SLC Quadrennial Session Sets the Trend for the Length of Constituency Meetings in CARU
On Monday, May 8, 2023, the Bible Speaks Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed 219 constituency meeting attendees, including delegates who represented the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Montserrat.
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On Monday May 8, 2023, the Bible Speaks Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed 219 constituency meeting attendees, including delegates who represented the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Montserrat. Nestled in Creek Side, St. Mary, on the island of Antigua, this church was selected to host the First Quadrennial Session of the South Leeward Conference (SLC).
Dr. Leonard Johnson, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Division, inspired and exhorted attendees, during the opening ceremony, and adeptly interspersed the Session’s theme, “Surpassing the Challenges: Together We Work, Together We Hope”. Drawing from the story of the paralytic, in Mark chapter 2, Dr. Johnson emphasized reliance on God, who has been powerfully leading the Church through the last years of earth’s history. Acknowledging challenges faced by the Church during these last years, he reminded delegates, “Your situation is not permanent … This is God’s Church - let us do God’s work in a dignified way.”
Dr. Kern Tobias, President of the Caribbean Union Conference extends greetings to the delegates during the morning session of day one of the South Leeward Conference session. Image By SLC Media Representative Joseph Jones
Sir Clair Roberts, Deputy Governor General for Antigua, and Sir Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation, and the Environment for Antigua who is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, were among the invited leaders of government. “Leverage the creative strengths to achieve your goals,” said Sir Clair Roberts, to the delegates. His response alluded to a stirring and culturally diverse welcome presented by a group of youth who represented the SLC field.
The SLC Session moved away from the conventional midweek to weekend schedule, and is hosting a two-day constituency meeting in May 2023. This historic and unique move is being observed by leaders from the wider organization, Caribbean Union (CARU) Conference officers, and leaders from the ten fields and various entities of the Caribbean Union Conference.
“Adjusting time for the sessions had been a recommendation from the Church in the Inter-American Division,” said Dr. Kern Tobias, President of the Caribbean Union Conference. “We commend the South Leeward Conference for the historic move.” Due to the reduced timeframe of the session, the agenda was intentionally organized to ensure that all session business meetings would be completed in time for an installation ceremony on Tuesday evening, May 9, 2023.
Representatives from the five islands of the South Leeward Conference creatively welcomed the delegates at the start of the session. Image By SLC Media Representative Joseph Jones
Delegates voted some congregations into the sisterhood of churches: The More Sure Word of Prophecy SDA Church in Antigua (organized in 2010) and the Faith in Emmanuel SDA Church in St. Kitts (organized in 2001). It was also noted that the Faith in Emmanuel SDA Church is one of the fastest growing congregations on the island of St. Kitts. To God be the glory!
The President’s Report, delivered by Dr. Carson Greene, highlighted the thrust of the Church as it embraced ministry to the constituency during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reach of the program “Let’s Talk” hosted by Dr. Carson Greene, and the impacting ministry of Seventh-day Adventist health professionals who assisted the Church to navigate the height of the pandemic.
As at most constituency Sessions, Pathfinders carried the flag of the representative territories of the South Leeward Conference during the opening ceremony. Image By SLC Media Representative Joseph Jones
Dr. Greene added, “We are always one step ahead. The pandemic gave rise to several conspiracy theories. It challenged the financial stability of the conference that required workers to accept a 30% reduction in salary. Through it all the Church was able to recover, embrace its challenges and move to its preferred future. More Adventist Youth Societies are functioning after COVID than before. We are trending in the right direction - to the Glory of God. Surpassing the challenges - together we work, together we hope.”
Dr. Greene invited delegates to join in celebrating the six church buildings dedicated during the quadrennium, and investments in infrastructure development across the field. “We continue to trust the leadings of God amidst the challenges,” he concluded.