Religious liberty, the bedrock for the expansion of God’s mission
On Wednesday, June 6, 2023, over 100 Seventh Day Adventist delegates representing 6 conferences and 4 mission territories across the Caribbean Union congregated for the PARL and CARLA Congress in Portsmouth, Dominica.
Reading time | 3 mins
Delegates attending the religious liberty congress in Portsmouth, Dominica were treated to beautiful welcome from members representing the various cultures of the island. Among those present for the opening ceremony were the President of the Caribbean Union Conference Dr. Kern Tobias and Religious liberty Director of the Caribbean Union, Dr. Clive Dottin. Image by Kendell Barrie
On Wednesday, June 6, 2023, over 100 Seventh Day Adventist delegates representing 6 conferences and 4 mission territories across the Caribbean Union congregated for the Public Affairs & Religious Liberty (PARL) and Caribbean Religious Liberty Association (CARLA) Congress in Portsmouth, Dominica.
The conference which was held from June 6-10th was headlined by the theme, The Marriage and the Mission. It was the first of its kind for the Commonwealth of Dominica thus, it was a historic event, as diverse ethnicities and nationalities across the Caribbean Union united in purpose and mission, embracing the liberty of free worship.
President of the Caribbean Union Conference Religious Liberty Association (CARLA) Attorney Leslyn Charles welcomed the delegates to the session. She emphasized the need for integration while encouraging the delegates to acquaint themselves with the sacred task of being fearless advocates of religious liberty. Image by Kendell Barrie
Dr. Samuel Telemaque, Global Mission Director of the Inter-American Division (IAD) in his virtual address, reminded the delegates of the importance of their roles in the end times. He said, “Religious freedom is the bedrock for the expansion of God’s mission in Dominica and around the world. Religious freedom is important to allow the expansion of the gospel and the expansion of adventism in any country.”
The same sentiments were echoed in the opening address on “Relations and the Law” by the president of CARLA, Attorney Leslyn Charles. She recounted the story of Jesus and the woman of Samaria as a reminder of the care that we should demonstrate to others regardless of their social standings. “There is a marriage between missions and religious liberty of the church. A delicate and loving intimacy between the two. The church is raised up to be wedded to mission, to carry out God’s mission.” she explained.
President of the Caribbean Union Conference Dr. Kern Tobias gave the delegates encouraging them to be advocates of justice in a world where injustice reigns and the balancing scale of seem to be tipping on the side of unfairness. Image by Kendell Barrie
This message was also amplified in the soul stirring sermon from Pastor Kern Tobias, President of the Caribbean Union Conference (CARU). He used the question, “Marriage of commitment or convenience?” to illustrate the various attitudes we should employ as we venture into global missions. “This marriage gives one the freedom, at a pace that is comfortable to one’s understanding of the call of God ; it gives one the freedom to say give me time to make up my mind,” he stated.
One of the Dominican delegates Kendell Barrie, in his reflection of the event shared, “This event is my first, but it is truly an eye-opener, religious liberty is one of greatest needs of the church during these times because too many Christians are suffering all over the world”
The conference comes at a time when religious liberty is being threatened all over the world with Christianity being the most persecuted religion.