THE LOGOS “Connected:  the  year  of  the  Lord’s  Favour”  

 

A Weekly Publication of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Editor: Joan Marie Scavella Sunsets: 8:01 p.m. |Volume 19, Number 29 | July 19, 2014

INCORPORATION - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?    

Owing to the recent attainment of incorporation for both the South Bahamas and the North Bahamas

conferences, I thought to make a few observations. Firstly, I offer commendation to a special committee formed in October, 2011, comprising of Leonard Johnson, chair; Roderick Sands, Paul Scavella, Melvin Lewis, Errol Tinker, Henry Moncur, secretary; Adelma Roach, Isaac Collie and Michael Dean. Particularly, I express profound gratitude to Brother Collie for his persistent and dedicated efforts to obtain the initial incorporation document.

Given the task of acquiring some form of incorporation as to make it convenient and practical for the day-to-day operation on behalf of the local conferences, without having to rely on the Union for such, the committee sought to incorporate each field. This decision resulted from a shift by the world church to pursue individual incorporation instead of the previous practice of one per country.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bahamas was incorporated 1948, and even with a restructuring of the church in 2003, giving birth to the North Bahamas Mission, it operated under one incorporation, the incorporation of the Bahamas Conference. Later, in 2010, with a further restructuring of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bahamas, to include a Union, for the first 8 months of its operation, it functioned by the same incorporation. Following the practice of the past of one incorporation per country, as in the case of the Adventist Church in Jamaica, in the middle of 2011, through an act of parliament, the Union became the incorporated body of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bahamas. Nevertheless, it was felt that for convenience, each of the local conferences should have some form of incorporation. Thus, by 2012, an incorporation document was presented by The North Bahamas Conference, and by early 2014, the South Bahamas Conference presented their final document. What Does Incorporation Mean? For certain, it does not mean that the three entities in the Bahamas are separate or independent of each other. A look at the constitution of both local conferences would clearly show an umbilical connection. Under Article III captioned Relationships, it states that the conference is a part of the Union, which in turn is a part of the Division (which is the General Conference in a given region of the

world). Furthermore, in the Bylaws under Article VI –Officers, it calls for working together of the leadership of the local field with the leadership of the Union.

As a result of incorporation of the two local fields in the Bahamas, each will be responsible for its own assets. This arrangement should make the operation of the local conference more efficient. Accordingly, the main purpose of incorporation is not recognition or independence, but to hold assets and to do business more efficiently and conveniently. With two local fields and a union in one small country, like the Bahamas, it is extremely important that there be unity and cooperation. After all, these entities constitute one church and thus, we speak of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bahamas as opposed to different entities. As such, in relating to the government, NGOs and civic organizations, the Union leadership represents and speaks on behalf of the Adventist Church in the Bahamas. To have each entity approaching the government for crown land or other matters may give a picture of a splintered church thus confusing government, or giving one entity an unfair advantage over another. Even in the way that we introduce and recognize the leadership of the conference versus the leadership of the union is important. Efforts should be made to show a clear connection always bearing in mind that we are one Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bahamas. The Way Forward

The purpose of each level of the church is clearly defined in the mission statement of each entity which, “is to facilitate the proclamation of the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6 -12 to all peoples...”

What a significant privilege exists for us in the Bahamas? With a population of 350,000 people and less than 25,000 baptized members, it is obvious that we have to do much work. In fact, the Division Leadership has recommended that a vote be taken at the upcoming South Bahamas Conference session in November, in the event the field decides to restructure, it would not be necessary to call for a constituency meeting resulting in significant cost to the field.

With the consciousness of the second coming in mind, we need to be about our Father’s business. Let’s always remember our purpose for existence. Let’s preach and teach as never before. Let’s live for God at home, on the job, in class and abroad as never before. Maranatha! Maranatha! The Lord is coming! -Leonard A. Johnson, president; Atlantic Caribbean Union of SDA

GC ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR VISITS SOUTH BAHAMAS

CONFERENCE Dr. Elias de Souza, an Associate Director of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference arrived in Nassau on Wednesday, July 16. He will be in the South Bahamas Conference until Sunday, July 20. While here, he has been speaking on topics such as: *How to interpret the Bible and *The Sanctuary and Perfectionism Dr. de Souza brings limited supplies of the book, Understanding and Interpreting Scripture Text. We welcome him to our beautiful shores and anticipate an intellectual and spiritual experience as we learn more. The divine service and remaining seminars will be held at the Good News Seventh-day Adventist Church. Come and be blessed! -Pastor Lynden O. Williams, Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator COMMUNITY SERVICES SEMINAR

WITH GUEST PRESENTER

Dr. Sung Kwon, executive director of Adventist Community Services and founding director of the Good Neighbor House in Dayton will be conducting a three-day seminar at the New Providence Church at 7:15 nightly. The seminars will be held on July 24 - 26. All members of the Community Services Department as well as the entire

membership of the conference are asked to be present. -Pastor Kent Price, Community Service Coordinator

POSITION AVAILABLE

AT BAHAMAS ACADEMY Bahamas Academy is seeking a History/Social Studies teacher for the 2014-2015 academic year. Kindly locate the application form on the South Bahamas Conference website: http://southbahamasconference.org. Complete the application form and forward it with supporting documents to the Office of Education, South Bahamas Conference by July 31, 2014. -Joan Scavella, Education Director

CREATING A HEALTHIER, WEALTHIER YOU

The Adventist Book Centre in collaboration with Ardyss International will be hosting its first “ Health and Wellness Exhibition” at the old Bahamas Academy

Gym on Thursday July 24, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Come and be educated, because your health begins with you. There will be:

v Book Sale v Canned Veggie items on sale v LeVive tasting v LeVive Products on sale v Body Transformation v Personal Testimonies and v Giveaways

SEE YOU THERE!

For further information contact: Marcia Smith – 448-2630/676-07 or Cherry Blackmore – 341-2429 -Adventist Book Center

ATV 53 SBC Media Network wishes to inform viewers of ATV that due to technical and equipment issues, ATV will be off air until further advised. Do note, however, that 3ABN will be broadcasting their scheduled programmes on Channel 53. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. -Pastor Danhugh Gordon, Communication Director SBC

OFFICE OF EDUCATION

Worksheet 4 should be turned in at the conference office via email by Friday, August 1, 2014 and Worksheet 5 by August 22, 2014. Both Worksheets are online. -Office of Education

ATCU WOMEN’S MINISTRIES Atlantic Caribbean Union Women's Retreat is scheduled for October 31 - November 2 in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. Hotel: Seven Stars Resort (4 persons to a condominium). Speaker: Raquel Arrais, Associate Women’s Ministries Director from the General Conference. Transportation: Return from the airport to hotel. Registration: SBC & ATCU offices. Contact persons: *Denise Johnson or Deena McPhee, ATCU Tel.: 341-5153 *Donnalee Bowe, SBC Tel.: 341-4021 -Mrs. Denise Johnson, WM Director; ATCU

SUMMER LITERATURE

EVANGELISM PROGRAM The Publishing Ministry will commence its student summer program on Monday, July 21 to Friday, August 9. All interested persons, between the ages of 11-14 are asked to meet at the ABNC on Monday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m. -Pastor K. Anson Albury, Publishing Director

NEW PROVIDENCE GROW GROUP SEMINARS

New Providence Seventh-day Adventist Church invites you to participate in two of its eight-week seminars: Faith and Finance held at the church each Sunday at 4:30 p.m.; and YES (Youth In Evangelistic Service) held each Friday at 7:00 p.m. Come and be blessed. -Cyprianna Moss, NP Groups Coordinator

OFFICERS TO MEET There will be a special meeting for all church members who are present and former Police Officers, Defence Force Officers and Prison Officers at the Breath of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church on Marshall Road on Sunday morning July 27, 2014 at 9 o’clock. -Pastor T. Basil Sturrup, Agape Church

THE NEW BELIEVER’S SUMMIT FOR MEN

The Annual New Believer’s Summit will be held on August 22, 2014 at JAVARRS Twin Berry Inn, South Andros. This is a time of spiritual consecration and fellowship. Pastors will give details about this event to the new believers and other interested men in their congregation/s. For additional details, please call Elder James Sands at 341-8661 or 369-5103. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Executive Secretary

ATCU PRAYER INITIATIVE (PUSH) The prayer focus of our union for July 20 -26 is on singles. We acknowledge and affirm their unselfish service to God’s church. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Prayer Coordinator

CONCERT CHOIRS DVD AND CD AVAILABLE

The music department of the Hillview Church thanks all for their support during the recent choirs in concert program. DVD and CD copies of the concert are available for sale. Please contact any of the choir

directors to place your order. -Elder Anthony Burrows, Sanctuary Choir Director

PEARDALE NEWS *Bible study will be held at the Peardale SDA church on Sabbath afternoons from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The church’s new location is the Old Bahamas Academy off Penny Savings Bank Lane. The church will continue with readings from the book, ‘Last Day Events’ by E. G. White. Everyone is invited to attend.

*Every Monday afternoon from 12:00 noon – 1:00pm everyone is invited to an enriching prayer meeting at the Peardale SDA church. Let us come together and kneel at the foot of the cross, pray and see how God works mightily on our behalf. -Elder William Griffin, Peardale Seventh-day Adventist Church

YOUTH TIDBITS Camp 242

Camp 242 began on Monday, July 7 and will end on Friday, August 1. This camp is held at the Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church on Mondays - Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. -Brother Seanray Jennings

EXHIBITION RESULTS Western Region Pathfinder/Adventurer Exhibition Results: 1st - Grants Town 2nd - Francophone 3rd - Johnson Park The finals will be in held on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at the Breath of Life SDA Church. The following churches will go to the finals: Message of Hope, Centreville, Johnson Park, Francophone, Ebenezer & Grants Town.

The Youth Calendar July 29-Aug. 2 – IAD Youth Congress, Guatemala. August 4 - Sports and Family Fun Day Aug. 11 - 17 - Summer camp Connected and BAMIVOCA City (Applications are available at the Conference Office.) September 2014 - Pathfinder Band and Pathfinders preparation for Youth March Sept. 19-21 - World Pathfinder Weekend Sept. 20 - World Pathfinder Day Sept. 20 (p.m.) - Pathfinder Speech Contest Sept 21 - Master Guide Exhibition at Ft. Charlotte October 2014 - National Youth Month (March) -Mr. Curtis Bryan, Associate Youth Director

SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH JULY 26, 2014 AT 7:58 P.M.

Website: http://southbahamasconference.org

Have a Blessed and Wonderful Sabbath!