Adventists Reach Out to the Homeless in Suriname

Initiative provided about 100 homeless and vulnerable people with immediate assistance.

March 7, 2025 | Paramaribo, Suriname | Steven M. Tulp, CARU Staff and IAD News Staff

Seventh-day Adventists from the Suriname Mission joined forces to serve the country’s homeless population, estimated at 1,200 individuals recently. Church leaders and young people from Zion Adventist Church united in this outreach initiative.

More than 40 church members in Paramaribo, the capital city, mobilized to share a message of hope, bring joy, and meet the basic needs of their community. Their efforts provided around 100 homeless and vulnerable individuals with care packages, clothing, warm meals, beverages, and copies of the Adventist-published Priorities magazine.

“We thank God for the dedication of the youth department, which partnered with the community services and Sabbath school departments at Zion Church to make this project a reality,” said Pastor Guno B. Emanuelson, president of the Suriname Mission. “Their commitment is a reflection of the ministry of Jesus.”

Need for Long-Term Solutions to Homelessness

Volunteers worked diligently to prepare and distribute the items, and the event left a lasting impact on all involved as they witnessed firsthand the difficult realities faced by some of the most vulnerable members of Suriname’s capital.

“The goal was to reaffirm our church’s commitment to our friends and neighbors, demonstrating that God’s love, His word, and His power are real,” said Steven Tulp, treasurer of the Suriname Mission and district pastor of Zion Adventist Church.

According to volunteers, the initiative was especially moving as they encountered women and children among the homeless population. “Their situation highlights the need for sustainable solutions to prevent homelessness and to support reintegration into society,” Tulp noted. He added that the event marked the largest, most impactful, and costly outreach to the homeless community in the history of the Adventist Church in Suriname.

Continued Focus on Urban Evangelism

The mission’s efforts will continue in Suriname, where urban evangelism remains a key focus, church leaders said. With a population of approximately 241,000, the country is home to about 3,487 Seventh-day Adventists. Church leaders are encouraged by the impact of this initiative, as three individuals have expressed interest in learning more about the church.

“We are grateful for God’s presence during this outreach,” said Esmeralda Hok-Ahin, acting community services director of the mission. “Our goal was to show that God’s hands are open to everyone, that He cares about building stronger communities, restoring health, and promoting the welfare of all His children. Proclaiming that Christ is coming soon is our mission, but it’s also about demonstrating our faith through acts of care and compassion.”

About the Suriname Mission

Organized in 1945, the Suriname Mission has the smallest membership among the ten fields in the Caribbean Union Conference, with 3,487 members worshiping in 17 congregations.

For more information about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Suriname and its recent outreach efforts, visit surinameadventists.org.