November 4, 2007
Mission Report A
The Synod of 2006 in Resolution #10 seeks to develop the infrastructure to foster and support mission endeavors. That infrastructure should include:
1. A Congregation Mission Committee based on the Christian Education Committee model in each congregation
2. A Conference Mission Society comprised of at least one representative from each Mission Committee.
3. A provincial Mission Board - The Eastern West Indies Moravian Mission Board. This should be comprised of the chairpersons of the Conference Mission Society.
The objectives of this resolution is to promote missions at home and abroad in order to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken hearted, deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. The following represent our current mission efforts:
TORTOLA
The PEC has just assigned The Rev. Vankys Jaun Isaac to Tortola. Bro. Isaac has a heart for missions and has already made tremendous impact on the work in Tortola. We see great potential there and believe that the work there will grow with his presence. After a prolonged period of negotiations for the land on which the Sanctuary would be built, it is now in the hands of the Tortola Fellowship.
ST. MARTIN
The Rev. Errol Connor continues to work with the people in St. Martin. He is there one Sunday per month. Some negotiations must be held with the Suriname Province as to the way forward. There is now a need to appoint a Pastor for the congregation.
GRENADA
The ministry in Grenada started out as an outreach of the youth in Tobago as a result of Hurricane Ivan. They visited Mount Tranquil (also known as Child Island) and Champ Fleur and distributed supplies there. Several services and meetings have been held and after several visits and recognizing the large presence of children, the decision was taken to hold a Vacation Bible School in the summer of 2007 as an outreach to the children there.
After several hitches, the VBS was held 20th-24th August under the Theme “Lift Off! Soaring To New Heights with God”. It began with 51 children and ended with 62. There were three age Groups under 6, 7-12, and 13 and over.
An Open Air Service was held on Sunday 19th August as an official opening to the VBS. The VBS was held daily at “The Canal House” Baillie’s Bacolet, St. David’s Grenada. The VBS came to a close on Friday August 23 with a closing ceremony. Certificates of Participation were distributed and tokens of appreciation were given to persons who helped to make the VBS a success.
A Youth Forum was held on Thursday August 23, with over 30 persons in attendance. Mr. Ronnie Marryshow, Counselor at Ministry of Health and National Infectious Diseases and Mrs. Caroline Alexis-Thomas, Director of National AIDS Directorate, were the resource persons.
Bro. Rowan Simmons and Bro Devon Mannix are planning a trip to Grenada in November as a follow up to the VBS. As a Province we are approaching the ministry in Grenada holistically and this would include continued physical assistance, medical counseling, guidance and the preaching of the gospel. There is still the immediate need in Grenada for: Tents for meetings, tables and chairs, a PA system, Bibles and teaching materials. To be continued next week
(Rev. Dr. Dion Christopher EWIP Department of Mission and Evangelism)
