ST.JOHN'S Antigua, March 3rd 2011 - In 1Corinthians 1:10 we read there is strength in unity and in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 we learn “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”
In just two days, three territories in the Southern Leeward Islands will unify to form the South Leeward Mission (SLM) of Seventh-day Adventist.
St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat and Antigua and Barbuda will solidify this historic event on Sunday 6th March, when they launch the new Mission at the St. John’s Seventh-day Adventist Church in Antigua, starting at 3 p.m. The new Mission, which will be headed by Pastor Desmond James of St. Kitts, will also host its election of directors following the launch service.
All churches in the three territories involved will send delegates to the launch. They will be responsible for electing additional officers to serve in the different areas of Ministry, including Youth, Health, Education and Evangelism.
The mission’s headquarters which is located in Antigua at their newly-renovated building located on American Road will also be dedicated this Sunday 6th March at 1. p.m.
“The growth of the church has dictated a need for the leadership to be closer to the people and this will facilitate an environment for growth in these territories,” Secretary/Treasurer of the new Mission, Pastor Carson Greene explained. Greene further noted that the launch of the Mission would mean that those territories involved will no longer be under the direct control of the North Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. He however noted that independence would mean added benefits for the people of the South Leeward Mission.
“This will have an impact on what can be done in the territories involved. We would be able to provide training to better equip our members, more in youth work and humanitarian work and will assist the church in functioning in a more efficient manner,” Greene said.
Pastor Kay White, a female pastor in Antigua who will also be a part of the new Mission, explained that tithes and offerings collected within the involved countries will now, instead of going to the North Caribbean Conference, stay within the Mission where it is expected to “do more.”
“We will be able to see more of what these monies will be used for. We will assume responsibility for those institutions that now fall under the North Caribbean Conference like the Seventh Day Adventist Schools, Tabitha, Second Advent Radio and others,” White said.
The pastor added though, that the structure of all these institutions will remain intact and will be managed by the people selected to head them.
Preceding the inauguration, there will be an island-wide convention for the membership and friends of the SDA Church. This will take place on Saturday, 5th March, under the tents at Paynters east of Hero’s Park in Antigua.
