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Give Us A Seat To Serve! Please
         

A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.  The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." The Pastor asked, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?" He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."”

In Isaiah 43:5-7 (NIV), God promises to bring back our missing children and youth to serve Him. “5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Have you ever considered why we left and are still leaving the church in the first place? Roger I. Dudley explains it best in his book, “Why our Teenagers leave the Church”, pg. 99, “The reason for leaving and staying away from the church is not doctrinal but relational.”

The scarce occasional Youth Days, youth emphasis and youth participation are not enough for our generation. We need a culture in our local churches that cultivates mentorship relationships to transform us to serve.

“Keeping youth and young adults engaged in the church must be one of our highest priorities…I don’t have the words to express the depth of my conviction that we must give young adults meaningful roles within the church. It can’t be mere “busywork”, but we must vote them into substantive roles that bespeak a high level of trust, include them in decision-making processes, seek their involvement in ways that say: “We want to hear your voice!”  Jan Paulsen, Adventist World, Oc. 2009, Vol. 5. No. 10

We, the Youth, are asking for a seat please, to make decisions to meet our wholistic needs and those of the emerging generations. We, the Youth, are asking for a seat at the table of leadership and innovation to transform our ways of doing community outreach, service and evangelism to be more wholistic. We, the Youth, are asking for a seat to make our local churches a home of refuge beyond just an outpatient clinic for the sin sick. We, the Youth, are asking for a seat to discover opportunities to use our gifts to serve God, our church and our community. This appeal was started over 100 years ago, when youth like Ellen G. White founded this Seventh-day Adventist movement. Sadly, since the departure of our founders we have forgotten the power of youth involvement, particularly during the youth month of July in our local churches. Her counsel of yesteryear is still relevant today, and if taken seriously would transform us to equip, engage and empower youth to serve!

“Very much has been lost to the cause of truth by a lack of attention to the spiritual needs of the young. Ministers of the gospel should form a happy acquaintance with the youth of their congregations. Many are reluctant to do this, but their neglect is a sin in the sight of heaven.”  Gospel Workers, pg. 207.

Give us a seat please to be spiritually nurtured, step up to follow Jesus, embrace his call to discipleship and find our place to be transformed in God’s service. –Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director.

 

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 Retreat
7 - 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 9:00 a.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 2 – June 8, 2019 is: Widows & Widowers.

ADVENTIST LAYMEN’S SERVICES & INDUSTRIES/ ASI
General Meeting

We invite you to a general meeting which is scheduled for Sunday June 2, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at the Grants Town Church. Come and hear what your ASI team has in store just for you. Feedback will be encouraged. We need to hear from you.

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 the ASI leader/ representative at your local 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.   

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

Adventist Spotlight will be recording today at the following churches: 

  • New Englerston Church, With Pastor Lynden Williams
  • Breath of Life Church, With Pastor Edward St. Fleur

Other churches will be rocorded in the month of June. 

Mr. Harold Dorsett, Television Coordinator-SBC Media Network.

 

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT MEETING FOR RETREAT COMMITTEE

A very important meeting for the C.H.A.M Retreat committee will be held on Sunday June 2, 2019 at the conference office at 8:00 a.m. All section heads are asked to be present or to send a representative.

The C.H.A.M Weekend Retreat will be held on June 7-9, 2019 at the Adventure Learning Center Campgrounds 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. All attendees must be registered. Registration for day visits is now open. For more information, call 341-4021, see the conference website or enquire about details from your local C.H.A.M leaders.

Please note that on-site enrollment for the retreat will take place on Friday June 7, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00p.m. at the Adventure Learning Center Campgrounds. Parents are asked to register attendees at this time.

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 Grant’s 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 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at The Grant’s Town Church on Wellington Street; and Friday, June 7 through Monday, June 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the New Bahamas Academy on Marshall Road. This training is being facilitated by the 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 also note that the registration deadline is August 31, 2019.


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

FREE MUSIC MINISTER WORKSHOP
A workshop will be held for singers, musicians, choir directors & praise team leaders & members.
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2019 @7:00 p.m. - Living Faith Church
Presenter: Anthony J. Bolden, Former Director of Voices of Triumph Gospel Choir (Oakwood University)/ Former Director of Deliverance Mass Choir (Andrews University).  Includes a free certificate

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 @ 9:30 a.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 AVAILABLE! --Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director.


MINISTERIAL DEPARTMENT

The South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Ministerial Department will launch the first publication of our local Ministry Magazine titled; RENEW at the end of June 2019. This quarterly periodical will present readers with a variety of articles for Church Officers, Members, and Non-members of all ages including Children. In each edition you will also find an article highlighting one of the churches within our Conference. This special feature is designed to share some of the ways that particular membership is meeting the spiritual and temporal needs as they prepare themselves and others for the return of Jesus. For more information on how you or your church can be a subscriber to RENEW, or how you can submit an article to appear in one of our future releases, log onto our conference website southbahamasconference.org, and click on the renew icon. Or call the Conference Office at 242-341-4021 and ask to speak with Ms. T’nee Moss.  –Pastor T. Basil Sturrup, Ministerial Director.


PRAYER MINISTRIES

A Conference-wide prayer meeting will be held at the Francophone Church on June 2, 2019. Time 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. The entire membership is invited. There will be no all-night prayer meeting.

 COORDINATORS MEETING:  All Prayer Coordinators for the local churches are invited to a special meeting on Tuesday June 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the South Bahamas Conference Office. –Pastor Leonardo Rahming, Prayer Ministries Coordinator.

 

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

 You are invited to this special forum which will impact your personal and corporate prayer life. July 7, 2019 from 9 a.m. -12 noon at the Centreville Church. Register for free at ctvprayerministry@gmail.com or call Elder David Knowles at 601-413 / 425-11911 or Elder Roger Rolle at 558-0030. --Prayer and Personal Ministries Dept., Centreville.


PHILADELPHIA CHURCH Fun Run Walk/Run & Breakfast Sale

This event will be held on Sunday June 2, 2019 at 6:00 a.m. The route is from the Philadelphia Church onto to Yamacraw Road, onto Prince Charles Drive and back to the church. Free water and fruit will be available. Come and move with us! Patronize the Philadelphia Pathfinder Club right afterwards by getting your delicious and nutritious breakfast.


BURIAL SOCIETY

The Adventist Burial Society will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday June 3rd, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grant’s Town Church’s Annex. Members are encouraged to become financial and persons wishing to join the Society are invited to attend. Please note: There has been four deaths for the year. ---Elder R. Henry Moncur.


Bahamas Academy’s Class of ‘94

The class of ’94 of Bahamas Academy is celebrating 25 years. On June 2, 2019 the class will meet at Fusion Superplex at 6:00 p.m. for a night of fun and enjoyment. All class members are invited to join in what is promised to be a great time!

New Providence Church

The New Providence Church invites you to worship with them on their Deacon and Deaconesses Day on Sabbath June 1, 2019. A blessing awaits you.


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 8, 2019 AT 7:59P.M.