Friday, July 8, 2022 | St. John’s, Antigua | Kay White
The Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists celebrates 100 years since the division was organized in May, 1922. During this year of celebration, there is an emphasis on institutional growth, development, commitment and mission. The Gospel Caravan is one of the major events highlighting the importance of adopting Christ’s method of mingling with people in communities and making a significant difference.
The Gospel Caravan targets at least 100 new areas within the territory of Inter-America with the social dimension of the gospel. Members were encouraged to present a positive image of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to residents of these communities.
A virtual torch was passed from Union to Union within the Inter-American Division as a relay positioning each field to make its contribution in the area of community outreach. In the Caribbean Union, the torch was received from the Belize Union and passed on to the Mexican Union.
The South Leeward Conference (SLC) held its Gospel Caravan Impact on Sunday, July 3, 2022, in Antigua. The Lay Preachers & Lay Bible Workers’ Federation, Adventist Community Services Federation, ASI, the Youth Ministries department, the Coordinating Council, under the leadership of Pastor Cindie Lee, prepared to Impact the community.
For the past year, the Adventist Community Services and the Lay Preachers Federation, on Antigua, established a relationship with the destitute around the public market place, the sea shore and the Gray’s Farm community in St. John's, Antigua. Every Sunday morning, the group facilitates a soup kitchen which provides hot meals to the homeless and needy. In addition to the physical meal, clothing is also distributed. Two persons have been baptized a result of the initiative.
At the SLC Caravan Gospel Impact, the ministries mentioned above along with administrators of the Conference, the directors, pastors and the lay members were involved in the distribution of food and literature at the three sites, and conducting worship sessions with the members of the community.
The responsibility is given the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to minister to the felt needs of the community and the Gospel Caravan Impact was an opportune time for the South Leeward Conference to make a significant impact in the city of St. John's.