Martinique: Church celebrates the work of its lay members

June 26, 2013 – Morne Rouge, Martinique…Carole Charles Saint-Louis/IAD Staff

Leaders and lay members in Martinique celebrate the opening of a Festival of the Laity in the Millenium Center in Morne Rouge, northern Martinique, June 7-9, 2013. Image courtesy of Martinique Conference.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Martinique brought together dozens of its lay members during a special festival in Morne Rouge as part of celebrating the Year of the Laity. The event gathered some 1,000 people from four of the 20 church districts on the island and was broadcast through the church’s Radio Esperance, June 7-9, 2013.

“This festival is part of a project that aims at revitalizing the northern part of the conference,” said Ale Léa Urity, personal ministries director for the church in Martinique. “This was about equipping the laypeople with tools and methods to share the Gospel more effectively.”

According to Pastor Urity the event themed “Rise up and Walk” was anchored under the spiritual revival and reformation initiative promoted by the world church.

“The idea is to raise awareness among the members about the need to make a change in their lives and take the message of salvation and freedom in Jesus Christ to others,” Pastor Urity added.

Pastor Tony Gelie, a district pastor, delivered the keynote messages. Pastor Gelie challenged every member to pursue an intimate communion with God and urged them to embrace the mission God has given.

Hundreds drew closer to the stage as commitment to furthering the gospel during the closing of the event.

Dozens of laypersons were trained on discipleship, family enrichment, health, multimedia, visitations, prayer ministry and more. They were also given tools to resolve conflict in their personal lives, their families and their churches.

Emmanuelle Florimond, a layperson in the region, was pleased to see such important topics that would benefit the community.

Hundreds of members came forward at the close of the event as a sign of committing to serving with their talents in fulfillment of spreading the gospel in their communities.

Conference leaders plan on continuing coordinating evangelistic campaigns led by the laity and training programs for an upcoming massive tent evangelistic campaign to be held in November.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Martinique is part of the French Antilles Guiana Union which also comprises Guadeloupe and the French Guiana. There are some 12,000 church members in Martinique worshiping in 80 churches and congregations.