In Suriname, Church celebrates 120th anniversary of Adventist message

A children’s choir sings during the 120th anniversary celebration of the Adventist message at the Chamber of Commerce in Paramaribo, Suriname, August 9, 2014. Images courtesy of Suriname Mission.

August 25, 2014 | Paramaribo, Suriname | IAD Staff

The Seventh-day Adventist Church held a series of activities earlier this month to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Adventist message entering Suriname. It was a celebration which gathered dozens of church leaders, government leaders and community members at the Chamber of Commerce in Paramaribo, Aug. 6-9, 2014.

Vice President of the Republic of Suriname Robert Ameerali praised the work of the church for its contribution to society during a prayer breakfast held with parliament officials and religious liberty leaders.

Display of photographs of church pioneers during anniversary events in Suriname.

A special exhibition of Adventism was opened by the Minister of Homeland Affairs and community leaders and visitors were lectured on the church’s history, health message, family life and various ministries of the church.

“We wanted to use this anniversary this year to connect with the community and let them know who we are and what we are all about,” said Pastor Guno B. Emanuelson, executive secretary for the church in Suriname.

Lydia Lubliek-Beck, whose father was the first missionary to Suriname, was among those honored during special tribute.

Elder George Telgt who pioneered the work through evangelistic efforts, and Anita Maatstaf, who has been a teacher missionary to the Ameridian Village Erowarte and one of the pioneers of the radio work in the Surinamese language, were among those honored and interviewed during a special program on the final day of the event.

Sitting on the coast of South America, with a population of more than half a million, Suriname has a church membership of nearly 3,500. Church leaders and laypersons are striving to increase the membership in the 15 churches across the country.

“The church in Suriname has not had an explosive growth like other fields, due to the secular influences on this former Dutch colony and the many different people groups, cultures and dialects spoken in Suriname,” said Pastor Emanuelson. “However through the efforts of our committed workers and laypeople, the church has made an impact through the years in the areas of youth, radio ministry, health programs, public evangelism and more.”

There remains a need for more indigenous workers, according to Pastor Emanuelson.

Pastor Emanuelson said that the church administration has made it a priority to work towards upgrading the Suriname Mission to conference status before the end of 2015.

The church in Suriname will continue to hold special activities with the theme “United in the Hope of His Coming,” commemorating the work of the Adventist Church in the community during the coming weeks and months.

Earlier this year, the church conducted health screenings, anti-drug marches, youth concerts and more.

The Suriname Mission operates two primary schools and belongs to the church territory of the Caribbean Union, or region in Inter-America.

For more on the 120th anniversary event, click HERE