CARU Missionary-Minded Churches Share Faith, Hope With “The Great Controversy” Project
Seventh-day Adventists across the Caribbean Union Conference will this weekend, March 18-19, 2023, hit the streets to share their faith, delivering copies of the 2023/2024 Missionary Book of the Year, “The Great Controversy,” in their neighbourhoods.
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File image from the Philipsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church. Adventurer leader Leontine Joseph accompanies her Adventurers as they distribute copies of the Great Controversy. Image used with permission from Raphael Dowe, Philipsburg Communication Department.
Seventh-day Adventists across the Caribbean Union Conference will this weekend, March 18-19, 2023, hit the streets to share their faith, delivering copies of the 2023/2024 Missionary Book of the Year, “The Great Controversy,” in their neighbourhoods.
In all, 85,000 copies are to be distributed across the island territories in the next few months as part of the “Great Controversy Project” sponsored by the world Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Ted Wilson, the president of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists, announced plans to distribute a billion copies of Ellen White’s tome which highlights the epic struggle between Jesus Christ and Satan. “The Great Controversy is a marvelous book,” Wilson said. “I believe every word in this book. I support it and I promote it—the full and complete book,” he said in remarks at the Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) International Convention held in Orlando, Florida in 2021.
Photo image from Pacific Press Publishing Association
The call to action will see Adventists in the Union participate in the distribution during 2023 and 2024 in preparation for Jesus’ return. “These are exciting times, problems are everywhere, and people are looking for answers and hope,” said Pastor Ashton O’Neil, Publishing Ministries and Personal Ministries director of the church in the Caribbean Union and the main organizer of the event. “That is why we are participating in this World Day of Massive Impact with the distribution. . . It is vitally important and a timely intervention.”
The hardcopy deliveries begin Sabbath 18th while the distribution of the electronic version begins on Sunday 19th March, 2023. “It is expected that the Personal Ministries, Youth, Prayer and other departments at all levels of the church will come together to make this an impactful and memorable occasion,” said Pastor O’Neil.
Caribbean Union Conference President Dr. Kern Tobias praised the initiative. “Giving a book shows that the church cares enough to offer something of quality. . . People are more likely to keep and read a book,” he said, adding that church members also prefer to witness with books because they get a more positive response from recipients. We are asking everyone across our Union to read or read again this amazing book for our time.
File image from the Philipsburg Seventh day Adventist Church. Adventurer Tatem is seen here handing a copy of the book The Great Controversy to a member of the community. Image used with permission from Raphael Dowe, Philipsburg Communication Department
Weeks ago, fields across the union began promoting the initiative via social media using digital flyers and short videos. This weekend, in the 10 islands that comprise the North Caribbean Conference, members will conduct neighborhood walkthroughs for hand-to-hand delivery, while believers on the island of Anguilla will share the book in an island-wide motorcade. And, in an effort to reap internal benefit, the St. Lucia Mission Personal Ministries directors and Youth leaders have launched The Great Controversy Challenge to encourage members and friends to read and study the book.
“We are excited about the opportunity that this initiative will provide to connect with people, and most importantly, to introduce Christ as the source of Hope,” stated Pastor O’Neil. “We want to invite each church and every member to join us in making this an impactful initiative for God’s kingdom,” he said.
The Great Controversy is an ideal book for small groups and Bible study class settings. Companion study guides are now available to help facilitate both small group and personal study.