Land ahoy – March 10, 2017! Salt Island, popular for its salt ponds and an iron sailing shipwreck, welcomed the vessel bearing an all-male crew and passengers from the churches and community of Tortola, united under the banner, “Making Men for the Master.” Approximately seventy (70) men, ranging in age from a few months to a few scores, rallied for the 8th annual men’s camp hosted by the Men’s Ministry Department of the Carrot Bay Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church.
Praise services set the spiritual tone throughout the weekend. After camp was set up, the weekend kicked off with a rousing and melodious song service, accompanied by guitarists and “spur-of-the-moment” percussionists. One major highlight of the weekend was the time slated for testimonies. Several males “opened up” and pledged to be better individuals. During his testimony, the Carrot Bay SDA Men’s Ministries Leader, Brother Arriel Donovan, pledged to be a better brother, father, husband, boss and church member. He concluded with a statement that echoed the weekend’s theme song, “Oh Brother Be Faithful,” and admonished other men to do the same.
From Friday evening to Sunday morning, male-enrichment activities, presentations and lively discussions enhanced the program. Some of the topics covered were: “God’s Prescription for Healthy Living”; “The Role of the Man in the Home, Church and the Community”; “Cherishing Your Spouse”; “Why are our Young Men [mostly] attracted to Young Ladies outside the Church?”; “Peer Pressure and Our Young Men”; and, “Men’s Health.” The weekend also included nature walks, fishing experiences, swimming and movie nights.
Some of the resource-rich facilitators were: One of the notable physicians on Tortola, Dr. Craig Stoutt; the Executive Secretary of the North Caribbean Conference of SDA with responsibility for Family Ministries, Pastor Ammaran Williams, who applauded the inter-generational bonding feature of the ministry program; and, the pastor of church district #9 on Antigua in the South Leeward Mission of SDA, Pastor Holford Brown (third-year camper).
The mission of the Carrot Bay SDA Church Men’s Ministry is: To provide spiritual strength and unity amongst men; and, to encourage, enable and equip other men so they can become Godly men, faithful fathers, loving husbands and leaders with integrity. The objectives of the ministry are:
- To have the mature men be committed and dedicated mentors for the young men
- To train men to be effective priests, loving husbands and dedicated fathers at home
- To increase respect and appreciation for women
- To help all men and boys develop a richer and deeper relationship with God
The very active Carrot Bay SDA Church Men’s Ministry concluded its annual Heritage Sabbath Celebration in February, 2017. This year, however, a Friday night vesper service and a prayer breakfast on Sunday were included to complete the weekend.
The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) community on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada, in the British Virgin Islands, is an active body of believers which worships as 8 congregations and is engaged in neighborhood ministry coordinated by the North Caribbean Conference. This community operates the BVI SDA School which is an accredited institution with an inviting spiritual environment.
Submitted by: Brother Linton Lake, Tortola