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Our GEMS are Not Exempt… But lean on God to Rise and Shine for Him.

By Phillippa Rolle, South Bahamas Conference GEMS Council Member & GEMS Coordinator for, Hillview Church (Photo)


Today, Sabbath June 8, all around the world, Seventh-day Adventist churches are observing Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day, and here in the South Bahamas Conference we celebrate our GEMS (Girls Empowered For Ministry And Service), the vital youth arm of this ministry. This is a day when the women and GEMS are responding “To the Call to Arise and Shine” as they allow their lights to shine through service, even sometimes in the darkest of times.

Within the Adventist church, there is sometimes a notion that our young women are exempt from the pressures of the world, but this is not the case. Their minds are impressionable with the impenetrable access to social media, television shows and various other means. The reality is, our young women consider self-harm, they consider rebelling and they consider running away among other non-productive behaviors. Yet, is this where we allow them give up, or is this the place where we educate and inform them on the need to be vigilant and guard the gates to their souls through their eyes, ears and hearts? Are we affirming to them that even in the midst of all the pressures of life, their only hope is “In Christ”, who will strengthen them to be able to rise and shine for Him?

The first priority of the Women’s Ministries Department is to empower our young women to establish their identities in the context of God’s image. The GEMS program provides outlets for them to do this by numerous service initiatives and self- empowering sessions. These life changing initiatives range from the adoption of the Children’s Ward at the Princess Margaret Hospital and frequent visits (by-weekly visits at the Children’s Emergency Hostel) where homework assistance and hair grooming are done along with consistent visits to “at home” members of their local churches. In addition, Vision Board parties, and informative sessions on self-defense and cyber awareness are other interactive avenues used to ensure that our GEMS are fully nurtured and empowered, enabling them to better recognize and develop their ministry gifts.

We ask that as they strive to emulate God’s likeness, we show love, not judgement, compassion, not condemnation, as they are not perfect and not exempt from the ills of this world, but for God’s help to practice the following: Tips for Parents/Mentors 

  • Accept that our young ladies are not exempt, but that through God’s power they will make the right decisions.
  • Take the time to understand them.
  • Become better informed about the dynamics, the demands and expectations experienced through peer interactions.
  • Nurture their abilities and self-esteem so they can be a positive peer influence for their friends.
  • Become informed on various social ills so that you can provide guidance.

   GEMS of the South Bahamas Conference Rise and Shine! Be who God has called you to be! “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. 

Phillippa Rolle, SBC GEMS Council Member & GEMS Coordinator, Hillview Church.

 

 

CONFERENCE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE

 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 Retreat7 - 9: CHAM Retreat
8: Women Ministries & GEMS Emphasis
8: Stewardship Emphasis Day
9: Pathfinder Club Evaluations
10: Whit Monday
14: Bahamas Academy Secondary Baccalaureate Service
17: Bahamas Academy Elementary/Early Learning Center Graduation (a.m.)
17: Bahamas Academy Secondary Graduation (p.m.)
21-23: BC Pathfinder Camporee
27: SBC Executive Committee Meeting
28: RENEW (Launch of SBC Ministerial Magazine)

29: SBC Conference Bible Experience (Finals) Joint Service
29: Youth Basketball Championships

 

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

All Elders, Church Clerks and assistants are asked to attend a special meeting at the Grants Town Church on June 26, 2019 at 9:00a.m. Please be on time. Family Island Elders and Church Clerks will be related to through the district Pastors. --Pastor Leonardo Rahming, Executive Secretary.  


ATCU PUSH INITIATIVE

2019 Reaping Campaigns in ATCU.  The prayer focus of The Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) for the week, June 9 – June 15, 2019 is: Families in Crisis.

 

ADVENTIST BOOK & NUTRITION CENTER 

The ABNC will be closed on Sunday June 10, 2019 due to the Wellness & Prevention Seminar being held. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. --Tania Nomafo, Assitant Manager, ABNC. 

 

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. 


COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Adventist Community Services of our conference is reminding all churches to get prepared for the upcoming Hurricane season. With this in mind, on Monday, June 10th we will host the first ever Disaster Preparedness and Relief Fair on R. M. Bailey Park. Friends of our church, and members of the community are invited to come out and participate with us between the hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event will begin with a motorcade which will start at 10 a.m. from the Adventist headquarters on Tonique Williams Darling Highway, traveling East to the R. M. Bailey Park.

The day will be fun-filled with bouncing castles and lots of games for the children. Each church will have a stall to provide tasty dishes for sale, and great music will be provided by the renowned Pathfinder Band, the Mount Moriah Marching Band, and the world-famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. The Police K-9 Unit will also be on display and there will be lots of prizes and surprises. Funds raised will be in aid of disaster relief. Your support would be greatly appreciated.  --Pastor Valentino Campbell, Community Services Coordinator.

 

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT 

Adventist Spotlight Recording will be recording at: the Youth Retreat at the New Providence Community Centre, Blake Road with Guest Speaker Pastor Anthony Bolden of Chicago Illinois. --Mr. Harold Dorsett, Television Coordinator-SBC Media Network.

 

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

The C.H.A.M Weekend Retreat is being held this weekend from June 7-9, 2019 at the Adventure Learning Center Campgrounds under the theme “TREASURE HUNT... Finding all you need in Jesus”. Please keep our children and their leaders in your prayers as they take part in this unique worship experience. --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 sent 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. --Elder Anthony Burrows, Education Director.

 

HEALTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

Wellness and Prevention Seminar:  You are invited to be a part of a life changing seminar under the theme ‘The Law of Life Series’ from June 2 – 15, 7:00 p.m – 8:45p.m at the Grants Town Church on Wellington Street. Participants will receive information on disease, emotional and spiritual challenges and relationship issues. This seminar is being facilitated by Uchee Pines Institute. For further information please call 323-0610 or Whatsapp 826-8486.

Medical Missionary Training June 2 – 15:  A medical Missionary Training Seminar will be held on June 3 – 15 from 6:00p.m – 7:00p.m at The Grant’s Town Church on Wellington Street; and Friday, June 7 through Monday, June 10 from 9:00a.m – 5:00p.m at the New Bahamas Academy on Marshall Road. This training is being facilitated by Uchee Pines Institute. A small donation is required. All persons interested in enrolling, please call 323-0610 or Whatsapp 826-8486. --Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director. 

 

National Health Insurance (NHI)

We are encouraging all members to register for the National Health Insurance. For further information call 396-8500 or https://www.nhibahamas.gov.bs --Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director.


WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

Second Quarter 

“WE” (Women Empowerment) – Q2 Forecast:

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 be reminded that the deadline for the registration fee and shirt sizes for the ATCU retreat is due by June 30, 2019. Kindly see your local Women’s Ministries Leader for further information.


YOUTH DEPARTMENT TIDBITS

IGNITE YOUTH RETREAT 2019:  All roads lead to the New Providence Community Center for the Inaugural Youth Retreat: IGNITE! July 7-8, 2019.  Friday night: 7:00 p.m. / Sabbath: 10:00 a.m.   Food is provided for those who registered! Walk with a snack!

Sessions are DYNAMIC & INTERACTIVE!.  An Out of the BOX Worship Experience!

Dress: Smart Casual 

YOUTH MONTH: JULY LAUNCH: HILLVIEW CHURCH - FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2019 @ 7:30 PM


SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES:

Basketball Jamboree: 
Saturday night, June 22, 2019 Time: TBA

Adventist Basketball League 2019:
Every Saturday Night: July 6, 13, 20, 27. Time: TBA.  Teams are asked to register at Conference Office.

Adventist Track & Field Olympics 2019
Sunday, August 4, 2019 @9:30a.m T.A.R. (Former National Track & Field Stadium)

Adventist Youth Awards 2019:

Date: Sunday, July 28, 2019 Time: TBA

Venue: Super Clubs Breezes Resort & Spa

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE!

--Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director.


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.

 

 

CENTREVILLE CHURCH--THE PRAYER SATURATED CHURCH SEMINAR 

July 7, 2019 - 9 a.m -12 noon at the Centreville Church. You are invited to this special forum which will impact your personal and corporate prayer life. The Seminar will also feature the Launch of "10 Prayers of Faith For Tough Times" - Author: Paul A. Scavella. Free Registration  at ctvprayerministry@gmail.com or call Elder David Knowles at 601-413/425-11911 or Elder Roger Rolle at 558-0030.  --Centreville Prayer and Personal Ministries Departments.

Bahamas Academy ENTRANCE EXAM

Bahamas Academy’s entrance exam will be held on Wednesday June 19, 2019. Students

seeking entry into grades 1-6 should report to the examination room from 8:30a.m-11:30 a.m. and students seeking entry into grades 7-10 should report to the examination room from 12:30p.m-3:30 p.m. at the school located on #73 Marshall Rd. Applications are available at the school or online at bahamasacademy.org

--Administration.

 

Living Faith and Centreville Churches 

The Adventist Youth department of our churches will be hosting a Sex Education Series, beginning June 15 to July 20, 2019 at the Living Faith Church. You are invited to join in the discussions on a variety of related topics every Saturday (during this period) at 5:30p.m. Come for the Real Talk, Exciting Activities and more!

 

 

 

Please Email Weekly Announcements
To: sbclogos@gmail.com
By Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
Visit the Conference website:
http://southbahamasconference.org
 
CALL 341-4021
SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH
June 15, 2019 AT 8:00 P.M.