A Publication of the Gregory Park SDA Church Communication Department March 2014
Issue #17
Revival declares, Jesus the Only Way Elder Robinson delved into God’s word and spoke with authority on topics such as ‘The Biggest Informer in Christian Pen’; ‘21st Century Madness’; ‘No Puppy Love’ and ‘PUSH’.
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speaker excited about Christ! A message centred on Christ! A revival for Christ! The Jesus the Only Way series of revival meetings held in March 2014, reflected the heartfelt desire of every true worshipper for a closer walk with God. It is no secret that “a revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs” (Selected Messages, bk.1, p. 121) The Evangelist, Elder Lionel Robinson, of sister church Waterford SDA, could hardly contain his excitement about God and His goodness. Every message presented revealed his enthusiasm and love for God. Accompanied by his beautiful wife, Elder Robinson delved into God’s word and spoke with authority on topics such as ‘The Biggest Informer in Christian Pen’; ‘21 st Century Madness’; ‘No Puppy Love’ and ‘PUSH’. These messages were delivered with passion and zeal, informed and reminded listeners of the life changing truths in God’s words. The meetings were held Sunday, Wednesday and Friday nights in addition to Sabbath Service. Sunday and Wednesday’s meetings were conducted in the church courtyard, ensuring that even more persons in the immediate vicinity of the Church would also receive the message. God’s word as also delivered by Elder Cavan Davis who ably stepped in on March 26 in the absence of the Evangelist. The Music, Health, Family Life, and Youth Departments were among those who worked along with the Personal Ministry Department to ensure the success of the meetings. The beautiful singing and health tips and family life tips along with the powerful messages were aspects which will linger in the minds of those
who attended. Also etched into the minds of the listeners are the words of the theme song ‘Worthy is the Lamb’, the fellowship song ‘We are United in Jesus Christ’ and the departure song ‘Our God is an Awesome God’. The meeting came to a close on Sabbath March 29th. The preacher was emphatic in his message ‘Tell hell I am not coming”. The male group, ‘Inspiration’ from Braeton enriched the service with beautiful singing. The series had ended and but the nuggets of truths spoken by the preacher remain. These truths include:
‘You being saved is dependent on Christ; you being lost is dependent on you’ ‘Many books can inform you, only the bible can transform you” ‘When life knocks you down on your knees, you’re in a perfect position to pray’ ‘Prayer is not a spare wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It is the steering wheel that guides our lives’ ‘If you are in the company of Jesus, prepare yourself for a storm’ The month of Revival was not without fruit as along with each member’s personal recommitment, two precious souls were added to the family of God through baptism. God is indeed an awesome God.
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I s s ue # 1 7
10 The Pastor’s Desk
3
Church Pastor Blondel Campbell brings greetings and reflects on the first quarter of 2014
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Jamaica Union Jamboree SMS Messaging Service
Youth Retreat 2014
Black Adventist Pioneers
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A brief profile of three SDA Pioneers who broke new ground for Adventism
Publications
12
5
Adventist Resources The Light
13 Women’s Weekend
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The Women of Gregory Park Experience a weekend of prayer and praise which included International Day of Prayer
Metro Mission 2014
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14-15
Metro Mission 2014 is a part of the Global Seventh-day Adventist Church’s campaign to evangelize the major cities of the world.
Scenes from the Quarter
8-9
Health as a Lifestyle
News
16-17 18
Calendar of Events
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BLONDEL Campbell Pastor, Gregory Park Circuit of Churches
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raise the Lord! God continues to be faithful and true to us in spite of ourselves. Let us give him thanks for His leading in the life of the Church over the past years and especially in this stage of earth’s history when the signs all indicate that his coming is even at the door! The Church is still a blessing as it carries forward its mandate of preaching the gospel to ‘all the world’ which represents the communities of Gregory Park. In preparing the church for such an important mandate, the Personal Ministry Department spearheaded a ‘revival’ to re-energize the members for active duty. To God be the glory for our young Elder and Pastor in training – Lionel Robinson for the remarkable job he did in presenting to us God’s messages of love. Our members were truly blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit and more so our visitors a few of which answered the call of the Lord. To the ‘babies of the Gregory Park family’ keep your focus on Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith. Yes, we are living in challenging times but remain ‘anchored’ in Jesus and He will lead you safely to our eternal destination. Well done family members for your support not only by your presence but in your prayers as well. We have been re-energized by Elder Lionel Robinson and therefore ready for the ‘rigors’ of MM14 – Metro Mission 2014 – ‘a vehicle’ bringing hope to the major cities of our country. I am encouraging every member to get on board the MM14 train plying the Portmore/Greater Portmore domain; by praying for our evangelists, Bible workers, visitors; that the Lord will move in a mighty way through His servants and rescue souls ‘shackled and burdened by sin’ into the liberty of our Saviour. As you pray allow the Holy Spirit to move you to add your financial support as well and be out in your numbers from the start on April 27 to the final climax on May 25. Every able bodied saint is needed for the success of this mission into the enemy’s camp. Therefore as we pray and give financially let us also give our-
Melissa Brown
selves to the Lord. As the Church prepares for this big evangelistic event, the heads of departments have been busy with ensuring that the members are fed spiritually during their special days. I must make special mention of our Women’s Ministry and Family Life Departments for reminding us of the important roles that our women and families play in carrying out the gospel commission. We were indeed blessed by the messages and encouraged to see our women and various families being led by the Spirit of God in such an awesome way. Thanks to the leaders and the team members of these departments for a spiritually enriching day. The families of God are not only increasing spiritually but also physically as we say congratulations to Brother and Sister Wilson on the new addition, baby Blake Christian Wilson and Sister Lavern Grey for her bundle of joy, Zenovia Danielle Grey. Let us continue to pray for God’s leading in their lives. When our Lord calls us into His service; His call includes those skilled in the art of construction as well and we give God thanks for our ‘skilled saints’ who came out to assist in the raising of the wall of the side of the church. Thanks for a job well done for the Lord. Let us continue to pray for our Elders, Leaders and other Officers that they will be led by the Holy Spirit as they minister to the Church and not to be forgotten are our youth who will be going on their Youth Retreat sometime in August. Let us pray that as youths they will be strengthened to continue to serve our God. With Christ as our focus let us remain steadfast in the face of the various challenges that assail us and proclaim the third angel’s message as we onward march to Zion the beautiful city of our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God continue to pour out His blessings upon us all.
Editorial Committee Marjorie Stone Fiona Dyer Wilson
Damian Wilson
I s s ue # 1 7
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Bible year readings (March 9-15) Deut 30:31, Deut 32:34, Josh 1-4, Josh 5-8, Josh 5-11, Josh 1215, Josh 16-18) Faith can move mountains.
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T he L i g h t
Returns to Portland
The main building on the property
After a meticulous search for a suitable location for this year’s Youth Retreat, the Adventist Youth Council has settled on Jamaica Crest Resort for their annual three-day outing. Youth Retreat will run from August 1-3, 2014, after a break in 2013. “We believe that we have selected an ideal property that offers both value for money and the kind of comfortable, relaxing environment with the necessary amenities to make for a Retreat everyone will enjoy,” insists Adventist Youth Leader, Ceraphia Roper. “We also wanted to ensure that we could accommodate anyone who is interested in attending, at a price point that was fairly reasonable especially when compared to previous years,” she explained. The Jamaica Crest Resort, which was also the site for the 2009 Retreat, offers a laid back tropical retreat setting with old-fashioned charm and hospitality. The property is located seven miles east of historic Port Antonio at Fairy Hill in Portland on seventeen acres of tropical paradise, surrounded by lush green gardens, and lawns. Other amenities include pool area, large conference rooms, modern/updated rooms, ample green areas for games and recreation, and dining facilities. While details are finalized by the Council and new and innovative ideas take shape in the months leading up to the Retreat - a number of usual plans and activities will be a part of the weekend including: spiritual/ Christian workshops, board games, physical and social activities and banquet dinner. “We want our young people to start planning early, put your funds aside or turn them over to the Youth Department so you can book your space and ensure that you are a part of what promises to be a memorable and exciting weekend,” the AY Leader concluded.
The pool area
One of the rooms at the Resort
Group photo from 2009 Youth Retreat at Jamaica Crest Resort
I s s ue # 1 7
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Sis. Sackeria Hinds “Prayer opens our lives to God’s cleansing power. During prayer, the Holy Spirit X-rays our souls. We see hidden sins and defects in our character that keep us from being the powerful witnesses He longs for us to be. Prayer draws us into an intimate relationship with Jesus. In prayer, we open our minds to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We seek His wisdom, not our own”. “Just as the Berlin Wall fell as God’s people prayed, so the walls that keep us from an intimate experience with Jesus fall as we plead with God” (Finley 2010) Prayer is a privilege which Christians embrace daily as they face life’s challenges. The women look forward to International Women’s Day of Prayer with great anticipation. It is an annual event which provides women with the opportunity to strengthen their prayer life as they are empowered by God to serve in his vineyard. The Women’s Ministry Department of Gregory Park Seventh-day Adventist Church planned a weekend of activities to celebrate International Women’s Day of Prayer. The women organized community impact to allow church members to go into the community, sensitizing persons to the events planned as well as the upcoming Revival series ‘Jesus the Only Way’. The weekend of activities began with a vesper service on Friday, March 28th. The evening was shared by sister churches in Portmore. The women from Newlands, Braeton, Greater Portmore, Tent City and Portmore SDA turned out in their numbers to share in the rich experience of praying together and sharing testimonies of God’s goodness. The evening’s programme was moderated by Sis. Janet Able-Simpson. The Women’s Ministry Director at Gregory Park, Sis. Janet Gordon, welcomed all present. There was beautiful singing from Newlands SDA as well as from Sis. Claudette Thompson of Tent City SDA. The beautiful singing and testimo-
nies from sister churches touched every heart as worshippers sat transformed by the compelling details of God’s mighty acts on behalf of His children when they pray. Sis. Carmen Griffiths and Sis. Victoria Henry, both from the Greater Portmore Church left no uncertainty as to the power of God and His goodness to us. The charge for the evening came from Sis. MckoyChambers. She was a powerful presenter who allowed God to use her once again to proclaim His words. The worshippers were spellbound as she delved into God’s word and lead us into examining the theme ‘He Lifts Up My Head’. Sabbath, March 1, 2014 was equally spiritually refreshing. The prayer focus was maintained throughout the morning’s proceedings as members and visitors walked to the altar to lay all before the Lord. One could sense the presence of the Lord in His sanctuary on His holy day. It was a spiritual feast available to everyone who hungers and thirsts after righteousness. The Divine Hour message was presented by Sis. Sackeria Hinds of NCU, St. Ann. We were fed the bread of life as she shared with the Church from the scriptures. The AY segment was entitled ‘The Golden Years’. The guest presenter was Sis. Walters, a nurse from the Berea SDA Church. She examined a number of issues relating to Women and aging. She explained how other family members, by being aware of the changes, could be more sensitive and understanding. Vesper was conducted by Sis. Jacqueline White. It had indeed been a well spent International Women’s Day of Prayer. Let all continue to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonian 5:7) for ‘when we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we imagine…In His own time and His own way’.
- Marjorie Stone
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MM14 coming to Caymanas/Portmore Area
atthew 9:35 says; ‘Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.’ The buzzword in the local Adventist community right now and for much of this year is ‘MM14’. Metro Mission 2014 is a part of the Global Seventh-day Adventist Church’s campaign to evangelize the major cities of the world. Kingston has been selected as the major city being targeted by the Jamaica Union, the largest urban populated city in Jamaica. The campaign which is dubbed “Hope for the Cities” has been well underway for months now throughout East Jamaica Conference with meetings in Barbican Square and the National Heroes’ Circle. MM14 will also involve major evangelistic campaigns in major cities and towns across Jamaica. Each local conference is expected to identify the main city/town in that Conference, while there will be smaller meetings around the Conference. For the Central Jamaica Conference, Spanish Town has been identified as the main thrust for the Conference. Other
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campaigns will be held in Portmore, Old Harbour, Mandeville, Linstead and Frankfield. While MM14 was officially launched on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Half Way Tree Square, the Portmore phase will run from April 27 to May 25 with Pastor Alton Williams under the theme, ‘Hope for the City: Operation Rescue.’ The site will be at the Caymanas Gardens open lot, between Surrey Meadows and Independence City. The lead-up to the Crusade will be supported by outdoor meetings across the districts in Portmore, including a meeting at the site during AY on Sabbath March 22. . . In an open letter to the Churches in Jamaica Union, Union President Everett Brown said that “This initiaPastor Everett Brown tive requires the full support of every member of the church to join us in praying for the success of this programme, and to participate in the mission to the cities and towns by making a special contribution to defray the expenses of conducting the initiative.”
This initiative requires the full support of every member of the church to join us in praying for the success of this programme
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MM14 Road March and Launch in the Capital City (January 12, 2014)
Final Sabbath of the Footprint of Hope Series, A MM14 Programme with Pastor Glen O. Samuels (March 1, 2014)
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Church Treasurer, Orrett Davis and other (skilled) men of the Gregory Park Church lend their time and talent towards raising the wall to the right of the Church - Sunday February 9, 2014
A group of young people at Camp Verley at the “Equipping Ourselves for Service: Youth Leadership Training 2014”, February 23, 2014
Pastor Blondel Campbell raises his hand in praise following the presentation by Pastor Roy Dennis, Family Life Director of Central Jamaica Conference - Sabbath February 15, 2014
A section of the Women’s Choir during International Women’s Day of Prayer, March 5, 2014
Jaydene Brissett attends to a ‘customer’ during Hair Daycare, a fundraising event of the Adventist Youth Department, Sunday March 9, 2014
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Members of the Youth Choir perform an item during a meeting of the Revival (top left) while Evangelist, Bro Lionel Robinson gestures to the outdoor congregation during his presentation (right). ◄ The Children’s Choir lift their voice in praise during Divine Service on Sabbath March 22, 2014
Damian and Fiona Wilson, holding their son Blake Christian Wilson and Sis Lavern Grey with her daughter Zenovia Danielle Grey during the Blessing for both children on Sabbath March 15, 2014. At the altar are friends and family members supporting the parents.
I s s ue # 1 7
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certain Hollywood writer/director is credited with saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” This isn’t because God delights in making light of our own plans, but just how those plans often pale in comparison to the loftier ones He has for our lives. In 2004, Tajloi Cunningham, a former member of the Gregory Park SDA, who also sang on the Youth Choir for a while, left Jamaica to continue his education abroad. But somewhere in that process he received and responded to a higher calling. “I completed high school and then went on to Walla Walla University where I began studying aviation and earned my private pilot’s license. But while enjoying my career choice God persuaded me, under drastic circumstances, to give it all up to do Theology. I have now graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with an Aviation and Biblical Languages Minor. Tajloi now worships at the Berean Fellowship for which he was a student pastor from 2011-2013, and the Walla Walla University SDA Church in Walla Walla, Washington State. Young Cunningham is a part of a family that is deeply entrenched in Gregory Park Church history as his grandfather, Keith Wright, is one of the early members of the Church. Of his memories of Gregory Park that meant the most to him, he says were Bible Class, where he learnt and gathered so much information about the Bible. Since leaving Jamaica he has visited three times. However he has not been able to keep up much with the happenings at his home church as other relatives and close friends also left over time, but he has been able to keep up with general happening in Jamaica. Comparing the worship experience he says “both have great music but the main difference would be in the type of music. At Gregory Park the music was more conservative with a lot of hymns while both Berean and the University Church are not
quite focused on that. Berean is more of an African American gospel type with up-beat music and some hymns while the University Church is more classical music and some hymns. Often times the University Church will have an orchestra. All are friendly churches. Gregory Park stands out from the other two in terms of preaching and sermon content.” he opines. As for future plans Tajloi says he intends to continue his schooling at Loma Linda University where he will be doing a Master’s of Science in Chaplaincy. “My goal is then to become a Chaplain in the United States Air force for 10-15 years after which I will seek to become an evangelist or a church pastor. I also want to start a food service for the poor and the homeless.”
Tajloi Cunningham
The Light
Black Adventist Pioneers Part II Last year we introduced you to six black Adventist Pioneers who made significant contributions in their respective areas or opened doors for others. Again, in acknowledgement of Black History Month (February) we introduce you to three more such persons. Sojourner Truth was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, Ulster County, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. After going to court to recover her son, she became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. Sojourner Truth was named Isabella Baumfree when she was born. She gave herself the name Sojourner Truth in 1843. Her best-known extemporaneous speech on gender inequalities, "Ain't I a Woman?", was delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. During the Civil War, Truth helped recruit black troops for the Union Army; after the war, she tried unsuccessfully to secure land grants from the federal government for former slaves. 1843 was a turning point for Truth. She changed her religion and adopted her chosen name. She became a Millerite Adventist in 1843, attending several Adventist campmeetings and set out preaching. However she left the Millerites for a time after Jesus did not appear in 1844. Later in 1846 she re-associated with the Millerite group that became known as Seventh-day Adventists. Sojourner Truth
James Humphrey
James Kemuel Humphrey was born in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, on March 7, 1877. He attended elementary school in the parish and graduated from Colbert College, where he distinguished himself as an exceptional student and eloquent speaker. On December 19, 1900, he married Viola Anderson of Kingston, Jamaica, embarking shortly thereafter on a career as a Baptist minister. Always painfully aware of the plight of people of African descent in the “New World,” Humphrey left Jamaica in 1901 to visit Africa. On his way there he stopped off in New York City, where he was converted to Adventism. Humphrey joined the Seventh-day Adventist church, walking away from the Baptist ministry, itself a significant step. He aborted his trip to Africa, deciding to remain in New York City, where his wife joined him the following year. Humphrey’s meteoric rise in the Adventist Church continued through the 1910s. Humphrey continued to hold tent revivals in New York City, and by 1920 his church, the First Harlem Church, had about six hundred members. Humphrey was asked to serve in more leadership positions in the Greater New York Conference, and by the end of 1922, four Black churches were in the Greater New York Conference, all of them under the supervision of Humphrey. The delegates from his church were often the only black delegates in the Conference Sessions. Humphrey baptized over 300 persons between 1920 and 1927. The First Harlem Church was the largest SDA denomination in the Greater New York Conference and Humphrey was pastoring both it and its daughter church, Harlem Number 2.
Rear Admiral Barry C. Black, USN (Ret.) is a modern day pioneer. Born November 1, 1948, Black is the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate. He was elected to this position on June 27, 2003, becoming the first African American and the first Seventh-day Adventist to hold this office. The Senate elected its first chaplain in 1789. . He served for over 27 years as a chaplain in the United States Navy, rising to the rank of rear admiral and ending his career as the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy, the senior chaplain of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He officially retired from the Navy on August 15, 2013 In 1995, Black was chosen from 127 nominees for the NAACP Renowned Service Award, for his contributions to equal opportunity and civil rights. . In 2002, he received the Benjamin Elijah Mays Distinguished Leadership Award from the Morehouse School of Religion. In 2004, the Old Dominion University chapter of the NAACP conferred on him the Image Award, "Reaffirming the Dream - Realizing the Vision", for military excellence. . Black is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He is married to Brenda Black, née Pearsall and together they have three sons.
Rear Admiral Barry C. Black
I s sue #17
To get copies of these and other SDA Christian Literature:
PUBLICATIONS
of the Quarter In this issue of Publications of the Quarter, we introduce you to a new piece of reading material on the works of Ellen G. White
Speak with your local Publishing Director
Visit your local Book and Nutrition Centre Kingston, 74 Constant Spring Road. Spanish Town, 58 Brunswick Ave Mandeville, 5 1/2 Annex Drive, Ocho Rios, Native Plaza, 58 Main Street Montego Bay, 30 Church Street Savana-la-mar, 6 Rose Street Visit the Inter-American Division Book Store Website at http://store.iadpa.org/ Or any other online book store such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Everything About Ellen G. White in One Resource This masterwork brings together hundreds of articles that describe the people and events in the life of Ellen White, as well as her stand on numerous topics and subjects including: Doctrine and Theology Health and Lifestyle Life Events Places People Everything from the hymns Ellen White loved to the homes she lived in are covered in heavily referenced articles. You’ll find a detailed chronology of her life and extensive articles on her ministry, her theology, and her statements in the light of advancing scientific knowledge. Whether you’re preparing a sermon, teaching a class, or finding answers to personal questions, this single resource has the answers you need. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Jerry Moon
By Jerry Moon, Denis Fortin ISBN: 9780828025041 | 1504 pages | Review and Herald Publishing | Copyright 2014 $US 69.99 Read more about this seminal piece of work in the Church News Section on page 17
Jerry Moon is an expert in Adventist studies and topics related to Ellen White. His Ph.D. dissertation dealt with the interaction of W. C. White and his mother. Moon is currently the chair of the Church History Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. His previous books include W. C. White and Ellen G. White: The Relationship Between the Prophet and Her Son and The Trinity (with Woodrow Whidden and John Reeve).
Denis Fortin
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Denis Fortin served as dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary from 2006 to 2013, where he currently is a professor of theology. He is an expert on Ellen White’s life and work and since 1995 has shared with Jerry Moon the teaching of an influential course on issues in Ellen White studies. His previous books include Adventism in Quebec: The Dynamic of Rural Church Growth, 18301910.
T he Li ght
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I s s ue # 1 7
Health as a Lifestyle
R EWARDS
OF
E XERCISE
1. Better Mood
4. More Confidence
Cranky? Get moving. Exercise makes you feel happier. When you work out, your body makes endorphins -- "feel-good" chemicals in the brain. You can actually start to feel better within a few minutes of moving. But the effects of regular exercise can last for a long time.
You just walked a mile or ran your first 5K. Success like that can boost your self-esteem and make you ready to conquer anything. Exercise makes you feel good about yourself.
5. Less Stress Exercise calms your body and your brain. When your body works hard, the levels of stress hormones -- like adrenaline and cortisol -- drop. Stress and anxiety fade away, especially after aerobic exercise.
2. More Energy
6. More Productive
You might not expect it, but using energy to exercise gives you more get-up-and-go. Sometimes when you're tired, the last thing you want to do is move. But when you exercise regularly, that fatigue goes away and you find yourself with a lot more pep.
Want to be more efficient at work? Take a break and get some exercise. In one study, people who got moving in the middle of the day were much more productive when they went back to work. They also were happier and got along better with their co-workers
3. Good Night's Sleep
7. Weight Control
Get regular exercise to help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. The harder you exercise, the more likely you are to have a good night's sleep. It doesn't matter when you exercise, as long as you don’t have trouble sleeping. If you do have problems, though, work out earlier in the day.
Exercise and diet work together to keep your weight healthy. Whether you want to lose some inches around the waist or just avoid putting on extra pounds, exercise is the key. Try to work out 30 minutes most days of the week.
T he L i g h t
Health as a Lifestyle
8. Long Life
Oral Care
Regular exercise can add years to your life. And that counts even if you're not a hard-core fitness buff. Just get moving. Even a little exercise can help you live longer than not exercising at all. The American Heart Association says each hour of exercise adds 2 hours to your life.
Floss
W
ith proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have for tooth decay and gum disease.
There are four basic steps to caring for teeth and gums: 1. Brushing 2. Flossing 3. Eating right 4. Visiting the dentist
9. Strong Bones and Muscles Your bones and muscles get stronger when you work out. It's especially important to do weight-bearing exercise, such as weight-lifting, tennis, walking, and dancing. This can help build bones as you get older. And it can help ward off osteoporosis and protect your balance and coordination.
Tips for Flossing Your Teeth Floss your teeth once a day. Flossing gets rid of food and plaque between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque stays between teeth, it can harden into tartar, which must be removed by a dentist. To floss:
Remove about an 18-inch strip of floss from the dispenser.
Wind the floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving a 1-inch section open for flossing. Floss the top teeth first, then the bottom.
Place the floss in your mouth and use your index fingers to push the floss between the teeth. Be careful not to push too hard and injure the gums.
Move the floss up and down against the tooth and up and around the gum line. The floss should form a C-shape around the tooth as you floss.
Floss between each tooth as well as behind the back teeth.
Use a clean section of floss as needed and take up used floss by winding it around the fingers.
10. Healthy Heart It's no secret that exercise is great for your heart. Regular workouts lower your risk of heart disease, improve your blood cholesterol levels, and help control and even prevent high blood pressure.
11. Lower Risk of Cancer Regular exercise can cut your risk of some cancers, including colon, breast, and lung. And people who have cancer have better quality of life when they exercise.
12. Less Arthritis Pain If you have arthritis, regular exercise can help ease your pain. And it can make your daily activities easier. Try non-impact exercises like swimming. They can be easy on sore joints.
Source: Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on April 19,
2013. WebMD.com
Also, antibacterial or fluoride mouth rinses can reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease, according to the American Dental Association. Source: healthfinder.gov: "Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums." FamilyDoctor.org: "Mouth and Teeth: How to Keep Them Healthy." Columbia University College of Dental Health: "Eight Steps to Dental Health." American Dental Association.
I s s ue # 1 7
The Light shares the following news stories on religion from across the world, for the information of readers. Opinions expressed in these reports/stories do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Light, the Gregory Park SDA Church or the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Monteiro Released From Prison in Togo Ends nearly 22-month detainment; others still in jail after being convicted
Pastor Antonio Monteiro back home with his family
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eventh-day Adventist Pastor Antonio Monteiro was released from prison on January 13 in Lomé, Togo, ending a nearly two-year ordeal that kept him and four others detained on charges of conspiracy to commit murder in a case that captured the attention of the Adventist World Church. . Monteiro was released after being acquitted in a court verdict the day before. Still in prison is Adventist Church member Bruno Amah, who was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison. He is considering his legal options, including appealing the decision. Monteiro was greeted outside of prison by his legal team and officials from the denomination’s Sahel Union Mission, where Monteiro had worked since 2009 as the Family Ministries Director. Monteiro is a native of the island nation of Cape Verde, and it’s expected that he will return there soon. . Adventist Church President Ted N.C. Wilson spoke to Monteiro by phone. Wilson said Monteiro thanked the world church for its
support. Millions of Seventh-day Adventists worldwide had held prayer vigils, launched social media campaigns, sponsored letterwriting initiatives to government officials and diplomats, held press conferences and led a signature drive for a petition calling for the release of Monteiro and others involved in the case. . Church officials expressed “mixed feelings” over yesterday’s court ruling, which acquitted some and convicted others. “The acquittal of Pastor Monteiro is good news and we are happy for him and his family. We are surprised and very sad about the condemnation of Amah,” John Graz, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director for the Adventist World Church, said. . The arrests and detentions unfolded following a string of homicides in September of 2011. Five men, including Monteiro and Amah, were detained in March of 2012 and held without a trial and solely on the accusation of one man who was described as a “pathological liar” in a court-ordered psychiatric exam. That man, Kpatcha Simliya, who was also detained, was also convicted in the court ruling and sentenced to life in prison. . Depending on different newspaper and police accounts, more than a dozen bodies of women between the ages of 12 and 36 had been found in the northern Lomé suburb of Agoué in 2011. The bodies had stab wounds and some sexual organs had been removed. Blood and organs are often used in ceremonies of Voodoo, which is widely practiced in Togo. . When no arrests were made, the public demanded justice for the killings, church leaders said. Simliya was later shown on television surrounded by police guards, telling the story of the series of murders he said that he organized and naming accomplices who collected blood and organs. But much of the story proved unlikely, including the number of victims and the methods used, according to Simliya’s medical examiner “Any informed and reasonable man would have doubts regarding his incredible outpouring or the feasibility of his crimes or supposed crimes,” a September 9, 2012, court-ordered psychiatric exam stated, which was viewed by ANN. . Simliya would later recant his accusation, saying he was beaten by police and forced to give names of people he supposedly knew were co-conspirators in a blood trafficking network, according to the psychiatric exam. . Still, his testimony—the only evidence in the case—was enough to bring convictions in yesterday’s ruling. . Church officials for the denomination’s West-Central African Division, based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, said Monteiro will receive appropriate care back in his home in Cape Verde. Source: Adventist News Network - http://news.adventist.org/ Continued on next page
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No New Ellen White Encyclopedia Sabbath, highlights lifetime of ministry no flexiweek! Church historian calls it ‘most important reference work in half a century’
Church groups say Gov’t must hold consultations before passing Bill
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Jamaica Union President, Pastor Everett Brown
HE Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica has urged legislators not to pass the Flexible Work Arrangement Bill in Parliament until its members and other Sabbath-keeping congregations across the country are guaranteed the 24hour Sabbath. Head of the organisation Pastor Everett Brown told the congregation gathered for the installation of newly elected leaders in the church's northern region (St Ann and Trelawny) in February that the church needed strong, courageous leaders to oppose “any attempt to curtail our religious freedom which the Constitution guarantees, by the passing of legislation on the new flexible work arrangements”. “Let me make the position of the church clear: God, who mandated the Seventh-day Sabbath as His holy day of worship, did not make it a 12-hour day, but a 24-four hour one — from sunset Friday evening to sunset Saturday evening," he said. That position is among a list of concerns outlined in a letter which the Umbrella Group of Churches — of which the Adventist body is part — sent to the Minister of Labour. “We hope to have a conversation,” secretary of the group Rev Gary Harriott told the Jamaica Observer. “The church, through a group called the Concerned Church Leaders, has been following this matter for a number of years and while we recognise that there are values to be gained from a flexible work agreement in Jamaica, we are concerned about the impact it will have on the life of the church.” “While we have flexible work arrangements [to some extent] now, it only affects a small group of people. Our concern is that when it becomes wide-scale, what will it mean for the larger body of the church, and what will it mean culturally for us?" he asked in reference to the current definition of “the weekend”. Discussions about flexible work arrangements have been on the table for nearly 20 years and legislation is expected to be passed by the end of March this year as a requirement of the latest IMF agreement. Government issued a ministry paper on the subject with the promise that public education and consultations would be carried out before any regulations are enacted. But that has not happened to date and, according to Rev Harriott, “What we don't want is for the Bill to be rushed through Parliament, like many we have seen last year, without any proper debate and public education and which causes an economic backlash.” “We are concerned about the protection of a person's right to worship as enshrined in the Constitution. Based on the ministry paper that we read, the work schedule will be determined by negotiation between the worker and the employer and we are concerned about that because they do not have equal power. It should not be left open to negotiation but should be protected under law where power rests with the employer,” Harriott said. Source: Jamaica Observer
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recently released encyclopedia on the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s co-founder Ellen G. White gives an overview of her stance on numerous topics and offers an opportunity to dispel misconceptions on the life and literary influence of the denomination’s most known figure, publishers said. “The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia,” published by Review and Herald Publishing Association, includes articles on White, biographies and her writings on an array of topics—from salvation, psychology and politics to legalism, diet and makeup. “The Ellen White Encyclopedia is undoubtedly the most important reference work produced by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in a half century,” said Adventist Church historian George Knight. . The encyclopedia consists of 1,300 articles with descriptions of places White lived and the people in her life, rarely seen photographs and her position on hundreds of subjects she wrote about during her ministry. . Editors Denis Fortin, former dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, and Jerry Moon, chair of the Church History Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary worked with 180 contributing authors over the course of 14 years to compile the encyclopedia. It was arranged so “both new and long-time readers [of White’s writings] will find reliable information, often presented from fresh new perspectives,” Fortin and Moon said. . White, who died in 1915 at age 87, is credited with shaping the mission and vision of the Adventist Church, especially through her writings. During her ministry she wrote approximately 100,000 pages, and more than 100 books have been published from her writings. She is also the most translated American author, according to The Ellen G. White Estate. Her most translated book, “Steps to Christ,” a how-to guide on being a Christian, has been translated into more than 165 languages. . Controversy around White’s writings often stems from her work that has been taken out of context or wrongfully used to support controversial subjects. The encyclopedia was envisioned to be the standard reference work for anyone who has questions about White’s positions. .
Jim Nix, director of The Ellen G. White Estate, said he was pleased when he received early manuscripts of the encyclopedia. “I am excited about the wealth of information regarding Ellen White and her ministry that is contained in this book,” Nix said. “I am impressed with the depth and scope of what is contained in it.” Source: Adventist News Network, http://news.adventist.org/
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April Tue-Wed 1-30 - Launch of Singles Club l Fri-Sun 4-6 - Women’s Ministries Retreat l *Sab-Sab 5-26 - Education Evangelism; Sab 5 Day of Prayer and Fasting (Literature Evangelist) l Personal Ministries Day l Missionary Magazines; Youth Mission Rally - Spanish Town l All Night Prayer Meeting at Braeton Church for Big City/Town Outreach l Sab-Sun 5-6 - Communication Symposium Weekend l Sun 6 - Elders, Youth, Women and Children’s Ministries Directors and Sabbath School Superintendents’ Certification Seminar, Manchester, (CJC) l Mon 7 - Pastors & Bible Workers’ Meeting - CJC Boardroom l Wed 9 - Executive Committee Meeting l Thur 10 - 1st Quarter Churches’ Statistical Report due at CJC Office l Fri 11 - Pastors Day of Prayer l Sab 12 - Adventist Mission Emphasis (offering) l Sab 12 - Vision One Million Baptism Celebration l Literature Evangelism Impact Day l Youth Spiritual Commitment Celebration (Northern Hemisphere) l Religious Liberty Rally – Spanish Town l **All Night Prayer Meeting at Old Harbour Church for the Big City l Sun-Sun 13-May 11 - Mission to the Big City/Town Outreach - Portmore l Wed 16 - “Wellness Wednesday” l Thur 17 - Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day l Thur 17-21 - JAMU Youth Jamboree (Federation Camps (Camp Verley) l Sab 19 - Youth Rally – Mission to the Big City Old Harbour (PM) l Publishing Day (All Churches) l Education Summit – NCU l Sun-Sun 20-May 18 - Mission to the Big City/Town Outreach - Old Harbour l Mon 21 - Intern/Supervisor’s Meeting l Sab 26 - Christian Education Day l Spiritual Revival Emphasis l New Believers Convention – Manchester (Christiana) l Spiritual Emphasis – Educational Institutions l International Evangelism l Christian Education Day – NCU Connect l Sun 27 - Summer Camp Officers’ Training
May Child Evangelism Launch l Thur-Sab 1-31 - Drug Awareness Month l Child’s Month l Thur 1 - *Pastor’s Community Outreach (Manchester) l Sab 3 - Community Services Evangelism l Day of Prayer for the Children l *Day of the SDA Books (IADPA) l *Disaster & Famine Relief Emphasis l Vision One Million Rally - (Ewarton Church) l Religious Liberty Rally – Portmore l Tue 6 - Pastors’ Stewardship Workshop - Conference Office l Sab 10 - *Tell the World: Big Cities l Children’s Convention l Religious Liberty Rally – Old Harbour l Sun 11 - Mother’s Day l Tue-Sab 13-17 - Colporteur Training (Camp Verley) l Wed 14 - Executive Committee Meeting l Thur 15 - Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day l Sab 17 - *Sabbath of Hope l Youth Day – NCU Connect l Elders, Youth, Women and Children’s Ministries Directors and Sabbath School Superintendents’ Certification Seminar, St. Catherine, (CJC) l **All Night Prayer Meeting at May Pen Church for Big City/Town Outreach l Sab 24 - Schools of Prayer in IAD Territory l Vision One Million Rally – Toll Gate Church l Elders’ Appreciation Day l Sun 25 - Weight Management Seminar l Summer Camp Officers’ Training l Sun June 25 - Jun 22 - Mission to the Big City/Town Outreach - May Pen l Mon-Thur 26-29 - CPR & First Aid Training –Office & School Staff l WedSab 28-31 - Colporteur Congress (Mexico) l Sab 31 - Northern Caribbean University Projects Day
June Launch of Women and Family Life Evangelism l Sun 1 - Pastor’s Community Outreach (Clarendon) l Sun-Mon 1-30 - Jamaica Inland Missionary Movement - Volunteerism l Thur-Thur 5-19 - Camp Verley Youth Project – Camp Verley l Sab 7 - Bible Correspondence School Emphasis l *Women’s Ministries Emphasis l Personal Ministries Sabbath l Lay Workers’ Rally – Tent City Church l Youth Mission Rally - May Pen l Sun 8 - Stewardship Workshop - Clarendon (May Pen Church) l Camp Officers’ Training – CJC Office l Wed 11 - Executive Committee Meeting l Sab 14 - Adventist Lay Persons Service & Industries (ASI) Day l Day of Prayer for Men l Religious Liberty Rally – May Pen l Sun 15 - Father’s Day l Health Fair Day l Stewardship Workshop – St. Catherine (Family of God Church) l Elders, Youth, Women and Children’s Ministries Directors and Sabbath School Superintendents’ Certification Seminar, Clarendon l Thur 19 - Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day l Sab 21 - Conference-wide Men’s Convention - May Pen Church l Adventurer Day l Vision One Million Decision Day l Wed 25 - Prayer Conventions – Manchester (Pastoral Districts) l Sab 28 - #Vision One Million Baptismal Day l 13th Sabbath Offering (Southern Asia Division) l Sab 28 - District Bible Boom Finals/Youth Baptismal Sabbath - All Districts *Programme provided by the General Conference or by the Inter-American Division **One week before each “Mission To The Big City/Town Outreach” all night prayer meeting on the Saturday night at the main church +Worldwide Offering. Special offerings are included in the systematic plan of the Division # Organized Baptisms are conducted and recognition of those baptized during the quarter