Speaking on the topic of Unity in the Work, Mr. Marcus Rahming, vice-principal of the secondary division, reminded all workers, that unity does not eliminate our differences, but it allows us to be one in accomplishing the work that the Lord has given us to do. Mr. Rahming declared that, "the unity that Christ desires for His Church is a unity that celebrates diversity and appreciates differences." Focusing on 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 and 27-31, he told the waiting body of soldiers that Christ desires there to be unity among those who would choose to follow Him. He desires there to be among us a unity that transcends that of the world and He qualifies it by saying "that they may be one, as we are."

Mr. Rahming insisted that unless the worker’s of God’s church experience this unity- then the work of God would be stifled. He said that the entire creation has been built on the principle of unity. For when the atoms of two different elements come together, compounds are formed. When compounds come together, they form materials that are necessary for our survival. When similar cells come together to perform a specific function, they form tissues. When tissues come together to perform a specific function, they form organs. When organs come together to perform specific functions, they form systems. When systems work together to carry out their functions, they form an organism. Mr. Rahming intimated that much the same is required of this body of Christ. Our differences allow us to work together to carry out the functions and the purposes designed by God.

As the workers’ meeting progressed it was evident that the Spirit of the Lord had already begun its work. President of the Bahamas Conference Dr. Leonard Johnson rose to invite the entire work force of the conference to become "Gung Ho" with him. Each person was invited to see the work at hand as "Worthwhile Work," work that had to be done. Secondly, he invited each worker to do his part together with everyone else to get the job done in unity. Finally, each worker was called upon to cheer the other on. No matter what part each member played, each person needs the other to accomplish his part of the work. Without a doubt, the spirit of unity has already begun to work in each one. Workers left the New Providence Church with a renewed vision that what we need is the unity that Christ prayed for so that we may, by His grace accomplish the task that is ahead.

Much is still to be done before we are ready to go home, but Dr. Johnson and his team are off Gung Ho’ing. By the grace of God, all are invited to join. - Celeste Creighton

Volunteer Bahamas Adventist

In recent days your new conference administration launched a new initiative known as Volunteer Bahamas Adventist (VBA). As a non- profit venture, VBA is designed to address all capital development needs of our conference inclusive of church, conference and school buildings.   (See "Volunteer Bahamas" Button on front page.  

How does it work? Modeled after Maranatha Flight International, VBA works in tandem with Bahamas Conference and ASI (Adventist Service Industries) to renovate, construct and complete all existing church/conference buildings. In addition, this program seeks to generate funding. In this respect, it proposes to encourage local churches and members to invest in the Capital Development Fund seeking to make the fund healthier (2 million dollars) so that internal funding for all church/conference related projects will be provided, thus minimizing the need for external financing and reducing the time to secure funding. There is no doubt that God's people possess everything necessary to do His work. God, according to Paul in I Corinthians 12, blesses His church with every gift but not any one person with all of the gifts. Consequently, those gifts must be identified, harnessed and tapped for the advancement of God's kingdom. Additionally, God promises His people that if they obey His statues and requirements they will be blessed in a significant and noticeable manner (Duet 28).

Objective: The objective of VBA is to provide skilled, semi-skilled and non-skilled labor for the constructing of all Church, Conference Convention Center and school buildings, where necessary. Also, to facilitate through the Capital Development Fund in conjunction with ASI & UDF funding and repayment (competitive loans) for all projects.

Approach: Based on data collected through the recruitment drive, persons will be encouraged to devote themselves for a period of time (a few days or a week, or more which could be vacation time or otherwise). The aim is not to limit the period to a long holiday weekend but to a period one is prepared to sacrifice. Whatever time a member can allot will be accepted to provide voluntary labor throughout the year. Hopefully with many persons signing up enough persons needed for a job or a phase of a job would be available throughout the year.

Finance: The Conference, along with ASI, will provide an initial seed fund of about $10,000 to $20,000 to assist with operations pertaining to an office worker, utilities and travels to Family Islands. This will be augmented by dues from each member of a suggested amount of $5 per month or $60 per annum. Contributions are not limited to this amount. It must be noted that this is a full voluntary-service, oriented organization. All persons with the exception of a director/supervisor will be expected to work gratis. Travel and local accommodation (inclusive of meals) will be taken care of when traveling outside New Providence.

Expectation: Given the conviction that God's coming is near, we must do the work assigned to us while it is still day. The time is coming when we will no longer be able to work and money would have lost its value. However, with a concerted effort we can accomplish all of our projects in a reasonable period.

 

Listed Priorities:

Exuma (Ceiling-Mt. Thompson)

Ephesus (Fellowship Hall)

Long Island (Stevens SDA Church Building)

North Andros (completion of Lowe Sound Church)

Bethel's Property (assisting with the payments for property)

Camp Site (to complete phase one by May 2003)

Early Learning Center

Bahamas Academy (secondary division)

Bahamas Academy (elementary division)

Ebenezer's Property

Adelaide's Property

Kemp's Bay (Landscaping etc.)

Blessed Hope Church Building

Deadman's Cay Church Building

Conference Convention Center

Commence Master plan for BA (to work in conjunction with the Development Committee)

As there is an immediate need of funds as Ephesus is now under construction. Stevens, Long Island, is expecting the arrival of its building supplies by next week. It is here proposed that we reactivate the Adventure In Faith offering. Thus, we appeal to each member to pledge an amount whether weekly, bi-weekly or monthly towards this plan. Funds will be used strictly for this plan. This amount pledged is to be separate and apart from what one is giving. An offering of faith is solicited. Finally, thanks for the generous offering give during Convention. Nearly four thousand dollars was given. This amount, as promised, was divided and shared equally with Bahamas Academy and Stevens Long Island. Thanks to each member and to the Hillview Church for accommodating two of the services at no charge. Do your part as together we shall accomplish all of these goals. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE IF WE UNITE OUR EFFORTS AND RESOURCES!

In last week's column, we started to share some exciting things that are happening on our campus this term. This week we will share more wonderful news about our students.

If you read the lead story in Monday's Guardian, you read the breathtaking story about two young girls who courageously saved their two-year-old neighbour from a vicious attack by four dogs. What you may not have known is that those two young girls are students of Bahamas Academy.

Alvonee and Alvia Penn are in Grades 2 and 8, respectively, and on the surface appear to be quiet and unassuming girls. But on the morning of January 19, they responded quickly, and without thinking of themselves, they rescued their neighbour from what could have been a worse disaster. As the newspaper account relates, the neighbour girl's mother was asleep, and her older sister was hanging out clothes in the backyard but she could not hear the screams of the baby because she is DEAF! When Alvonee looked through the window of her livingroom and saw what was happening, she ran to awaken her sister, Alvia, who immediately ran outside, chased the dogs away then picked up the crying and bleeding baby and took her next door to her mother's house.

At the school's weekly chapel service on Wednesday, January 22, both girls were presented with a plaque and given praise and commendations by the Principal, Mrs. Lynn Smith, and Conference President Dr. L. A. Johnson. We were also pleased to have present Pastor E. D. Clarke, Executive Secretary of the Conference, Mrs. Cheryl Rolle, Education Director, and the parents of Alvonee and Alvia. Special thanks go to Sis. Vanessa Rolle for providing excellent coverage of the short ceremony by The Nassau Guardian and ZNS. Footage was also captured by the Conference Media Department and for this we say thanks to Pastor Barrington Brennen, Communications Director, and Akin Barr, cameraman. We are so proud to have students like Alvonee and Alvia as part of our school family. We say congratulations to them!

We have more good news about our senior boys' basketball team. On Tuesday, January 21, they played against St. Anne's High School and won their 11th game. At the time this article was written, the team was scheduled to play its final game of the series against St. John's College. Looks like we’re going to the championship once again! Congratulations to the Team and Coach Symonette. The playoffs begins on Monday, January 27. The members of the senior boys' basketball team are: 

Terrance Brown - Grant’s Town

Portland Bain - Grant’s Town

Tercero Forbes - Berea

Jason Forbes

Rithmond McKinney·

Turan Miller

Brendon Albury - Bethany

David Fox - Johnson Park

Larnelle Johnson-Grant’s Town

Torri Knowles - Berea

Lavardo Sands-New Providence

Cordero Heastie

We also need to mention that the junior boys' and girls' teams are doing exceptionally well. Depending on the outcome of the games played after this article has been submitted, both teams should also be headed to the playoffs. It is also quite likely that our girls' team will be pennant winners in their category. We say congratulations to all our ambassadors for putting Bahamas Academy on the athletic map for private schools. (Read next week's article for the results of the entire basketball series). Names of these teammembers will be published next week.

From January 27 to 31, our twelfth-grade students will be experiencing on-the-job training in the various fields in which they have expressed an interest. Spearheading this project is our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Denise Johnson, who says the program gets better each year. The seniors received their preparation for this week back in September when they had a Careers Fair which exposed them to the various careers available to them. During this time, they were also exposed to the Adventist colleges in the Caribbean and the United States. We pray that they will follow the path the Lord has laid out for them. -Lynn C. Smith, Principal

Wanted For The Army The Publishing Ministry is recruiting brave soldiers for the Colporteur army. If you are interested in waging war against evil through the distribution of Christcentered books, join the Colporteur army. Come to an orientation meeting on Thursday, January 30, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. at Bahamas Academy. The meeting will start on time.

Go One Million!! There will be a meeting with all Lay Activities/Personal Ministries Leaders, and all persons involved or interested in the Go One Million Program Sunday, January 26, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. at the Living Faith SDA Church. This meeting will inform you of the latest Go One Million updates. Information will be giving concerning evangelistic plans for 2003 and to organize our big rally February 2, 2003. - T. Basil Sturrup, Personal Ministries & Communities Services

Global Evangelism All Lay persons interested in Global Evangelism program with Elder Folkenberg are asked to contact Miss Kerry-Ann Cargill at 341-4021. This year’s Lay Evangelists will be preaching in the Philippine Islands.

Prison and Hospital Ministries Workshop A Prison Ministry Workshop will be held Monday, January 27, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. at the Living Faith church. All interested persons are invited to attend. - T. B. Sturrup, Departmental Director

Memorial and Funeral Announcements A memorial service for Stanley Davis of the Berea Church will held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. today at the church on Blue Hill Road south  Stanley Davis was a great chef.  He provided meals for official occasions at the Conference headquarters.  He was the head chef of the luncheon for the opening of the headquarters in March of 2000  

Funeral service will be held at the Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road on Sunday, January 26, 2003, at noon. Pastor Wilfred T. Adderley and Dr. Leonard A. Johnson will officiate.

SDA Law Enforcement Service The annual SDA Law Enforcement/Civil Servants’ Service will be held Sabbath, February 8, 2003, at the Centreville Church at 4:00 p.m. The SDA community at large are invited to attend. Newly elected president Dr. Leonard Johnson will give the key note address. - Norman Seymour, Chairman

Spanish Classes Resume at Living Faith Spanish classes will resume at the living Faith Church, Old Trail Road on Tuesday, January 28, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. - Tamika Roberts

Attention, Youth Leaders All Adventist Youth, Pathfinders and Adventurers Leaders are asked to attend a meeting Sunday, February 2, 2003, at 4:00 p.m. at Johnson Park SDA Church. Objective for the meeting –to select co-ordinators for the various areas at the regional level. -Andrew Burrow, Youth Director

Education Secretaries to Meet There will be a very important meeting for all education secretaries on Sunday, February 2, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. at Bahamas Academy.

Meeting for all Women’s and Children’s Ministries Leaders There will be a very important meeting for all Women’s and Children’s Ministries Leaders on Sunday, January 26, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. at Bahamas Academy.- Mrs. C. Rolle, Departmental Director

Women’s Ministries Get ready! Get ready! Get ready! February 14 to 16, 2003, Women’s and Children’s Ministries workshops with Sister Iris Henry from West Indies Union will be conducted. You can’t afford to miss this. Be there! - M. Knowles, Departmental Director

‘ACTS’ ACTS will be visiting The Good Samaritan Senior Citizens Home to donate goods on Febuary 1, 2003. If you would like to donate non-perishable food items for this visit, please contact Tamara Burrows at 364-1725 or leave items at your respective churches for later pick-up. Thank you in advance for your generosity. -Tamara Burrows

Vegetarian Cooking and Lifestyle Education Programme Beginning February 2, 2003, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., a vegetarian cooking and lifestyle education programme will be held. Interested persons may call Marlene McKinney at #364-0085 for further details.

Attention, Church Clerks All Church Clerks who have not done so already are asked to provide a copy of their church officers for 2003 to the Secretariat office at the Conference. -Winsome Flowers

Congratulations to Genevive Sturrup, Treasurer of the Philadelphia Church, for receiving the "Royal" cruise award for the highest sales at Royal Bank, Prince Charles Drive.