The Essence of Christmas Giving

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The year 2019 is soon to be behind us.  As I reflect over the past 11 months, you will agree with me that it was an eventful year.  
What may stand out for most was the constant outages of the BPL power supply, and then came one of the worst natural disaster in the country’s history, Hurricane Dorian.  This hurricane was regarded by some, as the most intense tropical cyclone on record to strike The Bahamas. As the Bahamas continues to heal, the month of December is welcomed, as it brings all the joys of the Christmas season.  But what is the real joy or meaning of this season? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends?  Is this the real meaning of Christmas?

If it were, then for many persons, it would be a time of sorrow, because for some, there is no extra money to buy the delights of Christmas or, for whatever reason, no families or friends with whom they can gather to celebrate the season.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy, because it is a time when we can reflect on God’s great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had foretold of His coming hundreds of years before.

Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, Unto us, a Son is given”.
The South Bahamas Conference’s Executive Committee, Administration, Departmental Directors, Pastors, and Office staff, pause at this time, to express our heartfelt thanks to all, from near and far, who gave unselfishly of their time, finances and goods this year to relieve the suffering of our Brothers and Sisters from the North Bahamas Conference.

Your gift of giving, just as God gave of His only begotten son to die for us, is indeed the true essence of Christmas. May God bless and keep you as you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.  

Have a happy and safe holiday as we look forward to another brand-new year.
--Pastor Kenny Deveaux, President, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists


CONFERENCE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE
January 2020
3 – 5   Senior Youth Leader Certification (South Bahamas Conference)
4   AY Mission Transform 242 -Missing Youth (Local Church/District)                                          
4   Day of Prayer and Fasting
6   Conference Worker’s Meeting at the National Training Agency
7   Office Re-opens              
8 – 18   Ten Days of Prayer
10   Let’s Move to Live Program Begins – Fun/Run/Walk
10 – 12   South Bahamas Conference National Convention
Relaunch of Be My Mentor
12   Annual Meeting (Conference Administrators /Directors/ Coordinators Reports)
14   Pastors Evangelistic Campaigns Online Meeting
16   South Bahamas Conference Audit
17 – 19   Family Island Conventions
17 – 19   ACLASS – 10 Hours Pathfinders & Senior Youth Leaders Course
18   Religious Liberty Day
19   AHPA & Health Ministries Re-consecration Prayer Breakfast
21 – 26   OYIM University (Online)
24 – 26   Sabbath School Teaching Training
25   Youth Church ACLASS Graduation and Consecration (Joint AY p.m)
26   Master Guide Program Registration
26   Departmental Training
26 – Feb. 2  Week of Prayer for the Pastoral Family
26 & Feb. 2 Communication Department Training (Joint digital mixer board training for all churches)
30 Feb. 2      Screening for 8 Weeks to Wellness


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES CONVENTION TIME
Under the theme, “Christ, Our Soon Coming King”, the Administration, Executive Committee, Directors, and Pastors of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists invites you to join us in Convention 2020 to be held at the William Thompson Auditorium on Jean Street. January 10-12, 2020 will be an unforgettable worship experience where Jesus Christ will be lifted up. Our guest speaker for these meetings will be Pastor Debleaire Snell of First Seventh-day Adventist Church, Huntsville, Alabama. Plan now to be there!

Annual Meeting
Please note that Annual Meeting will be held on January 12, 2019.  Reports will be presented from Administration, Departmental Directors and Coordinators. Venue: William Thompson Auditorium, Jean Street.

Family Island Conventions
January 17 – 19
Long Island: Pastor Kenny Deveaux
Inagua: Pastor Peter Joseph
Eleuthera: Pastor Leonardo Rahming
Exuma: Bro. Okell Damastus / Sis. Nathelyn Lacroix
Cat Island: Pastor Nikita Thompson
San Salvador: Sis. Kimberly Bryan / Elder Curtis Bryan
Mayaguana: Pastor Valentino Campbell
Crooked Island/Acklins: Pastor Jamal Franklyn / Bro. Michael Toote Jr. (February 5– 8, 2020)
South Andros: Pastor T. Basil Sturrup / Sis. Lavern Sturrup / Sis. Cindy Stuart
North Andros: Elder Anthony Burrows / Sis. Jacquelyn Gibson


ATCU PUSH INITIATIVE
The prayer focus of The Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) for the week, December 22– 28, 2019: A Home in Heaven at Last.


ADVENTIST BOOK AND NUTRITION CENTER
The ABNC will be closed from Sunday, December 22, 2019 – Thursday, January 2, 2020. As the year is coming to a close all treasurers are asked to bring church accounts up to date in preparation for the year 2020.


 CHAM DEPARTMENT CONVENTION 2020
This exciting experience for our children will be held on Saturday January 11, 2020 at the Maranatha Church. Plan now for your children to attend as we meet under the theme ‘God’s Amazing Grace’. It will be an unforgettable experience!

Thank You
The Directors of the Children & Adolescent Ministries Department would like to thank the CHAM leaders in our churches throughout the South Bahamas Conference for the sacrifices made to ensure that the children of our Conference were ministered to in 2019. Your contributions and commitment were greatly appreciated, and we encourage you to continue to work for the Master as we assist in the process of molding these young minds for Jesus Christ. A special thank you is also extended to the parents for your continued support of this ministry. Happy Holidays and God’s Riches Blessings on You and Your Family This Christmas Season!
--Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, Children & Adolescent Ministries Director


COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT UPCOMING TRAINING
January 26 & February 2, 2020 – Hands on training on the Digital Mixer Board for local church media teams and interested persons with Mr. Dwayne Roberts, Professional Audio Engineer. Note: This training is also for churches who have not purchased a digital mixer board as yet. Churches will receive advice on equipment suitable for their churches.
Venue: Good News Church
Time: 10:00a.m - 12:00 noon.
Deadline to Register: Thursday January 9, 2020.
–Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, Communication Director


HEALTH MINISTRIES FUN RUN WALK 5K/10K
January 10, 2020 @6:00a.m
Majority Rule Day Holiday
‘Let’s Move to Live!’
For information on registration and t-shirt options call 323-0610 / 341-4021.

8 Weeks to Wellness 2020
'I Choose to Live Healthy'
February 3, 2020 - March 30, 2020
Venue: New Providence Church
Come and learn how to manage and prevent illness physically, mentally and spiritually. God can do more with healthy people. All persons interested in being a coach for 8 Weeks to Wellness 2020 are invited to attend training sessions on January 13 & 27 between the hours of 6:00p.m - 7:30p.m at the South Bahamas Conference office.
—Mrs. Nathelyn Lacroix, Health Ministries Director

Health Ministries Leadership Training
All Health leaders, assistants and Adventist Health Professionals are invited to a training session on January 26, 2020 from 9:00a.m – 12:00 noon in the boardroom at the South Bahamas Conference. Vital information will be given on leadership, public speaking, preparing PowerPoint Presentations and much more.
--Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director

Health Ministries Says Thank You
A special thank you to all of our Health Leaders in New Providence and the Family Islands. The members of the Adventist Health Professionals Association, independent ministries, volunteers and all those with a passion for health who were the hands and feet for Jesus this year. Gratitude is also extended to the pastors of our various congregations who made it possible for the Health Message to be proclaimed. We appreciate the flexibility and generosity of our administration in facilitating the mission of the department – saving souls. To the various departmental ministries, we say thank you for your collaboration, namely Communications. As we end this year under the theme, ‘Healing Begins With Hope’ and embark upon a brand new year, by God's grace with fresh beginnings, my prayer for all of you is that God will continue to hold you in the hollow of His almighty and loving hands.  Be faithful.
--Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director


WOMEN’S MINISTRIES 
Thank You For Your Service! 
On behalf of the Women’s Ministries Department of the South Bahamas Conference, I would like to thank our Local Leaders, in New Providence and on the Family of Islands, my Council Members, our GEMS and their Mentors, for their willingness to be used by God as a conduit of His love, peace and grace during 2019.
I am additionally grateful to all women in the South Bahamas Conference, for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this year.
As God’s Beloved Daughters, we anticipate an even more generous outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as we embark on greater exploits for Him in 2020.
My hope and prayer for each of you is a joyous, yuletide season and the blessings of the New Year, filled to overflowing with the spirit of God! 
--Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director


SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE MUSIC MINISTRIES
Rehearsals for the newly organized SBC Youth Choir, for persons ages 15 – 30 years, continues at the Agape Church, Wulff Road, this Sunday and every Sunday at 6:00 p.m.  You are invited to be a part of this dynamic Youth Choir.
--Mrs. Annette Dorsett, Music Ministries Coordinator


CENTREVILLE CHURCH
Come and join us for our annual musical Christmas celebration at the Centreville Church on Sabbath, December 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m, under the theme, "God with Us". You will be blessed as all of our choirs render praise to God with uplifted voices in adoration to our Savior King.
–Mrs. Lorraine Duvalier


GOOD NEWS CHURCH
The Adventist Vocal Ensemble (AVE) presents CHRISTMAS BELLS. You are invited to join us for an evening filled with glorious singing on December 21, 2019 at 4:00p.m at the Good News Church, Great Britain Street Flamingo Gardens. 
–Elder Curtis Bryan, Good News Church, AY Leader


PHILADELPHIA CHURCH
The Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church presents “A Festival of Carols” on Sabbath, December 21st, 2019 11:00a.m at the church. All are invited.
--Sis. Annette Dorsett


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                            SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH
                        December 28, 2019 AT 5:29p.m.

Happy Sabbath & Let Us Reflect on the Reason for the Season!