Northern Region Mega Week-end Mega week-end June 29 to July 1st, was an outstanding way for the brethren to reflect on the spiritual goals that were set in January 2001 under the theme "That We May Be One."The session began with a lively service on Friday evening at the Freeport Church Sanctuary. The guest speaker for the week-end was our fiery, dynamic, power packed West Indies Union Treasurer, Pastor Herman Ming. He called on Christians to wake up from sleep, get dressed quickly, accept God's amour of righteousness, and be prepared to obey his commands.Members turned out in large numbers for the Sabbath morning services at the Worker's House auditorium. A wonderful Sabbath School was held including the lesson study which was conducted by a panel of elders from the various churches on the island. This prepared our hearts for the divine hour's celebration.During the Mid-day service, Northern Region Coordinator and Field Secretary, Pastor Paul A. Scavella, updated the brethren on the status of the Northern region and encouraged them to focus on evangelism.

Also present at the service were Conference President, Pastor K. D. Albury and family. Before introducing the speaker, he exhorted the members to:-

Study diligently like the Bereans

Spend much time in prayer

Do much planning and church management locally. Change some of the old methods to meet the standards of this century.

He admonished Pastors, Officers and members to look closely at church growth, individual, and family needs, most of all he would like to meet all the families in the Conference in Heaven.

Finally, it was time to hear from Pastor Ming once again. Reminding the believers of Friday night's call to awake from slumber, he encouraged spiritual growth and maturity. He said that some persons do not respond until they are at a Red Sea experience and have no other choice but to lay on their backs. Christians today are better off than the Israelites who were inexperienced and enslaved, he added.As the Northern Region now prepares for its Red Sea experience, the focus should be:

Unity

Full commitment to God by trusting him.

Obedience to God's commands

Willingness to enter new territories.

Elder Ming said, "there is no time for retreat. Expect to find a doubting Thomas and many Goliaths. Learn to use the slings well so that the giants will tumble down. We should live in the hope that the Holy City lay just over the mountain."

The evening service was a symposium on the programs of the church. Mega week-end ended with relaxation and fun on Barbary Beach on Sunday. Like those who have gone on before, may we leave behind a heritage that will encourage our children to be faithful and obedient to God. - Evelyn Lopez, Communication Secretary, Northern Region

Happy Summer, Youth! All aboard! Happy summer from the desk of Pastor Eric D. Clarke, Youth Director. I wish to inform you of the following summer lineup. First up, we have the Adventurer Camp, coordinated by Bro. Rohan Creighton, kicking off July 22 and running through July 29. A week of fun-filled activities including hikes, drills, swimming, arts /crafts and much more will be available.

July 15 to 22 the Pathfinder Camp, under the leadership of Bro. Barry Saunders, where there will be many games, water sports, honour making and a whole lot more. So come out, tell a friend and enjoy your summer the youthful way.

The 14^th Annual Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp will be held from Monday, July 2, to 27^th. This camp is billed as exciting. All die hard Basketball fans and those not sure of what to do this summer, come out and participate in good wholesome games of Basketball, played in a safe environment at the H. D. Colburn Gym and meet the N.B.A. players attending this year's camp.

August, the high point of the summer months, is busting with activities. August Monday, the 6th, Inter-Church Sports Day will be celebrated. All of the aspiring Troy Kemp, Chandra Sturrup, Eldese Lewis, Debbie Ferguson and Pauline Davis will be represented . Gear up now for this event.

To end the summer of activities, Pathfinders will gather in Camporee in Westmoreland, Jamaica, from all over West Indies Union. Plans are made to climb the Blue Mountains peak of 7,400 ft. above sea level in Kingston, Jamaica. July 29 to August 5, will give way to the most anticipated Youth camp-meeting and revival at the Hillview Church. Guest speaker will be Pastor Balvin Braham, West Indies Union's Youth Leader who knows the syntax of how to inter-act with young people, and their mind-set. We in youth ministries want you to be actively involved in wholesome activities. Let's all plan, pray and commit ourselves to keep safe this summer. Other youth activities are planned throughout the Family Islands. Please support! God bless!-Youth Ministries

Lay Counseling Selection Orientation Continues Lay Counselor Selection Orientation continues today at 5:30 in the Johnson Park Church Youth Hall. This is the last opportunity for individuals to volunteer to be selected as lay counselors. Some of the requirements to be a lay counselor are:

1. Complete 20 hours of training conducted by ACS.

• Take an exam to become a certified lay counselor.
• Be a person of professional ethics and confidentiality.
• Have no serious psychological, family, personal, or spiritual problems.
• Complete three hours of personal counseling from the director of ACS or a selected counselor.
• Have a teachable and willing spirit.
• Have a warm and caring personality.
• Posess a spiritual gift conducive for counseling.
• Be an Adventist in good and regular standing.
• Be a great supporter of the Adventist Church in private and public.
• To be a lay counselor one must be fully recommended without reservations b
• Lay counselors will complete 5 hours of lay counseling continuing education each year for re-certification y his or her pastor

Lay Counselors will be trained lay persons in crises counseling positioned to be first responders in their local churches to individual and family crises. Lay counselors will not be professionals, and thus will not be required to make professional diagnoses or treatments. They will be the volunteer staff of the Adventist Counseling Services, assisting in the healing ministry of families and individuals in our Conference.- Barrington H. Brennen, Director,

Personal Ministries Pulpit Exchange August 4, 2001, is designated Lay Pulpit Exchange Sabbath. Pastors are requested to submit names of local Personal Ministries Leaders for the purpose of coordinating this year's Lay exchange programme.

Ingathering Campaign 2001 plans are underway. All Community Services Leaders are requested to submit photos for the Ingathering campaign booklet. Include a brief description of the captioned event. Deadline for submission of photos is July 13, 2001.Dr. M. D. Toote, Director, Personal Ministries

Breath of Life Family Island Highlight Throughout the months of July and August, the Breath of Life Church on Marshall Road will pay tribute to the various Family Islands by highlighting one or more island each Sabbath. July Schedule: Sabbath, July 7, Andros and Acklins; Sabbath, July 14, Abaco and Bimini; Sabbath, July 21, Cat Island and Crooked Island; Sabbath, July 28, Eleuthera and Exuma.

You are cordially invited to attend an Independence special service at the Church today from 8:00 a.m. Androsians and Acklins Islanders, and their descendants will be featured.

The schedule for August will be released later. Persons from these respective islands are especially invited to share with us on these Sabbaths. -Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe

14^th Annual Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp Continues Jeff Rodgers' 14^th annual Basketball Camp begun at the B A Gym July 2^nd, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. Application forms are available at the Youth Dept. of the Conference and B A Secondary during regular office hours. Boys and girls aged 5 to 18 are welcomed.

Congratulations to Graduates Special congratulations are extended to all SDA Graduates of the College of the Bahamas graduating class 2001.

Youth Ministries Announcements Lay Youth Evangelists are needed to assist in the upcoming Youth Revival. All interested persons are requested to attend a meeting tonight at the Berea Church, Blue Hill Road South at 8 p.m.

A Special Called Workday for ALL PATHFINDERS at the Campsite, July 8 to 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All Pathfinder Directors are asked to send the names of their campers to the Conference Youth department on Monday by noon.

Application forms for the Adventurer Camp will be available from local church leaders.

The Pathfinder Camporee to be held August 22 to 27 will soon be here. The approximate cost is $600. Kindly call Kerry at 341-4021 for further detail.

Youth Leaders are reminded that the names of all Adventurers, Pathfinders and Masterguides are to be turned into the Youth Department Office.

The Tiny Shop wish to inform parents and guardians of Pathfinders and Bahamas Academy students that they have materials in stock. Pathfinders are asked to identify themselves in order to receive 10% discount of the regular price. DeAnn Cash

Masterguides Club Installation. Newly elected officers for the Masterguides Club will be installed on Monday, July 9^th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillview Church.

Pastor Eric D. Clarke, Youth Director will give the charge and perform the installation. All invested, in-training and in-active Masterguides are invited. Active members are requested to dress in uniform. Applications for membership will be available.

Basketball playoff's begin tonight at the Bahamas Academy Gym, 8:15 p.m. until. Living Faith vs. Hillview and Centreville vs. Johnson Park. Meet you there!

"Remember when Adventists had two hours to spare on Sundays." Well unless you make the time, you will never have it. Make the time and support the SDA young people this Sunday at noon at the Blue Hill Softball Field as Johnson Park takes on Berea and Hillview takes on Grant's Town. -L. Stuart

Northwest Youth Federation to Meet All members of the Northwest Youth Federation are requested to meet tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the New Englerston Church

Mass Youth Choir to Rehearse Special Called Mass Youth Choir rehearsal is scheduled for today at 4:30 p.m. at the Living Faith Church. ALL Choir members are asked to attend this rehearsal in preparation for the Pre-Independence Celebration on Monday at Clifford Park.-Anthony Russell, Director

Harmonious Praise Tapes Available Harmonious Praise recent Concert now available on video tapes and audio cassette from group members. Call Tony at 364-1715 or Shantell at 341-7723.

Mid-year Convention Sermons Available

Mid-year Convention Sermons tapes are available at the front desk at the Conference office.

Adventists Health Professionals Association The AHPA will host a trip to Uchee Pines, Seals, Alabama, September 23 to 30, 2001. See your local Health Leader or contact Marlene McKinney at 364-0085 after 6 p.m. Deposit required by July 30^th.

Vacation Bible School Several Churches have began Vacation Bible School. All churches are encouraged to utilize this avenue of the church to lead children to Christ.- Personal Ministries Dept.

Bahamas Academy Elementary Summer School BA Elementary summer school will be held June 25 to July 20, 2001, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Regular Summer School package $200 (Mathematics, Reading/Phonics, Language, Art/Craft, Music, Computer, Movies).

• Swimming + Other activities $175 (Art/craft, Music, Computer, Movies)
• Swimming only $95.00

Sabbath School Teachers' Certification Sabbath School Training programme will now be held on Sabbath afternoons from the 21^st of July thru to the 25^th of August. Please submit names by July 11^th.

Medical Grill Out There will be a grill out for 13 years old Stephen J. Brown of the Maranatha Church to help defray medical bills on July 10, 2001, on Montagu Beach from 12 o'clock to 6 p.m. For more information you may contact 364-7819 or 324-4441. Your help would be greatly appreciated.-Bernadette Brown, Mother

SDA Gardening Club Persons interested in forming an SDA Gardening Club can call one of these numbers: (1) 361-7428 Mon, Tuesday and Wednesdays 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (2) 324-5226 Mondays 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and weekday evenings 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays after 6 p.m.

ATTENTION PASTORS AND LAY EVANGELISTS The Inter-American Division is accepting brief sermons for the ADVANCE booklet for 2002. Deadline for submission is July 15, 2001.

SABBATH SCHOOL REPORTS ARE NOW DUE. KINDLY SUBMIT SAME TO MISS CARGILL AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICE BY JULY 23^RD.