THE LOGOSA Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Weekly Publication Volume 6, Number 10, March 10, 2001 |
Sitting in the shadow of the Hillview Adventist Church, the new, two-storey headquarters was built over three years with funds generated primarily from within the Adventist system, and much of the work done by sub-contractors who are Church members. The building - painted cream, white and green -- houses administrative offices, the Adventist Book and Nutrition Centre, a heritage room, a recording studio and Adventist counselling services.
The modern centre of operations replaces an earlier one on the corner of Shirley Street and Mount Royal Avenue that grew inadequate over the years. Adventism traces its roots in The Bahamas to 1893 when a United States missionary visited to sell books; today there is a membership of more than 10,000 worshipping in more than 42 churches and companies located on 11 islands.
Distinguished guests for the 2-1/2-hour opening ceremony, carried live on Radio Bahamas, included His Excellency Sir Orville Turnquest, Governor-General; the Hon. Frank H. Watson, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security; the Hon. Janet G. Bostwick, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Hon. Perry G. Christie, Leader of the Opposition; Dr. Bernard J. Nottage, chief executive officer of the Coalition for Democratic Reform; Lady Pindling, Bishops Neil Ellis of Mt. Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church, Elgarnet Rahming of the Church of God of Prophecy and Ros Davis of The Bahamas Christian Council, the Rev. Charles Sweeting, President of The Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church, and Acting Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson.
Among regional Adventist leaders attending were Pastor Israel Leito, President of the Inter-American Division of Adventists who delivered the keynote address; Elder L. B. Wellington, Vice-President of the division; Dr. Patrick Allen, President of the West Indies Union Conference of Adventists; Dr. Wendell McMillan, Secretary of the West Indies Union; Pastor Jeff Thompson, President of the Cayman Islands Mission of Adventists; and Dr. Herbert J. Thompson, President of Northern Caribbean University (formerly West Indies College).
Pastor K. D. Albury, President of The Bahamas Conference of Adventists, told those attending the ceremony, seated under white tents in the car park, that the process of building the new headquarters began in earnest with the launching in 1996 of the conference's strategic plan - "Vision 2000."
The finished product, he said, stands as a testimony to the mighty power of God working on behalf and through his people who were faithful to the vision and never gave up. The Church is now supported by a headquarters that is adequately designed and constructed to meet the many challenges of ministry in the 21st century, he said.
"As we look to the future," Pastor Albury said, "we have no doubt that our best days as a Church are still ahead of us." Other speakers looked ahead, too. Said Dr. Patrick Allen: "You are now challenged to take the quality of service that you have given to this Church and to the nation to a higher level. Now comes the greater responsibility of showing that the recipients of God's grace must share this grace in ways that can touch everyone - from Government House to Bain Town."
Said the Governor-General: "I urge you to cause a coincidence between this dedication and a fresh resolve on the part of the Church to widen its social and spiritual outreach programmes to embrace a greater number of young lost sheep, wherever they may be, in whatever precarious circumstances they may find themselves.
"In the same manner that Jesus Christ came to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance, so I urge you to look beyond the borders of your churches or the walls of this fine edifice and pluck back into safety God's sheep wandering too far from the social and spiritual fold."
Deputy Prime Minister Watson said he considers the youth arm of the Church, the Pathfinders, a national asset that should be shared with children and young people throughout The Bahamas. "I encourage your leadership," he said, "to turn their considerable creative talents to ways by which the very positive influence and message of the Pathfinders organization can be shared more fully."
Pastor Leito, referring to The Bahamas as "an oasis of freedom," discussed values held dear by Adventists - bringing honour to God, peacemaking, integrity, respect, humility and compassion. "The values we have are common," he said, "because they are values that any decent person would espouse and live by." The purpose of Adventist buildings is always the same - to teach, to show and to witness to the values of the Spirit, he said.
With respect to peacemaking, Pastor Leito spoke of bringing peace between God and man, between peoples themselves, and inner peace. On integrity, he said, "Business from this place and through this place should not be business as usual. Business from and through this place should be business unusual, for in integrity we should rather do harm to ourselves than to be dishonest."
Pastor Leito also said Adventists should respect the government and all people - the rich and poor, the humble and illustrious.
"Dignified humility," he said, "is what is expected from every Seventh-day Adventist, every Seventh-day Adventist building, every Seventh-day Adventist institution.
"This building and the people it represents should show the value of God the Father as shown by Jesus Christ - the value of compassion -compassion to all."
Opposition Leader Christie injected an element of humour into the proceedings, noting that at last summer's 57th session of the General Conference of Adventists in Toronto, that city's mayor declared it was the first major conference he had hosted with more than 100,000 delegates and observers "without a single report of a drunken delegate."
NCU VISITS NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Karlene Johnson, Associate Director, Public Relations and Media Services
On March 1, a team of twelve from Northern Caribbean University arrived in Nassau to join University Provost, Dr. Althea McMillan and Marketing Coordinator, Kameal Anderson who had preceded the team to the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. Led by the university's President, Dr. Herbert J. Thompson, the group launched a five-day promotional visit. Foremost among the weekend's activities were an Exhibition of NCU's Academic Programmes, which was held at the Bahamas Academy Gymnatorium, and an A.Y. Programme at the Grant's Town Church, featuring alumni, in which parents were honoured for their loyalty to NCU. The university's President also participated in the official opening of the new Bahamas Conference office on Harrold Road, on March 4.
Warm hospitality was provided by all conference and church representatives, led by dynamic Conference President Pastor K. D. Albury. Effective support was provided by the Conference's Communication Director, Dr. Leonard Johnson, who organized media interviews, advertisements and feature articles in association with the university's Associate Public Relations Director, Karlene Johnson. Notable support was received from Dr. John Carey, Education Director. The team members found time also to enjoy the enviable beauty of the Bahamas, with visits to Paradise Island, a fishing expedition and shopping trips a part of the weekend's agenda.
The university's administration is hopeful of the future as efforts are renewed to build the alumni support base, and to increase the cadre of Bahamian students who choose Northern Caribbean University, the place where "Learning Never Ends."
WOMEN'S MINISTRIES RETREAT 2001
Headed by our Women's Ministries Director, Sister Alwhyne Scavella, a contingent of ladies numbering approximately 150, departed the capital and Freeport, last Friday morning, to join Sisters of like precious faith, fro the twelfth Women's Ministries Retreat held at Camp Kulaquain High Springs Florida, February 23- 25.
Under the theme "Taking Time to Know Him," our keynote speaker, Sister Ginny Allen, vividly portrayed as she expressed the joy and peace that comes to the daughters of God as they take time to Know Him. At the conclusion on Sunday morning, each one present was invited to make that commitment to know our Saviour Jesus on a personal basis, through studying His word, and through Prayer and communion with so that when He returns to this earth, we would be found waiting and watching for Him.
During the trip, one of our sisters became gravely ill, but thanks be to God she is now recuperating in a hospital in Orlando and should be home soon. - A. Scavella
BEREA CHURCH HOST STEWARDSHIP SEMINAR
The Berea Church invite interested persons to attend its Stewardship Seminar which began at the Church on Blue Hill Road South: Friday, March 9, 2001, 7 p.m. and continues; Sabbath, March 10, at 11 a.m.; Sunday, March 11, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. Guest presenter will be Pastor M. A. Smith. Come and rediscover "How to Manage God's Good."
-N. LaCroix
MASTER'S DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OFFERED LOCALLY
All persons interested in obtaining a MBA degree locally via Nova University kindly contact Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix at 325-5714/328-1936/328-0093(wk) or 325-6173 (hm.)
NORTHEAST FEDERATION
All are invited to attend the Evangelistic Service and Crusade Rally for ACTS 2000 at the Centreville Church on Sunday, March 18, 2001, at 7 p.m. Churches include Ephesus, Breath of Life, Living Faith and Centreville.
**Executive Meeting of the Northeast Federation will be held today, March 10, 2001, at 3:30 p.m. At the Centreville Church. All officers are urged to attend.
-P. Hamilton-Brown
NORTHEAST YOUTH FEDERATION FUN DAY
Have you been feeling tired, hot or in need os some fun activities lately? The NE Youth Federation has the solution for you! Join us for a day of fun on Sunday, March 18th, starting at 9 a.m. on Goodman's Bay and relax on the beach, swim in the cool waters or play games and fellowship with your friends. We're sure that you will work up an appetite after all those activities, so delicious food will be on sale. We look forward to seeing all you there!!
FEDERATIONS VOLLEY-BALL TOURNAMENT
All Federation teams male/female are reminded that Federation Volley-ball Round-robin
Tournament will be held Saturday night, March 24, 2001. Venue to be announce.
SOFTBALL COACHES TO MEET
All Churches registering for this year's softball season are advise to send a coach to a meeting at the Hillview Church tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
All Children's Ministries Leaders and assistants are asked to attend a meeting at Hillview on
Sunday, March 11th, at 5:30 p.m. Please bring all year's plans. -R. Smith
LAY ACTIVITIES REPORTS DUE
Attention, all churches, please be reminded to submit all Lay Activities/Sabbath School Reports as of March 8, 2001.
***Youth Basketball League begins Sunday, March 4, 2001, at 9 a.m. at Bahamas Academy Gymnatorium.**ATTENTION, Attendees to the United Youth Congress, plans have changed due to lack of responses.
Airfare round-trip from Nassau: $377.60
Econolodge Hotel: ($180. 3 persons to a room) ($150. 4 persons to a room)
Seminars: $145.
Transportation $50.
Total $752.60 (3 persons to a room)
Total: $722.60 (4 persons to a room)
Please note that registration forms must be completed and returned with funds for the seminar. Applications available from your local youth leader.
TALENT SEARCH FOR LISTEN-UP
Organizers of Listen-up television show are looking for people who want to be interviewed for hosting and taking part on the Listen-Up programme (a half-hour youth programme). Interested persons may call Kerry-Ann Cargill at 341-4021/2.
SENIOR YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM UPCOMING
Pastor Balvin Braham, Union Youth Director, will be in the Bahamas as follows: New Providence, March 15 to 17, and Grand Bahama, March 17 to 19, 2001 (p.m.) He will conduct an intensive Senior Youth Leadership programme. All Youth officers and others are invited.
AHPA CALL FOR ARTICLES
The Adventist Health Professionals Association (AHPA) invites submission of articles for inclusion in the premier issue of the Association's journal. Articles may be on any health-related or health-relevant topic. Article (s) may be submitted to Mrs. Joan Duncombe at the Conference or Dr. Stephanie Hutcheson, phone 324-2347(w) 326-6219 (h) Fax 324-3922. Deadline for submission of articles is April 15, 2001.
*B.A. SENIOR CLASS is sponsoring a "New Millennium Gospel Explosion" March 10 at 7 p.m. at the H.D. Colburn Gymnatorium on campus. Some Artists: Harmonious Praise, Seniors of B.A., Teachers, Vanessa Rolle and many more. Tickets: Adults are $10.00; Children (12 & under) are $5.00. Come out and support our little darlings of tomorrow.
** 2000 B.A. Graduates are being asked to come in and pick up their B.G.C.S.E. Certificates which are now ready.
***BAHAMAS ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CELEBRATES 89 years of Christian education with a Grand Gospel Concert featuring M.C. -The "Hometown Boy" - Mr. Picewell Forbes and guest artists: The BBC Singers, Harmonious Praise, Tamika Smith, Divinity and many more. Nassau, Marriott Resort & Convention Centre, March 25, 2001, at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10. (advance purchase) $15. (at the door)
LONG BAY SCHOOL, ABACO
The following teaching positions are available for the school year beginning September, 2001.
Applicants should submit resumes to Long Bay School, P.O. BOX AB-20377, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, or call 367-2377.-Principal
MUSIC WORKSHOP
Excellence in Music Ministry workshop got off to an exciting beginning on Feb. 9 at the Bethany Church. Bimonthly sessions will be held through June 23rd. It's not too late to register. Contact Allison Mason at 364-5426
Sun Sets today at 6:15 p.m. Sun Sets next Sabbath at 6: 19 p.m.
Download The Logos at: www.bahamasconference.org