THE LOGOS Connected: Growing in Christ “Year of The Pastor” A Weekly Publication of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Editor: Joan M. Scavella Sunsets: 6:36 p.m. |Volume 20, Number 43 | October 24, 2015 A R E W E U S E A B L E ? Many ordinary Christians are plagued with the thought: "I' m not a super Christian, so God couldn't possibly use me." And with this declaration, the definition of "me" often shifts from ordinary to unworthy. The extraordinary truth is—the sooner we acknowledge our total unworthiness and inadequacies, the sooner we are qualified to be used by God. No doubt, the Bible is replete with stories of God using ordinary, unworthy or inadequate people for an extraordinary purpose. The widow of Zarephath was as ordinary as they come, and she was engaged in the unflattering task of gathering sticks when the prophet Elijah petitioned her for a little water and her last meal of bread. A little housemaid was instrumental in the miraculous healing of Naaman, an army general, from leprosy. Mary was engaged to a carpenter when an angel exclaimed that her ordinary womb would house the Son of God! However, have you ever considered why God deliberately chooses ordinary people (more times than not) to carry out extraordinary missions? I believe Paul reveals an important clue when he quotes God as saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) From this, we can infer that God deliberately pairs ordinary, unworthy or inadequate people with impossible assignments, because when the impossible is made possible everyone will know it was only by the grace of God! It is often through the trials, triumphs and testimonies of God's ordinary servants that many will believe that God is real. Joseph made it known to Pharoah that he, Joseph, was not able to interpret Pharoah's dream. Instead the prisoner, Joseph, testified, "God shall give Pharoah an answer of peace." (Genesis 41:16) God gives us another insight into His selection process when He rejected Eliab, the eldest son of Jesse, from becoming the second King of Israel. God explained to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) You see, God is not concerned with our external attributes (beauty, gender, speech, status, medals or disabilities) because He is mostly drawn to our heart. Certainly it is far easier to misrepresent our importance and abilities to the world with impressive titles and resumes than it is to mislead God with our heart. God simply requires that we have an obedient and willing heart in order to accomplish His magnificent will through us! I believe God repeatedly selects ordinary people for His extraordinary purpose so that you and I might eventually join in the chorus, "If He can use anything...He can use me!" It is my prayer and hope that after being soaked in the Holy Spirit during the one-day Conclave today, ALL women across the length and breadth of our South Bahamas Conference will walk away sincerely offering themselves to be used by God. I especially envision this for our 16 to 25 year-old G.E.M.S. (Girls Empowered for Ministry & Service) who will dedicate their lives to God's service during the Conclave. My prayer is that we all find ourselves willing and available to be used by God. -Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director CENTREVILLE CELEBRATES 104 YEARS On November 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church will be celebrating 104 years of witnessing in The Bahamas, under the theme "Make His Praise Glorious!" To commemorate this grand occasion, we will be hosting a day of musical tributes at the church, followed by a charge from Pastor H. A. Roach, former Pastor. Our special guest artist will be Dr. Paul Jones, gifted Canadian concert pianist, composer and author. Dr. Helene McPhee, soprano, will also bless us with the beauty and richness of her voice. We extend a special invitation to all of our brothers and sisters to share with us as we celebrate God's goodness. -Mrs. Lorraine Duvalier, Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church ATCU PRAYER INITIATIVE The prayer focus of the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) for October 25 - 31, 2015 is: Appreciating God’s Acceptance of Sinners. - Pastor Peter Joseph, Prayer Coordinator BIBLICAL SYMPOSIUM Attend an informative Biblical Symposium on November 17-18, with Clinton Wahlen from the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He will speak on the subject: The Shepherd's Rod. The event will be held at the Hillview Seventh- day Adventist Church. -Pastor Lynden Williams, Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator NEW PROVIDENCE FALL REVIVAL -Pastor Asha-Dane Duncan, New Providence Seventh-day Adventist Church CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE Get your children ready for the following events: Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. - Joint Week of Prayer Service Friday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. - Joint Week of Prayer Service Sabbath Afternoon, November 28 - Children and Adolescents’ Concert November 29 - Children and Adolescents’ Fun Day. Your local CHAM leader will provide details. -Mrs. Joan Scavella, CHAM Director EVANGELISM EXPLOSION Join the Bethel, Ebenezer and Francophone Seventh-day Adventist Churches for an evangelistic campaign on October 25 - November 14 at the Global Mission Centre of Influence (GMCI) on Wulff Road. Meetings will be held nightly at fifteen minutes past seven except for one night (The off-night will be announced on the opening night). The speaker will be Evangelist Presnel Barthelemy from Haiti. All members are invited attend and urged to bring the entire family as Evangelist Barthelemy presents the gospel of Jesus Christ. -Pastor Lynden Williams, SSPM Director MEETING FOR PERSONAL MINISTRIES LEADERS All Personal Ministries Leaders are asked to attend an important meeting at the Conference Office on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting you will participate in the nomination of delegates for the Lay Congress that will be held in Mexico in 2016. FAMILY LIFE DIRECTORS TO MEET All Family Life Leaders are urged to attend a meeting at the Conference Office on Sunday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m. Please make every effort to attend. -Pastor Peter Joseph, Family Life Director