By Henry R. Moncur III | ACTU Communication; Devarro Whittaker | CIC Communication; and Peter Watson | NBC Communication
Under the theme “Covenant Renewed,” members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the three countries that form the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) convened during February 1–8, 2025, for Holy Convocation, an initiative by the Stewardship Ministries department that encourages pastors and members to pursue holiness and a revitalized life through the Holy Spirit. During the evenings, visiting pastors and guest speakers conducted revival meetings in local churches, encouraging attendees to deepen their commitment to God and to embrace stewardship as an inclusive approach to faith and responsibility.
The event featured a range of speakers, including pastors, administrators from the union and conferences, Stewardship Ministries directors, and elders from five unions of the Inter-American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (IAD).
Holy Convocation
The IAD organizes Holy Convocation as an annual gathering in a designated region of Inter-America, bringing together members for spiritual renewal, worship, and educational presentations from qualified speakers who emphasize stewardship principles aimed at reinforcing the members’ faith.
“The purpose of Holy Convocation is to allow pastors and members within the Atlantic Caribbean Union to renew their covenant relationship with Jesus,” explained Dr. Roberto Herrera, the Stewardship Ministries director for the IAD.
“We’re pleased to host this year’s Stewardship Holy Convocation within the Atlantic Caribbean Union,” said Andrew Burrows, the ATCU Stewardship Ministries director. “Over 20 pastors and Stewardship Ministries leaders from five unions within the Inter-American Division, along with IAD leaders, delivered messages at 21 locations across our union’s four fields. Through member visits, seminars, and evening preaching and teaching sessions, this entire event provided an opportunity for each pastor, church leader, Stewardship Ministries director, and member to reaffirm their commitment to fully serving God as devoted stewards.”
Stewardship Institute
During the week of Holy Convocation, a Stewardship Institute was held to provide training and spiritual renewal for ATCU members, pastors, and leaders. Daily activities included devotionals, group worship, exercise, training seminars, and home visits as part of a proven stewardship program.
Dr. Leonard A. Johnson, IAD executive secretary, and Dr. Roberto Herrera served as lead presenters for the institute. Attendees gained valuable insights on effective stewardship as leaders, stewardship in family settings, the importance of member visitation to convey stewardship’s relevance, and the value of fostering spiritual health and growth within local churches.
Reflecting on the event, Peter Kerr, the ATCU president, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather as a community of believers to renew both personal and collective commitments to Jesus Christ. “As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, we bear the responsibility of sharing the good news of our soon-coming King. Engaging in this spiritual experience has enabled our members to diligently seek the Scriptures and spend meaningful time in communion with Christ. It is my hope that each member has been drawn closer to God,” he stated.
Stewardship Congress
The Holy Convocation concluded with a stewardship congress on the afternoon of February 8, 2025. This vibrant gathering featured reports from field leaders detailing the impact of the stewardship programs held each evening during the week-long event across The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Notably, the convocation culminated in 25 baptisms of individuals who committed to following Jesus wholeheartedly.
“This week, the Lord has delivered a clear message to us as individuals and a church,” remarked Herrera as he closed the congress. “Every Seventh-day Adventist is called to nurture their spiritual relationship with God, allowing His will to be manifest in our lives. Be faithful in everything.”
The closing ceremony included a moment of commitment led by Ivelisse Herrera, the IAD treasurer, during which attendees pledged to be better stewards of their time, bodies, and resources. She expressed gratitude for what God was achieving in ATCU and for the members’ efforts to advance the church’s mission. “Thank you for your dedication to the Lord’s church and for using your talents to promote its mission. Your contributions are meaningful and will one day be rewarded by the Lord.”
Testimonies
The Holy Convocation proved to be transformative and significantly affected the lives of its participants.
“I can’t convey just how blessed I’ve been this week,” said Richard, a new member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Cayman Islands. “If I hadn’t been led by the Holy Spirit to the church last July, or if I hadn’t given my life to Jesus last October, I would have done so today.”
Felix A. Gutiérrez M., the Panama Union Stewardship Ministries director and a speaker at a Bahamian site during the Holy Convocation, was grateful for the opportunity to participate. “The Holy Spirit directed each activity and prompted the spiritual commitments of those who attended our meetings. The abundant results from this Convocation will greatly advance God’s kingdom.”
For Nicola English, the Guyana Conference’s Sabbath School, Education, and ASI director and the only female speaker during the Holy Convocation, the experience was eye-opening. “As speakers, we often approach new places believing we have the wisdom to impart—that attendees should come to us for understanding. However, my time in the North Bahamas Conference has reshaped this view; I have been the learner here, absorbing invaluable lessons in hospitality, humility, and dedicated service from both church members and fellow ministers. My deepest hope is that as we finish this Holy Convocation, we all embrace a renewed covenant with Christ and feel inspired to contribute to His kingdom.”
The Transition from Holy Convocation to Discipleship and Soulwinning Institute
At the close of the Holy Convocation, Pastor Andrew Burrows symbolically passed a torch to Pastor Kent Price, the ATCU assistant to the president for Evangelism, marking the transition from the spiritual renewal of the Holy Convocation to the evangelistic focus of the Discipleship and Soul-winning Institute set to commence on February 8, 2025. With renewed dedication after the Holy Convocation experience and armed with valuable strategies learned from the Soulwinning Institute, members were eager to spread the gospel at the 20 concurrent evangelistic campaigns that will take place across the union territory during February 8 – 22, 2025.
The ATCU, headquartered in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas, comprises 27,694 members across four fields: the Cayman Islands Conference, the North Bahamas Conference, the South Bahamas Conference, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Conference. Additionally, Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica, is co-owned and operated by both ATCU and the Jamaica Union.