Transformed From the Inside Out
“Exhilarating, inspiring, thought-provoking, creative, life-changing, transforming” were some words used by the delegates of the Caribbean Union sabbath School Congress 2023 to describe the sabbath session.
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More than 800 Sabbath school leaders from throughout the Caribbean Union, gathered in person and online for the Sabbath School Congress July 21-22, 2023 at the University of the Southern Caribbean. The event was aimed at empowering leaders to be more effective and influential in their responsibilities to the church.[Photo: Zwadestudio for CARU]
“Exhilarating, inspiring, thought-provoking, creative, life-changing, transforming” were some words used by the delegates of the Caribbean Union sabbath School Congress 2023 to describe the sabbath session.
On sabbath July 22nd, delegates across the Caribbean Union met at the University of the Southern Caribbean for the final day of the congress sessions.
The highlight of the day’s service was a model sabbath school program featuring a dramatic presentation of the themes of nurture and reconciliation which are hallmarks of a vibrant sabbath school. Music, testimonies of change and transformation and an interactive lesson study session were all perfect examples of the ideal sabbath school experience.
The congress was blessed with Sabbath School Director for the church in the Inter American Division, Dr. Samual Telemaque and President of the Caribbean Union Dr. Kern Tobias. [Photo: Zwadestudio for CARU]
The theme of nurture resonated through the sermon of Dr. Joe Reeves, Assistant Director of Sabbath School and personal Ministries of the General Conference. Using stories of Jarius’s daughter and the woman with the issue of blood he stressed the importance of seeing and serving everyone one- the noticeable and not so noticeable, just as Christ did.
Adding to the skills sets and reinforcement provided for the sabbath school officers, the evening's program focused on music and technology in the sabbath school program.
Elder Rohan and his wife Valerie Smith, educated the delegates on the various way’s technology can be used in sabbath school programs to engage members and enrich programs. While elder Denzel Edwards presented on the use, planning and importance of music in the sabbath school.
“Music strengthens, convicts, builds, restores, encourages and soothes. It is not an afterthought, it is not a time filler, does not replace planning, nor is it a lesser form of preaching,” Elder Edwards shared.
Reflecting on the sabbath program and its success, Dr Colin Thorne, Sabbath school Director of the East Caribbean Conference stated, “The Sabbath School congress sabbath’s program was majestic, from the song service to the benediction we were elevated to the throne room of God. Kudos to Director Felix and her team”
Several Conference/Mission sabbath School Directors, church administrators, other department directors, pastors and church elders from throughout the CARU traveled to Trinidad, for the historic congress. [Photo: Zwadestudio for CARU]
“What I found most interesting was music in the sabbath school which was so clear and so timely. Overall, the whole congress was very spirit filled!” Exclaimed one of the delegates of the Suriname conference, Dyan Rose.
The curtains came down on this historical event with an investiture service where directors, sabbath school leaders, superintendents and other sabbath school officers, as well as those who contributed to the success of the congress were given sabbath school pins.
Selected outstanding sabbath school superintendents from the various fields were also awarded for their service over the years.