Montego Bay, Jamaica…[Barrington Brennen/IAD Staff]
Over 8,000 thousand Seventh-day Adventists gathered for the conclusion of the Festival of the Laity in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Sabbath, August 21. The four-day Festival was designed to motivate, inspire, train and recruit laypeople to further the work of the church. This was the first ever such event held in the West Indies region.
Under the theme “Fan the Flames, Rekindle the Passion, Share the Joy,” church leaders, lay delegates and church members traveled from the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as Jamaica to attend the event’s opening night. Pastor Israel Leito, presdent fot the church in Inter-America was the opening speakers.
“We should not be afraid of obstacles to continue the work of the Church”, Leito said.
Some 2,000 laypeople and 1,500 pastors were able to participate in eight seminars on family evangelism, International Institute of Christian Ministries, restorative justice, prison ministry, leading God’s church, youth evangelism, community outreach and the church and prayer ministry.
Devotionals each morning were led by laypersons including a child preacher from the West Jamaica territory.
The Sabbath morning services were transmitted to cable Channel 57 owned by the West Jamaica Conference and viewed closed circuit to King’s Church, the Food Court and a large tent.
Pastor Bernard Robinson, former evangelist and ministerial director for the church in the West Indies, gave a powerful message during the Sabbath service. A baptism was conducted at the end of the mid-day service.
On Sabbath afternoon, scores of laypersons were honored for their contribution to the development of Adventism in the West Indies region.
The most outstanding awardee was a 105-year-old Jamaica-born nurse named Hamutel Palmer, who gave many years of committed service.
Following the awards ceremony, Pastor Baraka Muganda, youth director for the world church, electrified the gathering with a motivational Sabbath vespers thought entitled “The Train Is Coming”.
Other activities included a praise concert on Saturday night where 100 outstanding Adventist musicians from the various fields participated. Proceeds form the concert will be used to establish a scholarship fund for needy students in the West Indies region.
To view more photos of the event go to www.bahamasconference.org
For more information or event details on the Festival, or to purchase a video of the laity event and/or entire concert, call 876.962.2910 or email president@wiunion.org.
