"JOURNEY OF HOPE"                                                       Serving the North Bahamas Islands: Abaco, Grand Bahama, Bimini, and Berry Islands

January 2007 News

Once a year, the Abaco District hosts Convention – a time filled with fellowship both with the Lord and His children. Under the theme “Words of Hope,” the members and visitors were filled with a new appreciation for the wonderful words of life from January 19^th – 21^st , 2007. Visiting with the Abaco members were many of our Mission leaders and their families such as: President Pastor E. Brian Tinker, Executive Secretary Pastor Michael A. Smith, Treasurer Elder Roderick Sands, and Women’s Ministries Director Sister Aileen Sands.  We were also blessed with the fellowship of some members from Grand Bahama who made it to Abaco for Convention.  From the community, many visitors and friends, including Bishop Campbell from the Abaco Christian Council, celebrated this time with us as well. 

A highlight of convention is the First Elder reports concerning their churches.  The North Abaco report was given by Elder Roger Sands, Marsh Harbour by Elder Ednal Collie, Salem by Elder Albert Dormeus and South Abaco by Elder Isaac Collie.

After listening to the reports from each of the church’s First Elders, we discovered that a total of forty-seven souls who were added to the Kingdom of God. This was a combined effort of the Pastor, officers, members, and visiting evangelists. Bro. Tony Russell was able to gain training in the area of Bible work and we believe that this is a positive step to the advancement of the Kingdom of God in Abaco.

Each service was marked by fantastic praise and worship through music.  All the stops were pulled out to showcase the Master of Praise. With a diverse selection of soloists, along with the convention choir, the Lord was praised and lifted up.

The weekend would not be complete without the President’s Report from the Mission.  President Tinker brought tidings of joy.  In his report, the President promised that by as early at March 1, there would be another Pastor in the district.  Pastor Tinker expounded that our God was more than wonderful to have blessed us with a good year.  With 185 souls won for Christ, we can say to God be the glory.  Reporting on Stewardship, the tithe and offering in the district once again saw a positive increase.  In Capital Development, the Mission office is to open ahead of schedule.  Pastor Tinker further encouraged the many schools in the mission to continue to do the work set before them.  He congratulated Grand Bahama Academy for celebrating 25 years in existence.  Pastor Tinker then brought us into a moment of silence as we remembered the passing of our former President, Pastor Keith D. Albury.

Our Spiritual food, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was prepared and served by Pastor Herman Davis, Stewardship Director of the South Eastern Conference.  This dynamic preacher brought the message “That I May Know Him” on Friday night.  He pointed out that all things amount to nothing except that one knows Christ.  For example, it is nothing that we give the most money for tithe or offering for giving’s sake.  What matters is that Christ is in our lives causing one to give.  Such a message coupled with a precise delivery left the members wanting more.  On Sabbath morning, Pastor Davis heralded “Here comes Jesus!” The messenger told us that our hope is in the fulfillment of Christ’s coming again.  Through the ups and downs of life we can find our victory in the coming of our Lord.  The appeal was two fold.  He first appealed to the members for a recommitment of fervour in our preparations for the coming of Christ in which the aisles were filled with the members coming to the altar in revival.  Then, the preacher appealed to the visitors who were present to commit themselves to the life of a Christian.  Two individuals were moved by the Holy Spirit to respond.  The Word does not come back void. 

And finally on Sabbath evening, in a service of ordination or two elders and seven deacons within the district, our visiting Pastor brought us the message to remember that Christ is the Victor.  Let our testimony of what we have seen, heard, and felt be known that others may see Christ in us.

The events of Convention closed out on Sunday morning with the Annual Workshop conducted by the Departmental Directors of the North Bahamas Mission.  With the challenge of the weekend and the training offered by the Directors of the Mission, the Abaco District is poised to go forward once again under God in 2007.

Written by Leidamae Collie

The North Bahamas Mission conducted its Grand Bahama Convention during the weekend of January 12-14meeting under the theme: "Words of Hope," making it a Convention that will go down in the annals of history. The Convention got off to a grand start on Friday evening, January 12 at the beautiful edifice of the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church. With a standing room only crowd, members along with visiting dignitaries were feasted to a lively praise service.

One of the highlights of the evening was the greetings brought to us by our West Indies Union Officials, Pastor Derek Bignall, Executive Secretary and Dr. Wendall R. McMillan, Field Secretary and Stewardship Director. In their own characteristic styles, they had the audience riveted as they share with the all in attendance the work throughout West Indies Union.

However, as the evening progressed, each member sat wondering "what about the preacher?" Can he do it? He seems so stayed and dignified?"

Well after the Eight Mile Rock choir’s inspiring selection, Dr. R. Clifford Jones, the Associate Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological in Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA, left little doubt in the minds of those in attendance. Under the title "The Alpha and the Omega" Dr. Jones under the anointing of the Holy Spirit brought forth a powerful message. Taking his text from Revelation 1, he indicated that sometimes God may allow you to go to Patmos all by yourself, but it is simply because He may have a vision that he wants you to see.  Taking off from John’s Patmos experience, Dr. Jones noted that firstly, Jesus is the alpha and omega of Human History.  Secondly, he is the alpha and omega of the Christian Church, so despite the failings we may see, rather than criticize the leadership, we simply need to strap in and prayer.  Thirdly, he noted that Jesus is the alpha and omega of our Salvation, and fourthly, that Jesus is the alpha and omega of the word, and he brings it to life.

Sabbath morning dawned, with all roads heading to the St. Georges High School Gymnasium. After an uplifting Sabbath School, the question on everyone's minds was can the preacher do it again. Once more, God did not disappoint his people. Using as his text, Psalm 11:3 Dr. Jones noted the dangers that the church is facing in losing the pillars of our faith.  He challenged the church to hold faithful to the pillars of what makes us uniquely Adventist, as opposed to watering down our faith, and to advance the mission of our church.  In vintage style, he closed reminding us that not long from now Jesus will return.  Until that triumphant day, we ought to hold on.

Sabbath afternoon Dr. Jones took a speaking break, but it did not damper the spirit of Convention. The afternoon’s programme featured a special Praise Reunion Concert. Coordinated by Sis. Lynn Smith, the afternoon featured music and testimony skillfully woven throughout the afternoon. The presence of God was truly felt in the auditorium that afternoon.

On Sunday night, some thought that the crowd would fall off due to the departmental workshops earlier in the day. However, the Shiloh Church was filled to capacity once more in preparation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit once more. In his last message captioned "A Charge to the Challenged", Dr. Jones in charging the Adventist Youth Officers from the churches in Grand Bahama for 2007, that in order to meet the challenge for service this year, they have to be 1. Committed, 2. Courageous, 3. Creative, 4. Competent and Confident.    The service concluded with a candle lighting service and the youth officers committing themselves to service for 2007.

A special feature of the weekend was the presentation of the certificates of the Amazing Facts Empowered Bible Worker Training Programe.  Over 60 persons were a part of the certification, as the Mission seeks to advance the work of the church by effectively training our lay members and putting them to work.

When the Convention ended on Sunday evening the overwhelming consensus was that Convention 2007 in the North Bahamas Mission, Grand Bahama, was a smashing success and we look forward to Convention 2008.