Family Life-Ways to Support Your Pastor's Spouse

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Years ago, the spouse of a pastor was a female. However, over the years this has changed to include male spouses. Despite, the gender, the role of a pastor’s spouse can often be a lonely and challenging one. It can also be a daunting experience for those newcomers just entering the ministry alongside their husbands/wives. The pastor’s spouse may often have a feeling of exclusiveness from the membership because of his/her connection to the pastor. However, the support of church members can help to alleviate these perceptions and provide a more meaningful and rewarding experience for the spouse. This article will share ways in which members can provide support to their pastor’s spouse.

One such practical way is to befriend the spouse. A pastor’s spouse can become quite overwhelmed with the demands at home, especially where younger children are involved, and she/he has to assume the role of both parents. This happens during instances when the spouse has to deal with the insurmountable number of church issues that may arise, whether away from the home or via telephone calls. Therefore, an occasional invitation to join a group for an outing, or a kind gesture to babysit the children so that the spouse can have a date night with his/her spouse, family or friend, is a good way to provide support. The sharing of a meal or baked treat is of course, always welcomed! Further, to lessen church demands, members can seek to find other ways to resolve minor church issues, which would provide the necessary space for the couple.

Another way that the church can support its pastor’s spouse is to ensure that he/she feels loved despite any differences or disagreements that the church or member may have with the pastor. Further, showing love and offering words of encouragement to the children, whatever their ages, but especially to teenagers whose emotions are quite vulnerable to hurt, is also an excellent way to show support to the pastor’s spouse.

A church can support the pastor’s spouse by ensuring that he/she is not overwhelmed with too many expectations. Members must remember that the spouse has to assume all of his/her marital responsibilities within the home and not expected to accept a particular function(s) in the church just because of his/her position as the pastor’s spouse. He/she should feel free to share his/her gifts or talents in the area(s) that they most feel led by the Holy Spirit. A church can support its pastor’s spouse in so many ways; however, one of the most important ways is through prayer.

The power of prayer can provide strength, peace, and comfort to the spouse during their most difficult times. As a believer, the spouse desires to provide Godly support to their partner. Therefore, he/she needs the endowment of the spirit of discernment, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, so that he/she can be better equipped to provide the necessary encouragement to the pastor, when needed. These things are only possible through prayer and a close relationship with God.

I encourage each of you to continue to pray for and support your pastor’s spouse, as well as the entire pastoral family of your respective churches. God Bless!!

--Mrs. Darlene Deveaux, a Sr. Banking Officer by profession and the Ministerial Spouses Coordinator, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Darlene is married to Pastor Kenny Deveaux and they have two adult children.


CONFERENCE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE
February 2020
Evangelistic Reaping Season for Pastors
1: Mission Transform 242 Sick & At Home Members (Local Church/District)
1: Reach the World: Personal Outreach
1: Fact finding at churches (Music Ministries) 2020 begins
2: Men and Boys Prayer Service
3: 8 Weeks to Wellness start
7 – 9: Family Island Youth Congress
7 – 9: CHAM Workshop/Certification
9: Personal Ministries Leaders & Retention Committee Meeting
8 – 15: Christian Home and Marriage Week
10 – 12: ATCU Education Summit (Nassau)
15: IAD Virtual Elder’s Council
15: Elder’s Certification/IAD Virtual Elder’s Council
16: PARL Conclave
21 – 22: Choral Conducting Workshop for Choir Directors (p.m.)
23: Local Publishing Coordinators Training
23 – 27: Sabbath School and Personal Ministries International Congress (Mexico)
24 – 27: ATCU Treasurers’ and Accountants’ Training (Nassau)
29: 1st Quarter Youth Day (a.m) Local Church)
29: Youth Church (p.m) Joint AY

Administrative Notes
Treasury Department
There will be a meeting for all Treasurers and Assistant Treasurers on Sunday February 9th, 2020 at the Conference office at 10:00 a.m. All treasurers are encouraged to please attend.

Risk Management
There will be a meeting for all local church leaders at the New Providence Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday February 23, 2020 at 6:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. All are encouraged to attend especially those that are affiliated with children, youth and church safety. The topic will be Child Protection and Church Safety. Our guest presenter will be Tim Northrop, President of Risk Management, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 

--Mrs. Kimberley Bryan, Chief Financial Officer


ADVENTIST BOOK & NUTRITION CENTER (ABNC)
Please note that Sabbath School Supplies are available for those needing extra material.
Devotionals for 2020 are in stock for Adults, Women and Children.Delivery service is now available to Nassau and the family Islands.  Please contact us for more information. Also we would like to inform customers that the ABNC is open on Sundays from 9am – 1 pm. 

–ABNC Management


BAHAMAS ACADEMY ENTRANCE EXAM
Bahamas Academy’s Entrance Exam will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Students
seeking entry for grades 1-10 should report to the examination room from 8:30a.m - 11:30a.m. at the school located on #73 Marshall Road. Applications are available at the school or online at bahamasacademy.org.
--School Administration


SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE BIBLE CLASS
Bible Class resumes on Sunday February 9, 2020 at 6:30p.m, the New Englerston Seventh-day Adventist Church. Initial subjects will include Sabbath, Second Coming, State of the Dead, Sanctuary, Seal of God, Spirit of Prophecy, Salvation. The lessons will be interactive, and attendees will be furnished with links to free online information for further reading. Attendees are encouraged to download the Logos Bible Software app for their phones/tablets and computers. Other topics to be covered this year include: Why your Bible has 66 books and not 88, how to discover the author of a Bible book, using Greek and Hebrew words, finding themes in a book of the Bible the authors core message and much more. bible@sbcadventist.org.bs for further information.


CHILDREN & ADOLESCENT MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT  Leadership Certification Level One
February 7 - February 9, 2020 @ Hillview Church, Fellowship Hall.
This training is for leaders and persons involved in the CHAM department.
Session Times:
Friday evening - 6:30p.m – 8:00p.m
Saturday afternoon - 4:00p.m – 6:00p.m
Sunday morning - 8:00a.m. – 9:45a.m
Presentation topics: Understanding Gracelink, Active Learning, Faith Development of Children, Raising Children to Adore God, Positive Class Discipline, Protecting Children From Abuse, Safety & Emergency Procedures For Children, Understanding Child Development & How They Learn.
--Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, Children & Adolescent Ministries Director



HEALTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
Health Tip Exercise
Exercise is defined as any movement that makes your muscles work and requires your body to move. Being active has been shown to have many health benefits, both physically and mentally. The best form of exercise to improve your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression is walking, which can be done indoors or outdoors. Get up and get moving today!



MEN’S MINISTRIES
Camp Kalaqua Trip
Adventist Men can now register for the Florida Conference’s Men’s Ministries Convention, Camp Kalaqua to be held on March 13-15, 2020.  The event is for males 13 and older. Register online as soon as possible.
Convention Theme: “Ready for Take-off”.
Speakers: Robert Stevenson, Dr. Lincoln Reo McKenzie and Dr. Bertram Melbourne.
For more information, please contact Bro. Clayton Forbes, Centreville church. 

-- Elder Curtis Bryan, Men’s Ministries Coordinator


MUSIC MINISTRIES
1. The South Bahamas Youth Choir will resume rehearsals this Sunday (tomorrow) and every Sunday thereafter beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Agape Church on Wulff Road.  These rehearsals are in preparation for the Choir's Spring Concert schedule for April of this year.
All young persons between the ages 15-30 who has the ability and love for singing are invited to join. --Ashley Knowles (SBC Youth Choir Director) / Annette L. Dorsett (South Bahamas Conference Music Coordinator).

2. The SBC Music Committee would like to meet with all Music Coordinators on Sunday February 16th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Conference Office.

3.  The Women's Ministries Chorale will hold a rehearsal session on Sabbath February 15th beginning at 6:00 p.m. This rehearsal is in preparation for the upcoming Women's Crusade which will be held March 1-7. All ladies who wish to be a part of the Ministry are also invited to attend.  The venue for the rehearsal will be announced at a later day.
--Annette L. Dorsett (South Bahamas Conference Music Coordinator)


PRAYER MINISTRIES
The first Sunday in every month will be early morning prayer meeting. Here are the scheduled meetings:
New Englerston - March 1, 2020
Hillview - April 5, 2020
Philadelphia - May 3, 2020
Bethel - June 7, 2020
Peardale - July 5, 2020
Berea - August 2, 2020
Ebenezer - September 6, 2020
Breathe of Life - October 4, 2020
Centerville - November 1, 2020
Message of Hope - December 6, 2020


Prayer Conference
March 13-15, 2020
Theme: "Touching Heaven - Changing Earth" Learning to Pray With More Power.
Schedule of Meetings:
Friday 7:00p.m - 8:30p.m
Sabbath 9: 00a.m - 8:00 p.m
Sunday morning



PUBLIC AFFAIRS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (PARL) DEPARTMENT
PARL Conclave February 16, 2020 – 11:00a.m @ Conference Headquarters.
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist has expanded the borders of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the Church to include persons who have served or are presently serving in the following capacities.
· An elected representative of any public decision-making body (state legislator, national congress, city council, etc.)
· An elected executive (President, Prime Minister, Mayor, etc.)
· A politically appointed member of any public body
· An executive member of any public body
· A member of the judiciary or of any national or international legal panel
· A member of the diplomatic corps of a country
· A representative to, or executive member of any international body such as the United Nations, etc.
· A lawyer
If you fit into any of the categories mentioned above and are a member of any of the Seventh-day Adventist churches within the South Bahamas Conference, you asked to attend this very important meeting at the Conference Office at 11:00 a.m.      
--T. Basil Sturrup, PARL Director


WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
First Quarter (January - March) “WE” (Women Empowerment) – Q1 Forecast: February, 2020
8   New Providence Church Women’s Ministries Chat, Chew & Chill 6:45p.m Church Fellowship Hall
8   Hillview Women’s Ministries Mix and Mingle
15   The Heart of a GEM: “We Care, and We Share” – Valentine Initiative (individual churches)
23   Agape Women’s Ministries Prayer Breakfast 7:00a.m – Church Hall  
23   Breath of Life Women’s Ministries Financial Empowerment Session – “If your bank account could talk, what would it say to you?” – 4:00p.m – Church hall


March, 2020
1-7   SBC “Women Saved by Grace” - Evangelistic Series - 6:45pm New Providence Church
7   International Women’s Day of Prayer
20-22   WM “God’s Daughters Embrace” San Salvador Mission Retreat & Zone 1 Community Outreach


Upcoming WM Events
Do you want to exchange your average life for deeper faith, greater power and more ministry impact? Join the women of the South Bahamas Conference as they “Meet Jesus at the Well”, exchanging their dry, thirsty and sometimes broken service, for a Grace that is greater than all our sin. Come and drink of this life changing water, that will spiritually quench and hydrate us, as Sis. Beverley Williams ministers to us nightly. You don’t want to miss this exciting, power packed week, as we delve into issues where others dare not go. See you at the Well!


All ladies interested in the South Bahamas Conference Women’s Ministries God’s Daughters Embrace Mission Retreat in San Salvador, kindly call 357-8030 to reserve your space.

Pause and Pray Wednesday
Don’t forget our weekly Pause and Pray appointment on Wednesdays at noon.

Donation Request - Used, But In Good Condition Devotionals
Kindly donate to your local Women’s Ministries Leader for distribution during our community outreach projects this year.
--Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director


YOUTH TIDBITS
SBC Adventurer Camporee 2020
Theme: Extraordinary
Date: Sabbath, March 7, 2020.
Time: 9:30a.m - 5:00p.m
Venue: New Providence Community Center, Blake Road
REGISTRATION FORMS AVAILABLE!
Contact your local Adventurer Director.
Early Bird Registration Fee: $15.00 until February 18, 2020.
Late Bird Registration Fee: $20.00 after February 19, 2020.
Fee includes: Camporee Shirt, Patch & Pin.
--Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director



BREATH OF LIFE CHURCH
Family Life Ministries
Our Family Life department will be having an all-day seminar on February 15, 2020 under the theme, ‘Hope for Today's Families’.
Speaker: Pastor Michael Smith.
There will be an after-lunch breakout sessions, panel discussions/ question and answer sessions.
Host Pastor: Edward St. Fleur.
Come and be blessed!



GRANT’S TOWN CHURCH
Evangelistic Series
The Grant’s Town Seventh-day Adventist Church invites you to the "Revelation Now Evangelistic Series"
To be held until February 29, 2020.
Guest Speaker: International Evangelist Pastor Helvius Thompson, Dallas, Texas.
Meetings will be held nightly except on Monday & Thursday nights.
Venue: Grant's Town Church #18 Wellington Street.
Come bring a friend and hear powerful truths revealed from the Scriptures. Connect with us @ facebook.com/grantstownsda




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