The sanctuary of the New Providence Seventh-day Adventist Church was filled with celebration on Saturday, September 27th, as the South Bahamas Conference Ministerial Association hosted its Elders, Deacons, and Deaconesses Certification Service. The 5 p.m. service marked the end of months of training and leadership development for the local Eldership and Deacon and Deaconess teams throughout the South Bahamas Conference.

The certification trainings began in March, with sessions held every third week of the month until September. Presenters included leaders such as Mrs. Denise Johnson, Elder Okell Damastus, Pastor Melvin Lewis, Pastor Waldo Casildo-Bennet, and Pastor Leonardo Rahming, with topics ranging from “The Call to Leadership” to the “Dangers That Threaten the Leadership of Elders.”

In his greetings, South Bahamas Conference President Pastor Kenny Deveaux said, “This wasn’t just about earning a certificate, it was about being spiritually equipped for the work God has called us to do in our communities and churches.”

The guest speaker, Pastor Kent Price, Ministerial Director of the Atlantic Caribbean Union, delivered a powerful message on faithfulness.

Price said, "...Then you have faithfulness, which speaks to endurance. Endurance which speaks to staying true, no matter what. It means staying committed to the task. It means serving even when its hard. It means showing up even when no one notices. It means consistency and devotion. And it means trusting God, even when things don't make sense."

At the service, Elders were presented with certificates, while the Deacons and Deaconesses received certificates and a copy of the Deacon and Deaconess manual. The South Bahamas Conference Ministerial Association has signaled that this certification initiative is just the beginning of ongoing efforts to strengthen church leadership across the conference.