Energy To Go, Even To The Cross
Anything
of great value cannot be had at a reduced price (Luke 9:51). Hence, any
church that desires to grow must pay the price for growth. The expenditure
of energy cannot be understated, minimized or discounted in the process of
winning souls to Jesus. As a mater of fact, He Himself exemplified truth.
Six months before His crucifixion, Luke records, "As the time approached for
Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." (Luke
9:51 NIV). "This was Luke's way of noting that Jesus shifted His ministry
from Galilee to Judea. Before the end, the Judean people outside Jerusalem
must also have His witness. So, Jesus "steadfastly set His face to go to
Jerusalem." This expresses His fixed purpose in the face of danger. For
months He had avoided Judea. But the time had now arrived when He must go to
this hostile area. His hour was rapidly approaching, and He would not avoid
it." (Herschel H. Hobbs 1996. P. 173). Soul winning in the face of danger
requires enormous energy. This energy flows out of a fixed purpose.
The journey to Jerusalem was slow,
and lasted for several months. Yet, His energy never waned. He witnessed in
hostile Judea, while approaching the crucifixion that would demand every bit
of energy He possessed. "The flogging administered by Pilot was merely the
beginning of a long series of physical and emotional tortures that would
finally culminate in the death of Jesus." (John MacArthur 2000. p. 189). So
Jesus was flogged, mocked, shamed, cursed, executed and humiliated. (Matt.
27:26-30; Mark 15:17; Matt. 27:31; Heb. 12:2; Deut. 21:22 - 23; Matt. 27:35;
Matt. 27:35 - 37; John 19:21, 22). He endured severe torture and abuse
because He had a fixed purpose. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "This is the true
joy of life: the being used up for a purpose." Rick Warren (2002) wrote
"Purpose always produces passion."
There is an evident waning of
energy today among believers in soul-
winning.
Speaking about the discouraging rate of "drop-out" among new converts, James
Cress (1984) remarked, "Is it any wonder that the perception of Adventist
members in general toward evangelism has soured to the point that many
congregations have concluded and their boards voted that "evangelism just
isn't worth the effort when you lose so many anyway!" Fear of failure
becomes so pervasive that inertia is the response." Giving up on evangelism
is not the answer. We need to reclaim the fixed purpose as we near the end.
(i.e. Making disciples). This is a slow process which requires enormous
amount of energy to be expended by the disciples. The energy will flow from
the "fixed purpose." "Discipling others is the process by which a Christian
with a life worth emulating commits himself for an extended period of time
to a few individuals who have been won to Christ the purpose of being to aid
and guide their growth, to maturity and equip them to reproduce themselves
in a third spiritual generation." (Allen Hadidian, 1987, p. 29). In spite of
all the difficulties, a fixed purpose will increase our soul-winning
passion. Before we can succeed, we need to know our purpose. (Matt. 28:19,
20). "MAKE DISCIPLES!" A life lived with a purpose is energetic, resolute,
directional, and objective. Success is even at the cross. -Pastor Peter
Joseph, Ministerial, Personal Ministries and Sabbath School Director
Evangelism, the life blood of the Church A word of congratulations go
out to the pastors, officers and members of all churches for their ongoing
thrust in soul winning. Please stand on the promise that God's word will
never return without fruit. The benefit of individual church campaigns
include a greater retention rate and more persons actively involved. Please
note the baptismal results below.
Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Baptismal Count 2007
Church
Souls Baptized Projected
Parkgate
13
7
Centreville
18
5
New Providence 17
8
Real Harvest
9
5
Peardale
7
5
Hillview
43
25
Philadelphia
5
6
Grant's Town
5
5
Johnson Park
5
10
Maranatha
28
10
Message of Hope
2
New Englerston 6
4
Exuma
1
Long Island
6
Haitian District 20
10
Living Faith
11
10
Good News
2
6
Bethany
2
Berea
2
Adelaide
2
3
Gambier
5
Johnson Road 1
2
Breath of Life
9
5
Eleuthera
3
Acklins
5
Cat Island
3
Crooked Island
3
San Salvador
2
Total
213 (as of April ‘07)
Evangelism School Evangelism School will continue on Sunday, April 8,
2007, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hillview Church. Pastor Peter Joseph will teach on
Discipleship, Spiritual Growth and Spiritual Formation. All persons who
began the class are encouraged to be present. All newly baptized members are
encouraged to attend.
New Providence Church Sanctuary Choir In Concert Today A benefit
concert in aid of our beloved Elder Arthur Maycock will be held this
afternoon, April 7, 2007 at 5:30 at the New Providence Church on Soldier
Road. Bring your shouting shoes and come expecting a grand time in the Lord.
Admission is FREE, but a generous offering would be greatly appreciated. Be
A Friend! Tell A Friend! Bring A Friend! -E. Pintard
“Don’t Miss The Boat” -Women’s Ministries A fun afternoon is planned
for all family members with the Women’s Ministries Pre-Mothers’ Day Boat
Cruise. Tickets are available from your local WM Leader for the cruise on
April 29, 2007, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Dinners will be available for a small
donation. There will be lots of fun, laughter, food and fellowship. Don’t
let the boat leave you, get your boarding pass early! -Miriam Knowles,
Women’s Ministries Director, BC
Mortgage Burning Ceremony Pastor Paul A. Scavella, Sr., the Elders,
officers and members of the Living Faith Adventist Church, Old Trail Road,
invite you to their church “Mortgage Burning Ceremony” on Sunday, April 15,
2007, at 6:00 p.m. -Vesta Williams
Academy Students Show Appreciation for Teachers During the second
week of March, 2007, the students of Bahamas Academy Secondary Division went
all out to show their teachers that they are appreciated for what they are
doing to help the students achieve their education objectives. The senior
students conducted worship for the teachers during the week. They also
assumed the duties of the principal and teachers for a day. Additionally
they treated the teachers to a day off at the beach.
Thirteen Baptized at End of Bible Seminars On Sabbath, March 31,
2006, the Peardale and Real Harvest Seventh-day Adventist churches, pastored
by Pastor Wilfred T. Adderley, joined the Living Faith Adventist Church for
a joint baptism of 13 precious souls (3 from living Faith, 5 from Peardale
and 5 from Real Harvest). A Gospel Sing-Out concluded the four-week Bible
Seminar at Real Harvest Church and the Peardale Company on Sabbath afternoon
and Sunday evening, respectively.
Tell the World Your Church is making a difference. Tell the entire
conference, the Bahamas and the world what you are doing to shed the light
of the gospel in your local Church. This information is to be submitted to
the Conference by the communication secretary of the Church by Tuesday at
12:00 noon. The information may be used in the Logos and/or the Adventist
Page.
✽All Church officers having served forty years or more, are asked to submit
their names to their Church clerk urgently.
Publishing Ministry Weekend The dates for the Colporteur Rally and
seminar have been changed.
The
new dates are April 20 to 23, 2007. It will be the first conference-wide
emphasis for the Publishing Ministry this year. Pastors and local church
leaders are requested to promote the Publishing Ministry in all their
services during this weekend.
Dr. Joseph Barrett, Publishing Director of West Indies Union, will be the
guest speaker for the weekend. Services will be held Friday night, Sabbath
and Sunday night at the New Englerston Church. Friday and Sunday night
services will begin at 7:30. Persons who are interested in participating in
the Publishing Ministry are invited to contact Pastor Carey at 341-4021 or
324-0470.
Hillview Pathfinders/Adventurers Cook-out and Fun Day The Hillview
Church Adventurers and Pathfinders Clubs invite you to support their cookout
and fun day on Monday, April 9, 2007 at Fort Charlotte from 12 noon to 6:00
p.m. Tickets are available in advance for lunches from Club counsellors and
officers.-Latisha Smith/Camille Butler
Cook-out To Assit New Member A cook-out in aid of Sister Thelma Young
will be held on Monday, April 9, from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Parkgate
Adventist Church, Parkgate Road. Contact the pastor or any officer of
Parkgate for additonal information. Please support this effort.
Breakfast Sale
The Community Services department of Berea Adventist Church is sponsoring a
Breakfast Sale at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 9, at the church on Blue Hill
Road south. Proceeds in aid of special project.
Path To Life Revelation Series The Living Faith Seventh-day Adventist
Church invites you to support their Path to Life Revelation series final
service tomorrow, Sunday, April 8, at 7:00 p.m. at the church on Old Trail
Road.
Children's Ministries Upcoming Events Vacation Bible School workshop
(VBS workshop) - Sunday, April 29 at Hillview church from 9:00 a.m. to 12
noon.
NCU Extension Program The Northern Caribbean University program
continues at Bahamas Academy April 9 - 12, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All interested persons are invited. Contact Ms. Bridget Bell at 394-0094 or
Mrs. Celestine Creighton at 393-3606.-C. Creighton
Adventists are Encouraged to Register to Vote May 2, 2007 has
been announced as the date for our National elections , but only citizens
who are registered will be able to vote. Therefore, if you are qualified to
vote and would like to exercise this privilege, please register without
delay. -Editor
Family Life and Public Affairs Day at Breath of Life Church All Trust
and Stewardship Leaders and the entire Adventist community are invited to
attend a dayof activities sponsored by the Family Life and Public Affairs
departments of the Breath of Life Church, Marshall Road. Schedule of events:
11:00 a.m. Divine Worship. 5:30 p.m. Legal Aid Seminar Session I -Wills,
Trust and Probrate matters
Session II -Marriage, breakdown of the family and legal remedies.
Session III -Estate Planning and Asset Management. Registration begins at
5:00 p.m. All registered participants will be awarded a Legal Aid Seminar
Certificate. These sessions are open and free of charge. The evening will
end with a grand Family Life social. –Karen Scavella
Youth Ministries Please take note of the following events/activities:
✽Adventurers Leaders to Meet. A very important meeting will be held on
Tuesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hillview Church for all Adventurers
Leaders and their assistants. Your participation is solicited as we meet to
discuss plans for the reminder of the year. -M. Bonamy, Adventurer
Coordinator, BC
✽There will be a very special meeting for all Softball coaches at the Living
Faith Church on Sunday morning at 9:30. Please plan to attend
✽Listen Up goes to the big screen soon. Watch the Logos for the new date for
airing.
✽Pathfinders Camp - (August 14-21) -Persons interested in working as
counselors or volunteers in the up-coming camp are asked to register their
names at the Conference Office Youth Department.
✽Listen Up Fun Day will be held on April 8th at Nirvana Beach from 8a.m. to
8p.m. Bring the whole family and especially your volleyball team. Please see
the Listen Up website by going to bahamasconference.org.-Dillette
✽ Adventist Volleyball Season begins on April 22, at the Bahamas Academy
Gym. Teams can begin registration for volleyball by contacting their local
AYS Leaders or coming to the Office for the registration form.
✽The Listen Up Jingles and Logo Competetion will be postponed to Sunday, May
27th, 2007 at Nirvana Beach.
The new deadline to have your submissions in is Thursday, May 17th, 2007.
Complete the appropriate form found on the Listen Up website by going to
www.bahamasconference.org Listen Up page and check out the prizes! Send your
names in to listenupyouthministries @gmail.com. Be sure to watch Listen Up
at 6:30pm on Sunday, April fools day! -Pastor Andrew E. Burrows, Youth
Director, BC
✽YouthAGLOW, a youth-led week of revival at the Bethany Church, continues
today at Divine Service, where RaShawn Gardiner, an upright youth and
Dillette Miller, Youth Leader at Bethany will be the speakers.
The schedule for the rest of the week is as follows: Sabbath – April 7th
Youth Day – Upside Down Service and Sabbath afternoon-AY at Adventure
Learning Center – 6:00pm.
Sunday – April 8, 2007, at 7a.m. Prayer Breakfast and Fun Walk- From
Adventure Learning Center to the Camp Site. For further information, please
call 393-1493 for Dillette Miller.
Adventist Book Centre Open Tomorrow The ABNC will be open tomorrow,
Sunday, April 8th, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Come check out our new stock
of canned and frozen Vegetarian meats. -C. Blackmore, ABNC Manager
Hour of Gospel Music The Hour of Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham
Home continues weekly on Sabbaths from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Today, April 7, the
Hillview Church is expected. Next week Sabbath, April 14, Johnson Park
Church is scheduled.
Second Anti-Crime Meeting The second anti-crime meeting will be held
on Sunday, April 8, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the New Englerston Church. All
Family Ministries directors, school counselors, psychologist, social
workers, trained lay counselors and law enforcement officers are asked to
attend. We are discussing the Adventist response to crime and healing in The
Bahamas.
Upcoming Events
Marriage Standards Committee
Meeting will be on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. in the Board
Room, Conference Headquarters
Music Standards Committee Meeting will be on Sunday, April 22, 2007,
at 10:30 a.m. The Lounge, Counference Headquarters.
Pastors and Elders Summit. New date and venue to be announced.
May 4 -6, 2007 Pastoral Family Retreat.
