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A Salute to Fathers
There
is so much bad publicity about delinquent and absentee fathers in the media
these days it seems the good fathers have almost been overlooked. Fathers
who are doing their best have often not received credit for the significant
contributions they are making in society. Christ-like fathers are the bed
rock of every community, every country and yes, the whole world! And many of
these caring fathers live here in the Bahamas; therefore, today, we salute
them.
Not Just a Biological Entity
A father is not just a biological entity – a joint procreating machine.
Undoubtedly, there are some "dead beat" dads in the world who father
children in and out of wedlock, then leave them without a forwarding
address. Others stay and make life unbearable by neglecting these innocent
infants and/or abusing these helpless children. These fathers get the bad
press, understandably so, for they deserve it.
However, there are fathers, real genuine
fathers, who model authentic fatherhood, yet often do not get the
recognition and appreciation they deserve. Now is the time to lift them up
and give them the honor they so richly deserve.
Examples in Scripture
Looking through the Scriptures, the only father who was considered perfect
was Job. God, Himself, said Job was a "perfect and upright" man. (Job 1: 1,
2) As a perfect father, how did he relate to his children? Job offered burnt
offering for his children continuously. Here we find the major component of
true fatherhood - teaching children about their Father in heaven through
worship, sacrifice and prayer. This spiritual aspect is extremely important
and should be emulated by all fathers.
Recognizing that there are no perfect fathers
in the world today, let us consider another Bible father, David. This man of
war made some very serious mistakes; yet because he sincerely and humbly
repented, we are later told in the Bible that David’s heart was "perfect
with the Lord his God" (1 Kings 11: 4). Here we have another key to being a
good father. If you make a mistake don’t stay down. Penitently ask God to
forgive, get up, turn over a new leaf, and be a better Dad tomorrow.
Advice from Solomon
Solomon, David’s son, wrote a textbook of his own wise advice, which
incorporates his father’s instruction and admonition to him in his formative
years. The book of Proverbs, which he wanted to pass on to his own children,
as well as to all fathers and prospective fathers, is excellent advice. So
many of the verses begin with "My son"! Solomon even tells us where he got
the idea to ask God for wisdom. (Proverbs 4: 3-7) David taught Solomon the
value of getting wisdom. Heavenly wisdom and practical wisdom are some
additional aspects of worthwhile fatherhood. May I encourage all fathers to
read this Book with their children and discuss each point expressed. It has
only 31 chapters and would be a valuable addition to family worship.(To
be continued in next week’s Logos)
FATHERS, WE LOVE YOU! GOD BLESS YOU!
Pentecost and More: A Time for Public
Evangelism I love public evangelism. In
terms of
measuring
accessions to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, this method has enjoyed
unrivaled success. "Public evangelism reaches large groups of people through
meetings in which they receive doctrinal instruction that will enable them
to make a responsible decision to join the church." Carlos G. Martin (2002)
p. 86.
In the months of May and June, over a dozen lay
preachers engaged in evangelistic series throughout New Providence and the
Family Islands. For the very first time these courageous preachers of the
gospel conducted a number of two-week evangelistic events that yielded over
sixty baptisms. Anyone who abandons self-interest and open him/herself to
the person, presence and power of the Holy Spirit will be used effectively
in witnessing. See (Rev. 14:6-12).
The conviction to engage in public evangelism
comes from a heavenly inspiration. "All to whom the heavenly inspiration has
come are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ
are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work
the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows
are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ." (The Desire of Ages, p.
822) Public evangelism is one of the indisputable methods of working for the
salvation of human beings. (Ephesians 4:1- 4).
In view of the above however, public evangelism
must not be limited to a two-week series of gospel meetings. Carlos Martin
(2000) says, "Interest should be cultivated before an evangelistic series.
Strengthening the spiritual condition of the church, as well as training
church members to help with an evangelistic series, is also necessary for
success. Nurturing new members and interested people along with a review of
doctrines after meetings, is just as important as the series itself." p. 86.
To accomplish this comprehensive process of public evangelism the
conservation committees of all churches must plan nurturing events for the
new believers.
I express thanks to all pastors, lay preachers
and church members for theirpositive involvement in public evangelism. Lay
preachers will begin preparation for next year on Tuesday, June 17, 2008
7:30 p.m. at the Hillview church. Let us ask God for the heavenly
inspiration and commend the following evangelists:
- Acklins/Crooked Island - Valentino
Campbell
- Adelaide Church - Tania Bain and Neville
Vespry
- Berea - Delthony Gordon
- Bethany Church - Harvey Braithwaite and
Raymond Antonio
- Bethel Church - Imiret Dayoute
- Breath of Life and Gambier - Noel James
and Nikita Thompson
- Centreville Church - Terry Tanis
- Eleuthera - Pastor Edward St. Fleur
- Good News - Leo Rolle
- Grant's Town Church - Michael McCoy and
Tyrone Paul
- Hillview Church - Lukanda Gardener and
Romanoff Bethel
- Johnson Park - Ian Miller and John Carter
- Living Faith Church - Stephen McBean,
Christopher Green and Isaac Johnson
- Long Island - Pastor Keith Anson Albury
- Maranatha - Pastor Basil Sturrup
- Message of Hope - Michael Wilson
- New Englerston - Othniel Darling, David
Smith and Sherman Johnson
- New Providence Church - Donnie Rolle, Glen
Miller, Keble Dawkins and James Cooper
- North Andros District - Pastor Mark Ewen
- Parkgate Church - Earl Thomas
- Peardale Company - Melanie Thompson and
Paula Musgrove
- Philadelphia and Johnson Road -
Christopher Stewart
- Real Harvest Church - Dudley Rahming and
Alvin Collie
- Redemption Church - Pastor Kent Price
- South Andros - Vernal Rolle, Sr.
By Pastor Peter Joseph, Ministerial, Sabbath
School and Personal Ministries Director
Noon Prayer Meeting At Philadelphia Church
The doors of Philadelphia will be opened for
prayer on Tuesdays at noon for one hour. You are invited to join in this
time of special prayer and praise. Come and be blessed.
Student of the Month
Congratulations to Byron Jones, on being chosen student of the month at S.
C. McPherson Junior High School. Byron is a 9th grade student who attends
the Philadelphia Church, Elizabeth Estates.
New Englerston Early Morning Prayer Meeting
New Englerston's Prayer Meeting today, Sabbath, June 14 from 8:15 to 9:15
a.m. all are invited to experience this power hour! No meeting will be held
on Sunday, June 15. - Allison M. Rolle
July 13 to 19, 2008 -The Eagle Music Ministry
Network will launch its 3rd Annual Music Conference/Workshop as an Outreach
in our community. This year's
Conference will be held at The New Destiny Baptist Cathedral, Baillou Hill
Road. Registration Forms will become available on June 4, 2008 at the
Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and at the New Destiny
Cathedral. Persons may also register at bahamasconference.org We ask your
support and prayers as we strive to make a difference in this area of
Ministry!
National Adventist Chorale to Perform Handel's
Messiah in December. All church choirs
(youth and senior) and interested persons are invited to attend the first
rehearsal on Sunday, June 22, 2008, at 4:45 p.m. at Hillview Church (for one
hour), of the Handel's Messiah. -Pastor Barrington Brennen
Sabbath School
Sabbath School Teacher Certification Seminar, June 23 and 24, 2008, 6:30 -
9:30 p.m. at the Hillview Adventist Church. All Sabbath School
Superintendents, Teachers and Assistants, and Personal Ministries Directors
must plan to attend.
Each church must submit the names of those
attending by June 16, 2008, to be registered with a fee of $10.00 per person
to assist with materials. -Pastor Wilfred T. Adderley, Assistant Sabbath
School director
Youth Crime Symposium:
June 21, 5:30pm at Hillview
Final Payment for WIU Pathfinder/Master Guide
Camporee due by June 30. All persons
traveling to Camp Verly July 21 to 29, 2008, are asked to meet at the
Hillview Church on Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. Vital information regarding
the camp will be shared by the Associate Youth Director, Curtis Bryan.
Softball begins Sunday, July 20, 2008
Track & Field Monday, August 4, 2008 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track & Field
Stadium.-Pastor Andrew E. Burrows,
Youth Director
Convention Registration for Day Session.
Each church through their A.Y. society is asked to submit to the Conference
Office the names and t-shirt sizes of the young people who will be attending
the day sessions of convention. It is important that this be done by Monday,
June 15. Registration will then be held on Monday morning, June 23 from 8:30
to 9:15., before the first session begins.
Bahamas Conference Youth Choir practice
continues today at 4:30 at the New Providence Church. All young persons who
are interested in being in the Conference Youth Choir and singing during
Mid-Year Convention are asked to attend.
All Youth Directors and church coaches
for all sports are asked to contact Bobby
Romer at 361-0692 or 433-9242 or 636-9509 or at email address romer42@msn.com
. -Pastor Andrew E. Burrows, Youth Director
The 21st Annual Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp
will be held June 23 to July 18 at the
H.D. Colburn Gym. Registration in progress
Persons who would like to volunteer to work at
Camp "Yes I Can" for underpriviledged
children, ages 8 to 14, June 29 to July 6, 2008, at Camp Bamivoca, South
Beach are asked to contact Sis. Marilyn Bonamy at 393-8507 or 427-3476
The Hour of Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham
Home continues today from 6 to 7 p.m.
with the Hillview Adventist Men. Cherenfant’s Group is scheduled for next
Sabbath, June 21, 2008.
Centreville Church to Host Vege Cooking Class
Vegetarian cooking and instruction
class will continue this Sunday, June 15, 2008 at the Centerville Church
house 10 a.m. to 12 noon. All are invited, classes continue every Sunday
during the month of June. Registration is on site.-Health Ministry
Department CC
Community Services and Masterguides Uniform
Material (green) is available at the
Conference Office.
Upcoming Events
- Symposium and Bible Conference
On Sabbath afternoon, June 21, a Symposium
will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Hillview church. Presenters from the
community and the church will be addressing the issue of "Crime and
Violence in Our Society." This issue affects all us as Bahamians,
Christians, and young people, so plan to attend and get the knowledge on
how to cope.
Bible Conference.
On Sunday, June 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the
Hillview church, we continue with our Bible Conference. Guest speaker
for this session will be Dr. Bertram Melbourne. He is the principal
contributor of last quarter’s adult Sabbath School lesson
Evening sessions and Sabbath Service
Evening sessions for convention
will begin on Wednesday, June 25, at 7:00 at the Grant’s Town Church
with the official opening by the Masterguides and Pathfinder color
guard. Pastor Leonard A. Johnson, our conference president, will deliver
the opening message.
July 26 -Men’s Conference
Nov. 28 - 30 -Spirit of Prophecy Weekend
Dec. 13 Masterguide Investiture
- Sun Sets
Today at 8:01 p.m.
- Sun Sets next
Sabbath at 8:02 p.m.
