New Year’s Message

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I am grateful for this opportunity to extend my very best wishes to all the workers and members of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Bahamians everywhere.

This is a time of hope and renewal as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another year. For many, 2011 was a time of fulfillments, achievements, and triumphs. For others it was a year filled with difficulties, trials and misfortunes. Regardless of our experiences, the Apostle Paul tells us that if we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour, all of the events that transpire in our lives are ultimately designed for our benefit. In Romans 8:28 we find these words. "And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans" (The Living Bible).

Therefore, let us look back on 2011 and use every experience as building blocks with the knowledge that brighter days are ahead of us. That is not to say that 2012 will not present us with new challenges, indeed there will be many. There are still a large number of countries facing economic challenges, many national leaders are uncertain about the future of their citizens and the global crime rate continues to grow. Yet in the midst of massive doubt and uncertainty, the Prophet Jeremiah tells us that God wants us to be a people of hope. Not because we are self-sufficient, but because our heavenly Father has big plans for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (The Living Bible).

So, as long as we are in Christ, we have nothing to fear for the future except we forget how the Lord has led us in the past.

As Joshua was about to enter the Promised Land God told the new leader of Israel; "As I was with Moses, so shall I bee with you… So be strong and be very courageous". Today I admonish each of you with the same words; as you embark on this New Year; be strong and of good courage knowing that God will be a present help to grant you the spiritual strength and power to meet every challenge.

Let us also use this time for spiritual renewal, and pledge ourselves to a deeper commitment for service to God and country. Let us serve God and each other with gladness, fulfill our roles as good stewards of that which God blesses us with, and determine within our heats to be our brother's keeper.

Finally, in 2012, let us make a special effort to reach that friend, family member, or neighbor who needs to surrender his/her life to God. The strength of our unity and influence must only be to support those things that will enhance the kingdom of God and by extension return peace and tranquility to our nation. Together we can do our part to make the Bahamas the best little nation on planet earth.

On behalf of my wife Joan, and our children, I wish all of you a spirit-filled, prosperous, and happy New Year. -Pastor Paul Scavella, President, SBC

Convention Time Again!

Convention 2012 goes to the Family Islands on January 6 - 8, 2012! If you wish to join one of the teams, kindly contact the conference office by Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00 Noon. The telephone number is: 341-4021.
Here are the team leaders for your favourite Island:

Acklins
President & Education (January 27-29, 2012)

Cat Island
Youth and Health Ministries

Crooked Island
President & Education (January 27-29, 2012)

Eleuthera & Harbour Island
Ministerial & PARL

Exuma
Adventist Community Services

Inagua
Field Secretary for Family Island and Adventist Men Coordinator
Long Island
Personal Ministries & Sabbath School and Youth

North Andros
Secretariat and Women's Ministries

San Salvador
FamilyMinistries /Stewardship & Children's Ministries

South Andros
Publishing

South Eleuthera
Treasury & Communications

State Of The Conference

In addition to the Family Island focus in January 2012, our BIG afternoon convention-style meeting called "State of the Conference" will be held on January 14, 2012 at the Hillview Church at 4:00 o'clock. Come, worship and share in the great things that God has wrought through His servants in ...

F-ellowship
E-vangelism
D-iscipleship
S- ervice and Stewardship

Special Appeal

The State of the Conference weekend promises to be exciting. Under the theme, "God With Us", the church moves forward. May I invite you to put aside a special gift offering for the weekend of January 14, 2012? Your offering will assist the conference to realize the completion of a number of initiatives for our members in the family of islands and also New Providence.

We give thanks for how God has blessed projects in the past. However, 60% of the special offering will assist with the establishment of our conference's New Radio station. The projected launch date is January 31, 2012. We have secured funds, however, we need an additional $27,000 to make this project a reality. The station will be fully and solely owned and operated by the South Bahamas Conference. Special envelopes are provided in each church today. In the event you are not prepared for today's special offering, you may plan to make your contribution on the ensuing Sabbaths leading up to the afternoon of January 14. Today, your pastor will make a special promotion for the offering. -Pastor Paul A. Scavella, President.

Operation Global Rain

A meeting for all Prayer Coordinators, Prayer Warriors and all who believe in the power of prayer are invited to assemble at Grant's Town on Sunday, January 1, 2012 from 6:00 A.M.-7:00 A.M. for a power hour and preparation of Operation Global Rain. Global Rain begins Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in the Seventh-day Adventist Churches around the world to pray for revival and reformation. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Prayer Coordinator

Prayer Initiative

The ATLANTIC CARIBBEAN UNION PRAYER INITIATIVE will be launched on December 31, 2011 in all churches. PRAYER CARDS, with instructions, should have been picked up on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. This prayer initiative will focus on concerns, needs and unity of ACUM in 2012.

New Believers’ Service

A special invitation is extended to all new believers baptized during 2011 to attend a New Believers’ Fellowship and Discipleship service at the Grant’s Town Church, Wellington Street, on January 4, 2012 at 7:15 P.M. –Pastor Peter Joseph, Prayer Coordinator

Redemption Church Moved

The Redemption S.D.A. Church has relocated from the Bahamas Academy Auditorium to Hanna Road, Kool Acres. -Pastor W. T. Adderley

Men’s Ministries On The Move!

All Men's Ministries Leaders are kindly asked to attend an inaugural meeting with the new coordinator on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at the Conference Office at 8:30 A.M. (New Year's Day). Please be on time. -Pastor Leonardo Rahming, Men's Ministries Coordinator

Holiday Hours At SBC

The South Bahamas Conference Headquarters will be closed January 2, 2012. -Administration

Conference-Wide Church Officers’ Workshop

Our conference will host a Church Officers' Workshop on January 15, 2012 at 8:00 A.M. at the Hillview Church. All serving officers for 2012 are urged to take advantage of these workshops. -Office of the Secretariat

SBC Workers’ Meeting

Workers' Meeting for the South Bahamas Conference will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Bahamas Academy, Marshall Road at 8:00 A.M. -Administration

Hour Of Gospel Music

Today from 4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M., the hour of gospel music will take place at the Mary Ingraham Home (MIH) with Elder Yvon Cherefant and his team from the Centreville Church. Next Sabbath, January 7, 2012 the Real Harvest Church is scheduled.

On behalf of the MIH I take this time to extend holidays greetings and say a special thank you to all churches, groups and persons who willingly gave of their time, resources and music ministry during the year 2011. We look forward in 2012 to all that you can do to assist the MIH. Again thank you! -Elder A. Forbes

Orlando Health Summit

The count down is on for those Planing to attend the Orlando Health Summit January 27-Feburary 5, 2012.

If you are planning to attend the Health Summit, you need to book your plane ticket as soon as possible. Bahamasair appears to give the best rate at this time. Hotel accommodation will be about $30.00 per night with 4 to a room if booked before January 2. Five (5) rooms are being booked. If you want to be accommodated in one of these, please indicate as soon as possible. Decide on your choice of seminars . There are 4 tracks to choose from. Go on line to make your decision at www.nadhealthsummit.com. Register before January 5 and save. We are asking all churches to sponsor or partially sponsor at least one person to this very empowering seminar. For additional information or concerns contact Mrs. Flowers at the conference at 341-4021 or Idamae Hanna at 323-5473. -Dr. Idamae Hanna, Health Ministries Director

Fresh Start Lifestyle Seminar and Cooking Class

Be a part of this exciting seminar with lifestyle counselors from Uchee Pines. Learn how to get yourself in shape with a Healthy Lifestyle for 2012. Come January 18 - 22 at the Living Faith Church at 7:00 P.M. -Dr. Idamae Hanna, Health Ministries Director

SDA Burial Society To Meet

The next regular meeting of the S.D.A. Burial Society will be held on Monday, January 9, 2012, at 7:00 P.M. at the Grant’s Town Church Annex. Members can become financial and persons wishing to join the Society are welcomed. -Henry R. Moncur, Public Relations Officer

State Of The Conference Choir To Rehearse

A call goes out to all former and current Convention Choir members, Adventist Men Choirs, Youth Choirs and groups to attend choir rehearsals at the Centreville Church in preparation for State of the Conference on January 14, at 4:00 P.M. at the Hillview Church. Rehearsals scheduled for Centreville are:

- Today, December 31, at 4:00 P.M.
- Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.
- Sabbath, January 7, at 4:00 P.M.
- Sunday, January 8, at 10:00 A.M. -Anthony Roach, Coordinator

Adventist Men Chorale To Meet

All Adventist Men Chorale members are asked to report for a meeting on Sunday, January 1, 2012, at 9:00 A.M. at the Centreville Church. All outstanding funds and remaining tickets from our recently held Christmas Concert are to be turn in at this time. -Anthony Roach, Director

Commemorative T-Shirts

Get your commemorative t-shirt and celebrate 100 years of Christian Education with Bahamas Academy in 2012. Colours are: maroon, black and white. Children’s sizes are available. Contact the school for further details. -Mahala Moxey, Head Girl, Bahamas Academy

Bahamas Academy

Bahamas Academy is seeking exercise equipment in good condition for their physical development program. Persons willing to donate are asked to contact the principal at 676-0500 or 424-6650(mobile). Immediate needs are: weight machines, weights, skipping ropes and treadmill. The music department is in need of a piano. -Mr. Anthony Burrows, Principal

Bahamas Academy Receiving Applications

Bahamas Academy is currently receiving applications for all teaching positions: Interested persons should possess a Bachelor's Degree along with a teacher's certificate. All applicants are required to submit an application form along with a forward letter and copies of relevant documents by January 31, 2012. Application form can be retrieved from the South Bahamas Conference's website: www.bahamasconference.org. Application should be addressed to: Office of Education, South Bahamas Conference of S.D.A., P.O. Box N-356, Nassau, Bahamas. -Mrs. Joan Scavella, Education Director

A Block For The Children

Partner with us as we complete the wall around our school, Bahamas Academy. Donate one block, two blocks, twenty blocks! Work with us on the last leg of this worthwhile cause for our children. We are almost at the finish line but can only get there with your help. Call the South Bahamas Conference or the school to make your donation/pledge-341-4021 or 676-0500. Our children need us! -Pastor Hugh A. Roach, Bahamas Academy Fundraising Coordinator

Position Available At South Bahamas Conference

The South Bahamas Conference is seeking the services of a qualified IT personnel with sound knowledge of Sun Plus Accounting. All applicants are required to submit an application along with a forward letter and copies of relevant documents declaring qualifications by January 31, 2012. Application form can be retrieved from the South Bahamas Conference's website: www.bahamasconference.org. Application should be addressed to: Search Committee, South Bahamas Conference, P.O. Box N-356, Nassau, Bahamas. -Search Committee

ABNC Holiday Store Hours

The ABNC Manager and staff salute you with holiday greetings and take this opportunity to thank you for your patronage during 2011. We look forward to your continued business in the New Year. You're invited to browse the store and check out our wide selection of books.
Kindly note our store hours for the reminder of the year:

- Monday, January 2, 2012 Closed
- Resume normal working hours as of January 3, 2012. -Mrs. Cherry Blackmore, ABC Manager

Marathon Bahamas

Persons interested in participating in a relay for Marathon Bahamas should contact Pastor Leo C. Rolle at the Conference #341-4021/2. -Dr. Idamae Hanna, Health Ministries Director

Youth Announcement

You are invited to attend a GRAND concert at the Bethany S.D.A. Church on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. Featured artiste will be Valyncia Bullens. Let us support our youth as they develop their talents in honour of our King. A freewill offering will be collected. -Mrs. Gerthlyn Bullens, Bethany S.D.A. Church

SUN SETS TODAY AT 5:31 P.M.
SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH,
JANUARY 7, 2012 AT 5:30 P.M.
BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Tags: Ministry

The Gift Goes On. . .

While many will become confused and all bent out of shape about the Christmas season, God has given his children the wonderful ability and wisdom to discern that which is good and leave out the undesirables during this holiday season. Many have also declared that we have lost our bearing because we dare to use the word, "Christmas".

For me, this time of the year provides a wonderful opportunity to minister to persons in a way that may not have been possible at other times. Similarly, the apostle Paul when visiting the brethren on Mars Hill in Athens (Acts 17: 23) were confronted with a wall filled with pagan gods. He noticed that one of the inscriptions on the wall was to the unknown God. He used the opportunity to point the brethren to God.
Did he condemn them and say you heathens get rid of this God? No, instead he used the occasion to introduce his faith to the saints with their own unknown God. During this season we have hundreds of power point moments to introduce Christ to friends, family and co-workers in a meaningful way.

This became a reality on Sunday past, when a number of members from the Johnson Park Church took time out to treat approximately 30 children from the Black Village community with loving advice, food, and carefully chosen gifts. The apostle Paul reminds us that we must be especially thoughtful to those of the Household of Faith and to those who are true widows and orphans (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27).
As a former Community Services Coordinator, I presented the Samaritan's Purse plan to our conference three years ago. It is a vehicle that provides a path for members to give joyfully to needy persons. You may utilize the title envelope in your giving by writing SP to represent the specific allocation. If you are able, set aside a dollar or two for someone in dire straits. Read More...

Tags: Gift

The Joy Of Service In Ministry

Many people base their whole lives on the principle of self-satisfaction. They do not recognise the presence of God in anything or in anybody. They devote all of their physical energies to the pursuit and the creation of pleasure for themselves. As such, they seek to associate with people and aspects of life that give pleasure. Their relationship with the world around them is based solely on the criterion of what gives them pleasure. As you know, pleasure never lasts; and sadly, with repetition, it degenerates to a pall.

The ending of one pleasure simply signifies the beginning of the quest for the next pleasure. The ego-self can never be satisfied, and is always seeking the ultimate pleasure. So how does one escape this self-perpetuating cycle? Simply by fulfilling your destiny in life, which is to serve all whom you meet.

Unfortunately, some persons rarely experience the joy of service in the ministry of God. They devote their lives to the pursuit of pleasure without knowing what it is to be joyful. They never experience the joy that comes from selfless service to the Creator of all life; the joy that comes when one denies the demands of the ego-self and selflessly gives to the world. Pleasure is different from joy. The source of joy is the spirit whereas the source of pleasure is the ego-self. Read More...

Tags: Ministry

Let There Be Peace On Earth

The media releases disappointing news on a daily basis. In years past, the sporadic occurrences of crime marveled society. Today, the community appears armed with expectancy for the next report. Our leaders in government are perplexed by the recent reports that aim at our already tarnished statistics. Indeed, everyone is set to the grit as we grapple with the sullied events that smear our reputation. How did we arrive at this tumult of derision?

I dare to declare with others that it is a direct result of our forsaking or moving away from the principles of godly living. Too many of us are not heeding the Word as justly recorded by the Prophet in 11 Chronicles 7:14. Yes, we were born in sin and shapen in iniquity, but God has prepared a way of escape for all of us. He was tempted in all points, however, He has proven by His life on earth that we can overcome the myriad of temptations hurled at us. A considerable number of crimes in our nation results from unresolved conflicts.

Conflicts are borne from human experiences that are almost unavoidable. This is so because people must interact. God has gifted us with the power of choice and as a result, we vary in our opinions and philosophies on matters of interest or disinterest. As a result of the variances in personalities and the influence of industrial or familial matters on human relations, people become disposed to conflicts. Consequently, conflict is a staple in life. The skills or strategies used to impact a situation will determine to a large extent how the conflict looms or whether an impasse is experienced. Read More...

Tags: Peace

Religious Liberty: A Valuable Tool

What is Religious Liberty? This is one of the most frequently asked questions in our conference. Historically, the Public Affairs & Religious Liberty (PARL) Department has been very much involved with representation to Governments, Parliaments and other stakeholders and assemblies to ensure that religious liberty is acknowledged and respected without infringements upon the freedoms and rights of the individual. As such, religious liberty as a ministry is one of the oldest in the Church and still carries on its vital role for Adventists and believers of other faiths.

Yet much more needs to be done at the local rather than the national level. The promotion of religious liberty in the local church is an essential exercise. Without it, no church could freely convene to worship God in spirit and in truth and in the very beauty of holiness. Indeed, believers in any number of places around the world would covet the freedom of religion and rights of association that many take for granted in the context of the Bahamas. Fact is, restriction or prejudice of any kind can hinder the spread of the gospel, and, in such cases would need to be challenged.

Surely, religious liberty has never come easily, and history reveals that a lot of blood and tears were shed in achieving the comfort and ease with which we have come to live out our life and faith. Many of our seniors can recall some of the challenges encountered in the church’s early days in the Bahamas when members had commit themselves to the teachings of scripture as proclaimed by the church amid great opposition. Thankfully, despite all of this the Seventh-day Adventist church in the Bahamas has flourished. Read More...

Tags: Ministry