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This story in PDF Format
If there is one word that could be used to describe this wonderful man of God it is the word "fellowship." Pastor Silas N. Mckinney is a man of fellowship. He loves talking with and mingling among people. He’s just a great person. We can easily change his name to Silas Fellowship Napoleon Mckinney. What a wonderful name!
He enjoys sharing time with his colleagues, young or old. He is well loved and respected in the Adventist Church in the Bahamas, Jamaica and around the world. In addition, the wider communities of the Bahamas and Jamaica, where he served in administration, also grew to respect and love Pastor McKinney.
What also makes Pastor Mckinney a great person is his loyalty and commitment to the work of Christ. He has labored long and hard to develop God’s church in the Bahamas and Jamaica. He is a true friend of workers and their families. He believes in being fair, compassionate and caring.
Although he is retired, he is still active preaching, and of course fellowshiping. The young and older pastors, enjoy visiting his home to "fellowship" and to get some advice and counsel.
As a result of Pastor McKinney’s valuable contribution to the development of the church in the West Indies, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree on August 10, 2003 at Northern Caribbean
University. Read the story below.
August 14 - Northern Caribbean University (NCU), on Sunday, August 10, conferred the Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree on Dr Silas McKinney, a former president of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Executive Secretary of the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The conferral was made during Commencement 2003, when 860 students graduated.
Dr. McKinney, a Bahamian-born minister of religion, graduated from NCU (then West Indies College) with a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1955. He later earned a master’s degree at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A.
Dr. McKinney, is one of the first two Bahamians to enter the Adventist ministry, in which he served actively for 42 years. Of those years, 31 were in administration. He was the first Bahamian to be elected secretary-treasurer of the Bahamas Mission, a position he held for three years, and was also the first Bahamian and the first man of color to be appointed President of the Bahamas Mission, serving for four years.
After leading the field into conference status, he was the first Bahamian to be elected President of the Bahamas Conference, a position he held for more than 12 years. As the first Bahamian to be elected Executive Secretary of the West Indies Union Conference of SDA in Jamaica, he occupied that office for five years.
In 1993, Dr McKinney was honored by her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II with an O.B.E., and in 1997 he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Shaw University in North Carolina, USA.
He is known as an astute theologian, historian and a visionary administrator in the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the regional and divisional levels for more than four decades.
A former chairman of the Board of Northern Caribbean University, Dr McKinney who traveled to Jamaica to receive his degree with his wife Ruth, described the gesture as a tremendous honor. He told NCU News "I never expected anything like this. It is particularly gratifying that it came from my alma mater." He congratulated NCU for its "tremendous progress," and wishes for the institution continued success.
Dr McKinney has been retired since 1997 and enjoys reading and walking.
Brief Overview of the Life of Pastor Silas McKinney
Family:
Birth: October 30, 1926, Crooked Island, Bahamas (Age 76)
Married: January 1, 1956, to Ruth on the Campus of Northern Caribbean University. Pastor H. D. Colburn, who was President of the Bahamas Mission at the time, traveled to Jamaica to perform the ceremony
Children: Rosa London, who resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her son. Michelle Joseph, married to Pastor Peter Joseph. They have two boys. Neil McKinney, married to Marlene and they have three children.
Ministry:
1956 - January 1 - First pastoral district - South Andros, Bahamas
1958 - Pastor of Centreville
1958 - First Bahamian Secretary of the Bahamas Mission of Seventh-day Adventists
1960 - Return with wife to Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica, to complete the bachelor degree in theology.
1962 - Returned to the Bahamas and continued pastoring Centreville Church
1964 - Became the first Bahamian president of the Bahamas Mission of Seventh-day Adventists
1968 - Was instrumental in leading the Bahamas Mission to Conference status and became the first president of the Conference and remained president until 1975
1975 - Became Secretary of the West Indies Union Conference, Mandeville, Jamaica
1981 - Returned to the Bahamas to served as district pastor for Grand Bahama
1986 - Served as President of the Bahamas Conference
1990 - Served as President of the West Indies Union Conference
1997 - Retired on September 1
You can reach Pastor McKinney by emailing to ladyruth@coralwave.com Or writing to P.O. Box N-356, Nassau, Bahamas.
| Happy 80th Birthday | |||||||||||||||||||
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[October 30, 2006]
Scores of relatives, friends and workers of the Bahamas Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists gathered on Sunday night, October 29,
2006, to wish Pastor Silas "Fellowship" Napoleon McKinney happy 80th
birthday. Pastor McKinney was born on October 30, 1926,
on Crooked Island, an small fishing island located 275 miles
southeast of New Providence.
Click HERE for Slide
Show (no software needed) of Pastor McKinney through the
years. SEE PHOTOS The elegant birthday dinner bash was held at the St Paul's Parish Hall near Lyford Cay, Nassau, The Bahamas. Persons bringing special birthday greetings were Pastor Leonard Johnson, Stanley Major, Pastor Leslie McMillan, Pastor Jeffery Thompson, Pastor Peter Campbell, and Pastor Gary King. Pastor McKinney's niece, Stacey Campbell, sang in her beautiful style, "Great is thy Faithfulness" to honor her dear "Uncle Silas." |
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| Each presenter gave their
own view of how Pastor McKinney molded their lives and the lives of
others. Bursts of laughter resounded the tastefully decorated
hall as each speaker reminded the well wishers of the many humorous
times with Pastor McKinney and the many words he coined over the
years to make life more enjoyable.
The central theme and predominant thoughts of appreciation expressed by all during this gala event was Pastor McKinney's warm-heartedness, caring attitude for others, and his great spirit of fellowship. This is why he can be easily called "Mr. Fellowship." A special feature of the evening was a slide presentation on the life of Pastor Silas McKinney. Toping the evening was a delicious meal and the creative way in which the caterers provided the ambiance for this wonderful evening. Each table was named after a Bahamian fish or fish dish. For example, "Grouper" and "Boil Fish." . He is a lover of fish and is known for his special preparation of delicious fish meals. We can certainly say that this great leader received his roses when he can appreciate them. Warm and tender feelings were expressed by all who attended this elegant evening. It could be felt and heard as their voices rang out in sweet harmony singing "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Pastor McKinney. Happy birthday to you. We love you we do . . . . " Happy Birthday Pastor Silas Napoleon Fellowship McKinney! You can send your birthday greetings to ladyruth@coralwave.com |
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