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Missionaries in The Bahamas
Last
week, in my weekly newsletter, I shared a story of two “home-grown”
missionaries. The response locally and internationally was most encouraging.
In fact, I’m writing this because Pastor Israel Leito, president of the
Inter-American Division, suggested that I share such a story widely, for it
needs to be heard.
When we talk about
missionaries, we normally think overseas. However, I ask that you look
within the Bahamas, and consider the names of Andrea and Bernard Linden.
Since meeting this couple some 22 years ago, I have been impressed —to say
the least. Why am I impressed? Well, it is a missionary disposition that I
have seen manifested time and time again.
Desire to be Missionary According to Andrea, a nursing officer,
she developed an interest in missionary work during her childhood. Talking
about it eagerly, she explained, “Hearing the mission stories (as a child) I
said to my sister-in-law, ‘I want to be a missionary,’” In fact, she prayed,
“Lord, help me to be a missionary.” Being a missionary for Andrea meant
going overseas, but later she would discover that God intended that she
should be a missionary in the Bahamas. To encourage Andrea in her quest to
be a missionary, God allowed her to meet a young man named Bernard Linden.
To her surprise but satisfaction, he also shared a similar desire to become
a missionary. He explained that prior to becoming an Adventist, and having
no knowledge of Adventists, he studied the Bible and was impressed to keep
the Sabbath and to subscribe to a vegetarian diet. He later became
acquainted with Adventists and joined the church through an invitation
extended to his brother to attend some church meetings. The brother remarked
to the person inviting him, “You may wish to check with my brother who is
the Christian type and reads his Bible.” That is how Brother Linden became
an Adventist back in 1978. Later he met Andrea; and they got married in
1986.
Move
to San Salvador In 1992, Sunco Construction Company employed
Bernard as one of its workers on the construction of Club Med, an all
inclusive hotel, in San Salvador located in southern Bahamas. Andrea
decided to follow her husband to San Salvador. Although a registered nurse,
she was unemployed; so she cared for little children and offered to do so on
the weekend free of charge. Andrea said that this was her way of witnessing,
as she would take them to church. Through this means, she and Bernard
studied with many of the parents. Additionally, God led them to assist with
the construction of the church building as well as the spiritual development
of the members. Andrea eventually was reemployed as a registered nurse. In
1996 the Lindens returned to Nassau and Andrea studied to become a midwife.
Upon successful completion of her studies, she decided to go to another
island called Cat Island.
Experience in Cat Island Recalling how she was impressed to go
to Cat Island, she explained, “My (nursing) supervisor who was from Cat
Island wanted a good nurse to take care of her people.” Praying about the
matter as is their custom, Andrea and Bernard felt that God would have them
go to Cat Island. Accordingly, they did that in 1997, assisted with the
refurbishment of the Devil’s Point Adventist Church, and stayed until 2002.
They opened their home to members and visitors providing both physical and
spiritual food. Through their ministry of hospitality, many persons were
baptized. In fact, Andrea recalls that a young lady requested baptism, but
since she and Bernard had not studied with the lady, they felt that the lady
was not ready. Nevertheless, when the lady was questioned, she remarked, “I
have been watching you and Bernard for some time. I became an Adventist
because of the life you lived.” Bernard and Andrea discovered that the lady
became acquainted with a number of the doctrines through “watching” them.
Her boyfriend who resented Adventists was later baptized and requested that
an Adventist pastor marry them.
Journey to South Andros Not satisfied with what they had
accomplished, the Lindens desired to go to more islands. Their next stop was
South Andros. Of course this followed a year’s break in Nassau to pursue a
one year community nursing program at the College of the Bahamas. As Andrea
recalled, it was her father who prayed that she and Bernard would be
assigned to Andros, his native home. That prayer was answered; and in 2003
she was posted to the Miriam Green Clinic in Johnson Bay. There they would
begin each day with prayer. Again God used this couple to strengthen the
work in South Andros. They not only witnessed but participated in the many
evangelistic endeavors there. This continued until March of 2008.
Assigned to Acklins A few weeks ago, the beginning of April
2008, Andrea was assigned to Acklins. Because it is not as developed as some
of the other family islands in the Bahamas, it is referred to as a hardship
area. In spite of this, she and Bernard gladly welcomed the transfer. In
fact, they requested to work on this island. In speaking with me by phone on
Tuesday of this week, they both expressed pleasure in being there. Already
they have started a Bible Class instructing the church members who are new
to Adventism. Following these studies they will go out to the community. I
need not tell you that such persons are an asset to the advancement of the
gospel, especially in remote islands. Pastor Valentino Campbell, pastor for
the Acklins and Crooked Islands district, is grateful for the presence and
ministry of this couple. And so is the administration of the conference.
You can see that we need not
go to Africa or China to get a good mission story; for there is this one and
many others in our “backyard,” or should I have written “front yard?” The
call goes out for more local missionaries who are “tent makers” like the
Lindens. Much is owed to persons like them and others. Were it not for their
input, the work would be dormant in some of our family islands. At the mid
year convention, we plan to honour such persons. Please provide us with the
stories of such local missionaries. - Pastor Leonard Johnson
The Hour of Gospel Music
at the Mary Ingraham Home continues weekly on Sabbaths from 5 to 6 p.m.
Today, the Johnson Road Company is expected. Next Sabbath, the Living
Faith Church is scheduled.
Early Morning Prayer
Meeting at the New Englerston Church - For Women Only- tomorrow at 6
a.m.- The New Englerston & Redemption Churches Women’s Ministry Departments
will host a special Prayer Meeting this week. Ms. Anastacia Ferguson is the
guest speaker. Regrets for any inconvenience on last Sunday morning. -
Mrs. Rose Sands
Adventist Book Center The
ABC has just received a new shipment of canned and frozen foods. Come in
and check out our new items.
Additional Sabbath School
Quarterlies are still available for the Lower Division. Store Hours :
National Teacher of the
year Award Congratulations to Marcia Musgrove, a member of the Grants
Town Church and a teacher at C.V. Bethel High school for winning the
Ministry of Education, National Teacher of Year award. - Pastor Andrew E.
Burrows and the Grants Town Church
Lay Preachers Meeting
All Lay Preachers who will be preaching for “Pentecost and More" Lay
Preachers Explosion are asked to meet at the Hillview Church April 21, 22,
and 23 from 7-9 pm This is dynamite for the up-coming Explosion.
Eagle Music Ministry All
Eagle Music Ministry Choir Members are asked to meet on Sunday, April 13,
2008 at 11 a.m. at the New Englerston Church for a special meeting/rehearsal
in connection with a concert featuring “Journey” from Andrews University on
Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Andrews University Choir
“Journey”, Choir from Andrews University will visit New Providence on
Mission, May 2 - 11, 2008. Some of the group’s key appearances are as
follows:
Sabbath, May 3 - Bethany and
Hillview
Sabbath, (AYS) May 3, 5:30
p.m. - Living Faith Church
Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. -
New Englerston Church (Joint with Real Harvest, Peardale, and Johnson Park)
Sabbath, May 10 - Centreville
and Maranatha Churches
May 10 8 p.m. – In
Concert-National Centre for the Performing Arts
Youth
Announcements
It has been just over 100
years since the General Conference voted a Youth Ministries Department for
the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Last year, we celebrated 100 years in
Youth Ministries around the world. At the 1909 General Conference Session,
five basic functions of youth ministry were outlined:
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To raise the level of
devotional life
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To lift the standard of
attainment of our youth
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To educate and train for
service
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To provide opportunities
for outreach
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To teach principles of
stewardship and a total commitment to God.
It is interesting to note
that many of the leaders of the infant Seventh-day Adventist church were
young people in their teens and twenties.
Today, our task as young
people is to equip ourselves for service and commit ourselves to God and His
Church. Our challenge as a church is to provide opportunities for this
generation of young people to reach their full potential.
In the book “Nine Leaders”,
it states that “Youth Ministry is not an addendum to the activities of the
church. Biblically and historically it is its prime responsibility”
Below, are some events and
activities planned by the youth department of the conference. The focus of
each event ought to be centered on the five basic functions listed above.
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Pastor Andrew Burrows |
Pastor Paul Scavella |
Youth and Spirit of
Prophecy Attention Youth! Do you want to find out more about the Spirit of Prophecy
and the role of Ellen G. White? There will be a special session on these
topics at the Maranatha church on Sabbath, April 19, at 6 p.m. As this is
a special Adventist Youth (AY) program all AY clubs and Spirit of Prophecy coordinators
from the local churches are requested to be there. There will be a guest
presenters Pastors Paul Scavella and Andrew Burrows of the Bahamas
Conference
Bahamas
Conference Youth Weekend Under the theme “Year of Sacrifice” the
Youth Ministries Department will host an inspirational, informative, and
innovative youth weekend from Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 5. Special
guest will be Pastor Charles Blythe, Youth Director for West Indies Union.
The following events will take place during the weekend:
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Friday, May 2 - Communion
and Commitment Service
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Sabbath, May 3, - Divine
Hour- Pastor Blythe will speak to the youth of the Bahamas Conference
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Sabbath May 3, Adventist
Youth forum
Joint
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Sunday, May 4, at 7 a.m.
- Master Guide Class Presentation
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Sunday, May 4, 9 a.m. -
Meeting with all Youth Leaders
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A baptismal service is
being planned for this weekend.
Bahamas Conference Youth
Choir All young persons who are interested in the Conference Youth Choir
are asked to meet today at 4:30 p.m. at Bahamas Academy Gym. Please be on
time, so that you are able to leave on time to be at your AYS on time.
Pathfinder Leadership
Award Class P.L.A. classes begin on Sunday, April 13, at 7 a.m. at the
Good News Church. All invested Masterguides are urged to register and be a
part of this advanced training course.
W.I.U. Camporee Update Plans
are moving forward for the WIU camporee scheduled for July 2008. Presently,
approximately 85 Masterguides, Pathfinders, and Band Members have already
registered for the Camporee. If you have not registered as yet, you have
one final opportunity during the course of this week. The Bahamas
Conference delegates leave on Sunday, July 20, and return on Monday, July
28.
Pathfinder Council Meeting
There will be a very important Pathfinder council meeting on Monday,
April 14 at 7 p.m. at Grant’s Town Church. All Directors, Assistant
Directors, sponsors and counselors are asked to be present.
Looking for Donated Office
Space The Pathfinder Corporation is seeking an affordable office space
to house our office. Anyone with information or persons who may have a
space that they can assist with, are asked to please contact Barry Shane
Saunders at 356-8466 Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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Sun Sets Today at 7:31 p.m.
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Sun Sets next Sabbath at 7:34 p.m.
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