From the Office of The President
What
could have been our fate if the Bahamas had been hit by Katrina with the
same force that it struck those states on the Gulf Coast of America?
The expression “We are blessed” may be an under statement, especially when
considered the disastrous blows hurled by Hurricane Katrina which upgraded
from a tropical storm in our waters to a category 5 hurricane in the Gulf.
Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are no longer the same.
Neighborhoods have been forever
changed with widespread flooding, flattened houses and apartments,
displaced and lost lives, collapsed roads and bridges. Many have lost
virtually everything, except for the clothes on their backs. Initial
estimations peg Hurricane Katrina as the most costly storm in America’s
history. Damages are reported to be in the billions of dollars. It is
frightening to think that we could have been victims; for Katrina, only a
tropical storm last week, passed through the Bahamas. Imagine what could
have been had she reached category #5, or even one or two lower levels in
the Bahamas. It is quite likely that I would not be writing this article,
and you would not be privileged to read it. To say the least, we are
extremely blessed to have been spared. On the other hand, does it mean
that residents of the aforementioned states are not? No. There is a sense
of imbalance which has resulted from sin. The reality is that we must sit
and consider our blessings be they small or great.
Be Positive! The preceding does call
for us to be appreciative of God’s blessings upon our lives. Even in the
absence of some things we would want, or even when the bills have not been
paid -- God is good! This positive mental disposition was underscored as
workers of our Conference Headquarters and schools met on Monday, August
29, at Casuarinas in Cable Beach for our mid-year workers’ meeting.
Presenter Dr. D. Paul Reilly, a local newspaper columnist, motivated us to
consider the power of the mind, one that God has given us to think and act
successfully. So often we (Christians) fail to recognize the power at our
disposal to be all that God desires for us as we crowd and surround
ourselves with negative thoughts. The Apostle Paul reminds us to “Press
toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in God while forgetting
those things that are behind?’ The same Paul informs us “that we can do
all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Adopt a positive Christian
attitude today!
Back to School Yesterday, Bahamas
Academy reopened its doors for the new school year. It was gratifying to
see many new faces and many old faces. According to Dr. Cheryl Rolle,
Education Director and acting principal, the objective behind the opening
on Friday instead of Monday was to provide some time for orientation.
Also, it was to allow administrators and staff to address and fine-tune
some of the problems associated with a new term. Friday also showcased new
faculty members and a new Vice Principal in the person of Mrs. Joan
Scavella, a former VP of the Grand Bahama Academy with 12 years experience
in teaching. (A note of thanks is extended to members of the Search
Committee for the initial recommendation. Once a recommendation regarding
a candidate for principal is submitted, the respective committees will
review this and make a decision). In the interim, Dr. Cheryl Rolle will
continue to act as principal, assisted by the new vice principal, senior
mistresses and senior master.
Evangelism Though positioned last in
these notes, evangelism continues to burn bright within our conference.
You would be pleased to know that there was no let up during the summer
break. Numerous baptisms resulted from the Haitian, youth and, more
recently, the Centreville’s Lay crusades. To God be the glory! As we
launch our plans for the rest of the year, let us give our best in service
to ensure that others are given the opportunity to embrace this wonderful
message that has brought us so much hope.
Heartfelt Sympathy Our
sympathies are extended to the family of young Thompson Charite who passed
last week. More will be said about this later. Happy Sabbath! - Leonard
A. Johnson, President
The Cost of Being a Christian Part II By Sung Kwon Review
Article
We have lost our saltiness. Instead of making church a lighthouse, we
have made it a social house. We serve inwardly and invest much of our
resources in isolated church agendas rather than our community. We must
not allow this to go on any longer. It's time to build the bridge between
the community and the church. Understanding the conceptual idea of
our Christian duty as it relates to others will not compensate for not
practicing the concept itself. The apostle John said, "By this we know
love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down
our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees
his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of
God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in
tongue, but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:16-18).
"The end of all learning is to
know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him," said John
Milton. Therefore, we should live the life that Christ lived.
So, let me ask you, aren't we like the scribe who wouldn't acknowledge
Christ as God, if we refuse to imitate His life? Our faith must come alive
by following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity is not
something that we talk about. Christianity is what we experience and what
we do. How we live every other day, rather than the one day of
worship, determines who we really are. I'm not referring to our positions
in the workplace--which is important, of course. But this is what I'm
talking about here: Do we act as if we belong to whom we say we do?
Here's the Point. Our primary responsibility as a disciple of
Jesus Christ is to proclaim the gospel and to bring the good news of
eternal life to the spiritually dead. We are to interact with our
community in order to make a difference. We must not only work for our
community but with our community. We must be the agents that will bring
change to this corrupt society.
There is a feeding program in Houston, Texas, called Kid Care, Inc.,
initiated by the Porter family (who are Seventh-day Adventists). In 1984,
with one big stew pot, they began feeding a few children who lived on
street corners and in parks. Today the organization provides more than
20,000 meals every month. There's much work for us to do. Many
people have physical and spiritual needs that must be supplied. Let us
make a difference one life at a time. Are you willing to do so? Don't you
want to hear the voice of God saying, "Well done, good and faithful
servant"?
If you do, then come join Adventist Community Services as we seek to
fulfill the mission.†
Bahamas
Conference Holds Workers’ Meeting On Monday, August 29, 2005,
the workers of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists gathered
at the Casuarinas of Cable Beach hotel for their end of summer Workers’
Meeting. Around this time each year, all conference office workers,
pastors, teachers and other school personnel, meet to be updated on the
operation of the conference and its institutions for the year. Also,
special speakers make presentations to inspire and motivate the workers
for more effective service.
During the devotional period,
Pastor Paul Scavella, Health Ministries director of the Conference, set
the tone for the meeting when he spoke on “The Power That Shape Our
Lives.” He pointed out that the things that shape our lives include our
friends, what we read, the music we listen to, the things we do for
pleasure, our ambitions and our thoughts. Therefore, our attitude toward
God is crucial in our choice of the elements that shape us. God wants us
to reflect His character, but we must choose to be guided by Him.
Following a passionate appeal by Mr. Winston Ash, President of Volunteer
Bahamas Adventists (VBA), for all workers to assist with the construction
of the new Bahamas Academy on Marshall Road, Dr. D. Paul Reilly gave a
motivational presentation on “Attitudes.” He suggested that our attitude
is the key to everything in life. Therefore, everyone should try to
display a positive mental attitude, for “the body is servant of the mind.”
Although it is believed that there are more negative thinking people than
those who are positive, we don’t have to be among the negative ones. We
can get away from the negative way of thinking by “latching on to the
truth.” The truth is that we are children of God with unlimited
potentials. We just have to accept ourselves and be convinced that we are
winners. It was suggested that we succeed or fail in our minds, for “we
become what we thing about.” It appears that we naturally move in the
direction of the thoughts that dominate our minds.
Dr. Reilly concluded his very
informative motivational presentation by emphasizing the importance of
time management. He suggested that if we want to be successful, we have to
change the negative attitude toward time that is characteristic of so many
Bahamians. We need to plan how we are going to use our time and put the
plan into action. The bottom line is to adopt a positive attitude toward
whatever we do and success will result.
Before the meeting concluded, the workers were given the opportunity to
interact with the Conference and school administrators regarding
evangelism, education and other aspects of the work in Bahamas Conference.
Bahamas Academy Says Thanks Bahamas Academy expresses sincere
gratitude to all who came out to assist in the painting of the school on
Sunday, August 28, 2005. Special thanks to the men of our various
churches, including Grant's Town and Hillview, who graciously supported
us. To all the teachers and staff of our three divisions we say many
thanks for the great help you gave. It was indeed a time coloured with
lots of work, fun, food and fellowship! - Dr. Cheryl Rolle, Education
Director
Bahamas Academy Reunion Banquet, October 23, 2005
Short Hot Summer Marriage
Seminar All married and engaged couples are invited to attend the
"Keeping The Fires Alive" Summer Forums beginning Sunday night, Sabbath,
September 10, at 7:30 p.m. the Maranatha Adventist Church, Prince Charles
Drive. Special guest will be Dr. David Allen. This will be the first in a
series of one night forums designed to provide an opportunity for couples
to enrich their relationship and for healing of marital wounds.
Adventist Burial Society to Meet The regular meeting of the SDA
Burial Society will convene on Monday, September 5, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at
the Grant’s Town Church Annex. Members can become financial at this time.
Persons interested in securing interment arrangements are invited to join
now. -Henry R. Moncur, Sr.
Hour of Gospel Music The Hour of Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham
Home continues on a weekly basis at 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The schedule
for today, September 3, will be the Gambier Mission SDA Francophone
Church. Next week, September 10 music will be provided by the Good News
Church.
Note of Thanks For the time you took to say a prayer for me, I thank you.
For your gifts of love, calls, visits and words of encouragement, thank
you! Please continue to pray for my full recovery. - Bridgette Bell
Registration in Progress at BA
Early Learning Centre Registration for the 2005/2006 school year is
in progress for the Bahamas Academy Early Learning Centre for students
ages 2 to 5 years old. Application forms are available at the offices of
BA Elementary and Secondary divisions. Please call 393-8898 or 393-3381
for more information.
Bahamas Academy Technical Division Bahamas Academy is in need of a
good used cars for its automotive class. Persons who can donate such a
car, please contact Mr. Gordon blake at #393-3381. Our students thank you
for your kindness. - Gordon Blake
Youth Announcements Adventist
Basketball League Awards Presentation
Awards and presentations for the recent SDA Basketball league will be
given out on Saturday night September 3rd at 8:30 p.m. at the Bahamas
Academy gym. All teams and players that participated in the games as well
as church members are asked to show up
Youth/Pathfinder council meeting All A.Y. and pathfinder leaders
are asked to attend a council meeting on Monday evening September 5th at
7:00 p.m at Berea Church. Items to be presented are the venue for the
upcoming Pathfinder Day Parade, Pathfinder Exhibition, and A.Y. Bible
Bowl.
Camp Central Andros All
counselors and coordinators who attended the recent camp in Central Andros
are asked to attend a close off meeting on Monday evening September 5th at
8:00 p.m at Berea Church immediately following the Youth/Pathfinder
council meeting
A.Y. Bible Bowl Each A.Y
department is asked to submit the name of the representative form your
church for West Indies Union/ Inter- American Division Bible Bowl. The
book for study is "Messages to Young People". Our of the names submitted,
one person will be selected to represent the Bahamas Conference at the
West Indies Union Level. Please submit names to the youth department at
the conference office or bring the names with you to the council meeting.
Deadline is this Monday.
World Pathfinder Day/
Pathfinder Weekend World Pathfinder Day will be celebrated in each
church on Sabbath September 17th. Each church is asked to plan their own
program for the Sabbath morning and A.Y. time. On the Sunday, September
18th, the annual Pathfinder parade will be held. Venue and time to be
announced.
During the next few weeks, each Pathfinder club / church is asked to
collect can iems, dry goods, and food items, to be given out as a part of
a community service project during the pathfinder weekend program.
Adventist Educators’ Association
Calling All Educators And Other Related Professions To A Prayer
Breakfast The Adventist Educators Association promises a transformation of
the mind, the heart and the soul as we take time out to sit at the feet of
the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ. We guarantee that your souls will be
filled through the unction of the Holy Spirit. PLAN TO BE THERE! Where:
The Hotel Training Restaurant- Thompson Blvd. When: 4th September, 2005 at
8:00 a.m. Just an hour and a half at the fuel pump to prepare you for your
special work in the trenches.
Regular Adventist Educators’ Association Meeting On Saturday at
8:00 p.m. on September 17, 2005, our regular meeting will be held in the
conference lounge at Doctors Hospital on Collins Avenue. Come and be a
part of this organization that is prepared to work together for the
academic and spiritual development of our students. COME AND SHARE WITH
EACH OTHER!ONLY ONE HOUR. Be there and "Make a Difference" as an Adventist
Educator.
Women’s
Ministries Retreat Registration Continues
at the local
Churches
Maranatha Adventist Men's
Meetings Under the theme "Christian Men Committed in Service to
Christ," the Maranatha Church Adventist Men will be hosting a series of
meetings Wednesday, September 7, Friday, September 9, Sabbath, September
10 and Sunday, September 11, 2005, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00pm, at the
church, Prince Charles Drive . The Sabbath evening service will be a very
informative presentation with a question and answer period with Dr Joseph
Evans. The weekend closes on Sunday with a musical concert. All are
invited to these services, especially men and boys. Host Pastor is Eric D.
Clarke.
Congratulations Congratulations to Pharez Rolle, former 2005 head
boy of Bahamas Academy as
he
started his studies at Andrews University, Michigan, on Monday , August
29. Pharez say thank you to all who played a pivotal role in his
education and upbringing. He request that you continue to lift him up in
prayer. - Godfrey & Lorraine Rolle
Invitation Your are
cordially invited to Hillview Pathfinder Day Program - September 16-17,
2005. Guest speaker Pastor Roy A. Gordon.
All Adventist Men Leaders
are invited to attend a special meeting at the Living Faith Church on
Sunday, September 4, 2005 at 8:00 a.m.
Sun sets today at 7:27 p.m.
Sun sets next Sabbath, September 10, 2005, at 7:23 p.m.
