Paramaribo, Suriname…[Libna Stevens/IAD Staff]
Seventh-day Adventists gathered at Congress Hall in Paramaribo to appoint their local leaders and to celebrate the 110 years since the Adventist work began in Suriname. The April 14-17 celebration included a member of Suriname’s parliament, church members, and church leaders from the church in the Caribbean, and Inter-America.
In a country with a diverse mix of cultures and languages among its blacks, Ameridian, Chinese, Brazilian, white, Indonesian, and Indian inhabitants, the church faces challenges in reaching this population of almost half a million. There are more than 3,000 Seventh-day Adventists in Suriname.
Since the church’s beginning, it has not been easy to break through the cultural barriers, according to Leon B. Wellington, vice president for the church in Inter-America, who traveled to Suriname for the meetings and celebration.
Official church meetings were held to elect leaders there. Lindon Gudge, president of the church in Suriname, spoke of God’s leadership and blessings for the church there. According to Gudge, there was a 30 percent increase in baptisms compared to the previous four-year period, and 107 people were baptized for the first time ever in a quarter period. However, there is still much to conquer in Suriname.
On Sabbath April 17, Pastor Wellington spoke for the morning, service encouraging the audience to continue striving to reach more people and to remain strong.
Pastor Jansen Trotman, president of the church in the Caribbean Union, challenged the audience to go out and conquer additional territories, expand the Kingdom of God and bring the Gospel to as many as will hear for the Kingdom of Christ.
Located in northern South America and bordered by French Guiana and Guyana, Suriname has 3,208 Seventh-day Adventists worshiping in 17 churches.
Elected church leaders for the next four-year period:
Lloyd Jacott: Personal Ministries, Sabbath School, Ministerial Secretary
Carla Emanuelson: Womens ministry, Childrens Ministry, Education, Communication
Edward Blackman: Youth, Family Life
Eunice Roseval: ADRA, Communication, Religious Liberty
Lindon Gudge: Stewardship
Jennie Deel: Health
