January 20, 2011 – Nassau, Bahamas… Nigel Coke/IAD
The leadership of the newly organized Atlantic Caribbean Union Mission (ACUM) broke ground for the construction of their headquarters at Bethany Cove in Nassau, Bahamas. on Jan. 16.
According to the chief architect of the building, Lionel Johnson, the three-story building, which will be located opposite the Bethany Church, will occupy approximately 5,500 sq. ft. and “it is a blend of traditional vernacular styles with an infusion of classical elements,” said Johnson. “It is designed to be both visible and recognizable as a symbol of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in The Bahamas.”
The building, which is expected to cost approximately US$700,000, would have been far more expensive if it was not for the many members who have so far given their support with time, talent and financial resources.
“It is amazing to see the number of members who have volunteered and have committed to give support to the construction of our headquarters,” said Pastor Leonard Johnson, President of ACUM. “I express deep gratitude to those who came to assist us voluntarily even when we did not ask them to. This tells me that the true Spirit of Christ is still at work in the hearts and minds of individuals who see the need to build up God’s kingdom.”
On hearing of the project, architect Lionel Johnson who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, was more than willing to give of his talent to support the cause.
“As young persons in the Seventh-day Adventist Church we long for opportunities to be of service to a church that we owe so much to. Hence when such an opportunity arose it was with a feeling of humility and yet trepidation that the design work on the New Atlantic Caribbean Union Mission building began with input from the union, Bethany Church members, builders and Adrian Rollins,” Johnson said.
The building will boast a large porte-cochere at the front of the buildings, a conference room, a studio, offices, and more.
Pastor Israel Leito, president of the in Inter-America, who did the devotion at the ceremony challenged the leadership of the union to finish the new building in time for the church’s year-end executive committee meetings scheduled for November this year to be held in Nassau, Bahamas.
Elder Roderick Sands, treasurer of ACUM led out in an appeal for gifts and offering which saw financial pledges and presentations from the conferences and mission of ACUM.
Greetings came from, Dr. The Hon. Hubert Minnis, MP, Minister of Health of the Bahamas, Pastors Elie Henry, Secretary of the church in Inter-America, and Everett Brown, president of the church in Jamaica.
Inter-American Division officials, along with unions, conferences, fields and institution officials and local church leaders participated in the groundbreaking exercise which was directed by Pastor Leonard Johnson.
On Jan. 14, ACUM held its first executive committee meeting and its inauguration service was held the next day.
ACUM was organized on November 29, 2010 as one of two Unions from the 104-year old West Indies Union Conference, and comprises three conferences, one mission, and six primary and secondary schools in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. It also co-owns and operates one of the largest Seventh-day Adventist Universities worldwide -with the Jamaica Union, the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) – located in Mandeville, Jamaica.
