THE LOGOS Connected:  Growing  in  Christ                                                        “Year  of  The  Pastor”  

 

A Weekly Publication of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Editor: Joan M. Scavella Sunsets: 6:36 p.m. |Volume 20, Number 43 | October 24, 2015

A R E W E U S E A B L E ?    

Many ordinary

Christians are plagued with the thought: "I'm not a

super Christian,

so God couldn't possibly use me." And with this declaration, the definition of "me" often shifts from ordinary to unworthy. The extraordinary truth is—the sooner we acknowledge our total unworthiness and inadequacies, the sooner we are qualified to be used by God.

No doubt, the Bible is replete with stories of God using ordinary, unworthy or inadequate people for an extraordinary purpose. The widow of Zarephath was as ordinary as they come, and she was engaged in the unflattering task of gathering sticks when the prophet Elijah petitioned her for a little water and her last meal of bread. A little housemaid was instrumental in the miraculous healing of Naaman, an army general, from leprosy. Mary was engaged to a carpenter when an angel exclaimed that her ordinary womb would house the Son of God! However, have you ever considered why God deliberately chooses ordinary people (more times than not) to carry out extraordinary missions?

I believe Paul reveals an important clue when he quotes God as saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) From this, we can infer that God deliberately pairs ordinary, unworthy or inadequate people with impossible assignments, because when the impossible is made possible everyone will know it was only by the grace of God! It is often through the trials, triumphs and testimonies of God's ordinary servants that many will believe that God is real. Joseph made it known to Pharoah that he, Joseph, was not able to interpret Pharoah's dream. Instead the prisoner, Joseph, testified, "God shall give Pharoah an answer of peace." (Genesis 41:16)  

God gives us another insight into His selection process when He rejected Eliab, the eldest son of Jesse, from becoming the second King of Israel. God explained to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) You see, God is not

concerned with our external attributes (beauty, gender, speech, status, medals or disabilities) because He is mostly drawn to our heart. Certainly it is far easier to misrepresent our importance and abilities to the world with impressive titles and resumes than it is to mislead God with our heart. God simply requires that we have an obedient and willing heart in order to accomplish His magnificent will through us!

I believe God repeatedly selects ordinary people for His extraordinary purpose so that you and I might eventually join in the chorus, "If He can use anything...He can use me!" It is my prayer and hope that after being soaked in the Holy Spirit during the one-day Conclave today, ALL women across the length and breadth of our South Bahamas Conference will walk away sincerely offering themselves to be used by God. I especially envision this for our 16 to 25 year-old G.E.M.S. (Girls Empowered for Ministry & Service) who will dedicate their lives to God's service during the Conclave. My prayer is that we all find ourselves willing and available to be used by God. -Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director

CENTREVILLE CELEBRATES 104 YEARS

On November 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church will be celebrating 104 years of witnessing in The Bahamas, under the theme "Make His Praise Glorious!" To commemorate this grand occasion, we will be hosting a day of musical tributes at the church, followed by a charge from Pastor H. A. Roach, former Pastor. Our special guest artist will be Dr. Paul Jones, gifted Canadian concert pianist, composer and author. Dr. Helene McPhee, soprano, will also bless us with the beauty and richness of her voice. We extend a special invitation to all of our brothers and sisters to share with us as we celebrate God's goodness. -Mrs. Lorraine Duvalier, Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church

ATCU PRAYER INITIATIVE The prayer focus of the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) for October 25 - 31, 2015 is: Appreciating God’s Acceptance of Sinners. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Prayer Coordinator

BIBLICAL SYMPOSIUM Attend an informative Biblical Symposium on November 17-18, with Clinton Wahlen from the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He will speak on the subject: The Shepherd's Rod. The event will be held at the Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church. -Pastor Lynden Williams, Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator

NEW PROVIDENCE FALL REVIVAL

-Pastor Asha-Dane Duncan, New Providence

Seventh-day Adventist Church

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE Get your children ready for the following events: Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. - Joint Week of Prayer Service Friday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. - Joint Week of Prayer Service Sabbath Afternoon, November 28 - Children and Adolescents’ Concert November 29 - Children and Adolescents’ Fun Day. Your local CHAM leader will provide details. -Mrs. Joan Scavella, CHAM Director

EVANGELISM EXPLOSION Join the Bethel, Ebenezer and Francophone Seventh-day Adventist Churches for an evangelistic campaign on October 25 - November 14 at the Global Mission Centre of Influence (GMCI) on Wulff Road. Meetings will be held nightly at fifteen minutes past seven except for one night (The off-night will be announced on the opening night). The speaker will be Evangelist Presnel Barthelemy from Haiti. All members are invited attend and urged to bring the entire family as Evangelist Barthelemy presents the gospel of Jesus Christ. -Pastor Lynden Williams, SSPM Director

MEETING FOR PERSONAL MINISTRIES LEADERS

All Personal Ministries Leaders are asked to attend an important meeting at the Conference Office on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting you will participate in the nomination of delegates for the Lay Congress that will be held in Mexico in 2016.

FAMILY LIFE DIRECTORS TO MEET All Family Life Leaders are urged to attend a meeting at the Conference Office on Sunday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m. Please make every effort to attend. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Family Life Director

Winning Your Marriage Conference is coming to Nassau on November 20 - 22, 2015 with lead presenter, Pastor Howard Simon from the North Caribbean Conference of SDA, St. Croix, USVI. Other presenters include, Pastor Peter Joseph, Mrs. Patrice Williams-Gordon, Pastor Barrington Brennen, Dr. Pansy Brown, Pastor Larry Green and Pastor Asha-Dane Duncan. WINNING YOUR MARRIAGE is for all married couples regardless of race, nationality or religion. Stay tuned for further information on location, schedule and financial gifts. This is a South Bahamas Conference event. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Family Ministries Director

GRANT'S TOWN CHURCH CELEBRATES 85TH ANNIVERSARY

AND SUPER SABBATH The Grant’s Town Seventh-day Adventist Church will combine its 85th anniversary and Super Sabbath on November 11-14, 2015 under the theme "Celebrating the Past . . . Embracing the Future". Pastor Paul Scavella, president of the South Bahamas Conference, will be the guest speaker on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. On Thursday, Pastor Andrew Burrows; Friday, Pastor Peter Joseph. Super Sabbath speakers are: 8:00 a.m., Pastor Mark Ewen; 11:00 a.m., Pastor Barrington Brennen; Sabbath afternoon speakers are: Pastors Jamal Franklin, Leonardo Rahming, Michael Toote, Eric Clarke, Asha Dane Duncan, and Leonard Johnson. Guest pianist for the weekend celebration (Friday night and Sabbath) will be Mrs. Olive Fletcher of Miami, Florida. She is the widow of the late Herbert Fletcher, former president of Northern Caribbean University. Join us for this great celebration. -Pastor Barrington Brennen, Grant’s Town Seventh-day Adventist Church

BETHANY INVITES YOU TO STRONG FAITH, STRONG FINISH

EDUCATING TO WIN! Save the date for the first ever Education Conclave of the South Bahamas Conference under the theme, Educating to Win! Friday, January 15, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath, January 16, 2016 at 9:15 a.m. Melia Hotel. Cable Beach Sabbath, January 16, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. - Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. - Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church Get a closer look at our 103-year old academy! Claim your stake in Seventh-day Adventist Christian education and show up for the inspirational messages of Mr. David Daniels, CEO of the Commonweal Foundation based in Maryland, USA!

PRAYER RETREAT A prayer retreat is scheduled for October 30 - November 1 at the Bahamas Youth Camp. Space is limited, so register early. For additional information, call Elder David Knowles at 425-1191 or Sister Ali McIntosh at 524-1798/423-2709, * Elder Keble Dawkins is the chairman for the Prayer Retreat while Sister Karen Moss serves as the secretary. You can reach Elder Dawkins at 455-0276 -Sister Ali McIntosh, Prayer Team

HEALTH SUMMIT - 2016 All persons interested in travelling to Orlando, Florida to attend a health summit on January 13 - 17, 2016, may contact Nathelyn LaCroix at telephone 323-0610 or email Lifestylecounsellor64@gmail.com -Health Ministries Department, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

COOKING SHOWS FOR ATV ATV will be broadcasting Cooking Demos. If you are interested, contact Pastor Danhugh Gordon for an interview. His contacts are: 341-4021 or email danhugh@hotmail.com. You may also make contact with Nathelyn LaCroix at 323-0610 or email Lifestylecounsellor64@gmail.com. -Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director

HEALTH MINISTRIES MONTHLY MEETING

All Health Directors, Assistant Directors, AHPA Members, and those who have a passion for health and wellness are asked to attend the monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the New Englerston Seventh-day Adventist Church. -Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT Basic Life Support Certification training will be held on Sunday, November 8. All persons who are interested in becoming certified or re-certified can contact the Health Director at Lifestylecounsellor64@gmail.com or 323-0610 or 341-4021 for additional information. -Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix

HEAD OVER TO BEREA! The Women’s Conclave is underway at the Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church. It ends this evening (October 24, 2015). -Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director

HILLVIEW WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

URGENT REQUEST

All conference directors are asked to submit calendar dates (2016) for proposed programmes/training/activities/services etc. to Ms. Dawne Forbes at the conference office by Monday, November 2, 2015. -President

YOUTH TIDBITS

Youth Award Banquet The Youth Ministries Department announces its Award Banquet under the distinguished patronage of Pastor and Mrs. Paul Scavella at the Melia Resort, Nassau Beach on Sunday, December 20, 2015. Tickets are available at the conference office.

National Youth March All adventurers, pathfinders and masterguides are encouraged to attend the National Youth March on Sunday, October 25, 2015. Please report to Clifford Park at 2:00 p.m. in Class A uniform. Parents are urged to refrain from walking with the adventurers during the march. The Youth Department assures you of their safety.

Bible Study Due to the National Youth March tomorrow, Bible Study will resume on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at the Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Basketball Tournament The Basketball Tournament continues at the GMCI, Wulff Road on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. -Pastor Larry Green, Youth Ministries Director

SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH OCTOBER 31, 2015 AT 6:30 P.M.

Website: http://southbahamasconference.org

Have a Blessed and Wonderful Sabbath!