Online Logos August 30, 2008 Bahamas Conference

Last week I shared with you regarding the ministerial retreat and the need to affirm pastors. Well, today I wish to revisit Souls Culture. While this is a local initiative, it is not unique or an isolated concept as it mirrors in many ways the Tell the World initiative adopted by the world church in 2005.

Tell the World “is a broad vision, a bold challenge undertaken by the Seventh-day Adventist Church”. It is the church’s mission objective through the year 2010. The ultimate goal of Tell the World is to provide every person on earth with the chance to know Jesus Christ.

Souls Culture is also a bold challenge undertaken by our Bahamas Conference designed to remind each member of our identity - “Who we are?” Secondly, what we are about –our mission which is to lead others to a knowledge of Christ. It also speaks to How we are to go about doing that? So Souls culture seeks to foster a culture within the church that goes beyond 2010 –it seeks to create a mindset getting each member to engage in soul winning daily, monthly and yearly at home, on the job and at church. It is about creating a culture –a way of thinking and going about the King’s business daily.

It is observed that “less than 50 percent of Adventists spend time in daily prayer and Bible study. Daily conversation with Jesus and reading His word are essential to hearing His ‘still, small voice’ (1 Kings 19:12).” Likewise if there is to be a mindset geared towards souls then members would need to spend quality time with Christ each day. Thereby they will understand His will and find a joy in wanting to share Christ.

Tell the World informs us that “Fewer than one-third of church members share Jesus with others or are involved in community service. [The plan is to increase] that number to at least 40 percent by 2010!” For Souls Culture to be effective there is a need to give greater focus to our Community Guest Days. We as leaders and members must commit to “actively seeking and welcoming non-Adventists into our churches.” In fact, we as elders and pastors need to be intentional in seizing the opportunity to get involved in community activities with the view of leading others to Christ by demonstrating our interest in them. It was on Wednesday of this week that I embraced the opportunity to speak to a large percentage of our population via a one hour radio interview.

Tell the World challenges church members to reach out to at least one person with the hope of Christ. Souls Culture does the same thing as it is more than a slogan; it is a mindset. Imagine what that will do locally with each member seeking to witness to at least one individual.

The Tell the World initiative is deliberate about reaching the major cities of the world. As for Souls Culture, the focus is on our major city –Nassau, New Providence. However, Souls Culture also targets each island in our conference. This explains the reason for seeking to put in place pastors and Bible Workers in certain islands.

Undeniably, “new churches are full of spiritual life and vigor.” Our aim locally is to create 10 new congregations by 2012. Going back to our initial strategic document, Mission 2008, coupled with the current one - Mission 2012- the record will show that we have planted six (6) churches and four (4) companies. These are Message of Hope, Gambier, Real Harvest, High Rock, Lovely Bay and Redemption churches. The four (4) companies are Johnson Road, Peardale, Red Bays and Central Andros.

Each church district is encouraged to conduct an evangelistic campaign each year, and where there are no joint campaigns two efforts annually. In addition to this, each district is encouraged to conduct short reaping campaigns such as ACTS 7 Days. On a larger scale, Tell the World asks all churches to make annual evangelistic outreach efforts a reality.

Today more than ever, the media opens doors to outreach. Given this fact, we seek through radio, television, the print media and the internet to reach people of our territory with the good news of Christ. Just a few weeks ago, I shared the good news of introduction of Hope TV as a part of our local offerings. Together with 3ABN and our local programs (Adventist Spotlight and Adventists Speak), we are accessing homes that otherwise might have been impossible.

Tell the World is not just something for pastors and church leaders; neither is the concept of Souls Culture! All members are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. Your help is needed and greatly desired. This challenge can be met. Together, let’s Tell the World; for we are all about Souls Culture! Souls Culture! Souls Culture!

Executive Committee Decisions At a recent meeting of the Conference Committee, the following appointments and district adjustments were made:

Committee Members
New Members of the Conference Executive Committee	Danhugh Gordon Michael Smith from North Andros These persons replace Pastor Eric Clark, who is now the president of Cayman Islands Conference ;and Pastor Mark Ewen, who is on study leave with his family at Andrews University, Michigan.
New Member for the Union Executive Committee	Pastor Peter Joseph The member replaces the name of Kenney Deveaux who is an automatic member of the committee due to his position of Executive Secretary.

Departmental Director
Assistant Education Director	Dr. Cheryl Rolle

Pastors
Centreville	Paul Scavella
Maranatha & Peardale	Wilfred Adderley
Hillview & Real Harvest	Peter Joseph

Ministerial Interns
Hillview	Ashton McFall
Grant’s Town	Larry Green
Francophone & Ebenezer	Terry Tanis
Johnson Park & New Englerston	Craig Williams

Licentiate Minister
New Providence	Elder Fritz Gerald Francois
The districts and departments not mentioned remain as they are.

Welcome Back to School On behalf of the Administration and the Education Department of The

Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, I welcome the returning staff and students of Bahamas Academy to the 2008/2009 school year. A very special welcome is extended to the new staff and students who are joining the Academy family. It is our wish that you will have a productive and Spirit-led school year.

I say to other Adventist educators and students attending other schools, may you have a successful year as you endeavor to be good witnesses for the Master Teacher. - Dr. John. Carey, Education Director

Youth Missionary Outreach The Young People of the Hillview Church will hold a singspiration/concert at Rawson Square today at 5:30 p.m. All churches are invited to attend.

Discussion on Child Abuse Prevention The Family Life/Women’s Ministries and AY department of the Philadelphia Church invite you to a one–hour presentation on Child Abuse and Prevention, at 6:30 p.m. today at Philadelphia. The guest speaker is a representative from the Social Services Dept. Please come and be informed.

The Hour of Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham Home continues weekly on Sabbaths from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Today, the Francophone Church is expected. Next Sabbath, the Gambier Church is scheduled.

Experience Revival Theme: “Is this the church or should we look for another?” Hillview Church, Sabbath, August 30 – September 5, 2008. Speaker: Pastor Peter Joseph.

Gospel Concert Tonight See Wayburn Dean former member of Acapella (from the USA) Racquel Faircloth & Theophilus Brown (from Jamaica) and your favorite local artists Live! Tonight, August 30, at the Church of God Convention Center Joe Farrington Road.

ABC Announcement The ABC will be closed tomorrow, August 31, 2008 – due to the Conference Workers’ Meeting. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. - Management

Handels Messiah Practice continues tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Living Faith Church. Choir members from all churches are invited- A. Dorsett

All Adventist Men are asked to meet at the Living Faith Church tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. for the first practice for the upcoming Christmas concert. Please bring other Adventist men along with you.- Elder Anthony Roach, Choral Director

Burial Society Meeting, Monday, September 1, 2008, 7 p.m. at the Grant’s Town Church. All Adventist members are invited to join - Henry Moncur

School of Evangelism All graduates are kindly asked to confirm your attendance for the graduation service by Monday, Sept 1. Contact Joann Rolle at 364-4659, 465-2646, or joeyrose96@yahoo.com

Early Morning Prayer Meeting Are you depressed and burdened by the cares of this life? Do you feel rejected by God due to unanswered prayers? Come and experience Direct Praying and Bondage Breaking” at Hillview Church, Friday, Sept 5, 2008, at 5:45 - 6:45 a.m., Speaker: Pastor Peter Joseph. Prayers that cost us something gets answered. Breakfast will be served.

Educators to Hold Annual Prayer Breakfast The Seventh-day Adventist Educators Association will hold their annual Prayer Breakfast and a Mathematics Workshop conducted by Mrs. Greta Kemp, Sunday, September 7, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., at the Living Faith Church, Old Trail Road. All Adventist educators are invited.

Back to School Parenting Seminar All parents of children ages 2 to 20 attending any school in Nassau are invited to attend the Back to School Parenting Seminar on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Living Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church, Old Trail Road. This seminar will give tips to parents how to help their children learn better in school, how to deal with a disobedient child, how to get them to study, etc. Guest speakers are Patrice Gordon and Annick Brennen.

Sabbath School Meeting “Soul Culture Now” September 21, at The Hillview Church from 8-10 a.m. All Sabbath School Superintendents, Unit Leaders, Personal, Ministries Leaders, Interest Coordinators and Elders are expected to be present for this most important meeting. The Presenters will be Pastors Peter Joseph & Wilfred Adderley.

West Indies Union/ Inter- American Division Bible Bowl: Each local church A.Y. leader is requested to submit the name of a youth representative (ages16-30) to the Conference Youth department office by Monday, September 1, 2008. The Bahamas Conference run-offs will be held on Friday, September 12, 2008. The winner will represent the Bahamas Conference at the West Indies Union level in November at NCU in Jamaica. The book of study is Isaiah (New King James Version) and not the NIV.

Courage to Stand Pathfinder Camporee Osh Kosh Persons planning to attend the International Pathfinder Camporee in Osh Kosh during August 9th – 16th , 2009 are reminded that a registration fee is due by October 31st, 2008. Please contact the Bahamas Conference youth department for further information.

World Pathfinder Day and Annual Pathfinder Parade/ Rally - will be held on Sabbath, September 20, 2008 in all Adventist churches. The annual Pathfinder parade and rally will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2008. The parade will leave Centerville Church and end at Rawson Square. A Back to School Rally will then be held. Churches and Pathfinder clubs are asked to prepare appropriate banners and signs depicting back to school themes to be used at the event.

There will be a Pathfinder Council Meeting for all pathfinder, adventurer directors and assistants next Monday, September 8, at 7 p.m. at the Grant’s Town Church. Items to be presented are the upcoming Pathfinder day and parade and the annual Pathfinder exhibition.

Softball Jamboree Continues Tomorrow. Last week’s softball had to be cancelled because of water on the field. Tomorrow we will start the season with the teams that we are sure of and the other teams that are not confirmed can do so by next week Sunday.

Pathfinder Supplies will be ordered early this week. Pathfinder and Adventurer Directors are asked to place orders for supplies with Winsome Flowers by this Monday afternoon. A deposit of 65% is required for orders to be processed. - Pastor Andrews E. Burrows, Youth Director

Workers’ Meeting All workers of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists are reminded that Workers’ Meeting will be held on Sunday, August 31, at 8 a.m. at the Breath of Life Church.