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Located just east of the Living Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church on Old Trail Road, the Bahamas Academy Early Learning Center was designed to meet the educational needs of children 2 to 5 years old. Each of the 5 spacious classrooms has its own bathroom and storage area. A covered porch allows teachers and pupils to move from one room to another without being affected by the rain or hot sun. When the entire complex is completed, there will be a cafeteria, lounge and preparation room for teachers, administrative offices and a mini- swimming pool for the children. Staffed by qualified Christian teachers who are assisted by caring teachers’ aides, the ELC uses a Bible-based curriculum that gives appropriate attention to the development of the physical, spiritual, social and mental dimensions of the child. Parents who send their children to the ELC are assured that they are in a safe environment. The hours of operation are as follows: Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday 7 a.m. to noon. If you would like to enroll your child, or if you would like to have more information about the ELC, PLEASE CALL: 393-8898.
Law Enforcement Officers Service Today The annual Seventh-day Adventist Law Enforcement Officers service will be held today at 4:00 o’clock at the Hillview Church.Adventist Business and Professionals Meeting A breakfast meeting is being called for all Adventist Business Professionals (business owners and entrepreneurs, tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 8, at 7:00 a.m. with Dr. Leonard A. Johnson, President of Bahamas Conference of SDA.Elders Leadership Seminar/Symposium All local church elders are reminded and invited to attend the Elders Leadership Seminar/Symposium at the Hillview SDA Church, tomorrow, Sunday, February 8, 2004, from 9 a.m. to noon. Areas to be presented will be local leadership skills, church policy matters, financial considerations, evangelism, etc. Our Conference Administrators and others will be among the presenters. Refreshments will be served following the workshop. See you there! -Pastor M. A. Smith, Ministerial DirectorMarriage the Work of a Lifetime Inspiration tells us that "To gain a proper understanding of the
marriage relation is the work of a lifetime. Those who marry enter a school from
which they are never in this life to be graduated. However carefully and wisely
marriage may have been entered into, few couples are completely united when the
marriage ceremony is performed. The real union of the two in wedlock is the work
of the after years. As life with its burden of perplexity and care meets
the newly wedded pair, the romance with which imagination so often invests
marriage disappears. Husband and wife learn each other's character as it was
impossible to learn it in their previous association. This is a most critical
period in their experience. The happiness and usefulness of their whole future
life depend upon their taking a right course now. Often they discern in each
other unsuspected weaknesses and defects; but the hearts that love has united
will discern excellencies also heretofore unknown. Let all seek to discover the
excellencies rather than the defects. Often it is our own attitude, the
atmosphere that surrounds ourselves, which determines what will be revealed to
us in another. " {Adventist Home, p. 105}
Recently I came across a very insightful article by Gary and Carrie Oliver, Marriage and Family Specialists, Marriage Partnership (2003). Here are some characteristics of a growth-focused marriage: Couples identify problems but don't dwell on them. They identify solutions but not just in order to move on. They look beyond the solution to how God might be able to use this process to teach them more about Him and/or themselves, their partners, and their marriages. They understand problems are inevitable and the real challenge is in dealing with them in such a way that honors God and each other while helping the couple grow through it. Couples take seriously the apostle Paul's urging to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Consistent daily prayer knits hearts together, attunes couples to the leading of the Holy Spirit, increases their ability to listen, and helps them see problems in light of what they can learn from them and not just how they can get through them. Each partner takes responsibility for what God wants to do in his or her life. Whenever there's an "issue" (especially one in which they're sure the other person is at fault) they actively seek to apply Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Their first prayer is, "Lord, change me." Couples spend more time focusing on each other's strengths than weaknesses. They look diligently for ways to encourage each other. They try to catch each other being healthy-being patient, kind, quick to forgive, giving the benefit of the doubt, assuming the best-giving each other at least one compliment a day. That's especially challenging when a partner is being a real jerk-but that's also when it's the most grace-giving. Couples really believe "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28, NLT). Good marriages don't just "happen." While couples don't ignore problems, they choose to look beyond solving the immediate problem to the ways God might help them "become like his Son" (Romans 8:29, NLT). Couples understand that as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), so one spouse sharpens another. Sponge doesn't sharpen sponge. Nerf doesn't sharpen Nerf. Iron sharpens iron. When they're faced with painful or discouraging issues, they remind each other that the product (greater love and deeper intimacy) is worth the process (dealing with the issues). Couples choose to assume the best about each other. For years we believed and taught others that "love is patient, love is kind … it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs… . It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 7). Now we try intentionally to live that out one day at a time. Why not try these out for greater growth in your marriage! -Pastor M. A. Smith, Associate Family Ministries Director Family Island Convention Long Island Convention Beginning Friday, January 30, Pastor Michael Smith took Convention 2004 to
Steven's, Long Island. Emphasizing the theme "With Warmth of
Fellowship," he challenged his listeners to prepare for the Second Coming
of Christ. Continuing the theme on Sabbath morning, Pastor Smith presented a
powerful message that left the congregation homesick for heaven. That afternoon
he conducted a Family Life Seminar and covered areas such divorce, marriage, and
social development. In addition to the regular members from North and South Long
Island, visitors from five churches in the community were in attendance. At the
conclusion of the weekend both visitors and members went away rejoicing in the
Lord. Eleuthera Convention Women's Ministries Director Mrs. Miriam Knowles joined district pastor Lynden Williams in Convention 2004 at the James Cistern Seventh-day Adventist Church, Eleuthera. From Friday to Sabbath the members of the district assembled to hear messages of hope and encouragement. Mrs. Knowles conducted a Women's Ministries Seminar Sabbath afternoon with many women attending and receiving vital information and encouragement.Exuma Convention 2004 The members of the Moss Town and Mt. Thompson Seventh-day Adventist churches "united in the warmth of fellowship" last week in convention 2004 in the picturesque island of Exuma. Members and visitors converged at the Mt. Thompson church for a dynamic, uplifting and inspiring three nights of the outpouring of God's magnificent power. Pastor T. Basil Sturrup delivered a heart-stirring and soul-searching message on Friday night, on the topic "All Power is given unto me." On Sabbath, members and visitors were yet again blessed with a powerful sermon that encouraged those present to live for the King. Mrs. Cheryl Rolle conducted a children's ministries workshop on Sunday morning, this was indeed pertinent, informative, and motivational. Those in attendance were introduced to methodologies that would enhance the Sabbath School lesson and help bring about a real spiritual experience for each child. Participants of the seminar left with a greater resolve to do more for our children in 2004.The weekend climaxed on Sunday night with a workshop conducted by Pastor
Who would have thought that five short months after clearing the property and laying the first block, four classrooms and one office would be ready for occupancy by the K2s, K3s, K4s, and K5s. You should have seen the looks on the faces of the children on Monday morning as they became familiar with their new surroundings. They were enjoying their brightly painted building with doors and posts of varying colours, their spacious surroundings, cool classrooms with many windows that allowed for beautiful cross ventilation of fresh breeze, their newly made "cubby holes" to rest their bags and lunch tins, their walls and bulletin boards that were decorated with pictures and numbers and letters, even the bathrooms in each classroom with kid-size toilets and basin. Oh, there were just so many things to see and touch! We were especially happy to finally reunite the K5 students with the others, a connection that should have been made all along, but because of lack of space, had to be placed on the main campus where the bigger students many times took advantage of their size and where they were vulnerable to all kinds of other 'social ills'. We are also happy to announce that Mrs. Hermia Brown has been named as the Co-ordinator for the Centre and has already taken up her duties with great dispatch. Mrs. Brown will share her time between the ELC and the elementary campus until June, at which time she will be located on the ELC campus permanently. In addition to the wonderful mercies and blessings of God, we have many, many people to thank for their great assistance in helping us to reach this milestone: Our Conference Administrators for recognizing the need strongly expressed at the last Education Summit to relocate the little ones, to you members who regularly contribute to the VBA through your financial means and time, to Misters Ash, Cartwright, and Barr, along with Mike Anderson from California, for their untiring dedication to seeing this project to this stage, to Brenda Scott, Marion Jennings, Elsie Adderley, Laura Forbes, and Cynthia Bullard for the hundreds of meals prepared each week to feed the men on the site, to the members of the New Providence Church for housing us all these years, to the Living Faith Church for their willingness to house us for the last four months, and to the teachers who have been patient with all the inconveniences they have borne. . . we say THANK YOU to all! Keep listening for the date for a "soft opening"-Lynn C. Smith, Principal
Evangelism Update The Path to Total Health Campaign Concludes with a Baptism of 23 After identifying the church that Jesus would join if He were to come to Nassau, Pastor Paul Scavella made an appeal and 23 persons responded and were baptized at the Living Faith Church on Sabbath, January 31. Later that evening, the meetings ended at the Parkgate Church with an informative presentation on cancer of the prostate by Dr. Joseph Evans. The initial steps for the formation of the Be Healthy, Be Happy Club were also introduced by Pastor P. A. Scavella, Health Ministries Director of the Conference.
New Providence and Real Harvest Begin Crusade Tomorrow The New Providence and Real Harvest Churches, under the leadership of Pastor Peter Joseph, will launch out in a brief evangelistic campaign on Sunday, February 8, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. at the tent in Nassau Village. They will be taking the Message of Hope to the residents of a very challenging segment of our society. You are cordially invited to come and encounter "The Real Harvest Experience Crusade."
Breath of Life 'Family Life Crusade’ The Breath of Life Church, led by Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe, is hosting a "Family Life Crusade," which began Feb.1, with an all night Prayer and Praise service. A special invitation is extended to all to come and experience these life changing presentations nightly, at 7:00 o’clock, except Thursdays.
Family Island Convention Sturrup. Members were challenged not only to win souls for Christ but also to nurture, retain and foster a holistic spiritual experience for fellow church members. Pastor Kent Price and the members would endeavor to keep the fire ignited this weekend ever burning. -Denise Curtis
Marriage Seminar All married couples still planning to attend the Marriage Seminar are encouraged to visit the Conference office on Monday to register. The fees will remain the same as before January 31.
Praise Reunion III Praise Reunion III videos are now available at the office. See Mrs. Kim Bryan or call 341-4021
Men’s Ministry Meeting All Adventist Men coordinators are requested to attend a meeting at the Living Faith Church on Sunday, February 15, at 5:00 p.m. to form a men's ministry in the Conference.
An Hour of Gospel Music Resumes at Mary Ingraham Home The ministry of music played a pivotal role on Sabbath evenings at the Mary Ingraham Home in ministering to the seniors and neighbors in the area. Continuing today at 4:30 p.m. is the Centreville Church. The ministry features next Saturday evening the Ebenezer Church.All persons scheduled are requested to please contact Mr. Admiral Forbes at the home @341-0094/5 in advance if they are unable to keep their appointments. - J. Admiral Forbes, Co-ordinator
Mega-Ministry Choir Rehearsal Members of the Mega-Ministry Choir are invited to attend rehearsal tonight at 7:00 o’clock at the Berea Church.
Joshua Team Members Needed At least 500 volunteers are needed to serve as Joshua team members or prayer warriors in the "Footprint of Jesus" Crusade that will begin March 20, 2004
Breath of Life Walk-A-Thon Breath of Life Pathfinders invite all Pathfinders and other interested persons in New Providence Churches to join in their Walk-A-Thon Sunday, February 8. They will leave the Town Center Mall at 6 a.m. for the Breath of Life Church where Breakfast will be available for a small donation.
Living Faith Pathfinders to Hold a Car Wash The Pathfinders of the Living Faith Church will host a car was at the church site tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon. The support of the SDA community is solicited.
Adventist Book Centre The Adventist Book Centre invites you to come by and shop for all your health food needs. A full time colporteur is now available to come to your home or office; should you need this service please call 341-2429. Additionally, delicious hot vegetarian lunches are available daily. Just another service we provide to meet your needs. - Kenny V.A. Deveaux, ABC Manager
ASI Family Island Evangelistic Outreach All businesspersons, laymen, lay preachers, Bible workers and other interested persons who are ready to blaze the gospel trails for one, two, or three week’s crusades in the Family Islands are invited to attend a meeting at the Conference office February 22 at 7:30 a.m. We need 10 teams to help with this endeavor. Breakfast will be served. -Dr. Alvira Higgs, ASI President
Training Session for Colporteurs All colporteurs are requested to meet at the Conference Office on Sunday, February 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Education Opportunity Persons interested in doing a technology and learning class from NCU for credits should contact Mrs. Celeste Creighton at the BA Elementary school at 394-0897.
Footprints To Jesus Music Choir directors, please supply Pastor Paul Scavella or Elder Miriam Knowles with five names of persons or groups from your area that can be available for special music during the crusade. The list should reach the Conference Office by February 16, 2004.
ASI Vacation 2004 ASI vacation of a lifetime. . . ASI Convention is set for Cincinnati, Ohio, August 1 to 8, 2004. Plan to take the entire family and let them experience the joy of witnessing for the Lord. Call Dr. Alvira Higgs at #322-8314. Come, be a part of this evangelistic explosion.
Church Clerks All Church Clerks in New Providence and the Family Islands are asked to turn in their OFFICERS’ LISTS for 2004 to the Conference Office as soon as possible.
Adventist Spotlight Adventist Spotlight will be recording during the month of February from the following churches: 7th, Philadelphia Church; 14th, Gambier Church; 21st, Bethany and 28th, Berea
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