Is the Church You Attend Relevant to the Age in Which You Live?

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If you   were asked to describe the church you attend in one word, what would that word be? Before you answer this question, I invite you to read this short article designed to make you evaluate the contribution ‘your church’ is making in your life, the life of the congregation at large, and the wider community.

Sometimes I smile when I hear members within our conference beaming with pride while uttering the words, “I am Seventh-day Adventist…” “We are a prophetic movement…” “Or, we have the truth...” These statements are potent and truthful, but it does not mean that the church you attend is relevant. Allow me to use this forum to help us as a denomination appreciate the fact that preaching our distinctive doctrines does not guarantee that the ministries we provide as a church are effective or impactful. Neither does it mean that our members are experiencing revival and reformation.

If you make a little time to study the behavior of ancient Israel, you would find frightening parallels between them and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in terms of the pride we have in our identity, our knowledge of the scriptures, and the prophetic role we are called to play (in last day events). I admonish all of us to avoid the pitfall of making our churches groups of people who pray like the Pharisee in the book of Luke 18:11 “…I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers…”

Let us be reminded that this church was not called into existence for us to wear the name Seventh-day Adventist like a badge of honor. God’s desire is not for us to bask in our superior knowledge of the scriptures. I note with interest that Jesus (the one who is more knowledgeable than all of us) was not interested in winning arguments; He was interested in winning souls.

The thing that made Jesus’ ministry so powerful is that it was anchored in His love. His sole interest was people and meeting their felt needs. Jesus demonstrated that His Church needs to be relevant to the age in which we live, and this provided opportunities for people to grow spiritually and to experienced transforming power.

Most importantly, the messages and doctrines taught by Jesus provided information that could be applied to everyday situations. Jesus said in John 17:8, “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” This Bible text affirms that people knew Jesus’ ministry was ordained by God.            

Is your church so relevant that it is impacting your life, the life of the congregation at large, and the wider community?

Pastor T. Basil Sturrup, Assistant to the President, Evangelism 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

 

NEWLY VOTED APPOINTMENTS

  • Assistant to the President for Evangelism –Pastor T. Basil Sturrup
  • Men’s Ministry Coordinator – Elder Curtis Bryan
  • Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator – Pastor Lynden Williams
  • Prayer Ministry Coordinator – Pastor Leonardo Rahming
  • Public Affairs and Religious Liberty | PARL Director – Pastor T. Basil Sturrup

MEMBERS OF PUBLISHING BOARD

  • IAD Publishing Director
  • Peter Kerr – ATCU President
  • Cheryl Rolle – ATCU Executive Secretary
  • Roderick Sands – ATCU Chief Financial Officer
  • Kent Price – ATCU Publishing Director
  • Kenny Deveaux – SBC President
  • Leonardo Rahming – SBC Executive Secretary
  • Kimberly Bryan – SBC Chief Financial Officer
  • Nikita Thompson – SBC Publishing Director
  • Peter Joseph – Personal Ministries Director
  • Kareem Black - Pastor
  • Cherry Blackmore - ABNC Manager
  • Howard Knowles – Lay Member

Pastor Leonardo Rahming, Executive Secretary



LORD TRANSFORM ME CAMPAIGN January 26th – February 9th, 2019.

A number of the churches in our Conference began their Evangelistic Campaigns on January 26th, while others will start this weekend, on Sabbath February 2, 2019. During this period, we want the South Bahamas Conference to illuminate the Bahamas with the glorious light of the Three Angels Messages. We will move toward a magnificent climax to these meetings on February 9th at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium beginning at 8: 40a.m with Sabbath School; and the Divine Worship Service will follow.

Parents, please note that the children will be worshipping with us on this day and you are asked to pay special attention to them so that they will also enjoy this awesome worship experience.

A unique joint baptismal experience will be held in conjunction with the LTM Initiative for all churches at the Aquatic Centre, across from the gymnasium, on the grounds of the Thomas A. Robinson Sporting Complex. There will be no baptisms before this time, so let us all do our part in the work of the Lord to realize a rich harvest of souls.

Here is the list of guest Evangelists by churches:

1. Hillview/Adelaide, Nassau – Samuel Telemaque
2. Bethany, Nassau – Ashton O’Neil
3. Exuma District - Lowell Ottley
4. Grants Town, Nassau – Michael Harvey
5. Centreville, Nassau – David Campbell
6. Ebenezer, Nassau – Edrick Lambert
7. Living Faith, Nassau - Noel Schultz
8. South Andros District – Leslie Padmore
9. Francophone, Nassau - Dr. Caporal Pierre
10. Good News, Nassau – Dr. Carlton Byrd
11. Bahamas Academy, Nassau – Alex Abednego
12. Philadelphia/Redemption, Nassau – Theresa Panchoo
13. Cockburn Town, San Salvador - Otis Joseph
14. Bethel, Nassau - Wilkens Bissreth
15. Johnson Park/ Gambier, Nassau - Johnson Frederick
16. Ephesus, Nassau - Kerwin Mitchell
17. Berea, Nassau - Joel Sharpe
18. Agape / Message of Hope / Peardale/ La Senda de la Vida, Nassau - Damion Clarke
19. New Providence/Real Harvest, Nassau – Clinton Paul Lewis
20. New Englerston, Nassau - Bertie Henry
21. Maranatha, Nassau - Shurman Kook
22. Breath of Life, Nassau – Leroy Sewell

Please refer to our website www.southbahamasconference.org or Facebook Page for more information on the Lord Transform Me Campaign.

 

Conference Executive Committee meeting  The monthly meeting for the members of the South Bahamas Conference Executive Committee will be held on Thursday February 28, 2019 at 5:30p.m. Please save the date.

 

CONFERENCE CALENDAR OF EVENTS  ( See complete Calendar)

 FEBRUARY

2 - 9: LTM Reaping Campaigns IAD
9: LTM Baptismal Day
9 - 16: Christian Home and Family Week
9: Christian Marriage Day (Emphasizes Marriage)
10: PARL Conclave
10: YWOP Preacher’s Training - SBC Office Board Room
15 – 17: ACLASS- 10 Hours Senior Youth Course, Adventurer & Pathfinder Staff Training Course (Bahamas Academy)
17 - 26: LTM Educational Trip (Israel)
16: Christian Home Day (Emphasizes Parenting)
17: GEMS Reloaded
21 - 24: Screening for 8 Weeks to Wellness Programme
23: Adventist Youth, Club Ministries Consecration Service, ACLASS Graduation
(Joint AY Service) Good News Seventh-day Adventist Church
25: 8 Weeks to Wellness Starts
28: SBC Executive Committee Meeting

Administration

 

ATCU PUSH INITIATIVE

2019 Reaping Campaigns in ATCU

The prayer focus of The Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) for the week, February 10 – 15, 2019 is: Blessing on Husbands.

COMMUNICATION LEADER’S TRAINING

The first training session for Communication Department Leaders from our local churches will be held on Sunday March 24, 2019 at the Message of Hope Church at a time to be announced. The Communication leader of each church along with two assistants are expected to attend this training on the Easy Worship software. Leaders are asked to register by March 4, 2019 by calling Ms. T’nee Moss at our conference headquarters at 341-4021.

 

JOB OPENING

The Communication Department of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is seeking to employ an individual trained in television and radio production, skilled in video and audio editing and graphic design. Interested persons should submit your resume and two (2) reference letters at our Church Headquarters on Tonique Williams Darling Highway. Copies of Academic Degrees, Diplomas, a Video CV and any other Certifications are also required.

The said person should be a Seventh-day Adventist Christian who is a dependable team player, organized and able to multitask. For enquires and submissions please email: lsturrup@sbcadventist.com.

 

HEALTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

~SAVE THE DATE~

8 WEEKS TO WELLNESS 2019 is scheduled to begin February 25 at 6p.m. and will continue to April 29th at the H. D. Colburn Gym.  All participants must be prescreened. The next pre-screening date is Sunday February 24, 2019 from 3p.m. to 5p.m. Plan to attend, your body will love you for it.  Prevention is the key. This is a good way to enhance your overall wellbeing. Don't miss out on the opportunity.

Coaches for 8 Weeks to Wellness 2019 All persons interested in volunteering as a coach for this year’s 8 Weeks to Wellness program, please contact Sister Nathelyn LaCroix at 242-323-0610, WhatsApp 242-826-8486 or by email at: lifestylecounsellor64@gmail.com. Training is scheduled for February 3, 12 and 19, 2019. Venue to be announced.   For more information please contact Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Director.

ADVENTIST HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION (AHPA)  Prayer Breakfast  All health professionals, those with a passion for health and the wider members are invited to a re-consecration prayer breakfast on February 17th at 7a.m.   Venue: T.B.A.  Shandera Smith, AHPA, President.

ASI /ADVENTIST LAYMEN SERVICES & INDUSTRIES GENERAL MEETING  
This very important event will take place on Sunday February 17, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the Hillview Church. All are invited and welcomed!


ASI FAIR This event will take place on Sunday March 3, 2019 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Listen out for the venue.

IAD - ASI CONVENTION The ASI Convention for the Inter American Division will take place on August 21 - 24, 2019 at Atlantis, Paradise Island. There will be two transformational evangelistic campaigns all over our conference leading up to this grand event. Save the date and plan to be there.  Shandera Smith, A.S.I. 

 

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

 First Quarter (January - March)

“WE” (Women Empowerment) - at a glance:

 February 2019

  • 15 – New Providence Women’s Ministries Vesper Service - 7:00p.m
  • 17 - “Lord Transform The Woman In Me” Prayer Breakfast at Johnson Park Fellowship Hall - 8:00a.m
  • 24 - GEMS Reloaded - Venue and Time to be announced.

March 2019

  • 2 – International Women’s Day of Prayer
  •  30 “God in Shoes” - Zone 1 Community Outreach - Geriatric Hospital


DONATION REQUEST  Used, But In Good Condition Devotionals Kindly donate to your local Women’s Ministries Leader for distribution during our community out-reach projects this year.

-Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director

YOUTH TIDBITS

Click HERE to See Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Public Campus Ministry Youth Congress Panama 2019  The Inter-American Division PCM Youth Congress will be July 18-22, 2019 in Panama. Expected delegates will be college/university students and professors from across the conference. Tentative total cost per delegate is $312.00 USD + airfare. The criteria for selection will be published soon.

BIBLE CONNECTION  Please see below the poster and union guidelines for the Bible Connection 2019. Kindly assist us in promoting among adventurers, pathfinders and senior youth to prepare for this experience. It would be good for a Youth Elder to be responsible to assist in this preparation.

Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director.

 

THE SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE PATHFINDER CONCERT BAND presents ‘The Sound of Music.’

 FEBRUARY 10, 2019 @7p.m at the Galaxy Ballroom of the National Training Agency on Gladstone Road. Tickets will be on sale from all band members in the coming week. Adults: $15 Children: $5

Patrick Wilson Jr., Assistant Youth Director


Bahamas Academy Entrance Examination:  The entrance exam for the 2019-2020 school year is scheduled for Thursday February 21st, 2019, from 9 a.m.-12 noon at Bahamas Academy located on Marshall Road. Application forms can be obtained from The school’s website: bahamasacdemy.org or at the school located on Marshall Road. Mrs. Juliette Sands, Principal

 

 

 

Please Email Weekly Announcements by Tuesday @ 1pm to:  logos@sbcadventist.com

Conference website: http://southbahamasconference.org

Telephone: 242-341-4021

SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH

February 9, 2019 AT 6:00 P.M.