News
Leaders Council 2009
Published: September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009 was a Spirit filled and informative day for the leaders of the local churches in the mission as they converged at the Blue Hills SDA Church for Leaders Council 2009.
President of the TCI Mission, Pastor Peter Kerr, called the meeting to order and welcomed the delegates from the various Islands.
Executive Secretary of West Indies Union, Pastor Glen O. Samuels gave the devotional charge for the day. He inspired the listening leaders to continue in prayer and to witness consistently for Jesus. His sermon was based on Acts chapter three "The healing of the paralyzed man at the temple gate." He encouraged the audience to give people what they need and not what they want, to look beyond what people ask for and offer a helping hand to those in need while sharing the gospel of hope.
Executive Secretary of the TCI Mission, Pastor Richard Jackson, reported that the present baptismal figure for the year stands at Two hundred and fourteen (214). This is the largest number of believers ever baptized in a single year in the mission′s history. He urged those present to continue being faithful witnesses for Jesus and to stay connected to Jesus while they seek to reach others for the Kingdom.
The Turks and Caicos Islands′ economy has declined drastically due to the global financial crisis, the disaster caused by hurricane Ike last year and the political uncertainty that plagued the country for the first six(6) months of the year. In spite of all the challenges God has been good to his people. Pastor Kerr noted that it is in times of difficulty that God puts his people to the test to see if they will remain faithful to Him.
The major section of the program for the day was focused on the formation of small groups in the local church. Pastor Samuels presented an overview of the small group concept. He stated that the purpose of small group ministry is to win souls and to nurture members. Emphasis was placed on the fact that Small group ministry is not to replace the Sabbath school units; however a Sabbath school unit can function as a small group. Materials were handed out to the delegates to equip them to organize small groups in their local churches.
In closing the day′s Program, Pastor Kerr charged the members to support Christian Education. He informed the leaders of the local churches that education should have a high priority on the church′s agenda and that each church should encourage its members to support the schools which are operated by the mission.