In the thick of election season, religious leaders from across most denominations have urged their members to register to vote and to exercise their right, and it was no different at the Church of God of Prophecy's 91st annual national convention, held from March 11-18.
Elgarnet Rahming, national overseer of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, during his national address, urged his eligible members to register to vote if they have not done so as yet.
He said the window of opportunity to register is fast closing. "Do not tarry any longer. Prepare yourselves to participate in this most critical aspect of our democratic process by registering to vote as a matter of urgency."
To his members that have already registered, but haven't picked up their voter's cards, he urged them to do so. "No one can ill afford to be left out of participating in the upcoming elections due to irresponsible procrastination or lack of interest in the future governance of this country.
Eligible voters, democracy calls for your participation. And the Almighty God requires your participation. For the powers that be are set up and are ordained of God through His intervention in the heart and mind of each individual participant in the electoral process," said Bishop Rahming.
He cautioned voting members of the Church of God of Prophecy, and the general public, to ensure that they check out the integrity, track record and qualification of the candidates.
were also urged to find out their purpose for running for political office, and their vision for the improvement and sustainable development of their area. Bishop Rahming told them not to waste their vote because it is precious.
He also told them not to sell their vote by allowing people to coerce them into how they vote. "And when God would have impressed upon you on how to vote, I say vote and voice your choice with a clear conscience.
As God is not the author of confusion, and as God is incapable of making a mistake, God's direction of your next member of Parliament and by extension,
choice of your next prime minister and elected government will be the best choice for our country and people at this time." The Church of God of Prophecy national overseer also called upon the political candidates and parties to run a fair, honest and decent campaign devoid of mud-slinging and personal attacks on opponents.
"Bahamian people are now well-educated, knowledgeable and politically sensible and will not be moved to vote for or against someone because of such tactics."
The religious leader also commended the government for ensuring that Bahamians who won't be resident in The Bahamas during the election season will get the opportunity to cast their votes.
Desperate times call for desperate measures Bishop Rahming also told his members that their church could move towards holding biennial conventions as opposed to annual affairs due to the tough economic times
"Upon review of our convention operations, we have determined that the cost to carry on these annual conventions has negatively affected other important areas of work
With that in mind, along with other factors, we feel that the time has come for us to give due and focused consideration to changing the frequency of our national and district conventions from annually to biennially."
Even if they move to biennial conventions, the church is mandated to hold them as they play a vital role in their ministry existence and in their celebration experience.
As an archipelagic nation, the national conventions serve to bring the members together in one place for inspirations, instructions, reporting and vision casting.
And over the years, the conventions have evolved into occasions for praise, worship, fellowship, business, sharing and divine blessings.
He told members that the questions and subjects committee in conjunction with the ways and means committee will present the appropriate recommendations for consideration during the business section of the convention. Trying times are trusting times "People of God, these trying times are trusting times.
David found himself alone in the drought and isolation of the wilderness. He did not despair. He yearned for the manifestation of divine presence and he praised and worshipped his God. Then he found himself on the run from a hotly pursuing Saul. He was at his wits' end.
But David did not bend, break or do something desperately stupid. Because his heart was fixed on God who is greater than his situation or circumstance, he sang, he praised and he trusted God to bring him out." Bishop Rahming asked his membership to check to see if their heart was right with God and whether their mind and focus was on Him.
"When the heart is fixed on God, your circumstance and situation do not determine your praise. You will praise God in the lion's den, in the fiery furnace, in the desert, in the cave, in the valley, on your hospital bed, when you are broke, busted and disgusted.
You will praise Him when nothing seems to be going right," he said. He told them that the omnipotent God of heaven, earth and the universe is the fixed center against which everything else is measured. "You can pursue this God who is before all, above all and through all, and in you all.
You can place your trust in the preeminence and power of this awesome and incredible God who is first in precedence, above in rank and station, and exalted in dignity and honor." He also told them that in today's reality, it seems as if people have lost respect for the Lord's anointed -- whether they serve in the spiritual or secular realm.
And that it is commonplace to see, read and hear of civic and religious leaders being publicly disrespected, lambasted, talked badly to, verbally beat down and ridiculed on every front
Worse still, he said it seemed as if the revenge seekers had a chip on their shoulder, a strong taste for vengeance and retribution and were on a mission to make a name for themselves at the expense and detriment of others. Missing the mark
As Bahamians seek to escape crime and economic woes by accusing each other, pointing fingers and blaming everyone else, Bishop Rahming told Church of God of Prophecy members that by doing so they missed the mark. Doing so, he said, was not the solution.
"The solution is acknowledging God for who He is and for where He is. The solution is in committing ourselves to a personal relationship of love, obedience and faithful service to Him. The solution is in unreservedly praising Him," said Bishop Rahming.
Praise He also commended the government for the introduction of Volunteer Bahamas, which he said builds national unity, through participation, cooperation, sharing and service.
"I understand that the program will provide maximum opportunities for citizens and residents of The Bahamas to get involved in community building and national service. It will also provide a support system for a national mentoring program for young men and women, and will optimize training/apprenticeship opportunities for our citizens, particularly young people.
It is designed to engender a sense of community spirit and national pride. I encourage the youth who are gifted, talented and available to enroll and participate in this community building program that has its base embedded in the Scriptures," he said.
In this 103rd year of continuous presence and witness as a church, Bishop Rahming told his members that they are blessed and privileged to assemble at this 91st annual convocation of their fellowship and diocese.
And that in praise and thanksgiving they celebrated the goodness and the faithfulness of God, who in His infinite mercy, enabled and made it possible for them to achieve and accomplish in the midst of challenging times.
"By the grace of God, in forging forward with our divine mission and mandate, this chosen body of believers will continue to make a positively meaningful impact on the overall social and spiritual advancement of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas," he said.
Mission Between last year's convention, and this year's convention, in spite of the many challenges, Bishop Rahming said across their 17 island districts, 15 national ministries with their adjunct ministries, five national missions, 59 local churches and two local missions, cooperating and collaborating together, with the help of the Lord, more than 10,00 sermons preached and more than 4,000 Bible teachings given.
He said they engaged in over 200 community outreach efforts and conducted over 150 revivals. He also said over 4,000 people were converted to Christ, and over 100 people were reclaimed/restored.
Over 250 people he reported were added to their fellowship. He also said they assisted hundreds of needy people through their social outreach ministry, special community programs such as soup kitchens.
They also constructed two new church buildings and organized two new local churches. Bishop Rahming reported to his membership that they strengthened their leadership development and training efforts with emphasis on the college degree.
their evangelism and home mission efforts with the strategic placement of additional personnel and gave attention to their core values with emphasis on prayer, the harvest, leadership development, emerging leadership and church planting.
He also said they provided and funded Bahamas missionaries to the Turks and Caicos Islands, to Dominica and to Cat Island and Eleuthera.
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