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A Message From The
President
Happy New Year and best wishes for 2006! It was
indeed touching this past Sabbath afternoon on New Year’s Eve for us as we
assembled at our various church centers to say goodbye to 2005 and welcome in
a brand new year. Such a service, especially within the context of the
Communion Service, underscores God’s gracious favors to us during the previous
year. Ponder this --anyone of us could have perished through hurricane; air,
boat or automobile accident, or even through a freak accident at home, on the
job or at church.
Truly, God is good as declared by Asaph in Psalm
73. Less I be misunderstood, I add that even in cases where a relative, friend
or colleague has been snuffed away by the cold fingers of death, we can still
praise God. In fact, as I write this article, I am here in Antigua to attend
the funeral service for the mother of Pastor Peter Joseph. We (Denise, my
wife, Drs. Leon and Alvira Higgs, Vernal Rolle and Tony Curtis) who are here
representing you have witnessed a remarkable faith and assurance of God=s
presence in Pastor Joseph.
To Pray More This New Year allows
for another chance to correct some stuff and renew commitments to God, spouse,
children and to personal objectives. I point out the need to pray more in
2006. While listening to a special television broadcast on Friday, December
30, 2005, on 3ABN, I was startled by some statistics released regarding the
prayer life of Adventists. Having Pastor Brennen check out the information, I
confirmed that we as a denomination have not given enough attention to prayer
in comparison to other protestant churches. Could it be that we do not sense
the need to pray because we may possess a false sense of pride, for we believe
that we have the truth and as such do not need to agonize? Be it as it may,
the research by George Barna, noted church researcher, does indicate our need
to pray more. In fact, it was only on Wednesday that pastors met for prayer
and fasting throughout our Union. Dr. Allen and his officers are to be
commended for this focus. After all, Ellen White says, a revival of true
godliness among us as a people is the most urgent of all needs. To seek this
should be our first work. Dr. Allen adds that this work does not begin with
the members of the Church; this purifying work must begin with the ministers.
Therefore, I urge our pastors and elders to ensure that we utilize the Prayer
and Praise service for what it was intended. Also, that we encourage more
prayer focus as this will auger well for God’s people in every way.
To Contribute More
I would imagine that you have been blessed and inspired by Convention 2006
thus far. This afternoon our youth will conduct their installation service,
and on Sunday, we conclude our extended weekend with Praise and Reunion,
beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Hillview Church. Those of us who missed the
opening of Convention may wish to tune into that service when it is
aired/rebroadcast on TV-13 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Invite a friend or neighbor
to tune in. Also, those of you who may be interested in the work in the Family
islands are welcome to attend the Family Islands Conventions. You may make
your own arrangements to attend the convention on the island of your choice.
Please note the
following schedule of Family Islands Conventions and Speakers:
January 13 to 15
Eleuthera: Dr. Cheryl & Mr. Pedro Rolle and Mrs. Miriam Knowles
Long Island: Pastor Paul and Mrs. Joan Scavella
Inagua: Pastor Leo and Mrs. Terry Rolle
January 20 to 22
San Salvador: Dr. Leonard and Mrs. Denise Johnson & Pastor
Barrington and Mrs. Annick Brennen
Exuma: Elder Melvin and Mrs. Constance Lewis & Dr. John and Mrs.
Shezarah Carey
January 27 to 29
Cat Island: Pastor Andrews and Mrs. Karen Burrows & Dr. Michael Mrs.
Brenda Toote
Crooked Island and Acklins: Pastor Eric and Mrs. Patrice Clarke
North Andros: Pastor Michael and Mrs. Lynn Smith
South Andros: Elder Melvin Mrs. Constance Lewis & Pastor T. Basil and
Mrs. Lavern Sturrup
In addition to requesting you to give some of your time to the work in the
Family Islands, I remind you to give a special offering to assist with the
ongoing construction for the new Bahamas Academy on Marshall Road. You should
have received a handout from the VBA president, Bro. Winston Ash. Support this
project throughout the year with your financial contributions as well as your
voluntary labor, or with donation of building materials. With our major
Evangelistic outreach slated for February 18, I ask that you continue to
support the School of Evangelism which resumes next week following convention.
I still believe that the best evangelistic experiences and results are yet to
be seen and felt within this Conference. Pray much and prepare much for the
same. Again, I wish for you and yours God's blessings and a very Happy
New Year. -Dr. Leonard A. Johnson
Relocation of Bethel Haitian Adventist Church
The Bethel Adventist Church will now hold services at its new site on
Spikenard and Unison Roads. The members of Bethel credit and thank Brothers
Philip Young, Alfred Brennen, Dale Davis and Kenneth Williams for their
assistance in relocating. Plans for a revival at the new site will begin on
Sunday, January 15, 2006, for more information please call Pastor St. Fleur at
361-2031 to be of further assistance to the Francophone district.
Bahamas Conference Pastors Meet to Pray On Wednesday, January 4,
2006, the pastors of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists joined
the other pastors of West Indies Union who met at various locations throughout
the Union for a time of prayer and meditation. This special prayer time was
designated because administrators and pastors recognize that prayer is a
powerful weapon in the fight against the forces of evil, and as spiritual
leaders, they need to be equipped to lead the people into a revival of true
godliness. As they gathered at the New Englerston Church, the pastors prayed
for spiritual cleansing and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.”
Representing the leadership of West Indies Union, Dr. Wendell R. McMillan,
Field Secretary and Stewardship director of the Union, led out in the
meditation. He emphasized that pastors need to give more attention to prayer
and the ministry of the Word. He made reference to Acts 6:4 as support for his
admonition. The twelve disciples, the spiritual leaders of the early church,
left the support ministries for others to do. They said: “But we will give
ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Ellen White, also, emphasized the importance of
prayer. What she says in Testimonies for The Church, Vol. 5. Pages 112 and 113
is very instructive:
“Those who will put on the whole armour of God
and devote some time every day to dedication and prayer and to the study of
the Scriptures will be connected with heaven and will have a saving,
transforming influence upon those around them. Great thoughts, noble
aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty to God, will be theirs.
They will be yearning for purity, for light, for love, for all the graces of
heavenly birth. Their earnest prayer will enter into that within the veil.
The class will have a sanctified boldness to come into the present of the
Infinite One. They will feel that heaven’s light and glories are for them,
and the will become refined, elevated, ennobled by intimate acquaintance
with God. Such is the privilege of the true Christians.”
The pastors were motivated and inspired by participating in the prayer and
meditation time, and they felt that this should be a regularly schedule
event for the pastors.
Youth Convention A special Sabbath School
and Divine Hour program is planned for our teenagers ages 12 to 17 only at the
Philadelphia SDA Church, Elizabeth Estate from 9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Parents
are asked to drop off and pick up their children by 1:00 p.m. - Pastor A.
Burrows
Support Bahamas Academy Friends,
supporters and interested persons are requested to give a good donation to the
New Bahamas Academy project during Convention 2006 today. Special envelopes
are available from ushers
Children’s Ministries Convention On
Convention Sabbath Children's church for children aged 5 to 12 years will be
held at the Maranatha church from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Parents are asked to
drop off and pick up their children on time. -Dr. Cheryl Rolle, CM Director
A.Y. Service for Convention afternoon All
A.Y., Pathfinder, Adventurer, leaders, assistants, counselors, instructors,
Pathfinder band officers and members, Listen Up team members, and other
persons working with our young people next year are required to attend the
Youth Dedication And Commitment Service on the Sabbath afternoon, January 7th,
during the Bahamas Conference Convention at the Hillview Church.
Youth Announcements Masterguide Training Class of 2006
The Masterguide Training Class of 2006 will commence on Sunday morning,
January 8th. Mr. Rohan Creighton, Mastergiude Training Instructor for next
year requests all Masterguides in training, and Mastergiudes who need to do
refresher courses to register with the Youth Department at the Conference
Office within the next two weeks.
School of Evangelism The School of
Evangelism Classes will resume following Convention 2006, on Sunday, January
15, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. No new students will be accepted for Evangeslism School
Phase I, however, persons interested in registering for the next session in
August 2006 are invited to sign up with Mrs. Deena McPhee at the Conference
Office. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Coordinator, Familsy Life Crusade 2006
Eastern Standard Hours for Adventist Book
& Bible Centre You are invited to come by the ABNC for your Vegan foods, books
and Bibles. New store hours during Eastern Standard Time are: Monday to
Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A
variety of 2006 Devotional books are available. Come check us out for your
holiday gifts. -K. V. Deveaux, ABNC Manager
NCU Offers Graduate Studies Northern Caribbean University (NCU) is
inviting persons interested in studying for a Master’s and or the PhD in
Education to contact Mrs. Celestine Creighton at #393-3381. NCU is prepared to
accommodate a group of 15 persons with 2 sessions in Nassau and 1 in Jamaica.
A group of 25 persons will be able to complete the entire program in Nassau.
Trade Show 2006 Plans are being made for the Bahamas Conference Trade
Show scheduled for February 5, 2006. All participants are invited to stop by
the Conference Office to sign up (Mon. B Fri., during office hours).
Adventist Business Directory The 2006
Adventist Business Directory is ready for distribution. Extra copies are
available at the ABNC for a small donation. Persons who would like to register
for the second edition can complete an application for and leave it at the
ABNC. - Pastor N. E. Scavella
New Phone lines for ELC New Telephone
Numbers for the Bahamas Academy Early Learning Center are: 394-8838 ot
394-8839. -Hermia Brown, Coordinator, ELC
Nova Southeastern University Nassau Campus
Nova Southeastern University is currently registering students for the
following programmes, scheduled to begin in March 2006 in Nassau: Master’s in
Business Administration, Master’s in Human Resources Management, Bachelor
Degree in Business Administration, and Master’s Degree in Education. All
students who are interested in enrolling in these programmes are urged to fill
in an official application at the campus on Yamacraw Road as soon as possible.
Classes are scheduled for Saturday Nights and Sundays. For more information,
please call 364-6766 ext. 25 or e-mail the university at nsu-bahamas@nsu.nova.edu.
-Dr. Leon Higgs
Health Ministries Orlando Summit Persons
traveling to Orlando for the Health summit are asked to meet with Pastor Paul
Scavella Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at the Living Faith Church.
All Health Professionals and Health Directors for the year 2006 are asked to
meet at Living Faith Church at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1st with Pastor
Scavella.
Clean-up Day at Campsite All Pathfinders,
Masterguides, PF Band members, Listen-up members are asked to meet at the
Campsite, Marshall Road, on January 29, 2006, for a clean-up session from 7:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You are asked to bring cleaning tools such as cutlass, lawn
mower, rakes and shovels. -Marilyn Bonamy
Bethany Pathfinder Club to Host Mega
Garage Sale On Sunday, January 8, 2006, at 7:30 a.m. the Bethany Pathfinder
Club will have a blow-out garage sale on the Church grounds at West Ridge.
Proceeds are in aid of church bus. For information or directions call
394-4017. -R. Bain
Seminar for Literature Evangelists There
will be a seminar on Sunday, January 29, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon,
for persons interested in becoming literature evangelists. This is an
opportunity to give the message of hope through our publications to the
community. Contact Pastor John Carey at the Conference Office (341-4021/2) to
register your interest. The place where the seminar will be held will be
announced later. Meeting for Communication Secretaries
All Communication Secretaries of the New Providence Churches are invited to a
meeting that will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. The venue
will be announced later. Please call 341-4021 to register your attendance.
Sun sets today at
5:35p.m.
Sun sets next Sabbath at 5:40 p.m.
