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Adventist Public
Servants Recognized at 11th Annual Service
On Sabbath, February 4, 2006, in an impressive service of thanksgiving and
praise, over one hundred Adventist Law Enforcement Officers and Civil Servants
were recognized by the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for their
unselfish service to their country. Extending authentic Grant’s Town
hospitality, the First Elder, Kenny Deveaux, gave those in attendance a warm
welcome to the Grant’s Town Seventh-day Adventist Church.
An appreciative audience of family members, friends and church members
responded to the various speakers and presenters of musical selections with
appropriate applause and enthusiastic amen’s. The performance of the Grant’s
Town Church Choir, the Police Reserve Choir, and the Pathfinder Band were
especially noted.
Speaking on behalf of the Hon. Cynthia Pratt, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of National Security, the Hon. Alfred Grey, M.P., Minister of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government thanked the Conference for setting
aside a special time each year to recognize and thank public servants for
rendering service to our country. He further commended the Adventists for
their disciplined lifestyle and exemplary citizenship.
In his reference to the crime problem facing our society, Minister Grey said,
“There is no quick fix, and there is no fix at all without the help of
Almighty God” to deal with the vexing problem of crime. He observed that we
have come a long way from the past when there was more respect for the law and
greater regard for life. Today’s “criminal minds,” he said, and those who
exhibit “anti-social behaviour” do not consider the principles of conflict
resolution in dealing with problems. Admitting that some law enforcers and
even some politicians break the law sometimes, he challenged the public
officers to serve their country with pride and dignity. He concluded by
saying, “As you serve your country, we pray that you will be satisfied that
you have done the best that you can as long as you can.”
The main speaker for this Eleventh Annual Law Enforcement and Civil Servants
Service was Dr. Leonard A. Johnson, president of the Bahamas Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists. His sermon, “Lessons from the Life of a Civil
Servant," was based on the Biblical account of Daniel’s life as a civil
servant in Babylon (Daniel, Chapter 6). He noted that Daniel was one of the
young, talented, gifted and good-looking men selected from among the nobles
taken from Israel to Babylon and placed in the civil service. In his
discourse, Dr. Johnson highlighted several characteristics that made Daniel
stand out among the wise men of Babylon and which can be of benefit to us.
They are as follows:
1. He was a man of integrity and great honesty. Daniel was chosen because he
was trustworthy. He did not use his position to get “kickbacks,” nor did he
seek to be rewarded for doing his duty. He valued his reputation, and
everybody knew what he stood for. His reputation went before him. We, too,
should guard our reputation and not do anything just for a reward, but we
should do it because it is the right thing to do. Dr. Johnson lamented the
poor attitude that is so often found among civil servants. He made reference
to the popular song by K.B. that so aptly describes the attitude of some
public servants. However, he believed that the song did not describe the group
to whom he was speaking.
2. He made up his mind not to deviate from the principles taught him. Although
he was offered to eat from the king’s table and drink the finest wine
available in Babylon, Daniel was content to follow the simple diet stipulated
by God. By sticking to the vegetarian diet to which he had become accustomed,
he and his companions proved to be healthier than those who ate from the
king’s table. It pays to stand for principle and follow God’s way.
3. He was a man of prayer. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream that
he could not remember, he called for his wise men to reveal the dream and its
interpretation. When the wise men could not satisfy the king’s request, he
ordered that they be killed. Although Daniel was not among the wise men
invited to respond to the king’s request, he was the first one the
executioners approached to be put to death. Daniel asked for time to respond
to the king’s request. He and his companions prayed as they had always prayed,
and God revealed the dream and the meaning. God came through for Daniel,
because he was a man of prayer. God also answered his prayer and delivered him
when he was thrown into a den of lions. When we call on Jesus and pray
consistently, things begin to happen.
4. He was a man with an excellent spirit. He had a positive attitude about
life. It has been said that “Your attitude determines your altitude.” That is
to say the extent of your achievements are determined by the kind of attitude
you display. John Maxwell reported that 68% of the customers who stop doing
business with certain establishments do so because of the poor attitude of
some employees. Daniel knew the value of a positive attitude. That is why
Nebuchadnezzar ha a special regard for him. Even those who did not share his
convictions recognized that he was a man who had an excellent spirit. Dr.
Johnson challenged the law enforcement officers and civil servants to be men
and women of integrity and of an excellent spirit, even if hated by others. He
encouraged them to do their best to represent their country and their God.
They were admonished, not to compromise their integrity rather they should
trust God.
At the conclusion of the service, we went away determined to emulate Daniel by
serving to the best of our abilities in whatever area we are called to serve.
–Dr. John Carey, Editor
Family Enrichment Series Begins Tonight The
Family Enrichment Series
begins tonight
at 7 0’clock, under the Giant Tent, at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center,
opposite Government High School. The Evangelist, Dr. Alanzo Smith, Counseling
Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist will present messages designed
to build strong families against all odds. Tonight’s topic is “No Respect.”
Invite a family to join you tonight and throughout the series.
Condolence to Pastor Burrows On behalf of the workers and membership of
the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the officers of the
Conference convey deepest sympathy to Pastor Andrew Burrows and his family on
the death of his mother, Ms. Alsaida L. Higgs (76 years). Our prayer is that
Pastor Burrows and his family will be comforted, knowing that Jesus has
promised to be with us under all circumstances. The funeral service will be
held tomorrow, Feb. 19, 2006 at 2:30 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, Market
Street and Coconut Grove Ave.
Victory Celebration for Bahamas Academy Stars Bahamas Academy will be having a
parade for its STARS on Monday, February 20 beginning at 10:00 A.M. The parade
will start from the Hillview Church grounds, move East on to Tonique
Williams-Darling Highway, South on to Blue Hill Road, East on to Robinson
Road, North on to Marathon Road and then West on to Wulff Road. T-shirts for
the event may be purchased from the school on Sunday from 12 noon to 5:00
P.M.. A celebration chapel will be held following the parade. Please come out
and shine with the STARS!
Pre-Easter Concert Bahamas Academy will be
having a pre-Easter Concert on Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 P.M. at the National
Center for the Performing Arts, Shirley Street. Please contact any teacher,
student, or staff member for tickets. Proceeds are to assist with the new
school building.
Child Preacher’s Workshop by George F.D.
Zonicle
My experience at the Child Preacher’s workshop held on January 28 and 29 was
one that I will never forget. It was conducted by Pastor Peter Joseph and he
was assisted by Dr. Cheryl Rolle. I learned a lot of things from Pastor Joseph
such as understanding the parts of a sermon and how to build confidence. I
also learned to deliver the sermon. The thing that I found most important of
all is that before preparing a sermon, you have to pray and God will give you
the message that He wants you to deliver to your audience or congregation. On
Friday, we were given a homework assignment that required us to prepare a
sermon to be presented on Sunday. The presentation was to be based on Psalm
23, also referred to as “The Shepherd’s Psalm”. At home, I knelt and prayed
that God would give me a message. I then began to write, with a little
coaching from my father, Charles B. Zonicle. I was surprised that I was able
to write the sermon without hesitation and with confidence. When Sunday came,
I was able to deliver a portion of my sermon to the audience. I was able to
practice all the things that I had learned and put them to good use. The sound
of the applause after my presentation gave me a very good feeling. At the end
of the day, I was rewarded with a certificate. Our Children’s Ministries
leader at the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church also arranged for our
Pastor, Dr. Leonard Johnson to present all the participants from my church
with laminated certificates and trophies. I was happy that I accepted the
invitation to do this workshop. I got a new appreciation for what must be done
by a preacher to deliver a sermon. Most of all, I learned more about God, and
was thankful for the opportunity.
Bahamas Academy The ENTRANCE EXAM for new students desirous of entering
grades 1 - 10 of Bahamas Academy of Seventh-day Adventists for the 2006 - 2007
school year will be held on Friday, February 24th, from 9:00 a.m.- 12 noon at
the elementary and secondary campuses, respectively.
Application Forms for Grades 1 - 6 may be collected from the elementary campus
(Penny Savings Bank Lane) during regular school hours. Application Forms for
grades 7 - 10 may be collected from the secondary campus (Wulff Road) during
regular school hours.
The Early Learning Center is accepting students between the ages of 2 to 5
years old for the 2006 - 2007 school year. Application Forms may be collected
from the Early Learning Center (Old Trail Road) and secondary campus (Wulff
Road) during regular school hours. Enquires should be made at: 394-8838 (Early
Learning Center) / 393-8898 (Elementary) / 393-3381 (Secondary).
Youth Announcements The next clean-up day for the campsite is scheduled
for the last Sunday in March 2006. Tent Pitching Exhibition The
conclusion of the tent pitching for the Pathfinder Exhibition will be held
tomorrow, Sunday, February 19th, at 10:00 a.m. at Bahamas Academy.
Hillview Pathfinder Club
It's not too late to register for the Hillview Pathfinder Club 2006 - come
join us this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. for great fun learning experience. For
information, please contact Latisha Smith, Club Director at
322-6228(e)/302-8789(d).
A.Y. Leaders who have not received the Accent Magazine, the Week of Prayer
Readings and the Morning Watch Bible Year booklet for 2006, are asked to
collect them from the Youth Department at the Conference office.
School of Evangelism Classes resumes tomorrow Sunday, February 19, at 6:00
p.m. at the Hillview Church. Pastor Peter Joseph, Coordinator, Family Life
Crusade 2006
Sabbath School Certification Course - February 19 at the Johnson Park
Church, Farrington Road beginning at 9:00 a.m. Pastor T. B. Sturrup, Person
Director
Harmonious Praise in Concert Harmonious
Praise will hold a gospel concert on March 26, 2006 captioned “Just Hold On.”
Plan now to get your tickets from group members. – Tony Russell, Director, HP
Seminar For Children’s Sabbath School Teachers
All Children’s Sabbath School Teachers (Cradle Roll, Kindergarten, Primary,
and Junior) are invited to attend a seminar on Thursday, February 23, at 7:30
P.M. at the Hillview Church. Special guest presenter will be Dr. Ostrander
from Andrews University.
Family Retreat The Breath of Life Family Life
Ministries will sponsor a Family Retreat in south Andros, Easter weekend,
April 13 – 17, 2006. For details, call Pastor & Mrs. J. Duncombe at 341-4021
or 322-5110 – Pastor J. Duncombe
NCU Offers Graduate Studies All persons
who indicated their interest in studying for a Master’s and / or the Ph.D. in
Education, are asked to meet tomorrow at the Bahamas Academy School from 12
noon – 5 p.m. Mrs. Celestine Creighton
Family Enrichment Series Choir
to meet at the Hillview Church on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. A
special appeal is made to all Adventist Men to come and be a part of this
choir.
The Youth Choir of the Family Enrichment Series will meet on Fridays at 7:00
p.m. at the New Englerston Church. - M. Knowles, Music Coordinator
Sun sets today at 6:01
p.m.
Sun sets next Sabbath at 6:04 p.m
