Seventh-day Adventists in the South Bahamas Conference said NO to Violence. The special emphasis day coined as #EndItNow, a global initiative held every year in August as a reminder for the church to advocate against abuse and violence towards women and children. The theme for this year was Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing. 

On August 26, women’s ministry leaders, church members, and community supporters gathered at the Hillview Church where they began a special motorcade that culminated at Arawak Cay where the End It Now Rally commenced. 

Executive Secretary for the South Bahamas Conference, Pastor Leonardo Rahming voiced his support of the Women’s Ministries department's commitment in rallying against abuse. “We do not want to see it in our churches, in our homes, and our jobs,” he said. “We want every member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to stand up and speak out and say End it Now.” He added: “The truth is that this is not in accordance with God's Word. And so, we do not believe that we should exalt anything that is against the word of God.” 


President of the Senate for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, The Honourable LaShell Adderley shared the importance of churches and community members coming together to be active voices against social ills such as violence and abuse. “We have come together because violence in general and gender-based violence in particular, human rights, human rights, and social justice issues are boundless and not confined to religion, culture, race, creed, socioeconomic backgrounds, or geopolitical areas,” Adderley said. 

Guest speaker and spouse of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Ann Marie Davis spoke of the dangers of being involved with those who act as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Davis said that is important for those who have suffered abuse to have a support system within their homes, churches schools, and communities. She also admonished those present to be more proactive in the response against violence. 

“I encourage all of you that we must do more to respond to the many cries of justice,” Davis said, "especially of women and girls who have suffered violence and abuse, be it physical or psychological.” “We must end it now because violence is an obstacle to achieving equality. It's an obstacle to your development. It's an obstacle to peace. It's an obstacle to move for women to fulfill their human rights, their God-given rights.”