Seventh-day Adventists around the North Caribbean Conference (NCC) have been praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Thirteenth Business Session of the North Caribbean Conference (August 16 – 18, 2017), as part of a call to spiritual renewal for members.
A concentrated prayer initiative will start on July 15, 2017, and aims to fulfill a plan that is coordinated by the Session’s Prayer Ministry team. Two days – July 15th and August 12th – have been set aside by the Conference for the membership to engage in focused prayer. See attached letter. Members are invited to spend time praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for church leaders, and for the decisions that will be made at the 13th Business Session. Pastors and church leaders are urged to commit to making this a matter of priority.
During the Session, the church will engage the ministry reports of the territory, make plans and recommendations and appoint leaders to serve the NCC during the next quadrennium. It is important for those making decisions on behalf of God’s Church to humble themselves before God and receive His unifying power to accomplish the mission in this part of the vineyard.
Ellen G. White observed that God was unable to realize the vision for the church during the 1901 General Conference Session in Battle Creek, Michigan, because hardhearted participants prevented the unity that God had intended. “Deeply disappointed, she understood that the Lord could have come back in the lifetime of those members, but His people would not respond to the Holy Spirit’s moving as they should have.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, page 104
The Session’s Prayer Coordinator, Sister Gerene Joseph, provided a perspective on the initiative: “We realize that major decisions need to be made and different opinions need to be heard. We are praying that these vital meetings will be a time when God breaks through in the hearts of individuals and, as in the book of Acts, ignites a passion for sharing the good news with everyone in the world.”