Caribbean Union Conference (CARU) Bible Connection Finals to Showcase Young Talent in St. Vincent
Finalists from eleven Caribbean Union Conference (CARU) participating entities will travel to St. Vincent to face off in this year's Bible Connection final event on September 30th, 2023.
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Here are the finalists from the eleven participating entities within the Caribbean Union Conference (CARU) who will be journeying to St. Vincent for the Bible Connection finals on September 30th, 2023. Image credit: CARU Youth Department.
Finalists from eleven Caribbean Union Conference (CARU) participating entities will travel to St. Vincent to face off in this year's Bible Connection final event on September 30th, 2023. The finalists will go head-to-head on the book of Judges during the live online program on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, from Richland Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, St. Vincent.
Among the eleven participating CARU entities are its four missions, six conferences, and the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC). The youth directors of all CARU fields, coaches, sponsors, supporters, and youth representatives will assemble on the Volcanic Island for the annual event.
"It's a great blessing to see the impact this initiative is having on the lives of so many young people," said Pastor Marvyn Smith, Youth Ministries Director of the Caribbean Union. "We want young people to walk close with Jesus, learn about His life, passion, and ministries, so that they, in turn, can impact the lives of people in their communities every day and every week."
The department has organized a series of youth-sponsored re-connection revivals across the island for one week leading up to the finals. Image by CARU Youth Ministry
"This is the first time that seven of the young people are competing in the upcoming Bible competition," said Pastor Marvyn Smith, the CARU Youth Director and coordinator of this youth event. During several rounds, participants will showcase their Bible knowledge and respond to questions in front of a live audience at the church. Each will aim for the coveted spot to represent the Caribbean Union as its youth delegate during the Inter-American Division (IAD) Bible Connection finals in Bogota, Colombia.
"The union-wide Bible Connection initiative is all about getting more young people prepared to carry out the church's mission," said Pastor Smith. "As they get into the habit of studying their bibles and drawing important life lessons as they face daily challenges, they will express to others what the word of God can do in their lives as they understand that they are chosen for the mission."
The department has organized a series of youth-sponsored re-connection revivals across St. Vincent for one week leading up to the finals starting on September 23, 2023. The youth directors and representatives from eight of the participating entities will lead the meetings. "As Seventh-day Adventists, we are people with a mission; we are people with a purpose, and what a privilege it is to have these youth directors, called by God, join in this amazing mission," said Smith.
Jerren Brewster of the South Caribbean Conference emerged with the highest score at the Caribbean Union Conference (CARU) Territory-wide Bible Connection Finals, held in Trinidad at the University of the Southern Caribbean on October 15, 2022. Image by CARU media
This year, four past finalists will be returning to the arena along with seven new finalists to compete for the top prize.
The event will be live at 3 p.m. in English on the YouTube channel of the Caribbean Union Conference.
Jerren Brewster is set to serve as the representative for the South Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In 2022, Brewster emerged as the champion in the Caribbean Union competition and was bestowed with the honor of representing our region at the IAD Bible Connection finals in Jamaica.
This year's finalists include:
- Xabisa Hamilton Guyana Conference
- Keith George Jr. Tobago Mission
- Jerren Brewster South Caribbean Conference
- Keshawn Carey North Caribbean Conference
- Cayden Leacock East Caribbean Conference
- Yanic St. Ange St Lucia Mission
- Traska Dundas Suriname Mission
- Tyrese Johnson South Leeward Conference
- La Tonya Mc Nichols St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Deleon Belfon Grenada Conference
- Felesha Jack University of the Southern Caribbean