In a bid to meaningfully impact 54 culturally-diverse nations in the Caribbean and Latin America (from Mexico to countries which border the northern coast of South America), the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church hosted a joint convention for more than 600 member-delegates, from these nations. Almost 10% of the delegates arrived from the 10-island field of the North Caribbean Conference (NCC) of Seventh-day Adventists.
The historic convention, held on Trinidad, combined the Festival of the Laity, sponsored by the Caribbean Union Conference (CARU) of Seventh-day Adventists, and Cross-Cultural Missions training, sponsored by the Inter-American Division (IAD) of Seventh-day Adventists. From August 8 to 11, 2018, more than 20 presenters from the wider SDA organization engaged delegates during morning devotions and with approximately 30 seminar topics to enrich ministry skills and develop gifts useful for service.
Whereas the festival arm of the convention celebrated the achievements of the laity and inspired delegates to continue reaching communities for Christ, the cross-cultural missions arm sensitized participants on how to lovingly impact people-groups. Convention coordinators agree that the SDA Church in the Caribbean Union should target resources to reach diverse communities in multi-cultural territories such as Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname and Dominica. Dr. Kern Tobias, President of the CARU, said, “The Caribbean Union is home to the most diverse population and there is perhaps no better place to have such a conference at this time.” The Director of Missions at the IAD and main organizer of the event, Pastor Samuel Telemaque, stated, “We must evangelize all the people, all the time, in all the world.”
The NCC delegation participated in approximately 2 dozen seminars which covered themes such as: Family evangelism; cross-cultural evangelism; organizing the church for evangelism; answering objections effectively; getting decisions in evangelistic settings; interacting with others effectively; and, visitation that achieves desired results.
The quinquennial Festival of the Laity is usually replete with creative reports from the CARU fields. On Sabbath morning, Dr. Henry Peters, the NCC Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director, and his troops delivered a suspense-filled, props-rich and dramatic report which impressed invited officials. “Lord Transform Me” was the theme of the report and the NCC’s account of scores of accessions, through the Sabbath School Action Units, resonated with attendees. The full report may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF_BiMeUCk4&feature=youtu.be
Dr. Peters expressed satisfaction, “It was a good festival. We thank God for journeying mercies and for the cooperation of all. The NCC has some very passionate disciples and we want to continue empowering them for ministry. There are many more who did not make it to the festival but continue to serve the church and make a difference where they are. I thank them.” In the NCC the laity’s efforts in ingathering, evangelistic crusades and Sabbath School reporting are outstanding.
Dr. Elie Henry, President of the IAD, and his wife included the convention in their itinerary and were warmly greeted by the CARU leaders during a special welcome at the Piarco International Airport’s VIP Lounge, in Port of Spain. During the Sabbath sermon, Dr. Henry encouraged members to reach across human barriers to accomplish the mission of the church.
The convention culminated with a vibrant parade by the participating nations.