Since January, 2017, on several islands in the North Caribbean Conference territory, Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) have been skillfully employing the ministry tool of public evangelism to offer life-changing seminars to hundreds of community guests. And by March 4, 2017, over 150 persons had joined God’s remnant church, on St. Maarten, through baptism. Pastor Vashni Cuvalay, Coordinator for the work of the SDA Church on St. Maarten, commented on the zeal of members, “It was total membership involvement.”
From January 27, 2017, to March 4, 2017, the Good News Gospel Explosion evangelistic series with Evangelist Claudius Morgan inspired attendees through insightful presentations and the compelling personal testimony of the evangelist. His website describes his delivery style: “Not only are sermons preached but they are sung and expressed in dance . . . the formality of the King James Version of the Bible is transposed into the beauty of simple everyday parlance to make the gospel accessible and its truth beautiful and practical.” In his own words, “I preach to people’s heart[s] and minds.”
The President of the North Caribbean Conference, Pastor Silton Browne, joined the members on St. Maarten at the start of the five-week campaign and returned for the closing exercise, an impressive candle-lighting ceremony, to welcome the newly baptized members and thank the visiting evangelist: “A very gifted evangelist. Given [his] exposure and experience . . . we are thankful that God has allowed him to share the story of God’s love on St. Maarten.” During the closing exercise, Evangelist Morgan emphasized: “What we have accomplished here, on St. Maarten, is for God. The people who gave their lives to Christ in baptism will certainly not return to their old lifestyle, with the guidance of the church.” Alongside pastors and lay personnel, Evangelist Morgan has hosted this series on several islands throughout the Conference, baptizing hundreds.
Local pastors assisted by a group of experienced lay leaders will continue to spiritually nurture these new members as some are integrated into existing congregations while others fellowship as a new Seventh-day Adventist group on St. Maarten.
The active SDA community on St. Maarten worships in 8 congregations served by a pastoral staff of five dedicated workers; operates an accredited institution for students in elementary/ primary school; and, is engaged in neighborhood ministry to three language groups (French, English, and Spanish) coordinated by the North Caribbean Conference.
Visit facebook.com/AdventistNCC for highlights of several evangelistic series throughout the NCC: “Hope for Today’s Crisis Gospel Explosion” on Anguilla; “Word of Hope” on St. Croix; and, the “Blueprint for Life” on Virgin Gorda which will begin on March 18, 2017.