A Publication of the Gregory Park SDA Church Communication Department

June 2014 Issue #18

I mpressed by the gospel commission and inspired by

the responsiveness of community members to the

offer of prayer during MM14, the Portmore Federation

of Adventist Youth has officially launched "Mission

Walk and Pray". The initiative germinated during prepara-

tions for MM14 when Seventh Day Adventist Youth, mobi-

lized by the Portmore Federation, took to the streets of the

Portmore communities walking and praying for anyone with

whom they came in contact. “The responses were over-

whelming, and have testified that there is still much work

for youth to do,” explained AY Leader Ceraphia Roper.

The mission began officially on Sabbath June

28,2014 and continues the last Sabbath and Sunday of

each month at 4:00 pm and 6:00 am respectively. “The

times selected provide an opportunity for all youth to par-

ticipate: if you were unable to make it on the Sabbath af-

ternoon, you will not have missed your opportunity to an-

swer the call. Come out on Sunday morning walk, pray and

be blessed!” she added. .

An advisory will be sent to the churches, through

the AY leaders outlining the meeting point each month.

Jesus has called us by name, will we not answer?

Youth Federation Launch ‘Walk and Pray’ Programme

Pastor Johnson re-elected CJC President

during Fourth Quadrennial Session

The Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist, the confer-

ence to which the Gregory Park Church belongs and which includes

churches in St. Catherine, Clarendon and Manchester—re-elected Pas-

tor Levi Johnson as President during its Fourth Quadrennial Session.

The session was held at the Conference’s Camp Verley site in

Spring Village, St. Catherine, on Wednesday July 23 and Thursday July

24, 2014.

The Session was called to: receive reports from officers and

Departments; elect Administrators and Departmental Directors for the

next quadrennium; consider revisions and changes to the Confer-

ence’s Constitution and Bylaws and conduct any other business of the

Conference.

Delegates were selected by the local churches consistent

with the terms of the Conference’s Constitution – based on the size/

membership of the local church. The Gregory Park SDA Church se-

lected First Elder Cavan Davis and Elder Janet Able-Simpson as dele-

gates.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...Page 2

Issue #18

The Pastor’s Desk Church Pastor Blondel Campbell brings greet-

ings and reflects on the first quarter of 2014

Youth Retreat 2014

Health Emphasis Week

Metro Mission 2014 Metro Mission 2014 is a part of the Global

Seventh-day Adventist Church’s campaign

to evangelize the major cities of the world.

Publications

Adventist Resources The Light

Health as a Lifestyle

News

Calendar of Events

3

8

12-13

4

5

6

7

9

10

11

14-15

16

Congratulations The Church acknowledges and salutes its GSAT

Achievers who have all done us proud

Fathers in Fellowship The Women’s Ministry, Family Life and Youth

Department, treat the Fathers of Gregory Park

Church

Fathers’ Day In honour of Fathers’ Day, celebrated June 15,

we look at three fathers in the Bible whom fa-

thers today can learn from.

The Light

Editorial Committee

Melissa Brown Marjorie Stone Fiona Dyer Wilson Damian Wilson

W e have passed the half way

marker for the year and are well

into the third quarter of 2014 –

and indeed God has been marvellous to us

and He is deserving of all our praises, adora-

tion and worship.

As we reflect on the workings of the

Holy Spirit in the lives of our members during

the last quarter, we can say ‘truly our God is

amazing’! This was seen in the various pro-

grams that the different departments hosted

for the spiritual well-being of the church fam-

ily. Thanks to all the department heads and

their teams for the faithful work that was

done to ensure that the family is kept alive in

the spirit. Special mention must be made of

the Adventurers’ Department and the work

that is being done with our young children.

Let us continue to pray for the directors and

other leaders that they will not become

weary and leave their post but will continue

the work of our Lord until He comes again.

The buzz words on the lips of every

member were MM14 (Metro Mission 14) and

what a Spirit-filled, inspiring, exciting four

weeks it has been under the tent at Naggo

Head.

Family of Gregory Park SDA Church,

I extend a big, hearty thank you for your

faithful prayers, attendance and financial

support of the MM14 Crusade. It would not

have been the same without your ‘backing’

and I give all the praise and glory to God our

Father for enabling, YOU, the members with

the Spirit of evangelism and benevolence

that has reaped the success we are rejoicing

in – and I know that heaven is also rejoicing

with us.

Praise God! for the man of God -

Pastor Alton Williams for allowing the Spirit

to use him in such a magnificent manner.

After four weeks of soul searching, heart

rending, Holy Ghost filled messages – the

Lord has added to the church family 27 new

members whose names are written in the

Kingdom of God. We welcome our new fam-

ily members and pray that they will continue

on to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of

the Lord’. I implore our long standing family

members and especially those who have

been assigned a new convert; to take care of

the flock that the Lord has entrusted to our

care so that on that grand homecoming day

none will be lost. I know our regular mem-

bers have experienced a renewal of their

first love and have recommitted themselves

to our Lord and His mission of making disci-

ples for the Kingdom. I encourage you to

continue in the Lord and faint not because

your reward is just a step away.

Our children have once again dem-

onstrated that with God all things are possi-

ble and so congratulations to all those who

have been successful in the recent GSAT

Examinations. The journey has just started

and we encourage you to continue to make

the Lord the number one priority in your life

and everything else will be added according

to His will and for His glory.

I extend a hearty ‘thank you’ to the

women of our church family for the wonder-

ful way in which they have demonstrated

their love and appreciation to our fathers.

Indeed, in a world in which fathers are often

overlooked – it gave us much pleasure to

know that the ‘women of God’ appreciate us

and we truly enjoyed the brunch that was

prepared in our behalf. Thanks to the women

and all those who supported this wonderful

Father’s Day Brunch.

The church that prays together and

play together will stay together. Yes, let us

come out in our numbers for another spirit

filled, fun packed Youth Retreat at the Ja-

maica Crest Resort in Portland from August

1 to 3, 2014. We are inviting all our youths –

little youths, small youths and big youths to

attend – be rejuvenated in your body, mind

and soul. You can’t afford to just hear about

it – be there and talk about it!

As the third quarter progresses,

and the year is winding down, I encourage

our church family to come out and support

the upcoming programs for the church. Look

out for Teach Weekend – it promises to be

power packed and unforgettable.

As a church we know the impor-

tance of catering to the ‘whole man’ and

CENCONYOUCA SUMMER CAMP 2014 is just

the place to rejuvenate – spiritually, physi-

cally and mentally. This is the place to social-

ize and make new friendships that will en-

dure for time and eternity.

Our God represents order and de-

cency and He has put in place a system to

enable His church to function in a way that

will characterize who He is. As such every

four years the different conferences elect

the men and women who are chosen by God

to govern His church according to His will

and for His glory. To facilitate this process

the Fourth Quadrennial Session will be held

on July 23 and 24. The church will be send-

ing two delegates to represent the church

family. Let us pray that the will of God will

prevail and the men and women He has

chosen will be elected to lead His church to

victory.

In closing I implore us – the family

of God to be faithful, obedient and loyal to

God and His cause. Fortify your mind with

the word of God so that you will be able to

give a reason for your hope; and share the

love of God by ministering to others not only

by words but also by deeds. May our Lord

continue to lead His church onto victory.

BLONDEL Campbell Pastor, Gregory Park Circuit of Churches

The Light

Issue #18

Pastor Blondel Campbell officially welcomes the newly baptized

members coming out of the MM14 Campaign, Sabbath June 6,

2014

I n what is the major evangelistic thrust of the local Adventist

church for this year, MM14 made a major impact in Portmore

as it made its stop in the Community between April 4 – May

25. Through the combined efforts of the districts in the

Portmore area, as hundreds visited the tent site nightly Sunday to

Thursdays and Sabbaths, 204 persons were so moved to accept

the call to salvation.

The speaker for the series was Pastor Alton Williams, an

experienced evangelist and Pastor of the Spanish Town District of

Churches. The Portmore leg of the Mission was held under the

theme: Operation Rescue, and rescue it did, sending out the call

for men and women to turn from the old life and accept Jesus into

their lives.

The massive tents which were home of the crusade, were

located at the intersection of Braeton Parkway and Newlands

Road. Not even the heavy winds which pulled down the tents mid-

way during the programme was enough to halt its momentum. In-

stead Sabbath celebration was moved to the Portmore SDA Church

for one Sabbath after which the tents were re-erected and the busi-

ness of the Church went on.

“The Church is under siege. The ‘Sunshine City’ of Port-

more suffers from the same maladies of any modern city. This is

why we must declare that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Opera-

tion Rescue is here”, Pastor Williams declared.

We are on a mission for Jesus, We have seen the wonder

working power of the Holy Spirit so far in our MM14 campaigns and

there is no doubt that God will do amazing things under this tent,

pronounced Pastor Levi Johnson, President of Central Jamaica

Conference during the launch.

Gregory Park SDA Church received 24 new members from

the crusade. The new converts were given a grand welcome into

the Church family on Sabbath, June 26, 2014 by Pastor Blondel

Campbell, the board and the wider church body. Members were

promptly assigned to families within the church and a special bible

class set-up to see to their retention and spiritual growth.

Pastor Alton Williams preaching at MM14 Portmore on May 4, 2014.

(photo courtesy of Kemar Douglas)

Additional information from the CJC Website

The Light

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in

you?......for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. 3: 16-17

The Gregory Park SDA Health Department hosted a week of Health Emphasis

for the period July 13-20, 2014 under the caption “Preserving God’s Sanctuary” (My

Body). The week started with a Community Outreach Meeting held at the Nolan’s resi-

dence in Gregory Park. This was a joint effort with the Personal Ministries Department.

The meeting also included a health presentation on asthma. Several members from the

church and the community were present and they were truly blessed. The message was

delivered by Elder C. Davis and many responded to the altar call. We say thanks be to

God for working in such a marvellous way.

On Monday through Thursday, health presentations were done at the GPSDAC

commencing at 7:30pm nightly. There were selected topics to meet the needs of the

members of the church and also the community at large. Topics included Anaemia, Erec-

tile Dysfunction, Nutrition: Eating as the Lord Requires and The Real Harm in High Heels.

The nights were well supported and prizes were given to those who answered questions

and in particular on Tuesday which was labelled “Men’s Night”, a token was given for the

1st man to arrive at the meeting. We can say that the Lord certainly used each presenter

to inform and educate. On Sabbath, the morning’s programme was done by the mem-

bers of the Health team and our keynote speaker for the Divine Service was Dr. B. Gom-

bele, Medical Doctor who charged us to take care of God’s temple. He further reminded

us that we will have to give an account to God for our bodies, what we eat, what we wear

and how we take care of it. The afternoon’s programme was no less as a Cardiothoracic

Surgeon, Dr. S. Little was in the house sharing with us on Cardiac Disease. Oh how we

magnified the name of the Lord as we reflected on how wonderfully and marvellously we

were created.

The week culminated on July 20th with a Health Fair and fun day for the very 1st

time at the Christian Gardens Basic School under the theme: “Making healthy choices,

safeguarding our future”. We were privileged to have 2 Medical Doctors from the com-

munity (Dr. Baird-Chin & Dr. Sutherland), nurses and other health professionals who of-

fered care and service to the community members. Back to school medical, blood sugar

testing and other screening were provided. Also sharing in our event was VMBS who

reminded us of ways to invest/save for the future. We had bounce-a bout, free back to

school give-a-ways for the children. Talks from the Fire Department reminded the chil-

dren about safety in the home and the Dental Nurse also gave a talk with a demonstra-

tion of how to brush and care for teeth. Free dental kits were given to the children pre-

sent.

The team can truly proclaim that it was a fantastic week and to God be the glory

for His leading in our lives. It was a pleasure serving the community and to all who con-

tributed cash, kind or even gave of their time, many thanks. For those who prayed and

who worked behind the scenes, we appreciate your service. May we continue to serve

the Lord with gladness and remember “ we are not our own,

Scenes from

Health Fair

2014

- Michelle Roper-Carty

Issue #18

Richard Ferguson

St Catherine High School

Leighton Nolan

Calabar High School

Shasnicole McIntosh

Ascot High School

Jewel Brown

St. Jago High School

Kaheem Stephenson

Cedar Groove Academy

Jo-Ellen Green

Wolmer’s Girls’ School

Anika Treasure

Bridgeport High School

Jaleesa Turner

Wolmer’s Girls’ School

Abigail Anderson

Ardenne High School

...to our GSAT Achievers

Issue #18

While the role and value of the father is often undervalued and underappreciated in the wider society, that has never been the case at the Gregory Park SDA Church. On June 15, 2014 the fathers of Gregory Park were treated to a cele-bration of fatherhood under the theme: Ordinary Fathers, doing Extraordinary things.

The Father’s Day brunch, organized by the Women’s Ministry Department, Family Life Department and the Youth Department, was hosted at the Lewis’ residence, in Westchester, with approximately 50 attendees, including members and visitors.

After the brief worship service to begin, the men engaged in a ‘paper roll game.’ This is where a roll of tissue was passed around and men instructed to take as much as they wanted, but not too much. The aim of this activity was to get fathers sharing about themselves and fatherhood – the more tissue one took, the more he would be required to say.

Added to the morning’s activities were riddles, jokes, and other fun games and activities throughout the day. The women and youth waited on the men - ensuring that both body and mind were fed.

Guest speaker for the day was Bro. Denworth Finni-kin from the Greater Portmore SDA Church. His presenta-tion focused on the entire ‘man’ – encouraging the brothers to be good Christians, good husbands and good fathers. His presentation was followed by a rousing discussion segment which had the men talking animatedly amongst themselves. Bro Finnikin encouraged the men to start having sessions, whereby men (and boys) can meet together to have meaning-ful dialogue.

The day ended with a special word from the ‘father of the flock’, Pastor Blondel Campbell and the handing out of tokens.

This event was proof that our fathers are special

treasures, as the Women’s Ministry, Family Life Department

and Youth Department of the Church celebrated them and

all that they continue to do.

‘Fathers in Fellowship’

Fathers treated at Father’s Day Brunch

A section of the attendees, enjoying a good laugh

Bro. Denworth Finnikin from the Greater Portmore

SDA Church addressing the fathers

“Father of the Flock,” Pastor Blondel Campbell

S cripture is filled with people we can learn much from. When it comes to the challenging vocation of fatherhood, several fathers in the Bible show what is wise to do.

In honour of Fathers’ Day, celebrated June 15, here are three fathers who fathers today can learn from.

Abraham - Father of the Jewish Nation

What could be more frightening

than being the father of an entire

nation? That was the mission God

gave Abraham. He was a leader with

tremendous faith, passing one of the most difficult tests God ever

gave a man. Abraham made mis-

takes when he relied on himself in-

stead of God. Still, he embodied

qualities that any father would be wise to develop.

Noah - A Righteous Man

Joseph - Earthly father of Jesus

The Light

Noah stands out among fathers in

the Bible as a man who clung to

God in spite of the wickedness all around him. What could be more

relevant today? Noah was far from

perfect, but he was humble and pro-

tective of his family. He bravely car-

ried out the task God assigned to

him. Modern fathers may often feel they are in a thankless role, but God

is always pleased by their devotion.

Surely one of the most underrated fa-

thers in the Bible was Joseph, the fos-

ter father of Jesus Christ. He went to great pains to protect his wife Mary

and their baby, then saw to Jesus'

education and needs as he was grow-

ing up. Joseph taught Jesus the car-

pentry trade. The Bible calls Joseph a

righteous man, and Jesus must have loved his guardian for his quiet

strength, honesty, and kindness.

Of course, God the Father is the ultimate role model for all human dads. His love, kindness, patience, wis-dom, and protectiveness are impossible standards to live up to. Fortunately he is also forgiving and under-standing, answering fathers' prayers and giving them expert guidance so they can be the man their family wants them to be.

Barrington Carter and son Myles Terence and Royston McLaughlin Kerlew with children Kamali & Kaliyah

Issue #18

PUBLICATIONSPUBLICATIONSPUBLICATIONS of the Quarterof the Quarterof the Quarter

Confused about the seemingly endless new and often con-tradictory health information in circulation today? How about a common-sense reality check on living well? Tim Arnott, MD of the Lifestyle Center of America has pro-duced this helpful book of 24 short, practical health tips based on scientific research and the Bible that will help you live longer, happier, and healthier. For example, did you know that women who drink more water lower their risk of heart attack? Or that seven to eight hours of sleep a night can minimize your risk of ever developing diabetes? Want to keep Alzheimer’s at bay? Take 100 micrograms of Vitamin B12 supplement every day—especially if you’re a vegetarian! Want to lower your risk of Prostate cancer? Find out this and more in Dr. Arnott’s 24 Realistic Ways to Improve Your Health. Features: . • Practical suggestions from an experienced family physi-cian. • Trustworthy information, in understandable lan-g u a g e . Ea s y a p p l i c a t i o n t o d a i l y l i f e Dimensions: 17.5 x 25 cm • Binding: hardcover • 126 Pages • Full-color illustrations

To get copies of these and other SDA Christian Literature: Speak with your local Publishing Director

Visit your local Book and Nutrition Centre

Kingston, 74 Constant Spring Road.

Spanish Town, 58 Brunswick Ave

Mandeville, 5 1/2 Annex Drive,

Ocho Rios, Native Plaza, 58 Main Street

Montego Bay, 30 Church Street

Savana-la-mar, 6 Rose Street

Visit the Inter-American Division Book Store Website

at http://store.iadpa.org/

Or any other online book store such as Amazon or

Barnes and Noble

If God’s heaven and new earth will be a friendly place for children, then God’s church today must also be the friend-liest place on earth for children. The objective of this book is to help the adults of the church to realize the importance God places on children. . This is not only the work and opinions of a loving mother, a dedicated teacher, and an assiduous church worker, but of someone who embodies all of the above and is backing it up with scientific research and discovery. The wish of our church is to become a little heaven on earth for all children. To help the children feel wanted, loved, appreciated, and not just tolerated, is the wish of church leadership. May our churches be eminently friendly places for children, because someone has read and prac-ticed the principles as espoused in this book.

Features: • The physical and social needs of children. • What leaders can do. • Ways in which the church can act and organize itself. Dimensions: 13 x19 cm • Binding: hardcover • 158 pages • Full-color illustrations

The Light

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Issue #18

Health as a Lifestyle

Disasters can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighbourhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services such as water, electricity or telephones were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away . Families can, and do, cope with disasters by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps listed below to create your family’s disaster plan. Knowing what to do in any eventuality is your best pro-tection and your responsibil-ity . Step 1: ► Meet with your family and dis-cuss the importance of preparing for any type of disaster that affects your family unit such as hurri-canes, earthquakes, and fires. Take especial care to explain the dangers of these disaster events to children. ► Explain what to do in each case. Pick two places to meet: Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire. ► Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Every-one must know the address, how to get there, and the phone num-ber. ► Ask a friend or family member to be your “family contact.” Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Every member of the family must know your contact's phone number. ► Discuss what to do and where to go if you have to evacuate. ► Plan how to take care of your pets. Animals are not allowed in-side emergency shelters due to health regulations so make ad-vance plans for relocating pets out-side the home. Step 2: Complete this checklist: ► Post emergency telephone numbers—fire, police, am-bulance, etc.—by phones. ► Teach children how and when to call 119 or 110 for emergency help. ► Show each family member how and when to turn off the

utilities—water, gas, and electricity—at the main. ► Check if you have adequate insurance coverage for each hazard. ► Install a fire extinguisher in your home and get training from the fire department or a safety team for each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type). Make sure each family member knows where the fire extinguisher is kept. ► Install smoke detectors on each level of your home,

especially near bedrooms. ► Conduct a home hazard hunt. ► Stock emergency supplies and assemble an emergency kit. ► Take a first aid and CPR class. ► Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find at least two ways out of each room. Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster. Step 3: ► Practice and maintain your plan. ► Quiz your kids every six months or so. ► Conduct fire and emergency evacuations. ► Replace stored water and stored food every six months. ► Test and recharge your fire extin-guisher(s) according to the manufac-turer's instructions. ► Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the bat teries at least once a year. Step 4: ► Conduct a home hazard hunt. In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Any-thing that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a potential hazard. Here are a few things to check for: ► Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. ► Fasten shelves securely. ► Place large, heavy objects on

lower shelves. ► Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds. ► Brace overhead light fixtures. ► Secure water heaters by strapping them to the wall. ► Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations. ► Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources.

Atlantic Hurricane

Season: June 1–Nov 30

Are you prepared for

STORMY WEATHER?:

Important things to do before a storm

Source: Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency

Management

The Light

Health as a Lifestyle

C hikungunya is a crippling

mosquito-borne virus that

has spread to the Carib-

bean. Here's what you

should know about this virus and how

to lower your risk of infection.

What is Chikungunya virus?

The virus is, pronounced "chik-en-gun-ye." is spread from person to person through mosquitoes. It is an African word, and it translates to 'that which bends up,' because people bend up with joint pain, one of the most com-mon symptoms.

Where did it come from, and how does it spread?

Scientists believe the virus originated in 1952 in southern Tanzania. Chim-panzees or other animals were proba-bly first infected, says Amesh Adalja, MD, an infectious disease specialist in Pittsburgh. Mosquitoes that bit these animals became infected, then bit and infected people . The virus can stay in a per-son's system for about a week, accord-ing to the World Health Organization. When a mosquito feeds on an infected person, the mosquito can be-come infected and can bite and infect others. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes transmit Chi-kungunya. They also transmit dengue fever, another disease caused by a virus.

Where has Chikungunya been found?

In the past decades, outbreaks have

occurred in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The virus was found for the first time in the Americas on Caribbean islands in late 2013. Nineteen Carib-bean and South American countries and territories have reported outbreaks as of June 13, 2014, according to the CDC . As of June 17, 80 cases have been reported in 13 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the CDC says. Puerto Rico has 23 locally transmitted cases; all of the others are travel-associated, in people returning from the Caribbean or Asia. No trans-mission between people in the U.S. has been found.

What are the symptoms? Usually fever, rash, muscle aches, and joint pain. Headache and joint swelling can take place. When a person first becomes sick, they will think they have a flu-like illness . Symptoms first appear about 4 to 7 days after the bite, according to the World Health Organization. A high percentage of those infected become sick. She estimates that 90% of those bitten will develop symptoms.

What is the treatment? No specific treatment is available. Typically, fever-reducing medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are given.

How severe is it?

The disease is rarely fatal, according

to the World Health Organization, al-

though in older people, the disease

can contribute to the cause of death.

As of June 13, 4,576 cases

have been confirmed in the Caribbean,

with 14 deaths, according to the Pan

American Health Organization.

Most people will recover in

about a week, although some will need

to be hospitalized. A small number of

people will have joint pain that lasts for

months. Newborns exposed during

delivery, people 65 and older, and peo-

ple with medical conditions like diabe-

tes, high blood pressure, or heart dis-

ease are particularly vulnerable to in-

fection, the CDC says.

How do you minimize risk?

Travelers to areas where the virus is circulating can take precautions against mosquito bites. The mosqui-toes carrying the virus can bite day or night, indoors or out. The CDC ad-vises:

Cover up exposed skin by wearing long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and hats.

Use insect repellent that contains

as an active ingredient DEET,

picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus,

PMD, or IR3535.

Consider treating clothing and gear

such as boots and tents with the

repellent permethrin.

Stay and sleep in rooms with

screens or air conditioning.

Use bed nets if you are sleeping

outdoors.

What to Know About the Mosquito-Borne

Virus

SOURCES:

World Health Organization: "Chikungunya."

CDC: "Chikungunya in the Caribbean."

CDC: "Chikungunya virus."

Amesh Adalja, MD, infectious disease spe-cialist, University of Pittsburgh; member, Infectious Diseases Society of America. Kristy Murray, DVM, PhD, infectious disease specialist, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital. Houston.

Issue #18

Continued on next page

The Light shares the following news stories on religion from across the world, for the information of readers. Opinions ex-

pressed in these reports/stories do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Light, the Gregory Park SDA Church or the

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Over 200 Persons Baptized at MM14,

Spanish Town

T he Spanish Town leg of Metro Mission 2014 was a tre-

mendous success with over 220 persons being baptized

in the three weeks evangelistic event held March 20 –

April 23, 2014. The two mega tents pitched at 56 Bruns-

wick Avenue saw some 3,000 persons attending the event and

with countless others watching online and on the road (via the

big screen).

This leg of the MM14 initiative - Hope for the City, was

done under the theme, ‘The Experience’. The speaker for the

series was Pastor Peter Joseph, Executive Secretary for the South

Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

“No matter how bad things get down here, and it will get

bad, we don’t have to worry because we are people of hope,”

Pastor Joseph encouraged in his last sermon of the series.

“Those of us who know Jesus, know very well that when trouble

comes all we have to do is hide in Jesus. All through the centuries

what kept believers going was their hope Jesus and His second

coming.”

A major part of the MM14 Spanish Town was the out-

reach activities. In preparation and execution of the programme

the following outreach activities were accomplished:

Painting of the police station

Health fair and march

Feeding of firefighters and police officers in Spanish

Town

Job Fair and Expo

Day of Kindness

There has been a ripple effect of this MM14 pro-

gramme, not only in Jamaica but also from overseas with who

watched online,” stated Pastor Levi Johnson, President of Central

Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “Many have

stated that they were blessed by the ministry of Pastor Peter Jo-

seph. In planning for this event I didn’t want MM14 to come and

go, but that it would create a lasting impression, and indeed it

has by reaching out to others.”

A sizable portion of the congregation and persons bap-

tized were young people. According to Jacqueline Bennett, coordi-

nator for Adventist Youth segment of MM14 Spanish Town, “the

young people expressed that the words preached were straight

from the bible and they learnt a lot. It was a different experience

and whether it rained or shined it was great to be there.”

MM14 programme then moved to Old Harbour, April 27

– May 25, with Pastor Robert Williams From UK, Portmore, May 4

– May 30, with Pastor Alton Williams, and finally to May Pen, May

25 – June 22, with Pastor Michael Harvey.

Source: Central Jamaica Conference. Article by Kemar Douglas

Pastor Peter Joseph preaching at the opening night of MM14, Spanish Town

(Photo courtesy of Kemar Douglas)

The Light

Source: SDA Official Website—adventist.org R arely do we witness a story emerging in news reports

that is so universally abhorrent as the world has wit-

nessed in the mass kidnapping of over 270 girls from a

school in northern Nigeria. When armed militants from

a terrorist group rounded up the girls it was first under the pre-

tense of moving them to safety. But according to accounts of

some of the 53 girls who escaped, they were threatened with

both forced marriage as well as being sold into slavery. .

While millions around the world have been moved to

march and to protest and to join in a social media campaign

calling for the safe return of the girls there are several key rea-

sons for Seventh-day Adventists to lend their prayerful efforts to

their plight. .

This kidnapping is a single event that infringes on sev-

eral highly held values of Seventh-day Adventists including reli-

gious liberty, violence against women, education and human

rights. .

Since the establishment of the International Religious

Liberty Association in 1893 Seventh-day Adventists have fought

for religious liberty, believing that every human being has the

right to practice their religious belief or even to choose not to

believe. It has never been a matter of whether the belief aligns

with our own it has simply been the assertion that people must

be free to practice and to choose their own faith.

The apparent forced conversion of these kidnapped

girls from Christianity to Islam not only violates our principles of

religious liberty, but also that of Muslims around the world.

In 2009 the Seventh-day Adventist Church launched

the enditnow campaign to end violence against women and girls.

The idea was to raise awareness of the fact that violence against

women is an issue not only in the community, but also in the

church. All were called to see this as unacceptable. The cam-

paign raised nearly five hundred thousand signatures around

the world in the process. .

Every signature registered in the enditnow campaign

can now become a voice calling for the freedom of the stolen

girls. .

Education is a value that the Seventh-day Adventist

Church lives and demonstrates every day. With more than 1.5

million students in its 7,600 schools in over 100 countries

around the world the Adventist church has demonstrated that

the education of boys and girls alike is a matter of utmost impor-

tance. .

For the Seventh-day Adventist the view on human rights

flows from a belief that men and women alike were created in

the image of God and because of this every human being must

be treated with the dignity and respect that God’s image de-

serves. God created humanity with the freedom to choose. God

takes this freedom so seriously that it extends to the ability to

reject God himself, if we so choose. Whenever human freedom

is treated with so little regard and human life with so much dis-

dain we should all be moved. .

As a church that has come to value religious liberty,

education, human rights and that has encouraged awareness of

the problem of violence against women, and has demonstrated

these values in tangible ways we, we now issue a call to prayer.

Although none of the girls are a member of our faith

community, they are still our sisters and our daughters. Whether

we live near the West African country of Nigeria or on the other

side of the planet, their families are our neighbors.

You are invited to join in a campaign of prayer for the

freedom of the kidnapped girls of Nigeria.

N early 2,600 delegates will join thousands of Adventists

in descending on San Antonio, Texas, for the opening

of Seventh-day Adventist Church’s General Confer-

ence Session exactly a year from today, July 2, 2015.

The 10-day meeting will be held at the 65,000-seat

Alamodome and the adjacent Henry B. Gonzalez Convention

Center under the theme, “Arise! Shine! Jesus Is Coming!”

“We are looking forward to welcoming delegates, mem-

bers and the public to experience the sights, sounds and colors

of GC Session,” said Session manager George Egwakhe, an as-

sociate treasurer at the Adventist church’s world headquarters

in Silver Spring, Maryland. .

GC Session, held every five years since 1970, is the

highest governing body of the church, which has more than 18

million members worldwide. The nearly 2,600 delegates will vote

on policy items, authorize changes to the General Conference

Constitution, and appoint church officers for five-year terms.

The meeting also is a revival event, a reunion for mem-

bers and families, and a trade show of ministries. Worship ser-

vices are held throughout the day and feature musical perform-

ances representative of the worldwide denomination. In the eve-

nings, regional leaders present reports about the church’s mis-

sion in their territories. .

“It’s like a giant camp meeting,” said Sheri Clemmer,

associate Session manager and the church’s meeting planner.

GC Session also will see Adventists carry out commu-

nity service projects, stage cultural and musical events for the

public, and conduct healthcare programs in San Antonio.

The site for the 2015 Session was chosen in 2006 by

the church’s Executive Committee, which is comprised of more

than 330 delegates from around the world. .

Seventh-day Adventists are #UnitedinPrayer

for freedom for the #NigeriaGirls

Church’s General Conference Session Starts

in a Year

Source: Adventist News Network

Issue #18

Sab 5 Day of Fasting & Prayer (Conference Session)

Sab 5 Elementary/Academy Promotion Day

Sab 5 Personal Ministries Day

Sab 5 Parish Bible Boom Finals – Manchester

Sab 5-Sun 6 Willowdene High School Graduation

Mon 7 Pastors & Bible Workers’ Meeting – CJC

Board Room

Tues 8-Sab 12 Health Ministries Convention

Wed 9 Executive Committee Meeting

Thur 10 2nd Quarter Churches’ Statistical Report due

at CJC Office

Sab 12+ World Mission Budget

Sab 12 Communication Day

Sab 12* Tell the World: Media Ministry

Sab 12 Parish Bible Boom Finals – Clarendon

Mon 14-Mon 21 Teen & Junior Camp

Wed 16 Prayer Conventions – St. Catherine (Districts)

Thur 17 Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day

Sab 19-Sab 26* Consolidation Emphasis: Church History

Week

Wed 23-Thur 24 Conference Session

Sab 26 Spiritual Revival Emphasis

Tue 29-

Sab Aug 2 Inter-American Division Youth Congress –

Guatemala City

Thur 1-Sab 31 Vacation Bible School

Thur 1-Sab31 Federation Bible Boom Eliminations – Confer

ence-wide

Thur 1-Sab31 Abuse Prevention Month

Sab 2* Children’s Ministries Emphasis Day

Sab 2 Global Mission Evangelism

Mon 4-Mon 11 Senior Camp

Sab 9*+ Adventist Youth Day

Sab 9* University Education Promotion Day

Mon 11 2nd Quarter Statistical Report due at CJC

Office

Mon 11-Sab 16 Pathfinder Camporee

Wed 13 Executive Committee Meeting

Sab 16 enditnow Day

Sab 16 Youth Day

Thur 21 Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day

Sun 24 Sports/Fun Day

Sab 30 JAMU Seventh-day Adventist Teacher Certifi

cation Ceremony

Sab 30 Book and Nutrition Centre Promotion – BNC

Connect

Mon 1-Tue 30 Pathfinder Month – Conference-wide

Mon 1-Tue 30 JAMU Youth in Leadership Month

Mon 1-Tue30 Lay Recruitment, Subscription & Miss. Maga

zine Promo month

Sab 6 Lay Evangelism

Sab 6 Day of Prayer for Rebuilding the Family Altar

Sab 6 Bible Boom Finals – St. Catherine

Sab 6-Sab 13 Adventist Review (Annual Subscription Pro

motion)

Sun 7 Leaders’ Council – Camp Verley

Sun 7-Sab 13* Family Togetherness Week

Sab 6*+ Adventist Mission Emphasis (offering)

Wed 10 Executive Committee Meeting

Sab 13 Youth Spiritual Commitment Celebration

(Southern Hemisphere)

Thur 18 Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day

Sab 20 Pathfinder Day

Sab 20-Sab 27 Health and Healthcare Emphasis Week

Sab 27 Vision One Million Baptismal Day

Sab 27 13th Sabbath Offering (Euro-Asia Division)

Sab 27 Conference Bible Boom Finals – Clarendon

(May Pen Church)

July

August

September

*Programme provided by the General Conference or by the Inter-American Division

**One week before each “Mission To The Big City/Town Outreach” all night prayer meeting

on the Saturday night at the main church

+Worldwide Offering. Special offerings are included in the systematic plan of the Division

# Organized Baptisms are conducted and recognition of those baptized during the quarter

Central Jamaica Conference, Third Quarter