Regional Snapshot

From Charles and Carmen Fleming, Caribbean

Seizing opportunities
in the Caribbean

By Charles Fleming

In one of the most remarkable passages of Scripture, God makes this incredible promise: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people… I will be a Father to you" (2 Corinthians 6:16, 18).

I am constantly inspired by WN reports of activities in the WCG that reflect the reality of God living with and walking among our members. As you read Patrick Fearon’s report, we ask you to join us in thanking God for keeping his promise to us. This report highlights what we believe is God’s vision for the WCG in the Caribbean. It’s a vision geared toward the following:

• To help people have transforming spiritual experiences that enable them to know, understand and experience God; know and understand themselves—who they are in Christ; and to know and understand others—both those in Christ and the unsaved.

• To help people build transforming relationships.

• To help create a church culture where each person has abundant opportunities to honor God by using his or her gifts to serve others.

• To help people experience and appreciate the presence and the power of Christ in the lives and ministries of Christians in other denominations—and to work together with them in the Master’s service.

 

 

By Patrick Fearon

WCG members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, continue to shine as lights to a dark world, ministering to people on whose shoulders the national hope squarely sits—Haiti’s children.

If Haiti is to rise from the barren ground of social ills, political instability and poverty—all of which affect the harvest field for the gospel—its children will have to play a significant role.

This would involve education, and it is there that the WCG congregation has found a niche to help. Charles Fleming, regional director for the Caribbean and Latin America, reports that the members in Haiti, led by Joseph Franklin, a bi-vocational pastor, are expanding the school that they started in 1997. What started as one kindergarten class with 35 children has grown to five classes with 142 children.

The plan is to demolish the building and put up a new structure to accommodate 12 grades with an enrollment of 300 to 400 students.

A portion of the funds to finance the school is generated by a joint project between the church and Andre Naval, an artist who has produced a number of postcards. Mr. Naval gives one third of the price of each postcard sold by church members to the church for the school building fund. They sell for 50 cents each.

If you would like to support Haiti’s postcard project, contact the Caribbean Regional Office at 9970 NW 24th St., Coral Springs, Florida, 33065; telephone 1-954-344-3668; e-mail charles_fleming@wcg.org

For some time now, the WCG in Arima, Trinidad, has used its facilities to serve the community. This helps foster interdenominational bonds and build new friendships.

The premises have also become a center where ministries such as training in evangelism and spiritual enrichment take place.

Writing from Trinidad, Laura Sealy, secretary for the office there, reports that many denominations, including some from outside of Trinidad, use the WCG’s premises for camps and retreats, and also as a meeting place for prayer and fasting.

The main auditorium is used for weddings, church rallies and conferences. In March, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies (PAWI) conducted a conference there.

Laura also reported that Campus Crusade for Christ is becoming involved with WCG’s young people. Last year the group conducted a seminar for WCG youths, and earlier this year were also involved in a singles retreat.

The building also serves as a center for training for Evangelism Explosion (EE). Many WCG members as well as believers from other denominations have done the EE program at the Trinidad facility.

The facility is also a post for the Walk to Emmaus, a three-day spiritual renewal movement that seeks to strengthen local churches by equipping believers for Christian action. Laura said that since the Emmaus Walk was introduced in Trinidad, they have seen many members grow in grace and knowledge, as well as love.

The Food for the Needy program in which the Freeport, Bahamas, congregation participates, has created opportunities for sharing the gospel in some of the less well-to-do communities.

In the Sea Grape community, during four Sunday visits by a group of members, 16 people accepted Jesus Christ. A Bible study is now conducted there.

Another social trend creating opportunities for sharing the gospel is the growing Haitian population. In Nassau the church runs a soup kitchen, and a number of Haitians are among the beneficiaries.

Additionally, Pastor Robert McKinney and other volunteers have participated in Creole classes, to learn the Haitian dialect. Becoming more aware of the Haitian culture has proven useful. A few Haitian youths are being discipled in fellowship get-togethers.

The Bahamas is overwhelmingly Christian, and most people will openly say they are Christians. However, the extent of materialism, alcoholism, drug abuse and AIDS speaks of a Christianity that is nominal for many.

Leroy Joiles, a member of the pastoral team, reports that they are engaged in a food distribution program led by Courtney Campbell, another pastoral team member. Each month they serve more than 200 people. Four of the people served attend services regularly.

Cecil Cox reports that selected leaders oversee the day-to-day running of the church. This frees Pastor Clifton Charles for other responsibilities.

Some members participate in the church’s certificate in ministry program conducted weekly. The classes are Bible Interpretation, Understanding Gifts, Sermon Preparation, Counseling and Understanding People.

From Bermuda, Senior Pulley reports that having their own church building is the fulfillment of a 20-year vision for the church.

The congregation has fostered a good relationship with a Baptist church, and together they established a chapter of Young Life for their young people. Every other Friday, youths from both churches gather in the church hall for activities and games, and Bible-based instruction.

From Dominica, Pastor Crisford Vidal noted that on April 27 the congregation thanked Paula John for 1.2 acres of land in the northwest part of the island she donated to the church in 1999 after migrating to England. Ms. John was making a return visit to Dominica.

Over the past few years, the south of the island, where the church meets has experienced volcanic tremors. The land in the northwest is a more geologically stable alternative location for the church, if it becomes necessary to move.

From St. Lucia, Desiree Darius reported that in March, singles from St. Lucia attended a five-day retreat in Trinidad. The theme for the retreat was Living Sacrifices, based on Romans 12:1-8. She mentioned that their role as singles became more clear from attending the conference, adding that their status should be used for God’s glory.

While we have much work to do, we thank God for what he is doing in us. We have full confidence that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. Meanwhile, pray that we walk in God’s vision for us in the Caribbean.

KINDERGARTEN IN HAITI [Photo by Charles Fleming]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002