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Witnessing In The Bahamas Conference
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Pastor
Peter Joseph
Ministerial
Director |
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Seventh-day Adventists in the Bahamas Conference do
exceptionally more to keep the church relevant than many are willing to
accept. Without the enthusiastic involvement of these church members in the
work of mission, the church as an institution would have lost its reason for
existence. Our membership understands that the goal is always MISSION. Is it
any wonder that hundreds of people every year come to a saving knowledge of
Jesus and are baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist church?
More than just preaching sermons or investing money,
hundreds of lay members, trained in the school of Evangelism, conduct Bible
studies and visit homes throughout the Bahamas. Many of the Bible studies
take place not just in homes, but on parks, on the streets, and even in the
malls during lunch hour. A number of our Adventist business owners take time
to conduct Bible study at their business sites.
I am excited about the impact of small group ministries in many of our
churches. We have seen numerous baptisms and increased visitor attendance
due to the active small group ministries. These evangelistic small groups
that meet in homes during the week are augmented by the Sabbath School
action units. It is reported that over one hundred evangelistic small groups
have been organized across the conference. We need more.
Every week personal testimonies by our members in their communities create
desires in the hearts of listeners for similar experiences. This is so easy
that all must become involved in sharing their personal testimony to
non-believers. This involves three elements: 1. Your life before conversion;
2. How you gave your life to Christ; and 3. What Jesus means to you at
present.
Health Evangelism is active and effective in our field.
Whether it is Eight Weeks to Wellness, health seminars, workshops or health
crusades, we are seeking out people where they are. The Word preached in the
pulpit is the beginning. "There are multitudes that will never be reached by
the gospel unless it is carried to them." Christian Service, p. 121
The activities of Community Services have served well to
break down barriers and make the gospel non-threatening. Churches have been
meeting the temporal necessities of the needy and also relieving their
physical wants and suffering. This demonstration of empathy and compassion
for both Christians and non-Christians is a powerful argument in favor of
Christianity.
Public evangelism and nurturing are integrally a part of the
church's witness. Through evangelistic meetings, large groups of people have
received doctrinal instructions and as a result made responsible decisions
to join the church. As a matter of fact the conference is nearing 600
baptisms for 2010. Moreover, through mentorship, spiritual guardianship,
skills training, fellowship, worship, and further study, new believers have
experienced effective nurturing. It is encouraging to see the new believers
bringing their family members to church. This is evidence of effective
nurturing.
Finally, on Sabbath, August 7, the lay preachers will engage
in Lay Pulpit exchange. These lay preachers who have been involved in
soul-winning will preach the Word for a witness. During the last three
years, hundreds have been led to Christ through lay preaching. In addition,
on that Sabbath we will engage in a special emphasis on proclaiming the
Second Coming of Christ throughout our field.
In Testimonies for
the Church, vol. 9, p. 19, Ellen White's counsel is timely. She says, "In a
special sense, Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen
and light bearers….They have been given work of most solemn import - the
proclamation of the first, second, and third angels` messages. There is no
other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing to absorb their
attention." Be faithful to duty! -Pastor Peter Joseph, Ministerial
Director
LAY PULPIT EXCHANGE
The annual Lay Pulpit Exchange will be held on Sabbath, August 7. The
speakers are listed below. Information on the speakers for the Family Island
churches will be communicated by the relevant church pastors. -Pastor
Peter Joseph, Ministerial Director
CHURCH SPEAKER
Adelaide -Mark Knowles
Berea -Marva Farquharson
Bethany -Michael McCoy
Bethel -Jean Kerein
Breath of Life -Rudolph Rahming
Centreville -Elgin Hepburn
Ebenezer -Michael E. Turner
Francophone -Joseph Charitable
Gambier -Elvardo Perpall
Good News -Kenneth Williams
Grant's Town -Carolyn Hanna
(8:00 A.M.)
Grant's Town-Harvey Braithwaite
(11:00 A.M.)
Hillview -David Knowles
Johnson Park -Gladstone Moss
Johnson Road -Marvin Smith
Living Faith -Earl Thomas
Maranatha -Roderick Rolle
Message of Hope -Audley Mitchell
New Englerston -Patrick Sands
New Providence -Joseph Knowles
Parkgate -Herbert Williams
Peardale - Willy Dorcil
Philadelphia -William Griffin
Real Harvest -Ian Miller
Redemption - Andrew Hanna
EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY
The Conference officers and workers offer deepest sympathy to Glorian
Storr, a dedicated worker at the Mary Ingraham Home and faithful camp nurse
for many years, on the loss of her son, Brunell who was a member of the
Meistersingers. Our prayers are with her and her family as they mourn his
passing. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. at the
Centreville church. - Administration (Read
Nassau Guardian News)
20 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR ACUM
There will be a joint meeting on Wednesday, September 1 at the Hillview
church at 7:15 P.M. to launch the "120 Days of Prayer for ACUM". -Office of
the Secretariat
PRAYER MINISTRY MEETING
All prayer coordinators and persons involved in prayer ministry (which
includes all members) are invited to the next special one-hour meeting of
praying and sharing at the Hillview church on Sunday, August 8 at 6:00 A.M.
Plan now to be a part of this special service. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Prayer
Ministry Coordinator
SDA BURIAL SOCIETY
Members of the SDA Burial Society are advised that a society meeting
will be held on Monday, August 9 at 7:30 P.M. at the Grant's Town church
annex. Members can become financial. Persons wishing to join the Society are
welcome. -Elder Henry Moncur
CHURCH CLERKS' REPORTS
All church clerks are asked to submit, via email or phone, to the Office
of the Secretariat, Bahamas Conference, the total membership of their local
church as of July 26, 2010. All reports should be sent on or before August
4. -Office of the Secretariat
ADVENTIST BOOK CENTER
The Adventist Book and Nutrition Center (ABNC) invites you to stop by
and browse the store. There is a wide selection of books on sale at 20%
discount. A further discount of 25% is available on supplements and other
health and nutrition items. The store is open Sundays from 8:00 A.M. to 12
Noon; Monday to Thursday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; and on Fridays from
9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. If you do not see what you want, tell us! Our
telephone number is 341-2429. -Cherry Blackmore, ABNC Manager
VEGETARIAN COOKING CLASSES
A health seminar and vegetarian cooking classes will be held from August
8 to August 14 at the Philadelphia Church, Nevis Way, Elizabeth Estates. For
more information, please contact Shanderia Smith at 322-4642. Application
forms are available at the Conference Office, Healthy Lifestyle on East
Street and Better Living Deli on Balfour Avenue. -Shanderia Smith, Health
Ministries Director
BA ANNOUNCEMENTS JOB APPLICATION
Applications are being accepted for the position of Technical Drawing
and Graphical Communication teacher. Applicants should have a BA degree and
a teacher's certificate with a minimum of two years' teaching experience.
Interested persons may obtain applications from the school on Wulff Road or
the Office of Education at the Conference Office on Tonique Williams-Darling
Highway. Completed applications with all the relevant documents must be
submitted by Friday, August 6 to the Office of Education. -Dr. Cheryl Rolle,
Education Director
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION AT BA
Applications are being accepted now from students wishing to enter K2
through grade 10 at Bahamas Academy. Application forms may be collected from
any division of the Academy and from the Office of Education at the
Conference Office. -Anthony Burrows, Principal
YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOUTH REVIVAL AT JP
Today, youth ministerial student, Nathalee Fredricks of Oakwood University
and a member of the Johnson Park church, will conclude a youth revival at
the church on Farrington Road. All are invited to attend.
YOUTH EVANGELISTIC SERIES
For one week only, the Bethany, Redemption, and Peardale churches will
host a Youth Evangelistic Series (YES) from Sunday, August 22 through
Sabbath, August 28. Meetings begin at 7:00 nightly except on Sabbath. The
theme is SUBMERGED, and the guest evangelist is Pastor Donald Rolle of
Tabernacle of Praise, St. Louis, Missouri. Save the date and see you there.
-YES Team
PATHFINDER CAMP
Pathfinder camp ends tomorrow. Parents are asked to pick up their
children by 10:00 A.M. Please be on time.
FAMILY AND SPORTS DAY
Family and Sports Day will be held on Monday, August 2 beginning at
10:00 A.M. and ending at 5:00 P.M. at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.
There will be an entrance fee of $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.
IAD PATHFINDER CAMPOREE
The third Inter-American Division Camporee which will be held in Mexico
City during April 17-24, 2011 is less than a year away. It is IMPORTANT that
all Pathfinders and Master Guides planning to attend observe the deadline
for ticket purchase which is August, 2010. All funds are to be submitted to
the treasury department of the Conference. All registration forms must be
signed by the local church Pathfinder director.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Family & Sports Day - August 2 at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.
60th Anniversary of Pathfindering (Worldwide Celebrations) - September
17-19.
Conference Youth Retreat - October 29 - 31 in Central Andros.
National Youth Month - October
Youth Week - December 5 - 12
Youth Banquet - December 12
HOUR OF GOSPEL MUSIC
Today from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., the hour of gospel music will take place
at the Mary Ingraham Home with the Bethel church. Next Sabbath, August 7,
the Breath of Life church is scheduled.
SUN SETS TODAY AT 7:55 P.M.
SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH, AUGUST 7 AT 7:51 P.M.
