Online Logos for June 16, 2007 Bahamas Conference

Happy Father's Day! Father’s love, oh how sweet! Yes! I really mean sweet. We often think of a mother’s love in colorful, warm, and tender terms; but we are reluctant to do the same for fathers. This was not God’s intent. It was God’s design for a father’s love to complement a mother’s love. The original plan was that both parents would creatively weave their different ways of loving into a tapestry of knitted emotions, verbal expressions, affectionate displays, and intellectual harmony. There would be no competition, nor lack of love from either side. This type of loving would create a family chemistry that would ride through the roughest storms and sail over the darkest clouds.
Often critics talk bad and loud about father; but not all fathers are bad. "Most of what we read in the newspapers or see on TV programs having to do with fatherhood is about ‘dead-beat’ fathers who abuse their children or wives, and children who courageously survive abandonment" (Stephen Harris). No wonder many fathers go home late from work, oftentimes while their children are asleep. Additionally, when we read the national and international magazines and books, they often paint the picture of parenting from the mother’s point of view. Men do not receive a great deal of encouragement to delve deeply into fatherhood. The message society is giving is that a father’s love is not so important as a mother’s love.

What is a father’s love really like? Obviously, fathers are different from mothers. Fathers are not made with the extra soft cushion of fat under the skin like mothers have. Nevertheless, fathers do have other body parts mothers have. They have arms, legs, eyes, lips, and ears that all are needed for the act of loving. Fathers also have brains that, according to research, have the same ability as mothers have to think, feel pain, laugh, and cry. Fathers and mothers may process information differently, but there are no biological reasons that can explain why a father’s love cannot be as intense and meaningful as a mother’s love. Of course, there are sociological and cultural factors that have deterred the male from being intensely loving. But we must remember that these factors can, at the most, influence how we love but not "dictate" to us. In simple terms, even a father has a choice of how to love.

The good news is that there are many Adventist fathers who love intensely. These are the fathers who refuse to work overtime, who leave their briefcases at the office over the weekend, or their tools in the carpenter’s shop, who make an effort never to miss a school parents-child activity. They are finding fulfillment and success in ways that society doesn't quite understand yet. We do know that these loving Adventist fathers are the ones who are really contributing to the strengthening of the Bahamian family life, thus greatly assisting in the decrease in criminal activities.
Research tells us that men who intensely love their families live longer and happier lives. We also know that children whose fathers are actively involved in their lives do better in school, even in single-parent families. Remember fathers, when you do not love children as intensely as their mothers do, you are causing an imbalance in the family equilibrium, thus increasing the risk of childhood rebellion and teenage delinquency.

Father, God created you to love as intensely and deeply as mothers do. Continue to do so. Love, dear fathers, love! A father’s love is sweet, because to a child, it is another "sweet flavor" of human expression that makes life sweeter and more enjoyable. Happy father’s day! Barrington H. Brennen, Family Ministries Director

Congratulations to All Graduates This is graduation Month for most schools in

the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. After almost ten months of concentrated study, working on assignments and special projects, thousands of students from all levels of schooling are graduating this month. Some will be going on to further their education and others will be joining the workforce.
The administration of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists take this opportunity to congratulate these students for their achievements. Also, commendations are due the parents who have been sacrificing to fund the education of these students. May God continue to provide for and guide the graduates as they move on into various areas of interests. We invite High School and College graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching to contact the Conference Education Director for a special message.

Watch Adventists Speak Adventists Speak is a new program on ZNS-TV Channel 11 on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. This week’s topic: “The Fatherhood of God”

Note of Thanks from BA ELC Special thanks to Pastor Peter Joseph, officers and members of the Hillview Adventist Church for hosting the Awards/Graduation service of the Bahamas Academy Early Learning Center. -Mrs. Hermia Brown, Coordinator

Midyear Convention The 2007 Midyear Convention will be held June 27 to 30 as follows: Wednesday, June 27 at the Grant's Town Church, Wellington Street. Thursday and Friday at the Hillview church, Tonique Williams-Darling Highway. Sabbath moring service will be held at the Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road and the final service will be an Awards service for persons serving the Adventist Church for 40 or more years at the Hillview Church. Plan to atttend these inspirational gatherings of the saints. Leaders from 3ABN are scheduled to attend this convention. Our union president, Dr. Patrick Allen is expected to speak on Sabbath afternoon, June 30. -Administration

Children’s Ministries
✽Child Stewardship Program June 23, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. at the Berea Church.
✽Midyear Convention service for children ages 5 to 12 years-old will be held at the Maranatha Church, Prince Charles Drive from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on June 30, 2007.
–Diane Jones, Children’s Ministries Director

Eagle Music Ministry Network Under the theme “Vessels of Honour - Prepared for Ministry,” the 2nd Annual Conference/Workshop of The Eagle Music Ministry Network will be held July 18 to 22, 2007, at the Living Faith Church, Old Trail Road. This Workshop is intended to enhance our Music Education and continue with training our trainers and musicians for ministry. Persons who have received application forms are reminded to submit them to the Conference office. Online registration is now available at the Bahamas Conference web site, in your local church and at the Conference Office. Allison M. Rolle (for) EMMN Committee Click HERE for Music Conference Web Page

Adventist Health Professionals’ Association invite you to a special breakfast meeting to be held June 24, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. at the New Providence Church, Soldier Road. –Dr. Idamae Hanna, Health MinistriesDirector

Evangelism School Evangelism School will continue on Sunday, June 17, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hillview Church.

20th Annual Jeff Rodgers Camp Basketball Camp will be held June 25 to July 20, 2007 at the H. D. Colburn Gym. Registration is ongoing at the Conference Office and Bahamas Academy. -Jeff Rodgers

Hour of Gospel Music The Hour of Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham Home continues weekly on Sabbaths from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Today, June 16 , the Bahamas Academy School is expected. Next week Sabbath, June 23 Bahamas Conference Staff is scheduled. -J. Admiral Forbes

The Adventist Book Centre Open Tomorrow The ABNC will be open tomorrow, Sunday, June 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Third quarter's Sabbath School supplies are ready for collection. Persons collecting are reminded to follow the guidelines for collecting supplies from the ABNC.
Father’s Day Store wide sale with in-house specials will be held Sunday, June 17, 2007. -C. Blackmore, ABNC Manager

Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Reports for the second quarter - April to June, 2007 are due in the Conference Office by July 4, 2007, due to the Independance Day celebrations. Kindly contact Pastor W. T. Adderley for further information at 341-4021/2.

Midyear Convention Choir to Rehearse Convention Choir rehearsals will be held today, June 16, 2007, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for men and ladies at the Grant’s Town Church. -Nelson J. Bain, Coordinator

Mass Men Choir to Rehearse All members of the Adventist Men choir and those wishing to join are invited to rehearsal today, June 16, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at the Hillview Church. -Tony Roach, Director

All Youth Choir Leaders and Their assistants and Praise Teams and persons who have been asked to minister in the upcoming Youth Camp Meeting are asked to attend a very important meeting to be held at Living Faith TODAY at 4pm SHARP.

Pastors/Elders Summit A summit for pastors and elders will be conducted at the New Providence Community Church, Blake Road, June 20-21, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Issues and programs related to pastor/elder cooperation and function as well as sharpening the skills for local leadership will be addressed substantively. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Ministerial Director

Youth Announcements
✽Pathfinders Camp under the theme: Impact Long Island, August 12th - 19, 2007, Long Island , Bahamas . There will be a meeting for all Pathfinder Directors and interested camp workers on Monday, June 18th, at 7pm at the Hillview Church
✽ Adventurer Fun Run and Walk Sunday, July 1, 2007 at 6:00 a.m. The walk/run begins from the Golden Gates Shopping Centre for the Adventurers and from Towne Centre Mall for Pathfinders and others. A registration fee will be collected. Breakfast will be served. Please see your Pathfinder/Adventurer Director for applications and further details.
✽ In preparation for the Youth Camp Meeting the team will be leading out in a number of prayer services at the Maranatha church June 20th at 7:15 p.m. All are invited to attend and continue the preparation for the upcoming Youth crusade.
✽Basketball league begins tonight at 8:30 p.m. All senior teams are to be at the gym ready to play.
✽Adventist Sports Day: August 6th, 2007 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track & Field Stadium
✽Youth camp Meeting under the theme, "Revelation Now! Let the Truth be told" will be held July 1 -14, 2007. Bible workers, musicians, and all persons interested in working on the team are asked to sign up with the Youth Ministries department and attend meetings each Tuesday evening at 7:15 pm to assist in final plans for the crusade. Our speaker for the Youth Camp Meeting is Ministerial Student Joseph Mahadeo, of Trinidad and Tabago.
✽National Youth Month is scheduled for October. National Youth March will be held Sunday, October 7, 2007. Plan now to attend and be a part of the National Youth Month events.
✽Mass Youth Choir to practice Sunday, June 10, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Living Faith church. All youth interested in singing in this choir for the Youth Camp Meeting are asked to attend this rehearsal.
✽Pathfinder and Masterguide Camporee March 20 - 25, 2008, Philips Field, Jamaica. Plan now to attend. You may contact the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Youth Ministries Department for further details. -Curtis Bryan, Associate Youth Director, Bahamas Conference

A Poem for Dad

Walk a Little Plainer, Daddy
Said a Little Child, So Frail.
I'm Following in Your Footsteps,
And Don't Want to Fail

Sometimes Your Steps Are Very Plain
Sometimes Hard to See.
So Walk a Little Plainer, Daddy
For You Are Leading Me.

I Know That Once You Walked
This Way, Many Years Ago,
And What You Did along the Way
I'd Really like to Know.

For Sometimes I Am Tempted
And Don't Know What to Do
So Walk a Little Plainer, Daddy,
For I must Follow You

Someday When I 've Grown up
You Are like I Want to Be
Then I Will Know a Little Child
Who Will Want to Follow Me.

So Walk a Little Plainer, Daddy
For We Are Following You

By Forrest Flowers, January 13, 1969

Admiral's Camp Crafts Will be held from June 25 to July 22, 2007 at the Breath of Life Church grounds. Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Presentation night will be held on Saturday July 21, at 8:30 p.m. Big time regatta will culminate the camp on Sunday, July 22, 2007. -Admiral Forbes

Breath of Life Church The Breath of Life Church Prayer Leader is inviting all Prayer Leaders and interested persons to a weekend Prayer Seminar on Friday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. The seminar will continue all day Sabbath, June 23. Sunday morning a prayer breakfast will be held to culminte the seminar beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the church on Marshall Road.