- Adventist World News for January 2007
Northern
Caribbean University Church to name Administrative Block In Honor Pastor
Neville E. Scavella.
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Pastor Neville
Scavella |
The new sanctuary under construction on
the main campus of Northern Caribbean University “will be one of the
most modern church buildings in the world," says the Church's senior
pastor, T. Basil Sturrup. We are happy to
announce that a Bahamian pastor will be recognized by having the
administrative block named in his honor. That pastor is Neville E.
Scavella.
Construction on the mega structure will
restart the end of March, 2008. The building will consist of a main
sanctuary with a seating capacity of approximately 3,000 persons, a
chapel that seats 500 individuals, Sabbath School classrooms, audio and
video recording studios, and the latest audio/ visual equipment.
In addition to this, the Church will
provide daily ministry through its administrative block, Resource
Center, Health and Wellness Center, School of Evangelism, Youth
Recreation and Mentorship Center, Mission Outreach Center and a
Leadership Institute. The administrative block will be named in Honor
of
Pastor Neville E. Scavella,
a veteran pastor and former church administrator. Pastor
Scavella, a graduate of Northern Caribbean
University, has served as pastor in the Bahamas and Cayman Islands. He
also served as secretary of the Bahamas Conference, the president of the
Cayman Islands Mission and in several other departmental positions in
the Bahamas. Currently, Pastor Neville
Scavella, age 78, is retired and living on
the island of New Providence with his dear wife for 50 years,
Alwyne.
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Pastor
Neville Emmanuel Scavella
Pastor Neville Emmanuel Scavella was
born February 4, 1930 in Nassau Bahamas. The fourth
of 10 siblings to the late Wilfred and Lulie Scavella. He was
taken to Landrail Point, Crooked Island as an infant where he
grew up, until the age of sixteen.
Work experience:
Fisherman at an early age
Construction worker/Building Skills
Hospitality Industry
Painter & Interior Decorator
Commercial Printing
Educational Achievement:
All Age School, Grade 1-4 Landrail
Pont, Crooked Island
Night Classes- Private tutorage 1948/9
Secondary Education- West Indies
College 1953
Ministerial Graduate- West Indies
College 1955
Bachelor of Theology- West Indies
College 1962
Master of Arts Degree Secondary School
administration, Loma Linda University 1973
Ministerial Experience:
The first two Bahamians to graduate
with ministerial degrees and returned home was Pastor Scavella
and Pastor Silas Mckinney. His assignments placed him in almost
every area of responsibility in what was known as at the time as
the Bahamas Mission, later to become the Bahamas Conference.
- Clerk at the
Adventist Book & Bible House 1956
-
Ministerial Intern in Nassau 1956
- District
Pastor Exuma's, Andros, Long Island, Cat Island, Eleuthra,
San Salvador and Grand Bahama
- Ordained to
the Gospel Ministry in 1959
- Served as
District Pastor in Nassau from1959-1972
-
Appointed as Secretary Treasurer 1967-72
- Elected
Departmental Leader in almost every department in the
conference over the years.
- Appointed
President of the Cayman's Island Mission 1983-1990
Pastor Neville Scavella besides being
an excellent pastor and an outstanding soul winner having
baptized over 2500 persons developed a keen interest in the
capital development program wherever he served. Under his
leadership and direct involvement five churches were built, and
six other refurbished or remolded.
While serving in the Cayman Islands
the conference office, two apartment units for workers and
school and two churches. Additionally eight pieces of property
were secured for future capital development in the mission.
Pastor Scavella is married to the
Alwhyne Lucielle Dorsett Scavella of the Bluff Eleuthra Bahamas,
who been at his side over the past fifty plus years willing to
assist and support in all the above accomplishments. Without
her support this could not be done. The Scavella's have two
sons Pastor Paul Adlai and Neville Gardell, five grand children,
also adopted into the family Todd Beneby and Family.
Pastor Nev as he is affectionately
referred to, retired in 1988, but continued to Pastor several
small churches. He then served as Chaplin for the Bahamas
Defense Force for one year (1999-2000) and serves as a member of
the Juvenile panel in the Bahamas. Additionally he was appointed
as a Justice of the Peace now for some 10 years.
Pastor and Sister Scavella are
profoundly grateful to God for His sustaining grace and
marvelous and miraculous leading in their lives and ministry
during these fifty plus years. |
Living Faith and New
Englerston Churches Shine on the Internet
More and more Adventist Churches are coming
online. Living Faith has started a new website. New Englerston
Church is sharing to the world. Maranatha Church is coming soon.
Here is the link to the Adventist Churches in the Bahamas Conference and
North Bahamas Mission with websites:
-
Berea
Breath of Life
Online broadcasting
Centreville Online
broadcasting starting soon
Freeport Church North
Bahamas Mission, Grand Bahama
Grant’s Town
Haitian Churches in
Nassau
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Hillview
Online Broadcasting
Living Faith
A Temporary link. Online Broadcasting
New Englerston
-
O U R B I B L E
Q U E S T I O N S
-
Adventist Review for
January 25, 2008
Bible scholar Angel Rodriguez, who directs the General Conference
Biblical Research Institute, answers Bible questions from our readers.
Non-Christians and Last-Day Events
http://www.adventistreview.org/2002-1524/story4.html
What role will non-Christian religions play in the Adventist
understanding of last-day events?
The Search for a "Thou Shalt Not."
http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1515/story3.html
Is there a biblical prohibition against the consumption of wine?
Jesus' Family Ties
http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1550/story4.html
Were the brothers of Jesus mentioned in the Bible sons of Mary and
Joseph?
The Battle Over Armageddon
http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1506/story3.html
What is the meaning of word Armageddon in Rev. 16:16?
Essential Worship
http://www.adventistreview.org/2003-1519/story4.html
What elements are appropriate for worship? What are not?
Breaking Church News
-
Adventist Review for
January 25, 2008
4 Adventists Stand Trial for Fraud in UK
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1613
The quartet conned fellow church members out of $6.3 million.
Satellite Series Reaches New Believers
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?ic=1630
NPU president shares cancer survival story.
Chile Adventist University Catalogs Concert Manuscripts of Pianist
Arrau
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1632
Child prodigy became world-renowned artist.
This Week’s Special Features
-
Adventist Review for
January 25, 2008
From Superman to Cecilia Reyes
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1503&page=32
Girl Power
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1503&page=5
Our daughters and sons alike deserve to know what real power is and how
they should go about getting it.
Does Salt Affect Blood Pressure?
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1503&page=16
Too much is not a good thing.
-
A Stroll on Life’s Sand
- By Patrice
Williams-Gordon, January 25, 2008
Nature is replete with messages from God expressing his love and will for
our lives. From birds which consistently keep their identifying melody
despite the change in weather, to pesky ants whose bid to gather food knows
no abandon in the wake of abundance at your family picnic.
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|
Curtis Bryan
walking with his son on the beautiful Island of Exuma |
The
morning was brand-new and the sound of the ocean chasing the shoreline,
begged for my undivided attention. Savoring the crisp saline aroma of the
gentle breeze, which complimented the glistening turquoise blue waters that
surrounded the island, I embarked on my morning walk along the beach in
Exuma.
The
sand was different from any I had encountered before. At its coarsest, it
was like baking soda and at its softest, it was like talcum powder oozing
through my toes. My attention soon shifted to two fresh sets of footprints
in the sand. Firstly, it made me aware that I was not alone but secondly it
granted me an unforgettable devotional experience.
On
examining the pairs of footprints, I found a few points of interest. One
pair was significantly smaller than the other and the smaller pair was
consistently following the larger pair. The smaller pair was shallower and
more defined with intact impression lines while the larger pair was more
sunken, uneven and distorted. Putting the pieces together, I hypothesized a
controlled toddler, being led by an adult.
There was still one thing that puzzled me however, why were the adult’s
footprints so uneven and ill-defined? It didn’t take long for me to figure
it out; it had to do with distribution of weight. The adult, being heavier,
had more body weight to be supported with his feet and of such exerted a
greater force on the surface on which they stood. The soft surface
accurately reflected the uneven pressure as the adult walked along beach,
displaying footprints that were distorted and deep. The lighter child, as it
seemed, skipped along with less weight therefore making light and perfect
impressions.
Then
the deeper lesson sunk in my heart! We were created in God’s image and of
such the prints we
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|
Patrice
Williams-Gordon |
leave behind should reflect the true image of God.
However, the greater the burdens we bear, the more distorted are the
impressions we leave behind. It is all about the weight we support; notice
that the child’s footprints were almost perfect. Maybe that is why Jesus
suggested in Matthew 18:3 "I assure you that unless you change and become
like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven.”
Just
look behind at the prints you have left in the sand of time. Do they bear a
striking resemblance to that of your Heavenly Father, or are they distorted,
sinking deep into the things of this world? Don’t panic! Peter reminds us
that there is a way out in 1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxieties on him,
for he cares about you. You do not even have to organize them first,
just cast them on Him, all at once, and enjoy the weightless journey through
life, for which God has made ample provisions.
Talayah G. Stovall in Nassau
Talayah G. Stovall Message of Hope Message of Hope
Youth Department invites to Youth Forum, Saturday, February 9, 2008,
4:30p.m., at Bahamas Academy Gym, Wulff Road. Guest speaker will
be Talayah G. Stovall, a leading motivational speaker from Chicago,
Illinois. Talayah G. Stovall, president of TGrace, is an author and
motivational speaker who promotes personal empowerment and self-improvement.
With her engaging and inspirational style, she challenges audiences to reach
their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. She
uses the spoken and written word to inspire people to embrace their
God-given abilities and increase their life satisfaction.
|
Photos of the
Funeral Service for Dr. Curtis Clifford McMillan
The funeral service was held at the
Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church, Tonique Williams-Darling
Highway, Nassau. Officiating were Dr. Leonard Johnson, Dr.
Hugh Roach, Pastor Leslie McMillan, Dr. Wendell McMillan, Pastor
E. Brian Tinker, Dr. John Carey, Dr. Angela Palacious.
Dr. Hugh Roach gave the eulogy. A special tribute was
given by Sir Arthur Foulkes, friend of the family. A
national tribute was given by The Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham,
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Special music was provided by Allison Rolle, Stacy Campbell, and
Marvin Smith.
Dr. Curtis McMillan was born in
Nassau on February 26, 2933, the first of five sons born to
Daniel A. McMillan and Pearl Louise Armbrister McMillan.
He died unexpectedly on Sunday, January 13, 2008, at age 74.
He attended West Indies College, Pacific Union College, and
Howard Dental School. He served as a member of parliament
and a Minister of Health for the Government.
The official government funeral
service was attended by members of parliament, the Prime
Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Governor General,
and many other dignitaries. The service was broadcast live
on national television and radio. Clik on photos to
enlarge |
| Photos below by Barrington Brennen |
HILLVIEW ADVENTIST CHURCH |
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| Photos below by Peter Ramsay |
LAKEVIEW CEMETERY |
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-
- World
Religious News
- Adventist
Review for January 20, 2008
4 Adventists Stand Trial for Fraud in UK
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1613
The quartet conned fellow church members out of $6.3 million.
Virginia Church Property Fight Costs $2 Million and Counting
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1612
Episcopal diocese is fighting 11 to keep assets of 11 breakaway
congregations.
Church Leaders Say Democratic/GOP Polling is Skewed
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1612#2
Democratic voters are never asked the evangelical question.
British Catholics Seek Baptisms for School Enrollment
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1612#2
Decreasing class slots bring high competition.
F O C U S O
N M I S S I O N
Adventist Review Articles for January 18, 2008
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a mission, to
spread the gospel of Christ. As we pursue this God-given mandate what are
the opportunities and challenges? How do we face the difficulties of sharing
the gospel in a post-modern world? The following articles share insights on
the challenges church leaders and members face as they "go into all the
world."
Mission in a Broken World
http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1525/story3.html
A commentary from retired Adventist Review editor William G. Johnsson
Evangelism Yes! But Also Mission
http://www.adventistreview.org/2004-1511/story1.html
A conversation with the General Conference president Jan Paulsen
United in the Fellowship of Mission
http://www.adventistreview.org/2004-1540/Monday.html
A reading from the 2004 Week of Prayer.
Another Look at City Mission
http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1549/story2.htm
Many look to Ellen White for counsel on reaching the cities. What did she
really say?
Windows on Mission: Opportunities, Threats, and Challenges
http://www.adventistreview.org/2000-bulletin3/4-windows.html
A report from the 2000 General Conference Session in Toronto, Ontario
ADRA’s Mission in the End of Time
http://www.adventistreview.org/2002-1544/story3.html
The relationship between preaching and serving others couldn’t be closer.
Pentecost and More Explosion on
Family Islands
The following
evangelist series are starting on the Family Islands this weekend.
| Exuma |
Cat Island |
North Andros |
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- Speaker:
Pastor Peter Joseph
- Location:
Under the white tent in Mount Thompson, near the Adventist
Church, Exuma
- District
Pastor: Keith A. Albury
- Opening Night:
Saturday, January 19, 2008
- Duration:
Three Weeks
|
- Speaker:
Pastor Leroy Sewell
- Location:
Devil's Point Adventist Church, Cat Island
- Opening Night:
Saturday, January 19, 2008
- Duration:
Two Weeks
|
- Speaker: Pastor
Wendell McMillan
- Location:
Lowe Sounds Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Opening
Night: Sunday, March 2, 2008
- Duration:
Two Weeks
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Long Island |
San Salvador |
South Andros |
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Crooked Island |
Eleuthera |
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WHO seeks
Adventists among faith-based groups for renewed partnership
January 9, 2008
Silver Spring, Maryland,
United States ... [ Source: Ansel Oliver/Adventist News Network ]
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Dr. Peter Landless, associate
Health Ministries director for the Adventist Church, said an
invitation to last month's conference in Geneva was a "huge
privilege" for the Adventist Church to help in planning partnerships
between faith-based organizations and the World Health Organization.
The public health arm of the United Nations is renewing its
recognition and coordination of primary health care delivered by
faith groups, which provide as much as 40 percent of health care in
some world regions. [photo: Ansel Oliver/ANN] |
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The World Health
Organization has asked Seventh-day Adventist health leaders to join its
initial consultations as it prepares to renew partnerships with faith-based
organizations.
After 30 years of shying away from such affiliation, WHO, under its new
director-general, is actively seeking to reach groups that can more
effectively implement global health goals, health officials said.
Adventist leaders and WHO officials said the Adventist Church was selected
for its health message and for urging its churches to double as community
health support centers.
"Seventh-day Adventists are known worldwide for being leaders in health and
developers of community health care," said Dr. Ted Karpf, a WHO technical
officer.
"This is a huge privilege to be part of the pilot group investigating
working relationships of faith-based organizations with the World Health
Organization," said Dr. Peter Landless, associate Health Ministries director
for the Adventist world church.
Both Landless and Dr. Alan Handysides, Adventist Church Health Ministries
director, were among the 16 participants representing religious
organizations at the initial WHO-sponsored planning conference in Geneva
last month.
"They have initiated this, it's a huge step, and it's an absolute blessing
that a church the size of the Adventist Church has been invited to be part
of the initial strategy planning in this whole process," Landless said.
WHO officials said the emphasis on partnering with FBOs is a result of new
Director General Dr. Margaret Chan's focus on Africa, women and primary
care.
"We need to focus on where delivery of health services actually takes
place," said Alex Ross, director for the Programme on Partnerships and UN
Reform.
"Historically, FBO presence in the community is perhaps greater than a
traditional medical model," Ross said, citing data that show at least 40
percent of healthcare in Africa is being delivered by the faith-based
community. Partnering, he said, would recognize and coordinate work already
being done by FBOs.
"I think Adventists, both the Seventh-day Adventist Church and by
association [the Adventist Development and Relief Agency], were seen as
being a very powerful force with a long history in this area and therefore
have an enormous amount of experience to contribute," Ross said.
Adventist Health Ministries operates in more countries than any other
religious denomination. Landless said the partnership will provide further
opportunity to spread the Adventist health message among more communities.
Partnering with WHO will also likely allow the Adventist Church to
collaborate with other world health conferences in Europe next year,
Landless said.
"It has opened doors to further health work collaboration, which would
include Adventist teaching institutions as well as our clinics and
hospitals," Landless said.
Church Chat: Brillhart on the church and community action
15, 2008
Takoma Park, Maryland, United
States ... [ Taashi Rowe ]
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Rebecca Brillhart, a pastor at
Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, says Adventists can improve
lives by uniting with other faith groups to bring about change. [Taashi
Rowe/ANN] |
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Brillhart works with members from
the church as well as faculty, staff and students of Adventist-owned
Columbia Union College, including Otis Coutsoumpos, campus chaplain.
[Taashi Rowe/ANN] |
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While soup kitchens
and clothing drives are hallmarks of community outreach for many churches,
Pastor Rebecca Brillhart says teaming up with other faith groups can do more
to improve lives.
Brillhart, discipleship pastor for the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in
Takoma Park, Maryland, United States, also serves as co-chair of Action In
Montgomery, a group of 29 interfaith congregations using their united voice
to improve the lives of the people in Montgomery County.
The group claims that affordable housing, all-day kindergarten, tax reform
of fare policies for taxi drivers, and funding to upgrade community centers
are results of its working with government leaders. Action in Montgomery
meets quarterly with about 200 congregational representatives. Brillhart and
about 30 members of Sligo Church and the nearby Columbia Union College work
with 30,000 believers belonging to Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim
associations to petition the county's civic leaders.
Sligo, a congregation of more than 2,900 members, joined Action in
Montgomery in 2003 and is the only Adventist church in the organization.
Brillhart recently sat down with Adventist News Network to talk about how
teaming up with other faith groups to help the community has affected the
church's ministry.
The following are excerpts from that conversation:
Adventist News Network: You say Action in Montgomery works for
social justice. What does that involve?
Rebecca Brillhart: When we talk about social justice we talk about
going beneath good programs that provide food, shelter and clothing on a
temporary basis to address the systemic problems that really plague our
citizens.
ANN: What kind of role does Sligo Church play in addressing these
problems?
Brillhart: We talk to our members about what is getting in the way
of peace in their homes. Maybe it's where they live, maybe there is an
inability to find a place to live, maybe it's the quality of security for
their children or maybe there is a lack of recreational things for children
to do. We are identifying issues and problems that our own members
experience in order to have empathy and passion to use our voices and
partner with others and find a solution.
ANN: What is one of the group's biggest victories?
Brillhart: One major concern is a lack of affordable
housing. We are holding our county executive and civic leaders accountable
because to be a citizen who is firefighter, a nurse or a teacher in the
county you cannot afford to live and buy a home in Montgomery County because
it too expensive. Frankly we think that's immoral. We would like people who
serve the county to be able to live here. These people are driving sometimes
out of state to find affordable housing. It causes a lot of problems in
people's families when parents are away and taking second jobs. This last
fall on October 18 the coalition met with the county executive and he made a
historic decision. He said he would support these affordable housing
initiatives that we put forward. Historically that would mean to replace
one-on-one the housing that is really hemorrhaging from the county as old
housing is being destroyed and new housing isn't replaced for workforce and
low-income people.
ANN: What are some of the unexpected results of doing this work?
Brillhart: Some people have never thought of using their
voices or experiences to do ministry in our community. Communicating with
others and partnering with others helps people know that they can have a
part in alleviating some of the things that are causing problems in their
lives and the lives of others.
ANN: Can the work that you are doing be considered political?
Brillhart: In bringing those concerns to civic leaders we
definitely are being political because we are asking civic leaders to
re-imagine how they will use the resources that are from taxes ? and perhaps
rearrange personnel to address these important needs. But, it is not
partisan. It's not an effort to support any particular candidate. The issues
involve things that are holding people back from a life that provides basic
needs [such as] housing, food, equitable education. These are the things
that we have a concern about.
ANN: What are some of the challenges in doing work like this?
Brillhart: The greatest challenge that I see as a pastor
and a leader is to keep our focus clear that Christ calls us to meet the
needs around us.
ANN:
What has been church members' reaction to
Sligo's involvement in something that is not wholly Adventist?
Brillhart: Very positive. Since we have been involved we
are very well known [among church members]. When we have major actions --
when we are asking leaders to be accountable -- Sligo Church is the church
in the coalition that really turns out the numbers -- in the hundreds -- to
come and support action.
ANN: Adventist churches are well known for having a system of
education, health and community services. Why work outside that system?
Brillhart: One of things I love about being an Adventist is
the openness to building bridges of hope. We want to tell people ? that we
are a people of hope because we believe in a Savior that is going to make
the things that are wrong with our world right but we have a responsibility
as Adventists in the here and now. And the only way to build bridges, the
only way we are going to be a credible enterprise is if we are doing all we
can to partner with people who may know even better than we do how to come
together in consensus on things we can agree on and address some of these
systemic issues that are plaguing our society.
ANN: How has being involved in an organization like this affected
your concept of ministry?
Brillhart: I have been so energized by being with clergy
and members and civic leaders who want to lift up Christ's mandate to free
the oppressed and to alleviate the concerns of the broken hearted. It has
just touched me to my very core and I will never be satisfied in ministry
without looking outside of the church as well as inside in terms of
ministry.
ANN: Are you saying that Adventists are too internally focused?
Brillhart: I think we are in general. It is truly my desire
that more [Adventist] churches in our location will take notice of some of
these associations, to be less fearful and know we can play an integral role
because of the message that we have, because of the hope that we have. I
think it's not just a nice thing to think about but it is a critical thing
to do to be credible as Christians in today's society.
ANN: Why don't more Adventists engage in more partnerships like
Action in Montgomery?
Brillhart: [One] fear is that we are going to get sucked
into something that is decidedly not Adventist. But in a coalition like this
you are not asked to support things that you can't support. Power is
necessary to make change. But the power that we have is to use our voice to
the glory of God and push forward mandates that Christ laid down for His own
ministry. We have to be aware of where the hurt is around us and to be
available to address it.
ANN: Does theology come up at these meetings?
Brillhart: It comes up all the time because I'm partnering with
clergy from other churches. One of the great delights of this experience is
to think and reflect theologically together about why we are doing what we
are doing. That I've been asked to lead the group is confirmation that we
are needed around some of these tables to do this important work.
ANN: What is the organization's plan for the future?
Brillhart: We will continue to focus on affordable housing
and community centers for our youth. Nothing we do is quick; everything we
do is long term. Even with the October 18 success for affordable housing we
will still be doing follow-ups.
Adventist Church looks to build Internet ministry in
emerging African markets
10, 2008
Silver Spring, Maryland,
United States ... [ Ansel Oliver/ANN ]
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|
Andre Brink, communication
director for the Adventist Church in southern Africa, said the
upcoming regional Global Internet Evangelism Network conference in
Cape Town will help church communicators learn how to maximize new
technologies for ministry. [photo: courtesy SID] |
Techies unite.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is examining how to best use new media in
Africa, a region in which the church has yet to capitalize on mobile
Internet access.
Church communication leaders, technicians and broadcasters will meet for an
Internet ministry conference in Cape Town, South Africa, from February 28 to
March 2, to address ways of boosting the church's presence on the Web in
Africa.
The conference is a regional extension of the Adventist world church's
Global Internet Evangelism Network (GIEN) conference held annually since
2004.
"We want to really start this from the ground up," said Andre Brink,
communication director for the Adventist Church in southern Africa. "There's
not much being done by our church on the Internet in Africa and we want
people to see what the possibilities are."
Brink said there are some 200 million mobile phones in Africa and far fewer
personal computers. "We need to look at how more and more people are
accessing the Internet via cell phones." The conference will begin with a
presentation from a mobile phone company representative about future plans
and technologies for the continent.
Church leaders have also recognized the problem of intellectual property
violations in that region of the world, Brink said. "Some people in the
church think they can copy something because it's for the Lord's work."
The conference will host a panel discussion on copyright and release
statement to the media regarding the Adventist Church's commitment to
intellectual property laws, Brink said.
Other workshops will focus on media asset management, Internet trends and
optimizing Web sites and podcasts.
Many presenters will bring new ideas gleaned from international technology
conventions.
"We want to relay things we learn to our colleagues in ministry," said
Marvin King, Web manager for Adventist World Radio, who will lead several
workshops at the conference. He also hopes to build the GIEN forum on the
social networking site Facebook to create community among the church's
technology users.
"GIEN is a forum where people can share and learn what works and what
doesn't in that part of the world," said Williams Costa Jr., associate
communication director for the Adventist world church. "We want everyone to
be aware of the new technologies so they can keep reaching places that were
once thought unreachable."
The 2008 GIEN international conference is scheduled for July 9 to13 in
Denver, Colorado, United States.
For more information, see
gien.adventist.org.
United States: Nevada primary election may leave out devout Sabbath-keepers
15, 2008
Silver Spring, Maryland,
United States ... [ Elizabeth Lechleitner/ANN ]
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Nevada's decision to hold
caucuses on Saturday morning during traditional worship services
marginalizes Seventh-day Adventists and observant Jews, said James
Standish, an associate director for the Adventist Church?s
department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty. [photo: Ansel
Oliver/ANN] |
Presidential
candidates may be the only ones vying for party nomination this Saturday in
Nevada, but civic duty and religious conviction are on the ballot in many
voters' minds.
Some Seventh-day Adventists and Jews are voicing concern over their state's
failure to make provisions for Sabbath observant voters after party
officials scheduled Nevada presidential caucuses for Saturday morning,
January 19.
Republican and Democratic caucuses begin at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.,
respectively, conflicting with traditional church and synagogue services,
Adventist and Jewish leaders said.
"Scheduling the caucuses on Sabbath morning marginalizes both the
Seventh-day Adventist Christian and the Orthodox Jewish communities," said
James Standish, Esq., an associate director for the Adventist Church's
department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty.
"In an election that is being decided on thin margins, selecting a time that
excludes thousands of voters may even change the outcome," he added.
Because Nevada holds caucuses rather than primaries, voters are required to
show up at polling stations to indicate their support and engage in debates,
disallowing absentee ballots and leaving some citizens conflicted.
"I'm not 'Mr. Politics' or anything, but I do like to stay informed and go
out and vote," said Michael Flannigan, an Adventist from the Las Vegas area.
"But this year, what with the caucus being on Sabbath, there'd be no way for
me to have a voice. I'll be in church."
Flannigan, who said he feels disenfranchised, may not mirror all of Nevada's
estimated 5,000 Adventists and 60,000 Jews, but said he "can't imagine" he's
the only one who plans to vote for his conscience this Saturday.
January 19 was chosen because it was perceived to inconvenience the fewest
number of registered Nevadans, an official at the Nevada Democratic Party
told Standish earlier this week. The official said party leaders were aware
of the time conflict.
Standish said Adventist and Jewish leaders are working with the state
government to make sure Sabbath keepers can fully participate in both
worship services and elections next time the state goes to caucus.
Breaking Adventist News
Adventist Review for January 17, 2008
It Is Written Targets Portland, Oregon
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1609
IIW unites with Oregon churches for evangelistic outreach.
Adventist Helps Cambodian Refugees to Health
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1610
Many Cambodians suffer from a mercury-contaminated diet.
Looking For Jesus in 2008
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1611
Church members hope to minister more, do more in the community.
Adventistworld.org
is available in both English and Spanish!
Click on the links below to read our latest issues in the language of your
choice!
www.adventistworld.org or
www.spanish.adventistworld.org
World News From Religion News Service
Iraq: Coordinated Bomb Blasts Target Christian Churches
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1602
The blasts damaged Christian sites in Bagdad and Mosul.
High Court Weighs Lethal Injections
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1594
A Kentucky case challenges the method calling cruel and unusual punishment.
Episcopal Head Says U.S. Church is Held to “Double Standard”
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1594#2
The issues of gay bishops and same-sex unions have split Anglican
congregations.
‘In God We Trust’ Will Move From Edge of New Coins
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1594#3
The change will occur in 2009.
January 17, 2008 Adventist Review
ELECTION 2008: Is God the Silent Candidate?
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1502&page=8
As we enter the second full year of the United States’ presidential
campaign, what issues should guide our agenda?
Critics Are Watching
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1502&page=5
What if critics were to take a hard look at us? What would they find?
The God of the Prophets
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1601
Everybody's looking for answers to life's greatest questions.
A People of Service
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1502&page=26
Surefire ways to win friends and influence people.
String-files and Spiritual Growth
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1502&page=6
The effects of a year’s activities are amazing. What have you accomplished?
Click Below for More Stories…
http://www.adventistreview.org/issue_toc.php?issue=2008-1502
This Week’s Special Features from Adventist Review
Where Are All the Christians?
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1583
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Today's Devotion
- By Patrice
Williams-Gordon
His Shining Face
Printer-Friendly PDF Format
- "The
Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give
you peace."
- Num 6:24-26 (New International Version)
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Patrice
Williams-Gordon |
“Lights, Camera Action!” The tape was rolling as I confidently fired away in
glowing tones, passionately expressing my concepts on Positive Thinking.
Then my thoughts were disturbed by the cold words of the director, “Cut!!
Her face is shining!” The make-up crew rushed onto the set, powdering and
wiping my face, so as to rid me of the shine. It was then I learnt
that a shining face is not a welcoming attribute, when you are on camera.
However, on New Year’s Eve, as I sat in church, being inspired by the sermon
done by my favorite pastor, the concept of a shining face took on a new and
positive flare.
In
his closing remarks the pastor proposed for us the same wish that Moses
proclaimed for the children of Israel, encouraging us to ‘Keep God’s face
shining’:
- “The
Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you
and
- be
gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you
peace."
It
took just a few moments for the enormity of that challenge to sink in, the
realization that God’s face was always on me was not very comfortable. To
make matters worst it was shining on me, illuminating my being.
It's all right to have
God’s undivided attention when you are in need of His provisions, protection
and assistance, but what of the off times? Repeatedly being on camera, made
me acutely aware of how careful one needs to be when the lights are on you.
At such times, you must profile your best words, actions and poise for as
long as the lights shine on you, then breathe a sigh of relief when they are
off and you can be yourself again. However, with God, the lights never
stop shining! That
can be frightening; there is no off time. So herein lays the challenge, Can
I be constantly be on my best behavior? The challenge intensifies when I
recalled that not even my thoughts are hidden from him.
- Worship
and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord
- sees every
heart and understands and knows every thought.
- (1
Chronicles 28:9, The Living Bible)
It
is not only what I do that is on display to Him but more so who I am at the
core. I was almost washed away in despair until I pondered the
remaining portion of the wish, “the Lord turn his face toward you and
give you peace.”
Is
it really possible to be under God’s unswerving scrutiny and be at peace? It
is possible, only because He gives you His peace.
-
His peace reminds us
that it is by His power that we can be good. “For God is working in you,
giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”
(Phil 2:13 NLT)
-
His peace reminds us
that if we err, he will always forgive; “But if we confess our sins to
him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every
wrong. (1 John 1:9 TLB)
-
His peace reminds us
that he will direct my every move if we allow him; “…you will hear a
Voice behind you say, "No, this is the way; walk here." (Isaiah 30:21-22
TLB)
So I
embraced my pastor’s closing wish, not with anxiety as often accompanies an
impossible challenge but with excitement and anticipation. I am excited that
God never turns His face away from me and I anticipate the drama that lies
ahead in the power of his enabling peace that perpetually shines on me. So,
confidently I say, “Camera, lights, Action, let the show begin!”
Patrice Williams-Gordon ©copyright January 2008
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Henry Parchment Visits
Headquarters
 [January
7, 2008] Henry Parchment, a former student Northern Caribbean
University, Jamaica, and a friend to many Bahamians, visited the Bahamas
Conference this week with his son, Michael-Henry. They visited
the Bahamas Conference headquarters to re-establish connections with old
friends. It was a joy to meet him after many years. Henry
Parchment, a native of the Cayman Islands, is a financial administrator for
the Ministry of Planning for the Cayman Island’s government. His wife, Melva,
is an office administrator for the Ministry of Health.
- Religious
World News
- Adventist Review for January 7, 2007
Super Bowl Ban Fuels Congregation’s Growth
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1585
More Clergy Dollars Going to Democrats
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1585#2
Judge Halts Oregon Civil-union Law
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1585#3
Al Gore Named ‘Baptist of the Year’
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1585#4
Breaking Church News
Adventist Leaders Appeal for Calm in Kenya
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1590
16 Arrested Oakwood Students Suspended
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1584
This Week’s Special Features
Religion Newswriters Association’s Top 10 Religion Stories of 2007
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1570
The Power & Healing of Hope
http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1565
A holiday message from the Jan Paulsen, General Conference president
- The 2007 Report
- The year 2007 was an exciting year for Bahamas
Conference Internet Ministries. Almost 100,000 individuals visited the
site from over 195 countries around the world. This resulted in more
than 22 million hits on the website.
- The top twenty countries from where individuals
visited the site in 2007 were:
- Visitors came from 195 Countries
- United States
- Bahamas
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Mexico
- Cayman Island
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Netherlands
- Bermuda
- Brazil
- France
- Australia
- Hungary
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominican Republic
- Guyana
- Ghama
- Belgium
- Germany
- Argentina
- The top eight pages/buttons accessed in 2007
were:
- 14,686 web pages
- Pastor Keith D. Albury Memorial Service photos :
20,000 times
- Religious Liberty Magazine Button: 18,618 times
- News and Photos Archives: 10,363 times
- Online Sermons: 6,882 times
- Sabbath School Helps (Lesson Study): 5,493 times
- Local News (Bahamas) : 4,899 times
- Adventist Resources: 4,468
- Ministries/Departments: 4,501 times
- The top seven audio/video files accessed in
2007 were:
- 2077 Audio/Video files
- Song of Encouragement and Hope for the Albury
Family: "It May Be at Mourn": 1901 times
- Day 6 Saturday Night September 20, 2003, Pastor
Guy Nembhard, Let God Speak Campaign "Law and Grace": 665 times
- Pastor Basil Reid Pastor Basil Reid October 24,
2003 Speaking At Grant's Town Seventh-day Adventist Church Nassau:
628 times
- Pastor Richard Barron Summer Camp Meeting June
18, 2003 531 times
- Pastor Richard Barron Summer Camp Meeting June
19, 2003 530 times
- Brendon Albury, June 23, at Bethany Church: 560
times
- Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe Summer Convention 2004
"Prayer": 540
- The top PDF Format files accessed in 2007
were:
- August 16 Newspaper Insert "Back to School: 437
time
- Logos for February 3: 391 times
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