Stories and message books" he has "reached millions of non-Adventists"). Bettina Krause

NEW MILLENNIUM CELEBRATION CHOIR REHEARSAL

The New Millennium Choir rehearsal will be held today at Hillview Church immediately following the Joint Youth Service.

CONVENTION 2000

Theme: "Experience The Certainty of His Coming"

Venue: Maranatha --Wed. & Thur. (Jan. 12-13) and at

the Church of God Auditorium

Joe Farrington Road as of Friday,

Jan. 14 to Sun. Jan. 16

Speakers: Elder L. B. Wellington

Elder N. S. Fraser

Special Guest Speaker:

Elder James Cress

Shepherdesses & Our Youth

will present a Heritage Program on the Sabbath afternoon of Convention

Educationally Speaking Why Adventist Education?

Adventist education is designed to inculcate in the student an abiding faith in God and His Word. This Bible-based approach to education is used to help children shape their lives. Adventist Christian teachers, in a relatively safe environment, help students fortify their minds with the best materials to build characters for eternity. Therefore, to continue to make Adventist education available to our children, your SUPPORT is needed. You may SUPPORT Adventist education by sending your child, sponsoring a needy student, making a donation to our school, and by participating in fund- raising drives for the schools. As you go into the year 200 and a new millennium, make your SUPPORT for Adventist education a priority.

JOINT YOUTH INSTALLATION SERVICE

Beginning today at 4:00 p.m., the annual Youth Installation service will be held at Hillview Church. All youth officers for 2000 are especially encouraged to attend.

APPRECIATION BANQUET

The Bahamas Conference sponsors an appreciation banquet in honour of Pastor & Sister R. I. Hanna for 40 years of dedicated service in our Conference on February 5, 2000, at Nassau Marriott. Contact your local pastor for tickets.

CHOIR DRESS REHEARSAL

Dress rehearsal for the Grant's Town, and Centreville Choirs and Harmonious Praise at Hillview today immediately following the youth service in preparation for the Convention Youth Heritage Program.

**Bethany Church launched their church website last weekend. Check it out at: www.tagnet.org/bethanysda/home

TEACHERS NEEDED!

Bahamas Academy Secondary Division is inviting applications for the following positions for the 2000/2001 school year.

2 English Language and Literature Teachers

1 Math Teacher

1 Health Science Teacher

1 Physical Education Teacher

1 Janitress

1 Cafe Worker

1 Secretary

Interested persons may obtain application forms from the school on Wulff Road between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Fully completed applications must be submitted to the Principal by March 31, 2000.

**Bahamas Academy Secondary Division also needs temporary teachers (January to June 2000) for the following subjects.

Physical Education - Grades 7 - 12

Literature - Grades 7 -9 and 11

Math - Grades 9 and 10

Interested persons should contact the Principal at phone 393-3381 as soon as possible.

**All AY Council members and all Shepherdesses are requested to meet at Hillview tomorrow morning at 10.

**Looking for photos of members, churches and Pathfinders from 1920 -1970. Contact Sis. Ann Albury at 327-7464

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

All Women's Ministries leaders and their assistants are requested to meet today at Berea S.D.A. Church at 3:30 p.m. Please be on time.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

Sister Rowena Smith would like to meet with all Children's Ministries leaders, Primary, Kindergarten and Cradle Roll leaders and teachers today at the Hillview Church from 5 to 6 p.m.

**The Philadelphia S.D.A. Church will be dedicated January 16, 2000, at 2:00 p.m.

Promotions

Congratulations to Mrs. Audrey Wright on her recent promotion to Senior Lecturer in Music at the College of the Bahamas. In addition, congratulations to Virginia Zonicle and Shirley Temple-Stubbs who were also recently promoted to Senior Teachers at the Ministry of Education.

FORMER BA SECONDARY STUDENT SHINES

The Tinker family congratulates Tamara Clarke-Bass, former head-girl of Bahamas Academy Secondary and daughter of the late Jimmy and Edna Clarke, for graduating Summa Cum Laude on December 17, 1999, from North Carolina Central University with a B.Sc. Degree in biology.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2000

JANUARY

1 HOMECOMING SABBATH

4-5 WORKERS' MEETING

10-11 YEAR END MEETING & AUDIT

12-16 NP CONVENTION

21-23 GB CONVENTION

28-30 FI CONVENTIONS

29 ED. EMPHASIS

FEBRUARY

5 LAY EMPHASIS

8 HEALTHY TEENAGERS WORKSHOP

12-19 FAMILY EMPHASIS

26 STEWARDSHIP EMP.

MARCH

5 OPENING OF 2000

EVANGELISM EXPLOSION

25 BAPTISMAL DAY

APRIL

8 YOUTH EMPHASIS

15 LITERATURE EVANGELISM RALLY DAY

Sun sets today at 5:34 p.m. Sun sets next Sabbath at 5:39 p.m.