By Henry R. Moncur III | ACTU Communication
On August 23, 2025, the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) joined the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist church in observing enditnow Emphasis Day, a campaign that challenges abuse in all its forms. This year’s theme, “Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother,” placed special focus on elder abuse and the responsibility to treat parents and guardians with dignity and respect. The activities undertaken marked a shift from protest to presence.
Rallying Against Elder Abuse
In the Cayman Islands, every congregation devoted the morning worship service to enditnow awareness. Members reflected on the call to protect the vulnerable, particularly the elderly, who are too often overlooked.
In the afternoon, the conference hosted a march that culminated in a community rally at the Bodden Town Primary School football field. The event drew a large turnout with strong participation from the wider community.
The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre gave a special presentation on elderly abuse, outlining key warning signs and practical steps for prevention. Members of the Newlands Church performed a skit that powerfully illustrated how subtle words and actions can harm elders, reminding attendees that abuse is not only physical but can also be emotional and relational.
Church members donated supplies for 70 care packages that were distributed to the Bodden Town community after the rally.
Marches in Abaco and Grand Bahama
In Abaco, the day’s activities began with a march in Sandy Point, culminating at the Sandy Point Ball Park. Assistant Chief Magistrate, Ms. Ancella Evans, served as the keynote speaker, urging the community to “not only speak out against abuse but also to model respect for elders in daily life.” Over 500 food packages were delivered to the surrounding community and over 400 care and food packages and cleaning supplies were distributed to four elderly care facilities following the program.
Meanwhile in Grand Bahama, church members and community supporters marched through several communities in Freeport ending at the Errol Bodie Community Park for a mass rally. Mr. Godfrey Theoc, social worker, and Chief Superintendent Will Hart delivered strong appeals for families to cultivate environments of safety and love. Hart shared a practical 5-step demonstration on how abuse is committed and how to reverse it. Theoc spoke about how we should honor our fathers and mothers and gave practical examples of things we can do. He reminded those in attendance that to end elderly abuse we need to “protect them, speak up on their behalf, take care of their emotional and physical needs, pray with them, show them love, and ensure we do not exploit them, hit, shout, or talk bad to them.” The program concluded with the distribution of food packages to those in need.
Showing Love with Care Packages
Churches in the South Bahamas Conference (SBC) hosted morning services centered on the enditnow theme. In the afternoon, dressed in enditnow attire, members demonstrated love in action as teams simultaneously visited all the senior citizens’ homes across New Providence, while churches in other islands did distributions and outreach programs in local communities to raise awareness and promote prevention of elder abuse.
This initiative was more than a program; it was a heartfelt expression of gratitude to those who paved the way before us.
According to Carla Rodgers, SBC Women’s Ministries director, the effort was designed to demonstrate care and support while underscoring the importance of protecting vulnerable members of society.“Rather than holding the usual march and rally, we chose to demonstrate love in action. Through our presence, words of inspiration, songs, prayers, and the distribution of 400 care packages, we wanted to remind our elderly that they are honored, cherished, and never forgotten.”
The caretakersof each home were presented with fruit baskets and othergifts and were warmly thanked for the compassionate carethey provide daily for the elderly.
A Call to Action and Prayer
In Providenciales, members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Conference (TCIC) filled the downtown streets with songs, marches, and prayers under the banner of enditnow, emphasizing that homes and communities must be sanctuaries of safety and love.
ATCU president, Peter Kerr, attended the event and gave a stirring charge, affirming the biblical foundation of honoring parents and urging members to take bold, practical steps in defending the elderly. He reminded attendees that “elder abuse, whether physical, emotional, financial, or through neglect, is a betrayal of those who paved the way for younger generations.”
In his keynote remarks, Raphael Delpheche, TCIC Family Ministries director, declared that “abuse of the elderly is a stain on our collective conscience, and it is our Christian duty to recognize it and put a stop to it. We must stand together and be a united force to end the abuse of our elders.”He further urged members to vigilance. “Check on your elderly neighbors. Listen to their stories. Listen to their cries. Listen to the pains they might be experiencing. They also have a story to tell.”
The program featured special prayers for the elderly led by Rohan Champagnie who asked God to help the church not to neglect but to uplift its seniors.
Adding a creative touch, Barbara Roberts recited a poem reminding listeners that the elderly’s voices often grow faint with time, yet their wisdom and journeys deserve honor and respect. “Let us rewrite the script on elderly abuse. The time has come to turn the page. We will end it now … and instead appreciate the wisdom of the aged,” she said.
Community health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, were also offered by the Health Ministries team. The afternoon was marked by loud, united chants of “End it now!” that punctuated the air as members marched the streets, leaving no doubt about the church’s stand against violence and neglect.
A Union-wide Impact
Reflecting on the day, Peter Kerr, ATCU president, emphasized the spiritual importance of the theme. “When God gave the command to honor father and mother, He was setting a foundation for strong families and healthy societies,” Kerr said. “As a church, we must stand against every form of abuse and be intentional in caring for our elders who have paved the way for us.”
Arleen Sands, ATCU Women’s Ministries director, praised the collaborative efforts across the union. “What we saw today was more than marches and rallies — it was a movement of compassion in action,” she said. “From Cayman to Turks and Caicos to The Bahamas, our members are living out the gospel by raising their voices, educating communities, and providing tangible support.”
Continuing the Mission
The 2025 enditnow Emphasis Day strengthened the Atlantic Caribbean Union’s commitment to ending abuse and promoting Christ-centered family life. By combining awareness, advocacy, and community service, the church continues to press forward with its message: abuse, we must end it now.
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.