Ever since I announced
that I would no longer be serving the First Presbyterian Church of Sand
Springs, folks have been asking what it is I will be doing. I have to admit
that I have been wondering that myself. I have looked at several options, from
teaching to serving other churches. I have sent out resumes, e-mails, and even
had a few personal contacts with other pastors and leaders who have been in my
situation.
The result of all this
is that I have been accepted as pastor of the Lucaya Presbyterian Church in
Freeport, Grand Bahama. It sounds like an appointment to paradise, and in many
ways it is, but it will be no picnic.
The church was founded
about 50 years ago by the Church of Scotland as a mission to the indigenous
people and the expatriates who lived there. About five years ago, the church
decided to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in the United States since
Florida is much closer and more able to provide ministry support. I will be
received into the EPC and serve as their first pastor from that denomination.
The Bahamas is a chain
of nearly 700 islands that stretches from the southeast coast of Florida to
just northwest of Haiti. Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited, with the
vast majority of the population living in Nassau. There are about 300,000
people in the Bahamas, and nearly two-thirds live on New Providence, where the
capital is located.
As I said, the setting
is beautiful, but the ministry will be challenging. The island the church is on,
Grand Bahama, is the northernmost of the outer islands of the Bahamas. This is
not Nassau, with its bustling city and five-star hotels. Unemployment on the
island is around 25%, so there is a lot of need among the people there. One of
the issues they have is that tourism, which is down right now, provides about
60% of the GDP, and employs about half of the nation’s workforce. When tourism
is down, it puts a lot of people out of work.
The church supports a
ministry called CrossReach, which feeds 50 families a month to help them make
ends meet. This ministry is overseen by Jerry Coleborn, who has been doing it
for the past few years. Expenses are in excess of $1,000/mo, all of which goes
to local families.
The church itself is
very international, as you might expect. It consists of Bahamians, as well as
citizens of many different countries, like England, Scotland, Canada, and even
Lebanon. In many ways, it is like a church in the US; they have worship on
Sundays, outreach ministries, and even a youth group. So my responsibilities
will include things like preaching, planning worship, training elders, and
helping the church in its outreach ministries.
But because of their
unique setting, there are many other challenges as well. There is a lot of
poverty on the island, and a need for better education and health care. Many of
the native people live in small, family-related communities.
This will be a huge
change for our family, but a great opportunity to bring God’s message of love
and peace to a community in need. I appreciate all the support this
congregation has shown to my family, and I would appreciate your continued
prayers for this transition. Rest assured that you will continue to be in my
thoughts and prayers.
I will still have the
same e-mail address, so you can contact me that way, and I will probably still
post on facebook from time to time, and update my blog. The church does have a
website, so you can also keep track of us there. It is at lucayachurch.com.
Remember the words of
Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares
the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.”
May God continue to
bless and be with us all.
