Thousands Attend
Festival of The Laity
Under the theme "Fan the Flames, Rekindle
the Passion, Share the Joy," over 2,000 church delegates attended the
first West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Festival of the
Laity held August 18 - 21, 2004, at the West Jamaica 
Conference
Convention Center, Montego Bay. Coming from the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks
and Caicos Islands, and Jamaica, these lay delegates were joined by about
1,500 non-delegate church members and pastors who gathered in the main hall on
the opening night (August 18) to hear Pastor Isreal Laito, Inter-American
Division of SDA president, give the keynote address.
SEE PHOTOS
The objectives of the festival were to celebrate what God has done through
the laymen during the last five years, recognize outstanding laymen, share new
information and methods of evangelism, provide the opportunity for fellowship
and the exchange of ideas, motivate, inspire, train and recruit laymen for
further service. To achieve these objectives, in addition to the inspirational
messages, eight seminars were conducted by outstanding presenters during the
four-day event. The seminar presenters included Pastor Gordon Martinborough
(Family Evangelism); Pastor Jonathan Kuntaraf, form the General Conference
Personal Ministeries Department (International Institute of Christian
Ministeries); Carol Palmer, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice,
Jamaica (Restorative Justice - Promoting Healing in Broken communities);
Richard Bland, from United Prison Ministeries International (Prison Ministry -
Unlocking the Bars of the Heart Behind Prison Bars); Pastor Keith Albury,
President of the North Bahamas Mission (Leading God's Church); Pastor Baraka
Muganda, Youth Ministeries Director, General Conference (Youth Evangelism);
Joan Wint, Principal of Denbigh High School, Central Jamaica (Community
Outreach and the Church); Pastor Samuel Telemaque, Personal Ministeries
Director of the Caribbean Union Conference (Prayer Ministry that Unlocks the
Windows of Heaven).
A special feature on the programme each morning was the devotional
presented by outstanding lay preachers. Brother Howard Knowles, a Bahamian lay
preacher from the Centreville Church, presented the Thursday mid-day Power
Hour devotional on "Fan the Flame of Spiritual Revival." Other
devotional speakers were Doreen Pabarue, Central Jamaica Conference, and
Daniella Uter, child preacher from West Jamaica Conference. Danny Shelton,
president of 3ABN, captivated the attention of the delegates on Friday evening
with the personal experiences he shared to illustrate how to "Rekindle
the Passion of Sowing."
On Sabbath, August 21, over 8,000 Adventists gathered at the festival site
to experience the fellowship and inspiration of the final day's activities.
The main auditorium, King's Church, Food Court, and
a large tent were able to seat about 6,600 persons. The rest of the people
assembled under the trees, or sat in their vehicles as they listened to the
service via speakers. Pastor Burnett Robinson, a former Union
Evangelist/Ministerial Director of West Indies Union, gave a powerful and
timely message during the Divine Service. A baptism was conducted at the end
of the mid-day service. It should be noted that Brother Johnnie Taylor from
Hillview was instrumental in preparing one of the candidates for baptism.
Scores of outstanding laymen were honored during the Award Ceremony in the
afternoon for their contribution to the development of Adventism in West
Indies Union. Among those receiving awards were several Bahamians: Audrey
Wright who was awarded for her contribution in music; Isaac and Jackie Collie
for their work in education. John Gerald Carey was among those persons
honoured for their service in government. The most outstanding awardee was
Nurse Hamutel Palmer, a 105-year-old Jamaican sister, who gave so many years
of committed service. Following the Awards Ceremony, Pastor Baraka Muganda
electrified the congregation with a motivational vespers thought, "The
Train Is Coming."
On Saturday night, almost 3,000 persons attended the first West Indies
Union Praise Reunion Concert. It was a moving experience to see Harold Dorsett
direct a choir of more that one hundred outstanding Adventist musicians from
the various fields in West Indies Union. There was a natural blending of
voices in songs of inspiration such as "Let's Just Praise the Lord,"
"There Were Ninety and Nine," " Marvelous Grace,"
"Your Grace and Mercy," etc. Proceeds from the concert will be used
to establish a scholarship fund for needy students in West Indies Union.
Celebrating 50 glorious Years of Service Through Pathfindering We in
the Bahamas Conference will be celebrating our 50th anniversary of
Pathfindering in the Bahamas during the week of September 12 to 19, 2004. To
showcase this significant milestone, we are planning a full week of activities
that will involve young and old, Adventurers, Pathfinders, Masterguides and
Adventist Youth. We are inviting everyone to get involved in the celebrations.
Our aim is to share our faith in a meaningful way through the various
activities we will seek to share during this week.
The week will commence on Sunday, September 12 with a Grand March and
Rally. Monday through Wednesday, we will have Spirit- filled evening meetings
with our speaker being our very own Union Youth Director, Pastor Derek Bignal.
Thursday, September 16, we will be hosting an exhibition in the mall that will
depict various areas of youth work such as Pathfindering, health, evangelism
outreach, camping skills, community outreach such as our PET program, the
Pathfinder Band and other areas of interest to us and the general public. We
wish to make the booths interactive so that the various displays will be
meaningful to our target audience.
We will continue our meetings on Friday evening and Saturday morning,
September 17 and 18 with joint youth services. We will be having a baptism
after the Divine Hour service on Sabbath.
Sabbath afternoon program promises to be a most dynamic, historic,
enlightening and inspiring one as we will have a salute to outstanding youth
directors and club directors of the past.
We will culminate our week of activities on Sunday, September 19 with an
exciting concert showcasing the talents of our Adventurers, Pathfinders and
Masterguides through music and performances.
This week promises to be a most uplifting, rewarding and informative one.
Please contact Pastor Andrew Burrows at 341-4022, Coordinator Barry Shane
Saunders at 356-8367 or Coordinator Audley Mitchell at 362-1258.
Over 900 Graduated from NCU A total of 904 students graduated from
Northern Caribbean University on August 15, 2004. Most of the students pursued
majors in education and business-related areas. Representing the 16 academic
departments, the students received certificates, diplomas, associate,
bachelors and masters degrees. One of the Bahamian graduates, Etosha Rahming
will be joining the staff at Bahamas Academy.
The Commencement speaker, Nigeria's Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Kweala, revealed that whereas the per capita income in Jamaica is
$2,700 per year, it was just $300 per annum in Nigera.
Bahamas Conference Workers’ Meeting All workers of the Bahamas
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists are requested to attend Workers’
meeting on Sunday, August 29, 2004, at 8:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia SDA
Church, Elizabeth Estates.
Pathfinder 50th Anniversary Celebration Join the hundreds of
Pathfinders and Adventist Youth as we begin celebrations for 50 years of
Pathfinder in the Bahamas. A number of events are scheduled: Pathfinder
Band concert - Sunday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bahamas Academy Gym.
Tickets are available at the local church, pathfinder directors, or band
member.
WIU Treasurer, Ming, to Hold CDF Meeting Tonight A special
meeting is being held at the Living Faith Church immediately after set of sun
with Elder Herman Ming, WIU Treasurer, to share on the expansion of the
Capital Development Fund. All are invited to attend.
It’s Back to School Again This week parents and their children are
busy preparing for a return to the school routine next week. For some
youngsters, it will be their first time attending school in a formal setting,
but for the majority of the students it will be a return to their classes. The
students of Bahamas Academy will be among the thousands of students throughout
our Commonwealth who will invade the school campuses next week. Although
Bahamas Academy reopens on Monday, September 6, orientation for new students
will be held on Friday, September 3. Watch the Logos for more about "Back
to School" next week.
Recognition Service and Banquet For Dr. Hugh and Mrs. Olga Roach During
the weekend of September 3 to 5, 2004, Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Roach will be
recognized for giving 50 years of service in education and the gospel
ministry. The schedule for the weekend will be as follows:
Recognition Service and Banquet For Dr. Hugh and Mrs. Olga Roach (Continued
from p. 1)
Friday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Joint service at the Hillview SDA Church, Harrold Road
Sabbath, September 4, at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Special services at Maranatha.
Friends from the community are invited to attend.
Sunday, September 5, at 6:30 p.m.
Formal Banquet at the Radisson Cable Beach Hotel. Tickets for the Banquet
are now available. Please contact one of the following persons to get your
tickets.
Listing of point persons in the churches:
Adelaide Bro. Eric Bain
Berea Bro. Nelson Moncur
Bethany Sis. Allison Mason
Bethel Pastor Edward St. Fleur
Breath of Life Sis. Sharon Robinson
Centreville Sis. Betty Tinker
Ebenezer Pastor Edward St. Fleur
Francophone Pastor Edward St. Fleur
Gambier Pastor Gary King
Good News Bro. Peter Scavella
Grant’s Town Sis. Christine Brown
Hillview Sis. Donnalee Bowe
Johnson Park Bro. Barry Saunders
Living Faith Sis. Andria Musgrove
Maranatha Sis. Katrina Mitchell
Message of Hope Sis. Marva Farquharson
New Englerston Sis. Rose Sands
New Providence Bro. Vernal Rolle
ParkgateSis. Cheryl Forbes
Philadelphia Sis. Annette Dorsette
Real Harvest Bro. Preston Johnson
Family Togetherness Sabbath, Sept. 11, 2004, Theme for the day
"Changing Lives Through Christian Intimacy"
Pathfinder Supplies Available
Come and get your scarves, badges, pins, flags, banners and other items
from the Youth Department of the Conference. Churches that ordered flags and
banners through the Youth department are asked to collect them.
Operation - Protect Our Children Rally The Ministry of Social Services
and Community Development in conjunction with the National Child Protection
Council, is about to embark on a national child safety campaign. The operation
will commence with a rally under the theme ‘Operation - Protect Our Children’
on Sunday, August 29, 2004, at 4:00 p.m. at the R. M. Bailey Park. All are
invited to attend.
An Hour of Gospel Music at Mary Ingraham Home The ministry of music
plays a pivotal role on Sabbath evenings at the Mary Ingraham Home in
ministering to the seniors and neighbours in the area. Continuing today from
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is the Francophone SDA Choir. The ministry features
next Saturday evening the Gambier Church. All persons scheduled are requested
to please contact Mr. Admiral Forbes at the home at 341-0094/5 in advance if
they are unable to keep their appointments. - J. Admiral Forbes, Co-ordinator
New Providence SDA Church The following functions will be hosted by the
New Providence SDA Church: Ole School Night - Saturday, September 18th;
Singles Conference - November 8th - 14th, 2004.
Educators’ Association Activities
Please remember the following up-coming events:
September 12: Prayer Breakfast/Seminar
November. 6: Boat Cruise -Mrs. Elmore Jacques, Public Relations
Education Secretaries to Meet
There will be a very important meeting for church education secretaries on
Monday, August 30, at 7:00 P.M. at the Conference Office. - Dr. Cheryl R.
Rolle
Adventist Book Centre The Adventist Book Centre invites you to come by
and shop for all your health food needs. A full-time colporteur is now
available to come to your home or office. Should you need this service please
call 341-2429. Additionally, delicious, hot vegetarian lunches are available
daily - just another service we provide to meet your needs. Ask about the Gold
Card. -Kenny V.A. Deveaux, ABC Manager
VBA on The Move The Volunteer Bahamas Programme continues to impact the
development of our churches and school. Last weekend Brothers Andrew Hanna,
Basil Neiley, Wellington Burrows and Stephen Meadows travelled to Eleuthera to
work on the Fellowship Hall at the Bluff Church. We applaud these men for
their consistent support and sacrifical contribution to the VBA projects. VBA
needs your support, too!
Adventist Men’s Ministry
!
Adventist Men’s Ministry Weekend will
be held December 9 to 12 at the Nassau Beach Hotel. Two exciting concerts will
be conducted by the Men’s Choir at Government House and at one of our
churches to be announced. Further details are forth coming about our speakers.
!
The Adventist Men will be traveling to
the Island of Inagua to participate in the erection of the church building.
All persons planning on traveling with the group are asked to make a $50
deposit at the Conference Office. We anticipate your cooperation.
!
Be Healthy, Be Happy Club members
and interested persons are asked to meet at R. M. Bailey Park tomorrow morning
at 6 o'clock for our weekly walk. -Pastor P. A. Scavella, Health Ministries
Director
Business Logos The Communication department is looking into the
possibility of printing a Business edition of the Logos to accommodate the
many "secular" announcements and ads that are printed in the Sabbath
edition. Let us have your views on the need for the Business Logos.
Watch Adventist Spotlight on
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Sun sets today at 7:35 p.m.
Sun sets next Sabbath at 7:27 p.m.
