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Northern Region Celebrate Convention 2002

The idea of ‘unity’ has been the focus of this new century. With this goal in mind, Grand Bahamians were on a ‘spiritual high’ as they set all the wheels in motion for Convention 2002 under the theme, "United in Worship of God."

 

To usher in this wonderful session, Pastor Ronnie Henry of West Indies Union and a former treasurer of the Bahamas Conference presented the Triple ‘C’ Family Plan to church members on Wednesday, January 30^th, 2002 and it was well received.  See Photos

The Freeport sanctuary was filled to its capacity on Friday evening, when members and friends turned out in exceptional numbers from all the settlements on the island. They were joined by a special delegation of conference officials, family members and well-wishers from Nassau.

The Youth were featured in this service. Among the many activities were an inspirational praise and worship, a thrilling report from the Youth Federation President, Mr. Justin Sturrup, and his assistant, Mrs. McKinney. An unusual welcome which made his night was given to Youth Leader, Pastor Dannie Clarke, by the Pathfinders. Then, it was time to hear from guest speaker, Pastor Donald Burden, Youth pastor of the Allegheny Conference, who with his dear wife quickly and warmly accepted the invitation to flee from the icy weather of the north to join us here for the weekend.

Although our Field Secretary, pastor Paul Scavella, was indisposed during the services, Pastor Burden gave us much food for thought. He spoke about the danger of taking God for granted. He used the life of Samson as an illustration of one who though divinely appointed violated God’s principles and fell to Delilah’s plot.

Sabbath morning featured a spiritual clinic at the Freeport High Auditorium. By noon, many were healed, and the hall was filled with persons who hungered after righteousness. Before the main course, President K. D. Albury encouraged the brethren to stand firm and not allow present day issues to undermine the commitments that we make to Christ.

In his midday message and vesper thought, Pastor Burden stated that man was created for praise and worship, and that is when he is at his best. The only way the devil gets to church is wen we take thing there and allow him to operate from our bodies. Consequently, the only way the gospel can get to sinners is if we take it to them, therefore God is depending on us to do it.

Imagine! God is so good that even the devil depends on Him for existence. We leave church empty sometimes because we never took anything there in the first place. Satan promises many good things, but he hides the consequences. Jesus, on the other hand, is a way out of no way. He is the creator in Genesis, but the King of kings and Lord of lord,s in the revelation.

The brethren took the time to discuss the future of the proposed mission

The workshops on Sunday wrapped up a splendid weekend of activities.

Convention 2002 was like the refreshing dew. It roused us from our sleep to rescuse those in valleys deep. Don’t sit idle in your pews, keep heaven in your view.-Evelyn Lopez Communications Secretary FPO Church

SDA Law Enforcement and Civil Servants’ Thanksgiving Church Service The annual SDA Law Enforcement/Civil Servants Service will be held February 16, 2002, at the Living Faith Church, Old Trail Road.

All officers of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, The Customs, Immigration and Road Traffic Departments, and the Prison Service are invited to be a part of this special service and to attend in uniform. The entire SDA Community is encouraged to support and attend.

Health Summit 2002 Report The Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs Hotel was a sight of the North American and Inter-American Divisions Health Summit 2002. The summit brought together persons from all over North America, the Caribbean and Europe, to learn more about how to reach the world with the health message. The summit was coordinated by Dewitt Williams, Ed.D., Director of Health Ministries, North American Division and David White, D.Min., Coordinator Certification Program health Ministries, North American Division. A group of seven Bahamians lead by Pastor Paul Scavella,, Health Ministries Director for the Bahamas Conference made the trip to the summit.

The session began on Sunday, January 20^th with registration and a welcoming service in the evening. On Monday morning at 8:30 nearly 300 participants filed into six meeting rooms to listen to presentations on six different areas of health ministries. The topics included Van Ministries, Fitness Training, Grief Recovery, Breathe Free, Regeneration and Vegetarian Cuisine. After a full morning a lunch break it was back for the afternoon session where all new topics were presented with the exception of the vegetarian cuisine course. The new topics included Eight Weeks to Wellness, Stress Management, Diabetes, Hydro Therapy and Home Remedies and CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Project). The day session ended at 5 p.m. and everyone took a to-hour break then returned for a one hour and thirty minutes sess ion at 7 p.m., which focused on how to advertise the various health programs The week ended with three special services.

On Friday evening, there was a testimony service in which representatives from various organizations, states and country were given an opportunity to tell what was happening in the health ministries in their area. Pastor Paul Scavella represented the Bahamian group and the Bahamas Conference during this service. The keynote speaker for that service was Dr. Don King, President of the Northeastern Conference. On Sabbath, the venue shifted to the Forest Lake Academy where the Divine service speaker where Dr. Allan Handysides, Director of Health Ministries at the General Conference

He gave a stirring address on the important of focusing on the God of the health message. In the afternoon service Mayor John Street of Philadelphia, who himself is an Adventists, told the story of what the city of Philadelphia is doing to get healthier. The final service was an awards luncheon on Sunday at the Hilton. At that time we heard from Gwen Foster, the Health and Fitness Czar of Philadelphia, herself also an Adventists, who gave more details of the Philadelphia Fitness story.

For the group of Bahamian who made the trip it was an experience they won’t soon forget. The information received, the insights gained and the friendship forged have inspired these Health Ministries Leaders to push harder, to dream bigger and to reach higher that they might win souls to Chr8st through the medium of Health Ministries.-Elgin Hepburn

Why Be Different?

As Adventist youths, we know words that describes us- peace, love and truth,

And being different from other religions, ours may seem to make us miss out on everything.

But God fills our desire, And He sets our souls on fire, And so Adventists youths,

we bring others to the truth.

While we know have to have fun, we are always ready for the Lord to come.

So dare to be an Adventist youth like me, With love for my Saviour dwelling within me. 

-Anya Fernander, Good News Church

The 2002 Marriage Enrichment Seminar Retreat Last evening the journey of a lifetime began. The pre-Valentine weekend of love! The 2002 Marriage Enrichment Seminar Retreat opened, continues today at the Nassau Beach Hotel from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. & concludes tomorrow, Sunday, February 10, 2002 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Remember this seminar is beneficial if you are married, engaged, thinking about getting engaged or considering a relationship. Last night the subject of "Rekindling the Spark" was presented. This seminar is presented to enrich and strengthen marriages and provide valuable information about meaningful relationships. We say again that if you want to make a good marriage even better; if you want to put life back into a dead marital situation; if you are considering divorce and want to give more thought and prayer to your marriage; if you need to check out things before checking into marriage then attend this experience of a lifetime. Come and be enriched.

Pastor Willie and Mrs. Elaine Oliver, the directors of Family Ministries for North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD) and the Conference Family Ministries team are ministering in an excited, dynamic, down-to-earth, well socially informed yet solid Biblical-based way. Such subjects as; Becoming Intimate Allies; Nurturing and Sensuality; Forgiveness and Restoration; and more are still to be presented throughout the weekend. Dress is casual.

Pray for us that God would bring healing and help, strength and sweetness, restoration and revitalization to relationships and marriages.-Pastor M. A Smith, Family Life Director

Selecting a Non-Adventist Mate? Is there anything wrong in looking outside of the church for someone to be a life-time married partner? Certainly not. However, the problem is when we establish permanent romantic relationships with the person before he or she makes a spiritual, unconditional commitment to Christ and the Adventist faith. If you see a gorgeous man or woman outside the church who seems to superficially meet all your requirements for a life-time mate (except not being an Adventist), then your first and only step should be to become friends, not romantic partners. Too many Adventist young people get emotionally entangled with "I love you," and "kiss me time" before a commitment is made to Christ. Remember, if you start touching, kissing, and making suggestive lifetime commitments before the potential Adventist becomes one, you are already making a big mistake. You are compromising your own spiritual standards. The soon-to-be Adventists know this, so they wait and see if they really have to join the church, testing your faith. By this time you are hooked. Really hooked. Please do not set wedding dates before baptisms. Wait until months or even longer after the baptism to see if your "gorgeous" man or woman is truly in love with Jesus for himself or herself. Remember, Christian friendship is a relationship with no strings attached. Romantic relationships have strings. Next week we will talk more about those strings. - Barrington Brennen

Triple ‘C’ Family Plan The official launching of the Triple "C" Family Plan of the Bahamas Conference will take place on Sabbath afternoon at 4 o’clock, February 23, 2002 at the Hillview SDA Church. We will begin with a service of consecration and then all members here in Nassau who are ready to sign up in this program may then do so. We are also asking church treasurers, stewardship personal and assistants in these areas to be at Hillview to register those persons from their respective churches who are prepared to sign up for the program (money would not be collected until after sunset). Of course there will be continual registering of persons thereafter at the respective churches according to local church scheduling. Written details of the Plan and copies of the Power Point presentation have already been furnished to the pastors and churches. There have been meetings with churches and districts since the introduction of the program last November 2001. Here are some frequently asked questions (Q) and answers (A).

1. Q: What is Triple "C" Family Plan? A: It is a financial program for Baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

2. Q: How can I participate in the program? A: Simply by filling out the membership registration form, and paying the registration fee and at least, the first month’s contribution.

3. Q: What are my financial obligations in the program?

A: a). Registration Fee of $10, which is non-refundable.

b). Contribution of $240 which can be paid in monthly installments of $10 for a period of 24 months or as a lump sum or in other combinations. This total amount is to be paid one time only.

c). Maintenance Fees of $30 per year which can be paid in three equal installments of $10 in April, August and December or paid in one lump payment. This is the only fee that has to be paid for the lifetime of the member.

4. Q: How can I benefit from the program? A: The program is divided in three stages:

a) a death benefit for each member who registers,

b) where that member is jobless, the member may be assisted with an interest free loan to set up a small business and.

c) provision is also made that when the member has a need that member may be assisted in meeting that need. (See also last Sabbath’s Logos)

5. Q: How much is the Death Benefit?

 A: The amount of the Death Benefit is dependent on how long the member is in the program and the amount of contributions made up to the time of death. For the member who is paying the contributions by monthly payments of $10, the benefits are as follows: Time Period Death Benefit 2 – 4 months B$1250.00/ 5 – 8 months B$2500.00/ 9 – 12months B$3750.00 Over 12 months B$5000.00 For the member who chooses to pay the full contribution of $240 at the time of registration (along with the registration fee of $10), the benefit is the maximum amount of $5000 after a minimum two months of membership.

6. Q: How soon after death is the Death Benefit available, and how does one go about claiming it?

A: The Death Benefit is available immediately after death, provided:

a) That the beneficiary provides a positive identification at the time of the claim.

b) That the death has been substantiated by the Pastor or (in his absence) the Head Elder of your church.

c) That a death certificate is submitted at the time of the claim. These should be submitted to the Treasurer of the Conference.

7. Q: Who is the Beneficiary and who appoints him/her?

A: The Beneficiary is the person who receives the Death Benefit after the member died. This person is to be appointed by the member and recorded on the membership registration form. The person must be an adult, that is, 18 years and above.

8. Q: Can I change my Beneficiary if I so desire?

A: Yes! It must be stated in writing and the effective date. Two persons, one of whom must be your Pastor, should witness (sign) the change.

9. Q: Can I register my immediate family on my Registration form?

A: Each baptized member in a family must fill out an individual registration form to be registered. Where there are non-baptized immediate family members, they may be included as dependent members on your registration form.

10. Q: Who are Dependent Members?

A: Dependent Members are non-baptized immediate family members who fall into the categories of spouse, children, parents, grandparents only.

11. Q: Does the Dependent Member have financial obligations in this Plan and what are the Benefits?

A: Yes! The financial payment is the same for everyone in the Plan and the Death Benefit is paid out in the same manner as for a Regular Member.

12. Q: What happens to the Dependent Member if the Regular Member by reason of death or any other reason is no longer a part of the program?

A: It is the Regular Member who connects the Dependent Member to the program. If the Regular Member is no longer a part of the program then the Dependent Member is automatically no longer connected. At that point any contributions paid on behalf of the Dependent Member will be refunded to the Regular Member or his/her beneficiary. Next week we will list more questions and answers. Keep reading the Logos.

Let us continue to pray for, sign up for and invest in the Triple ‘C’ Family Plan. Remember we need a minimum of 1000 persons throughout the entire Conference to sign up in order for the program to be fully implemented. -Pastor M. A. Smith, Stewardship Director

Children’s Ministries All Children’s Ministries Leaders and their assistants are asked to meet on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. at the Hillview Church.

SDA Art Club Members of the SDA Art Club are reminded that art classes are being conducted every Sunday at BA Secondary School from 3 to 5 p.m. A. Mason/Ian Antonio

Adventist Counseling Awareness The First Share and Care Support Group begins for persons with chronic pain and long-term illnesses on March 2 at Bethany Church. If you have a painful long-term illness or life-threatening disease such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, etc., and in need of motivation, education, encouragement and support, then this Share and Care Support Group is for you. Dr. Stephanie Hutcheson, Adventist Clinical Psychologist will be there. This group will meet every two weeks for two months only. Interested persons please call Dr. Hutcheson at 356 7177 or Barrington Brennen at 361 6355, 393 1818.

Tomorrow Night (Sunday) Video 7:00 at Johnson Park church entitled: "The communication method that increases intimacy and understanding." Everyone is invited, especially married and courting couples.

Remember Mission The Long Island SDA Association invite you to continually support the building program of the new SDA Church in Scrub Hill, Long Island.

At least 100 SDA Long Islanders and friends of Long Island is needed to give or to pledge/deposit $100 into an account opened at the Conference office to expedite the completion of a modern edifice to the honor and glory of God. Come on, saints, help us put Long Island on the map. -D. Ritchie

Softball League to begin Soon All Softball coaches and those interested are cordially invited to the Hillview Church at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, February 10, 2002, for a meeting. Sign-up sheets are now available at your respective churches for those wanting to play. Be a Player and Not a Spectator! -Tyrrell Miller, President of Softball League

SDA Haitian Community Needs Help The Francophone SDA Church is soliciting bedding, clothing for men and women, and cash donations to assist the recent Haitian refugees and others at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre. Please contact Sis. Mona Joseph at 362-1674, Sis. Sirila Exalus at 393-3217 or Pastor Edward St. Fleur at 362-1031 to receive your donations.

Farewell Banquet A farewell banquet for Edmund and Emily Rahming -"Back to Andros" will be held Sunday, February 17, 2002, at 2:00 p.m at Montagu Garden. For tickets contact Edlyn Rahming at 322-6392 or 359-3831

Youth Ministries Masterguides Training

Sabbath, Feb. 9 - Investiture {Hillview Church at 4 p.m.}

**All Masterguides and persons interested are invited to a 10 Hour Masterguides Training Session Sunday morning, Feb 10, at Bahamas Academy Gym from 7 to 9 o’clock Other dates for additional classes will be announced.

SDA Eleuthera Association A meeting of the Eleuthera SDA Association will be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Grant’s Town Church at 5 p.m. The Association will host a gospel concert April 14^th, venue to be announced.

Elder’s Notice Elders interested in the Elder’s Certification Course 102 are requested to sign up at the Continuing Education Division of Bahamas Academy on Wulff Road between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The course commences on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, at 8 a.m. at BAS - Pastor L. C. Rolle, Ministerial Director

Seraphic Sounds Under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Leon L. Higgs, President of the College of the Bahamas, Seraphic Sounds presents . . . "Lift Every Voice. . ." featuring Charles B. Zonicle, Anthony Burnside, Nikita Thompson-Wells and the College of the Bahamas Choir. Saturday, February 23, 2002; at the National Centre for the Performing Arts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20.-Allison Mason

BA Continuing Education Program Through a convenient evening program, Bahamas Academy Continuing Education Division is helping many working adults achieve their educational goals. The BACE program can help you move from where you are to where you would like to go. Centrally located, BACE provides residents of New Providence with the

opportunity to receive individual attention in a friendly learning environment.

For further details regarding fees and registration, please call 393-9362, or stop by the office at Bahamas Academy on Wulff Road (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday).

Bahamas Academy Elementary Bahamas Academy Elementary is accepting new student applications for all grade levels -K2 to 6- for the school year 2002 to 2003. Application forms are available at the school on Penny Bank Lane from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday

The first entrance exam is scheduled for Friday, February 22, 2002, at the school from 9 a.m. to noon for those entering grades 1 to 6.

For further information, please contact the school at 393-8898.

Bahamas Academy Secondary Bahamas Academy Secondary is accepting new applications for all grade levels for the school year 2002 to 2003. Application forms are available at the school on Wulff Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to collect application forms before February 16, 2001.

The first entrance exam is scheduled for Friday, February 22, 2002.

Bahamas Academy Secondary School is looking for a Social Studies teacher for Grades 7 to 9 to begin in September, 2002. Each applicant should have a Bachelor’s degree and a Teacher’s certificate. Interested persons should pick-up job applications from the school during normal working hours.

The United Christian Movement of the Academy will again sponsor a Soup Kitchen beginning tomorrow at noon in the Home Economics lab of the school. Soup will be served every other Sunday for the reminder of the term.

For further information, please contact the school at 393-8898.

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P.O. Box N-356, Harrold Road, Nassau, Bahamas.   Tel:  242-341 4021    Fax: 242-341 4088

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