On February 8th, 2025, the Advent Connect Symposium brought together church officers and members from across St. Lucia for a day of open and honest discussions on membership-related issues. The Secretariat Office of the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists hosted the symposium held at the ten sites across the island. Ten dynamic speakers representing diverse Caribbean cultures were invited to lead discussions and presentations, creating a rich and engaging experience for all attendees.
The central location was the Zion SDA Church, with Pastor Johnson Frederick being the primary presenter. Other sites included Castries (Pastor Marvyn Smith), Maranatha (Pastor Peter Morris), Marisule (Pastor Caius Alfred), Dennery (Pastor Leslie Moses), Vanard (Pastor Paul Philbert), Victoria (Pastor Randy Dixon), Bethany (Pastor Terrance Haynes), Desruisseaux (Clinton Lewis), Zion (Brother Fitzroy Harewood)and Ti-Rocher Micoud (Pastor Wilmoth James). Each location provided a unique setting for discussions on key issues affecting the church and its members.
The symposium addressed critical topics such as member retention, engagement, and the essence of being a Seventh-day Adventist. As a pivotal gathering, it played a crucial role in shaping the collective focus of leaders, officers, and members. Participants explored themes related to Adventist identity, strategies for connecting with youth, and challenges confronting the church in today’s world.
The symposium incorporated technology to facilitate seamless transitions between sites, breakout congregations, and the central location at Zion. This integration allowed for a more interactive and connected experience across the island-wide event.
During the afternoon session, the dedication of the A-Team, clerks, and churches was recognized for their unwavering commitment to advancing the membership project. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage directly with presenters, asking questions following the morning presentations at various sites. Later, a panel discussion encouraged further interaction and dialogue, fostering a collaborative spirit among participants.
The Advent Connect Symposium proved to be an impactful event, reinforcing the church’s commitment to fostering engagement, strengthening faith, and addressing the challenges faced by the Adventist community. The insights shared during this gathering are expected to leave a lasting impression on local congregations, guiding them toward a stronger and more connected future.
We expressed our gratitude to Pastor Johnson Frederick, Executive Secretary of the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (CARU), whose astute leadership brought this initiative to life. SisterOnessa Hughes-Mitchell,Records Management and Research Assistant in the secretariat office of CARU deserves special commendation for helping to who help direct and coordinate the symposium.
Authors : Pastor Lucius Philip and Ciji Anthony-Cenac