In their relentless quest to continue with their mission of saving souls for God's kingdom, the Nassau Circuit of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) will conduct their annual Missions Week under the theme, "Stewardship: The Way of The Cross".

Missions Week gives devoted members of the church as well as interested persons from other denominations, an opportunity to concentrate on the missionary aspect of church life.  Its core purpose is to provide training and spiritual revitalization for participants seeking to carry out the great commission of Jesus Christ given to all who believe in Him.

The main focus of this year's activities, which will take place October 23-30, is to promote the salvation of souls, get people involved in God-centered activities in the church and to show the value of remaining faithful in the Word of God.  The belief is that since Jesus Christ laid down His life and went the way of the cross to save  the world, then individuals in the world who claim they are Christians, should earnestly seek Him by continuing the work He began many years ago on earth to heal the sick and proclaim the gospel.  Missions Week therefore  is a way to guide Christians to becoming good stewards  of  godly things with a missionary view in mind -- to evangelize as many people as possible.

Methodists have been engaging in missionary work from the beginning of their existence in The Bahamas, gathering always at certain times to discuss the importance of  Christ's mission in the church. From its inception, missionary meetings were held, but church leaders soon discovered that one meeting was insufficient for the task at hand.  It was later expanded to a week of  activities that would enable the church to fully carry out its mission to evangelize the entire Bahamian community.  It was also felt that every member of the church would be able to do his or her part in studying the gospel and spreading that gospel to others.

Nassau Circuit superintendent, Rev. Livingstone Malcolm, along with other leaders, hope to sensitize participants of this year's Missions Week by getting them to realize that God expects all believers in Christ to take their role seriously -- no matter what part they are given to assist with building His Kingdom on earth.  They say it is only when they remain faithful in doing this can the gospel truly  spread.

Events for the week will begin on Sunday, October 23, at Wesley Methodist Church on Malcolm Road east with a service at 5p.m.  The circuit praise team and choir  will lead in music for the service.  The speaker will be Canon Curtis Robinson, rector of Christ the King Anglican Church.  Conducting the service will be Reverend Malcolm.

On Monday, October 24, there will be a training exercise at Rhodes Methodist Church on Montrose Avenue for circuit stewards, congregational stewards and ushers.  Moderator for the evening will be Rev. Leonard Roberts.  During this time, two groups will be placed in half-hour sessions beginning at 7:15 p.m.  Training for ushers will be conducted by Juliet Barnwell. Training for the stewards will be conducted by Rev. Kenneth Huggins. This will be followed by an open session commencing at 8:15p.m. that will be led by Rev. Malcolm.

On Tuesday, all class leaders, assistant class leaders and auxiliary heads will undergo additional training starting at 7 p.m. at Rhodes.  This exercise  will take place in four categories -- class leaders and assistant class leaders will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Huggins;  auxiliary heads will be divided into men and women with the men being led by Rev. Edward Sykes and the women being led by Rev. Emily Demeritte and Cora  Bain-Colebrooke; and Sunday school superintendents and teachers will be led by Rev. Claire Robinson and Deborah Barry.

An evangelistic service will be held on Wednesday, October 26 at Rhodes at 7 p.m.  Canon Basil Tynes, rector of St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, is scheduled to speak.  The circuit choir and praise team will be present. Rev Demeritte will conduct the service.

On Thursday, October 27,  Arthur Chase will serve as moderator for a training event for members of the pew. Persons attending will be placed into two groups that will participate in two half-hour sessions.  Rev. Sykes will speak on stewardship of finances, followed by an overview of the circuit  finances that will  be presented by Basil Ingraham and Rev. Malcolm.  A general session will then take place giving an overview of what members of the MCCA body of  churches believe as Methodists.

Young people throughout New Providence are invited to attend youth night on Friday, October 28 at Heritage of Redeeming Love Methodist Church on Crawford Street beginning at 7 p.m., where they will hear a special word from Rev. Diana Francis of First Baptist Church and enjoy wholesome fellowship in the backyard with food and games.  This event will be led by Ianna Bethel and coordinated by Marsha Munnings.

Missions Week will close on  Sunday, October 30, with a  service at Wesley starting at 5 p.m. where Rev. Malcolm is expected to bring a powerful address to members.  The circuit praise team and choir will serve and Rev. Sykes will conduct the event. Refreshments will be available during the various nights of activities. An invitation is extended to all churches and civic organizations to attend.

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