The Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists held its first Law Enforcement Church Service in 1995. At that time, Elder Norman Seymour cognizant of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Church Service saw it fitting to host a church service specifically for Law Enforcement Officers in the Adventist Church.

Later, the service expanded to include Public Service Officers within the Adventist Church. The last service was held in 2018 at Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church.

When Jesus spoke about the coming of the end, he told his disciples that, “lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12). Given the current social climate, specifically the recent uptick in criminal behavior, I saw it necessary to reinstitute The Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ Law Enforcement and Public Service Officers Church Service with the intent to recognize and express gratitude to these individuals for their dedication to national service and their commitment to protecting and providing essential services to the citizens of The Bahamas.

I was also motivated to recommence this service to offer prayers and words of encouragement to those National Service Officers who risk their lives daily to protect our communities and borders, work extensive hours to ensure our health and safety, educate our children, care for our elderly citizens, maintain order in our communities and are responsible for the economic development of our country.

Those who work in these sectors act as God’s hands and feet in the community, following the Biblical example in Psalms 82:3-4, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Without the dedication and commitment of these individuals, our country would be in a state of disarray. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

- Paul Smith, Reserve Assistant Superintendent of Police