Caribbean Mission Fields
This month we’d like to update you on what has been taking place in some of our Caribbean Mission Ecclesias this past year. The focus continues to be on both on efforts to expand regular and online preaching/teaching efforts as well as the Pastoral needs.
Antigua
From August 2022 through June 2023 two fieldworkers arrived in Antigua from Nairobi, Kenya to support the ecclesia and gospel proclamation activity. In November 2023 Bro. Albert Mwashi returned to Antigua with a plan devised by Bro. Clive Solomon in association with the CBMC to have Bro. Albert reside permanently in Antigua with his family to support ongoing ecclesial work.
To do this a small home was constructed in 2024 on the same property as the ecclesial hall. The building is nearing completion and awaiting furnishings. Bro. Albert’s wife and 4 children are scheduled to arrive in Antigua in late October 2024, God willing.
If the Lord will’s in 2025 efforts to support the ecclesia, the Sunday School and Gospel Proclamation activity will take place with the support of additional short-term visitors including a possible trip by Truth Corps.
We pray for God’s blessing on all these developments and plans and above all we pray that he will bless this little light stand in Antigua!
Bahamas
It is a difficult situation as there are only 3 sisters and 1 brother on different islands. The Link Brother is hoping to visit in the fall.
Barbados
During a visit in February 2024, we had the privilege to witness the baptism of our new sister Chiara Hunte. The baptism took place in the warm ocean waters not far from where the cruise ships dock. It was a blessing to see Chiara’s mother, Chiara’s grandmother, as well as her great grandmother!
On this particular trip we were joined by Brother Larry and Sister Karon Deakin of the Sarasota, FL ecclesia as well as by Brother Dan and Sister Wonda Sargent of the Kamloops, BC ecclesia.
To coincide with the annual Barbados School holiday week, we advertised (using flyers in the local community adjacent to the Hall) that we would be holding a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children ages 3-11 years old. A special lecture was also advertised entitled “What is Truth?” and this lecture would take place on the Saturday immediately following VBS.
In addition to the flyers, the lecture was promoted through the use of over 1500 emails, sent to the contact list generated by the CBMC supported thisisyourbible.com website.
Guyana
Some months ago, an idea occurred to follow up the outreach of 2022 at Kilcoy with another over the February holiday in 2024. Given the green light from the two link brethren Rafeek Soolaman and Mark Carr, the Kilcoy Ecclesia proceeded with the following outline:
- Fri, Feb 23rd – Talk on “The Gospel is for ALL”
- Sat, Feb 24th – Talk on “Courtship/Marriage”
- Sun, Feb 25th – Joint Breaking of Bread; Workshop on “Ecclesial Servants”
The Kilcoy Ecclesia distributed flyers in the vicinity a few days prior and the two link bros heralded the program by a visit during which a vehicle was purchased to facilitate CYC attendance and support at joint meetings across Berbice. A volley ball court donated by a former Kilcoy brother now residing in Canada was set up in the spacious lawn. The response was very encouraging.
- Friday’s talk on “Gospel for All” led by Bro. Ben Drepaul was followed by a BBQ with attendance over 25.
- Saturday’s Joint CYC – over 20 New Amsterdam members were transported in the new vehicle, driven by Bro. Abedi.
- Sunday’s Workshop – over 30 shared in considering all aspects of Ecclesial Duties by Brothers and sisters.
Later in the year, convinced of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His coming Kingdom, Sis Stacy Mootoo decided to put on the Saving Name of our Lord through baptism. After undergoing the necessary interview by the elders of the New Amsterdam Ecclesia, she was baptized on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at a packed New Amsterdam hall in Berbice. We give thanks and praise to Almighty God for this significant step in her spiritual journey. Bro David delivered the Word of Exhortation after she was immersed by Bro Abedi N’djelekulu.
Haiti
The situation is dire for the country and particularly for the ecclesias there. Your prayers for the struggles they endure are much needed. In recent weeks the country has been besieged by violent gangs which in turn has affected our brothers and sisters, particularly in the areas around Carrefour, near Port au Prince. Our brother Esmath had reported that since February, the gangs have forced the cancellation of the ecclesia meetings. Some members felt obliged to flee, others were laying down under the beds to hide from the many rounds being fired randomly. We have received video recordings of the people fleeing their homes, and audio of the random gunfire in the area.
While the work of the CBMC has primarily focused on the English speaking countries of the Caribbean, we have been involved with supporting the preaching efforts in Haiti for several years. Since 2009 and the baptism of 15 members, there are now 3 ecclesias with about 207
Brothers and Sisters. As noted, the current gang situation is causing many people to flee and leave the area. We pray that God will help our brothers and sisters in Haiti and continue to allow the gospel to be spread to those needing hope, but it is difficult at the moment.
Jamaica
A visit was made by Bro. David & Sis. Cassie Giordano in late March thru early April to attend and support the annual Easter Youth Camp, and provide ecclesial visits as time allowed.
Dave led two teen sessions and discussion time early in the weekend, and Brother Keith Kinlocke and Brother Lorenzo Johnson also presented classes, allowing the youth to hear a variety of speakers all on topics from Genesis. Cassie took charge of the handful of younger attendees, aged 7-12 and led classes on the life of Joseph.
Over the course of the weekend students also enjoyed a cooking contest, a field day with games and races, and plenty of delicious food and good conversation. On Sunday night a lot of work went into preparing for a special Banquet where we all dressed up and enjoyed a feast of fish, chicken and mutton, with cake and ice cream to follow. Volunteers shared songs and other performances in the traditional talent night that always ends the camp.
Monday brought with it one last class, followed by the island wide fraternal where we were very pleased to see many familiar faces and catch up with old friends. Although the turnout was not large, this year we did have representatives from each of the ecclesias on the island, which I don’t believe has happened in a while. When mealtime, memorial service and socializing were all over, it was time to say our goodbyes, which is always so hard to do.
Many of the ecclesial members are at home during the day, or at least by afternoon when prime farming time is over, so we were able to see quite a few people, and even do some Bible readings and have some discussion. After that we headed to Negril to spend our last evening at Brother Ray Arthur’s villas, which allowed for another evening of Bible readings and fellowship.
Plans are being made for another trip this month (October) to attend and support the annual Heroes Day Fraternal.
St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
On Sunday, April 7th, Nasha Louis was baptized into Christ at Vigie Beach, Castries, St. Lucia. During a thorough interview on the previous Thursday, she gave a good confession of her understanding of the gospel with two local witnesses present, Sister Dawn Hutchinson and Brother Julian Jackson.
Sister Nasha had completed the Exploring the Bible course on thisisyourbible.com and consequently requested baptism. Nasha is a good student with a caring nature and, with God’s blessing, will prove to be a valuable addition to the Lord’s family in St. Lucia.
Trinidad & Tobago
In our September CBMA/CBMC Newsletter we covered the Caribbean Youth Camp in Trinidad extensively, but thought you might like to know what it meant to be there from a couple of those attending.
Hi, I’m Tinashe Craig from Guyana. Our recent Caribbean camp in Trinidad from August 9-17, was an unforgettable experience filled with spiritual growth, fellowship, and fun. One of the highlights was meeting new people from all over the Caribbean. It was incredible to bond with fellow believers from places like Australia, Barbados, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, the US, and Trinidad & Tobago.
The camp activities were diverse and engaging. One of the most enjoyable moments was spending time at the pool, swimming and relaxing with new friends. It provided a refreshing break and a great opportunity for fellowship in a fun, informal setting.
The camp was truly inspiring as we sang praises to God with a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs. We also learned new ways to express our worship through creative sessions, where we explored different forms of praise, including the spoken word, and quiet reflection. The atmosphere was vibrant and Spirit-filled, as we came together to worship in unity.
In addition to the spiritual talks led by Bro. Josh Hodge on the life of Samson, we had several other exciting activities, such as sports competitions, games night, and a talent night where campers displayed their gifts. These moments fostered not only fun and relaxation but also a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie among us. This camp has deepened my faith, strengthened my bonds with fellow believers, and reminded me of the joy and beauty of praising God in community. I look forward to continuing these connections and applying what I learned in my daily walk with Christ. I am already counting down to next year’s camp!
Hi, I’m Akilah Johnson from the May Pen Ecclesia in Jamaica and on August 9, 2024, along with six others arrived at T&T Urban Ministries for a nine-day camp. When we landed at the Trinidad airport, Bro. David was there to warmly greet us, making us feel right at home, escorting us to the campsite, chatting with us along the way about our journey and sharing stories about previous Caribbean camps.
After safely arriving at what would be our home for the next eight days, we were warmly greeted by Brother Daniel, Brother Nigel, and other committee members who were still awake, ready to welcome us with open arms.
Each day was packed with even more exciting activities and a delightful mix of new, interesting, and fun personalities. The exotic dishes served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner became more nutritious and delicious with each meal, with planned portions to keep us energized for all the activities.
During our daily readings and discussions, campers were encouraged to share their thoughts on the scriptures or ask questions about any gray areas they were struggling with. These conversations were rich and fruitful, deepening our understanding and connection to God’s word.
It was fun taking part in a thoughtfully organized prayer outreach. We left the campsite and walked through the community, inviting people to join us for our upcoming Sunday service about the new world.
At the pool at the camp I was amazed by the various styles of jumping in, the big splashes, and the impressive backflips. It was a highlight of the camp, filled with laughter and excitement.
The classes led by Brother Josh Hodge from Canada were among the most informative and moving lessons I’ve ever had the privilege to attend. Brother Josh’s teachings offered fresh perspectives on Samson’s life and reinforced the message that even when we let down God, He still holds out hope for us.
The early morning exercises led by Brother Smart and a Brother from Trinidad were fantastic for both the body and the spirit. The workouts, paired with uplifting music, provided a refreshing start to the day and were truly enriching for us.
One of my favorite parts of the camp was the women’s circle meetings, all thanks to Sister Kezia’s thoughtful planning. We gathered in a room, where we had the chance to connect and share meaningful conversations. The wisdom shared by the more experienced women was especially valuable and deeply appreciated.
Among the many wonderful games at camp, Bible Jeopardy stood out as one of the most exciting, informative, and fun. Each group who came on stage to showcase their Bible knowledge. It was thrilling to hear the debates, shouts of answers, and reluctant changing of the rules. The treasure hunt was also exhilarating. The Bible verses given as clues were clear but also made the hunt challenging. Finding each clue and racing back to our committee members to collect the next verse was a rewarding experience that made all the effort worthwhile.
Lastly, was the campfire, with its beautiful flames casting a warm glow as we gathered together. We sang gospel choruses together, adding a heartfelt touch to the evening, while laughter and the sweet aroma of roasting marshmallows filled the air. It was especially lovely to hear the native choruses from different countries, adding a rich and diverse musical blend to the night.
Before we knew it, the dreaded last day had arrived, but before that on August 16, we left the campsite and traveled through Trinidad, to a beach for some time playing in the sand and swimming in the water, we then headed to dry off and change. Just then, we were greeted by a group of wild monkeys from the nearby forest, adding an unexpected and delightful touch to our day. Our final stop of the day: a vast and diverse mall. After we wrapped up our mall visit, we returned to the campsite safely and began preparing for talent night.
In my opinion, it was a fantastic way to wrap up the camp, with each group showcasing their entertaining talents and skills. What made it even more memorable was Brother David Smart’s heartfelt proposal to Sister Feleceia, congratulations to them both!
We left sadly at 4 a.m., quietly departing but not without saying goodbye to those who were still awake. We made our way back home, carrying with us the memories of a truly special camp experience. The Caribbean camp was my first triennial camp, and it turned out to be an incredibly enriching experience. It greatly benefited my spiritual journey, deepening my understanding of the scriptures and strengthening my connection with God. The camp also provided a wonderful opportunity to make lasting friendships and create cherished memories.
How to Help
As you can see it has been a very busy and productive year in the Caribbean Ecclesias. Much help is needed. There is still a need for more volunteers who are willing to work with the Bible Mission in the Caribbean.
Help is needed with:
- Pastoral and preaching visits, both short and long term
- Technology support; preaching program designs
- Zoom Bible classes
All are encouraged to review the Volunteer Opportunities page to express your services or talents, as well as full information on each of these countries and which Link Brother or Couple to contact.