Literature Evangelists Gather for Historic Joint Congress in Curacao

Seventh-day Adventist members of the Curacao Conference, performs a cultural piece during the opening ceremony of the Literature Evangelist Congress on Aug. 21, in Willemstad, Curacao.  Nearly 200 literature evangelists from across Jamaica, the English Caribbean and the Netherlands Antilles met for a four-day event to strengthen their ministry of sharing the gospel through evangelistic books and literature in their communities. Photo: Sophia Dormer / East Jamaica Conference

September 6, 2019 | Willemstad, Curacao | France Chambers / JAMU / IAD News Staff

Nearly 200 literature evangelists from across Jamaica, the English Caribbean and the Netherlands Antilles met recently for the first joint Literature Evangelists Congress in Willemstad, Curacao. The event was designed to strengthen the literature evangelism ministry by facilitating testimonies, sharing experiences, and learning new skills.

Themed “Cast Deeper,” the four-day congress, held Aug. 21-24, 2019, is the first of its kind held by three of the longest established literature evangelistic ministries among the English speaking unions in the Inter-American Division, said Pastor Erwin González, publishing ministries director for the church in Inter-America.

“It was very inspiring to see how dynamic and strong these unions are in their publishing ministry,” said Pastor Gonzáz. “It is mainly because of the support from administrators and publishing ministries directors at every level of the church organization there.”

Pastor Stephen Apola, Associate Publishing Director, General Conference shares in a plenary session. Conference. Photo: Sophia Dormer / East Jamaica Conference

Associate Director of Publishing at the General Conference Pastor Stephen Apola, challenged the literature evangelists to share the gospel not only with the local citizens, but also those who visit their countries.

“You get a lot of tourists coming here,” said Apola. “They come from countries that have difficulties in preaching the gospel, so why not preach to them here. The Caribbean still provides allowance for the sharing of the Gospel, whereas it is becoming more difficult to do the same in other parts of the world.”

Judith Smith, publishing ministries director for the Caribbean Union and one of the main organizers of the event, expressed her satisfaction with the fulfillment of this long anticipated joint venture.

Judith Smith, publishing ministries director of the Caribbean Union Conference, addresses the congress delegation. Photo: Sophia Dormer /East Jamaica Conference

“This week is really a fulfillment of many years of planning, as we seek to empower our directors and our literature evangelists to ‘Cast Deeper,’” said Smith. “We realize that the literature evangelism work is, will be, and will continue to be God’s anointed means of meeting people…with the printed page,” she said. “All of these individuals coming together is to give publishing that boost, that is so necessary.”

Smith reported that the active 240 literature evangelists in the Caribbean Union made deliveries of books and literature valued at US$387,531, last year, and are aiming to reach more by the end of this year.

“We are happy to be a part of this event, where our literature evangelists can continue to be motivated to be champions–because with Christ, they are champions,” said Pastor Dudley Hosin, publishing ministries director for Jamaica.

Hosin reported that the Jamaica Union, with 287 enrolled literature evangelists, sold approximately US$500,000 worth of literature resulting in 386 baptisms.  “We are happy to remind them of their high calling of being literature evangelists, to let them know that God is with them, because they are doing a work that is second to none,” said Hosin.

Champion literature evangelists from the Jamaica Union, along with their directors and administrators pose for the camera, displaying their awards during the Joint Literature Evangelist Congress between the Jamaica and Caribbean Union Conferences in Willemstad, Curacao. August 20-24, 2019. Photo: Sophia Dormer / East Jamaica Conference

For Lillieth Williams, one of 78 literature evangelists from Jamaica, the congress was a wonderful, spirit filled experience. “I would not exchange [this experience] for anything else,” said Williams. “We have been motivated and inspired to go forth and continue to do this wonderful work. We have listened to so many presenters, who have shared with us so many experiences that they have had, and we have been motivated to continue this God-given work.”

Leadership Commitment

“As a result of this Congress, I am more committed to this ministry and want to use my time and resources to support this critical work in the Jamaica Union,” said Pastor Everett Brown, president of the church in Jamaica.

“The Congress has been a source of inspiration for me. Not only is it a historic event—bringing two major English-speaking unions together, but the information, that leadership and literature evangelists received has inspired and motivated us to ‘Cast Deeper’, as the theme suggests, to recognize the value and importance of this ministry as we seek to share the love of Jesus Christ with men and women everywhere,” Pastor Brown said.

Directors and administrators pay close attention during a break-out session during the congress. Photo: Sophia Dormer / East Jamaica Conference

Local organizers sought to bring a more balanced perspective on the issue of literature evangelist’s sales versus the primary mission of winning souls.

“The reason we chose the topic ‘Cast Deeper’ is because the colporteur [or literature evangelist], sometimes, is focused on the sale” said Renisca Mutueel, publishing ministries director of the Curacao Conference. “The literature evangelist  is not just a book-seller but he is a soul-winner, that’s why we used the term ‘Cast Deeper’, because the literature evangelist has to cast deeper to go out, seek the soul,” she explained.  “The sales that they get is the blessing that comes from going to look for the soul,” explains Mutueel.

Literature evangelists took time to distribute missionary books throughout communities in Curacao. The Congress was attended by leaders and presenters from Inter-America North America and South Africa.