Appeal from World Church President for Urgent Prayer  

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Good News Just Received 
Friday, May 24, 2019, 11:00 a.m. DST

From the Office of the President, Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States

We have received very encouraging news and are happy to indicate that all Seventh-day Adventist detainees in Burundi have been released. Adventist Review

Prayers have been answered.  We thank the Government of Burundi for its role and specifically one of its Members of Parliament, Honorable Justin Niyobuhungiro, for facilitating the releases. Thank you to Seventh-day Adventist church members worldwide and others who have been praying earnestly for the detainees, for the church in Burundi, and for the Burundi government leaders. We look forward to continued improvement in this sensitive situation dealing with the church and its governance. We encourage you to keep praying that God will provide for a helpful resolution to the challenges being faced and for peace and prosperity in Burundi

 Read story in the Africa Times (Not Adventist). The Adventist Church operates 23 schools and five clinics in Burundi.

Here is the initial Prayer Request.  Continue to Pray.

Ted N. C. Wilson calls Adventists and others worldwide to pray on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the central African country of Burundi. 

By Ted N. C. Wilson, President of the Adventist world Church, Headquarters in Maryland, United States of America

I am earnestly appealing to Seventh-day Adventist church members, and others worldwide, to begin a strong, worldwide prayer initiative for our members and church organization in the central African country of Burundi, who are experiencing systematic religious liberty abuse by the government.  For more than six months, the Burundi government has increasingly harassed and abused the Seventh-day Adventist Church by imprisoning, beating, and intimidating Seventh-day Adventist church leaders and members.

The government has prevented the ability of the Adventist Church to function through our duly-elected leadership of the Burundi Union Mission, who were appropriately, and legally, appointed by the East-Central Africa Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.  It is apparent the wonderful Total Member Involvement activities of God’s people to help others through Christ’s method of dealing with people physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, have not been valued by the government of Burundi.

During this time, I have personally appealed to the president of Burundi with no response from his office.  We now call on him and his government ministries to adhere to international law, United Nations protocols, and Organization of African Union precepts, to honor religious liberty and freedom of conscience for all citizens of Burundi and the legitimate Seventh-day Adventist administrative team in the country.

On Friday, May 10, the duly appointed president of the Burundi Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Lamec Barishinga, was arrested along with Pastor Lambert, a local field president.  This is completely illegal, unethical, and against all logical and international protections of religious liberty and freedom of conscience. 

I call on all Seventh-day Adventists to pray for our church members in Burundi, for religious liberty in that country, and for the release of all imprisoned Seventh-day Adventists.  Please pray until we see God’s mighty hand changing this dire situation in Burundi.   I appeal to the governments of all nations around the world, and especially in Africa, to intercede with the Burundi government on behalf of religious liberty for the people of Burundi and specifically for Seventh-day Adventists who are being abused by that country’s government.

Please pray intently and unceasingly around the globe for religious freedom for God-fearing church members in Burundi.

We will provide periodic updates to this abuse of religious liberty in Burundi and note the number of days of religious injustice until it is corrected.  Please pray and advocate for abused church members in Burundi as the God of all the universe intervenes according to His almighty power.

 Article taken from Adventist News Network, Maryland, USA


World Day of Prayer for Children at Risk

The Seventh-day Adventist World Church has devoted the last Sabbath in the month of May to pray, especially for children at risk. Many children around the world live under the threat of violence or neglect in their own homes or schools. Join us today in your individual churches in prayer and encourage your congregations to seek ways to aid children at risk in our community.

Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, Children & Adolescent Ministries Director.

 

CONFERENCE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE

May

Hurricane Preparation/Drug Awareness Month
25: World Day of Prayer for Children at Risk
26: God’s Beloved Daughters
27-31: Annual Adventist Media Pledge-A-Thon
29: ATCU Mid-year Symposium

June

1-3: III Family Island Youth Congress & ACLASS (San Salvador)
1: Mission Transform 242: Local church AY visit & pray at a police station
10: Labour Day
7 - 9: SBC Youth Retreat
7 - 9: CHAM Retreat
8: Women Ministries & GEMS Emphasis
8: Stewardship Emphasis Day
9: Pathfinder Club Evaluations
10: Whit Monday

 

SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Career Opportunity

The South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is seeking to employ an Entry Level Accountant. The applicant should hold a bachelor’s degree in Accounts or Finance, have a working knowledge of QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite (specifically Excel), be an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, productive and willing to learn while growing with the organization.

Interested persons should send a cover letter and resumé to dforbes@sbcadventist.org.bs.

Administration.  

ATLANTIC CARIBBEAN UNION SYMPOSIUM 

The Symposium for the Atlantic Caribbean Union will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hillview Church. All members are invited to attend. Reports from the territories in ATCU will be given.

 

ATCU PUSH INITIATIVE

2019 Reaping Campaigns in ATCU.  The prayer focus of The Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) for the week, May 26 – June 1, 2019 is: Divorced Family Members.

  

ADVENTIST LAYMEN’S SERVICES & INDUSTRIES/ ASI
ASI BOAT CRUISE

We are inviting you to come and sail away with us on June 9, 2019! Boarding starts at 7:30 p.m. at Potter’s Cay West and leaves at 8:15 p.m. sharp. Food and beverages will be on sale. Come and experience an exciting and fun filled night! Get your tickets from any ASI Executive member or from your Church's ASI representative. See you on board!

IAD - ASI CONVENTION

The ASI Convention for the Inter-American Division will be an unforgettable experience. Register now with your local ASI leader/ representative at your church. Convention begins August 21 - 24, 2019 at the Atlantis, Paradise Island. Persons from throughout the Inter-American Division will be there. You must plan now to be there too. Registration is ongoing.

Ms. Shandera Smith, Executive Secretary, A.S.I.   

                             

BIBLE TRAINING / INSTRUCTION

The Bible Training Sector of the South Bahamas Conference holds a weekly Bible instruction and interested persons are invited to get involved in this comprehensive study of the Bible. This week we will look at the subject of the second coming. Special emphasis from the book of Revelation. This session will be held on Sunday May 25, 2019 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Real Harvest Church. --Pastor Lynden Williams, Bible Studies Coordinator.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICES

On Monday May 27, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. there will be a very important meeting for all Community Services leaders at the conference office. Please make every effort to attend. --Pastor Valentino Campbell, Community Services Coordinator. 

 

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

The C.H.A.M Weekend Retreat will be held on June 7-9, 2019 at the Adventure Learning Center Camp Grounds under the theme “TREASURE HUNT... Finding all you need in Jesus”. It will be a time of fun, fellowship and spiritual enrichment for our children ages 7 – 15 years. If you have already completed a form, please make payments to Mr. Dwight Brown, SBC Treasury Department. For more information, call 341-4021, see the conference website or enquire about details from your local leaders. --Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, C.H.A.M Director.

 

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Openings At Bahamas Academy

Bahamas Academy is accepting applications for the following positions:
Grades 7 – 9:  Mathematics, Technical Drawing, General Science, English Literature, English Language, Social Studies

Grades 10 – 12:  Accounts, Commerce, Biology, Combined Science, Physics, Chemistry

Applicants should possess at least a bachelor’s degree in the subject area and have a Teacher’s Certificate. Teaching experience would be an asset.

Applications can be emailed to aburrows@sbcadventist.org  or send to the following address:

The Office of Education
South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
P. O. Box N-356
Nassau Bahamas

 

AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Education Department of the South Bahamas Conference is looking for persons in grades 11 and 12 who are interested in studying teacher education. Interested persons may contact the office of education at their earliest convenience.

Anthony Burrows, Education Director.

HEALTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

You are invited to be a part of a life changing seminar from May 31st – June 15, 2019. Dr. Mark Sandoval, M.D, President of Uchee Pines Institute in Seale, Alabama will be the facilitator. Under the theme for the series, ‘Law of Life,’ participants will receive information on disease, emotional and spiritual challenges and relationship issues.

Medical Missionary Training:  June 2 – 15 - Uchee Pines Institute.  Uchee Pines Institute will be in Nassau on June 2 – 15 to conduct a Medical Missionary Training Program.  All persons interested in enrolling, please contact our Conference headquarters or Nathelyn LaCroix,  at 341-4021/ 323-0610 or WhatsApp 826-8486 or email: lifestylecounsellor64@gmail.com.

Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director. 

 

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

Second Quarter (May/ June) “WE” (Women Empowerment) – Q2 Forecast:

May 2019 
25 – Stevens Long Island WM, War Room Movie Night
26 – Real Harvest Tea Party
30 – SBC Women’s Ministries “God in Shoes” Community Impact at Great Commission

June 2019
8 – SBC Women’s Ministries & GEMS Emphasis Day
8 – Women’s Weekend - Inagua
8 – New Providence Women & GEMS Bowling Face-off Sunset, Mario’s Bowling Alley

Special Note:  Anyone interested in traveling for the Family Island weekend in Inagua please call and give your name and contact to Ms. T’nee Moss at the South Bahamas Conference Office at 341-4021.

Save the Date!  Under the theme, “In Christ”, the Turks & Caicos Conference will be hosting the Atlantic Caribbean Union’s Retreat. This amazing retreat will convene at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, on November 1-3, 2019, with Guest Speaker Janice Johnson-Browne. Kindly see your local leader for further details. Please also note that the registration deadline is August 31, 2019. [See Link ]

 

YOUTH DEPARTMENT IGNITE YOUTH RETREAT

Calling all young people! Get ready for the biggest weekend of the year! IGNITE YOUTH RETREAT for ages 16-35 - June 7th - 9th at the New Providence Community Centre. Our special main speaker will be Pastor Anthony Bolden of Chicago, Illinois. For more info email ignite.retreat19@gmail.com. Space is limited!

YOUTH LEADERS MEETINGS:  Pathfinder Director's Meeting for all Adventurer & Pathfinder Club Directors: Monday, May 27, 6:30p.m at the Conference Headquarters.

Adventist Youth (AY) Leaders Meeting for all local church AY leaders: Tuesday, May 28, 6:30p.m at the Conference Headquarters.   [ See Link ]

Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director.


SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE RETIREES’ ASSOCIATION 

S.O.B.C.R.A MEETING NOTICE:  A general meeting of the South Bahamas Conference Retirees’ Association will be held at the Centreville Church on Thursday, the 30th of May 2019 at 11:00a.m. Persons interested in joining are welcomed to attend. --Sis. Esther Vincent, Secretary/Treasurer.


PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT

The Publishing Department of ATCU along with our Conference has prepared a special seminar for all part-time literature evangelists, summer students and all others seeking to become literature evangelists. All interest persons are cordially invited to attend this special publishing seminar on Sabbath, June 8, 2019 to be held at the Atlantic Caribbean Union’s headquarters on Gladstone Road from 4: 00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. –

Pastor Nikita Thompson Publishing Director.

 

GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION GROUP TRAVEL

All persons interested in travelling to the General Conference sessions in 2020 with Arnold Clarke’s group are asked to attend a meeting on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at the Hillview church at 6:00 p.m. –

Arnold Clarke.

 

CENTREVILLE CHURCH PRAYER MINISTRIES

Under the theme “The Prayer Saturated Church”, the Centreville Church will be hosting part one of a Prayer Seminar on Sunday, July 7, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. This Seminar has as its inspiration and objective Total Membership Involvement through Personal and Corporate 'Prayer’. --Elder David Knowles, Coordinator.


Please Email Weekly Announcements to: sbclogos@gmail.com
By Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Conference website: http://southbahamasconference.org

  SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH
 June 1, 2019 AT 7:55 P.M.