By Henry R. Moncur III | ACTU Communication
On May 19–20, the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) held its 2026 mid-year executive committee meetings online, bringing together administrators, departmental directors, conference representatives, and institutional leaders for this key governance session. These meetings, held twice a year, are crucial for assessing the church’s mission progress, reviewing departmental reports, and guiding ongoing church activities across the region.
Chaired by ATCU president, Kent Price, the meetings addressed both daily operations and strategic objectives for advancing the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s mission in the region. The discussions emphasized spiritual accountability, evangelism, discipleship, and organizational growth, celebrating the blessings God has bestowed while also tackling current challenges and opportunities.
Each meeting began with devotional messages and prayer, setting a spiritual tone for the sessions. Devotional speakers Steve Cornwall and Peter Watson reminded attendees of the importance of embodying God’s character and relying on the Holy Spirit’s power to fulfill their mission.
Conference and institutional leaders shared reports that highlighted successes and challenges within their territories, with these presentations becoming focal points for unified prayer and seeking divine guidance.
Below are highlights from the reports and actions taken during the meetings.
A Vision for Growth: RISE and Key Initiatives for Mission
President Kent Price outlined several initiatives and developments within the union and the Inter-American Division (IAD). Among these was the RISE initiative which Price described as a divine mandate aimed at invigorating the union to carry out mission. He stated that RISE represents “four fields with one mission who will, year by year, field by field, rise together in unity to ignite the union territory with the gospel.”
RISE, an acronym for Renewal, Identity in Christ, Service, and Evangelism, involves a collaborative evangelistic effort where preachers and Bible workers from throughout the union assist a selected conference with soulwinning in a particular year. RISE 26 recently concluded in the North Bahamas Conference, resulting in 153 baptisms. The initiative will continue with RISE 27 in the South Bahamas Conference, RISE 28 in the Cayman Islands Conference, and RISE 29 in the Turks and Caicos Islands, culminating in a festival of the laity and clergy in 2030.
Price also provided updates on IAD initiatives, including OneVoice27 designed to unify the global Adventist community through digital evangelism; Impact28 which aims to establish 100,000 preaching sites over the next five years; and Every Church Plant One Church which encourages churches to produce other churches throughout the territory.
Statistical Report Shows Growth and Mission Impact
Cheryl Rolle, ATCU executive secretary, presented the union’s statistical report, celebrating significant growth over the past five years. She emphasized that every statistic reflects an individual touched by the gospel. By the end of 2025, the union had 85 churches and 6 companies, with 1,020 baptisms, achieving 52% of the year’s baptism target. Notably, over 60% of those baptized were aged 0–20, underscoring the effectiveness of youth-focused initiatives.
For the period from 2021 to 2025, the union recorded 4,974 baptisms, reaching 65.5% of its five-year goal. Membership increased from 29,348 in December 2025 to 29,439 by March 31, 2026, following 167 additions, including 150 baptisms, despite 76 losses.
Rolle reiterated the importance of evangelism and retention, quoting G.T. Ng on the need for a balanced approach to mission work.
Treasurer’s Report on Financial Stewardship
Treasurer Roderick Sands reported a modest 0.05% increase in tithe at the end of 2025, with a slight decrease of 0.04% as of April 2026. Offerings also saw a decline of 5.10%. Sands reported on various financial health indicators, noting a reduction in working capital from 16 months in 2024 to 12.7 months at the end of 2025, with slight improvement noted in early 2026.
Despite these fluctuations, Sands expressed gratitude for God’s provision and the faithful stewardship of members, reaffirming the union’s commitment to support mission initiatives
Moving Forward in Faith
As the virtual meetings concluded, leaders expressed their gratitude for divine guidance and reinforced their dedication to the church’s mission across the Atlantic Caribbean Union. The meetings not only served as a platform for reporting and planning but also reinforced the church’s commitment to evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual nurture.
About ATCU
The ATCU, headquartered in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas, comprises 29,439 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.