An additional promise found in the parable of The Sower confirms that there will be a great harvest of persons who will respond positively to the gospel of Jesus Christ, for not every seed fell among thorns or on stony ground. Some fell on good ground that yielded thirty, sixty, and one hundredfold. Isn't that amazing! Clearly revealed is that a harvest of souls is guaranteed. We need only look around and see what is taking place in our church districts. Eric D. Clarke and the Grant's Town members witnessed a partial fulfillment with a harvest of 23 precious souls; Wilfred T. Adderley and the Good News members had 7 baptisms; Peter Joseph and the New Providence church baptized over 30 souls for the year, and the first baptism for their crusade is a few weeks away. The Haitian churches, led by Edward St. Fleur, are also reporting 19 dear souls. Today, they, along with Grant's Town, Johnson Park and other districts, will witness additional baptisms making for a rich harvest of souls in the first quarter of 2003. Also, today, a new branch Sabbath School will be officially opened in Gambier. All members interested in assisting with this project may contact Pastor Sturrup at 341-4021 or 322-4139.

Tomorrow evening, the Centreville district, under the preaching of T. Basil Sturrup, New Englerston, under Barrington Brennen, and Michael A. Smith and the Hillview Team will launch their respective evangelistic endeavors. Meanwhile, John Carey and the Philadelphia district, and Hugh A. Roach and Maranatha will continue with their efforts. Certainly God's truth is marching on! Despite all that is happening around us, let us continue to trust God and be faithful.

Survey Commission

History was made on Wednesday, March 25, 2003, at our headquarters as an initial approval was granted for the adjustment of the Bahamas Conference’s territory, thus allowing for the formation of the North Bahamas Mission of Seventh-day Adventists. A special survey team comprising division and union personnel, chaired by Israel Leito, President of the Inter-American Division of SDA, was convened. Also, included in the Survey team was Dr. Patrick Allen, West Indies Union president. The team voted to pass on a recommendation to the Mid-year IAD executive committee for final ratification of the North Bahamas Mission.

 

 

 

President’s Retreat

We were also pleased to welcome many of our church leaders from West Indies Union and Caribbean Union for a leadership seminar at the Nassau Beach Hotel. Guest presenter was Dr. Harold Lee, President of The Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the North American Division. Today, they will be visiting and speaking in most of our local churches. - Leonar A. Johnson  See More  

Importance of The Publishing Ministry The Publishing Ministry was responsible for introducing the Seventh-day Adventist concepts of the message of Jesus Christ to the Bahamas. And I believe that it is going to be the avenue through which people will receive the last warning of the coming of the Lord. Highlighting the important role of the literature ministry in getting the message out, Ellen White said:

"If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the scriptures. Missionary work - introducing our publications into families, conversing and praying with and for them - is a good work and one which will educate men and women to do pastoral work....When church members realize the importance of the circulation of our literature, they will devote more time to this work. Papers, tracts and books will be placed in the homes of the people, to preach the gospel in their several lines"(Message of Hope, p.8).

My brothers and sisters, Christ is coming soon, so we need to get the message out and bring in the souls. Current events in our community and around the world have reminded us that the coming of the Lord is very near. But as we examine the behaviour of individuals inside and outside the Church, it is our humble opinion that many are not ready for Jesus to come.

We know that the Lord is longsuffering, merciful and kind. He does not want anyone to be lost.

Accordingly, He has given us more time to put our spiritual houses in order. That time is now. We must take advantage of the opportunity we have to open our minds to the in-filling and direction of the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, we will be more concerned about our salvation, and we will want to share with others what Jesus did for us.

To facilitate spreading the good news that Jesus is coming again and that He wants to take us to live with Him, God gave His church the Publishing Ministry. And the literature evangelists are the advance contact persons for the church. Their job is to provide educational and inspirational reading materials for the population targeted. This means that the persons who compose this group of literature evangelists must have certain qualities that would enhance their success. These qualities include an abiding faith in God, initiative, patience, courage, humility, persistence, and a love for souls.

If you have these qualities and are teachable, you can become a literature evangelist to help get the message out so souls can come into the family of God.

The first Publishing Institute for 2003 will be held April12 to 17 at the Philadelphia Church. Details regarding the various sessions will be given later. All Literature Evangelists are requested to keep these dates in mind. - J. Carey, Departmental Director

Go One Million Rally And Training Tonight With Union Officials There will be a special Go One Million Rally and Training tonight, March 29, 2003, at 7:00 at the Grant’s Town Church. Our special guests will be Dr. Patrick Allen and Elder Herman Ming of West Indies Union who will give demonstrations on how to utilize the Go One Million equipment. Pastors, Elders and all Lay Preachers are especially invited to attend. - T. Basil Sturrup, Departmental Director

Good News Church Celebrates Homecoming Today A cordial welcome is extended to former members and friends of the Good News Church to join us, as we celebrate homecoming today. Sabbath School begins at 9:15 a.m. Pastor Jeff Thompson, founding pastor will be the guest speaker for the divine hour service. At 3:00 p.m. Pastor K. Owusu-Boateng will give the keynote address. Pastor Neville Scavella, another former pastor will give a charge at 4:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m., immediate former pastor Pastor Leo C. Rolle will speak. Dr. Leonard Johnson, Conference president, will give the final address of the day at the 6 o’clock service. A fellowship luncheon is planned following the divine hour. Please come and be a part of the fellowship. - Lenita Butler

VBA Alert A team of skilled volunteers left New Providence yesterday for Long Island with the view of completing work on the Steven’s Church building. For future projects, interested persons may contact Bro. W. Ash, of Volunteer Bahamas Adventist for further details at 324-7790 or 394-1063. March dues are due! -Winston Ash, President, VBA

Congratulations Congratulations are extended to L/S Levi Lloyd and L/M Roger Smith who received medals for good conduct and long service from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force at Government House Thursday, March 27, 2003.

Education Corner Administrative Complex- 394-0094

We are all familiar with the text in Proverbs 22:6—"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." It is a wonderful promise to those who are parents, and it has always served to provide hope for parents whose children may have wandered from the church. However, have you ever stopped to analyze what this verse really means? I believe it is a verse with a conditional promise based on the understanding that if I do something, God will also do something. What do I mean? I believe that God has promised that our children will not depart from the right path IF we as parents train our children in the way of the Lord.

Parents have an awesome responsibility to bring children into this world and raise them to become upright citizens of society and candidates for the kingdom of heaven. The sad truth is, however, that we are required to pass a driving test before we can obtain a driver’s licence, we have to pass the MCAT exams before we are admitted into medical school, and we have to pass the LSAT exams before we can be admitted into law school. Yet nothing is required before we can become parents. And parenting is the toughest, most awesome job in the world!

We would like to offer some help in this area because as teachers, we see on a daily basis that children lack the training they need to become upright citizens of society. Bahamas Academy is planning a Parenting Seminar to assist parents who truly want to train their children in the right path so that when they are old they will not depart from this path. This Seminar will take place later on this year, so watch the LOGOS for announcements and plan to attend.

In the meantime, Christian parents must remember that they have a greater responsibility for training their children in the right way because God has given us so much in His Word to guide us. And Seventh-day Adventist parents have no excuse for feigning lack of knowledge because we have inspiration through the gift of prophecy, in addition to the Bible.

One of the best things that parents can do for their children is to provide the right example for them to follow. The schools are having serious problems in the areas of conflict resolution and anger management, and much of it stems from the fact that children react to anger in the same way they see their parents react at home. If parents don’t know how to disagree amicably and resolve an issue maturely, then the children won’t know how to do it, either. Then when the children have disagreements with their friends at school, it mushrooms into situations that get out of hand. In future articles, we will share some suggestions for parents along these lines.

Health Ministries "The 3rd Annual Be Healthy, Be Happy Fun Run" will take place this Easter Monday, beginning at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium’s entrance, and ending at the Bahamas Youth Camp as a part of the Camporee Activities. Registration is now in progress.

Bahamas SDA Educators Association Seminar All SDA educators are invited to attend an informative education seminar on Sunday, April 6, 2003, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Philadelphia SDA Church, Elizabeth Estates. The topic to be presented is "Effective Methods of Teaching in a World of Change."

ABC On The Move Tonight, March 29, the ABC will be at the New Providence Church, Soldier Road, for your convenient shopping. The 2^nd quarter’s Sabbath School Supplies are ready for collection. Lay Activities Secretaries are asked to verify supplies and pay upon receipt of them. -K. Deveaux, ABNC Manager

Women’s Ministries Leaders to Meet All Women’s Ministries leaders are asked to attend a meeting tomorrow, Sunday, March 30, at 8:00 a.m. at Bahamas Academy. - M. Knowles, Departmental Director

Congratulations Hearty congratulations and commendations are extended to the following members of our church who recently and successfully completed their MBA Degrees: 

Kimberly Bryan

Nathelyn LaCroix

Katrice Darville

Dale Rolle

Geneva Mortimer

Shantell Moncur

Joshua Smith

Sharon Brown

Kenny Deveaux

Darlene Greene

Renee Scavella

Valentino Hanna

 Deborah Zonicle

 Lester Stuart

Dwain Wallace

Persons interested in enrolling in a weekend MBA program may contact 242-394-7907 or 325-6173 (weekends).

Attention, All Members The survey for all SDA members is now out at all churches. We solicit your participation in completing and turning it in to your head elder or pastor.

SDA Burial Society to Meet The SDA Burial Society meeting will be held on Monday, April 7^th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Grant’s Town Church Annex. Members can become financial. Persons interested in joining are especially invited. -H. Moncur

Communicators Meeting All Church Communications Directors please attend an important meeting on Sabbath Afternoon, April 12, 2003, at 4:00 o’clock at the New Englerston Church. Pastor Brennen will discuss the role and function of the the church communications director and internet ministries.