Mr. Chairman, delegates representing all levels of the Organization, distinguished invitees and esteemed guests attending the 18th Session of the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, I extend warm greetings to each of you.
It is with profound humility and heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God that I stand before you to present the Stewardship Ministries Department report for the quinquennium 2021 to 2025. I consider it a singular honour and privilege to share with you the achievements, challenges, and blessings experienced throughout this reporting period.
This report seeks to provide a concise yet substantive overview of the historical developments, operational initiatives, experiential insights, and strategic dimensions that shaped the stewardship ministry throughout the quinquennium. It highlights intentional, biblically grounded, and theologically sound interventions that fostered a culture of faithful stewardship through approaches that were relational rather than confrontational, and invitational rather than coercive.
The initiatives and programmes undertaken across the various fields of our Union territory were designed to inspire spiritual growth, deepen discipleship, and cultivate a greater understanding of Christian stewardship as an integral component of the believer’s walk with God. Through these efforts, the Church experienced significant advancement, measurable growth, and renewed engagement in stewardship principles and practices.
From the commencement of the period under review, the Stewardship Ministries Department remained steadfast in its commitment to serving the Church through the training and equipping of officers and members for the effective advancement of the foundational principles of Biblical Stewardship. Central to our mission has been the conviction that stewardship is not merely a financial responsibility but a comprehensive spiritual discipline that nurtures growth, faithfulness, and maturity in the believer’s relationship with God.
Our overarching objective has been to respond faithfully to the divine call to foster spiritual development among God’s people by preparing Christ-like leaders in every congregation. This was pursued through Bible-based, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, and Spirit-dependent stewardship education designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of discipleship, accountability, and faithful Christian living. Through intentional teaching and mentorship, believers were encouraged to embrace stewardship as an expression of worship and a tangible demonstration of their commitment to God’s kingdom.
Throughout the quinquennium, the Department implemented strategic initiatives characterized by perseverance, adaptability, and thoughtful recalibration. These strategies were rooted in sound biblical principles and carefully contextualized to address the evolving needs of the Church. Emphasis was placed not merely on external outcomes but on the transformational work of shaping character beneath the surface, fostering spiritual resilience, and cultivating habits of faithfulness that would yield enduring and sustainable growth.
As we reflect upon the accomplishments, challenges, and lessons of this quinquennium, it is fitting to underscore a foundational principle that guided the philosophy and implementation of stewardship ministry throughout the period under review.
In this regard, the inspired counsel of Ellen G. White provided both direction and affirmation for the work undertaken:
“A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend” (E. G. White, The Review and Herald, February 25, 1902; Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 128).
This inspired perspective served as a guiding framework for the Department’s ministry. Accordingly, stewardship initiatives were intentionally designed to foster both revival and reformation; revival through the renewal of spiritual commitment, consecration, and faithfulness to God, and reformation through the adoption of biblical principles that influence attitudes, habits, priorities, and practices. The objective was not merely to encourage greater participation in stewardship programmes, but to cultivate a transformational experience that would deepen discipleship, strengthen commitment to God’s mission, and produce enduring spiritual fruit within congregations throughout the Union territory.
Against the backdrop of the aforementioned inspired counsel and spiritual perspective, the Stewardship Ministries Department intentionally developed and implemented a strategic stewardship framework that embraced innovative, unconventional, and often unprecedented approaches to communicating the stewardship message. Rather than placing primary emphasis on tithes, offerings, or financial contributions, the Department deliberately focused on spiritual revival, personal renewal, and the holistic development of the believer’s relationship with God.
Central to this strategic paradigm was the adoption of a comprehensive stewardship dialogue centered on three interdependent pillars: The Member, The Mission, and The Money. This model provided a platform for guided learning experiences that encouraged theological reflection, biblical reasoning, corrective interpretation, and deeper spiritual discernment regarding the true essence of Christian stewardship.
The stewardship initiative relating to The Member established the foundational principle that genuine stewardship begins with spiritual transformation. Accordingly, significant emphasis was placed on nurturing the devotional life, strengthening biblical convictions, deepening commitment to Christ, and fostering a culture of faithfulness rooted in love rather than obligation. The Department recognized that before stewardship can influence resources, it must first influence the heart.
The stewardship initiative relating to The Mission sought to demonstrate the inseparable connection between the spiritual vitality of the believer and the advancement of the Church’s evangelistic mandate. Members were encouraged to view stewardship as extending far beyond financial support and encompassing the consecration of time, talents, influence, opportunities, and personal witness. As spiritual growth increased, so too did engagement in ministry, evangelism, discipleship, and service to others, thereby strengthening the Church’s capacity to fulfil its mission.
The stewardship initiative relating to The Money was intentionally positioned as the natural outcome rather than the primary objective of stewardship education. The Department advanced the conviction that when believers experience authentic spiritual renewal and become actively engaged in God’s mission, faithfulness in financial stewardship naturally follows. As members mature spiritually, their commitment to supporting the work of God increases, resulting in greater generosity, increased trust in divine providence, and a stronger willingness to invest their resources in the advancement of the Kingdom.
This strategic approach affirmed a simple yet profound stewardship principle: when the Church prioritizes the spiritual development of its members, those members become more deeply committed to the mission of Christ, and when commitment to mission flourishes, faithfulness in stewardship is strengthened. Consequently, the treasury is not enriched merely through appeals for resources, but through transformed lives that joyfully support the proclamation of the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
Thus, throughout the quinquennium, stewardship ministry was intentionally repositioned from being perceived primarily as a financial initiative to being embraced as a comprehensive discipleship ministry; one that seeks first the transformation of the believer, thereby producing lasting benefits for the mission and financial sustainability of the Church.
A well-defined strategy was implemented to provide members with a clearer understanding and practical appreciation of the principles, objectives, and benefits of the Combined Giving Plan. It became evident that several congregations had a limited understanding of the Church’s financial framework and the way resources are distributed to support the mission and operations of the various organizational levels. Consequently, the Stewardship Ministries Department undertook an educational initiative designed to strengthen financial literacy within the Church and foster greater awareness of the interconnected nature of the denominational structure.
Through seminars, stewardship presentations, workshops, and guided discussions, members were afforded opportunities to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how their faithful stewardship contributes to the advancement of ministry at the local church, conference, union, division, and global levels of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This educational emphasis sought to not merely inform, but to inspire confidence, transparency, trust, and a deeper appreciation for the collective mission of the Church.
As understanding increased, so too did support for the various beneficiaries of the Combined Giving Plan, resulting in greater engagement and a more unified commitment to the mission enterprise. Members came to recognize that their contributions were not isolated acts of giving, but strategic investments in evangelism, education, discipleship, humanitarian outreach, and the proclamation of the everlasting gospel throughout the world field.
The following highlights represent some of the principal areas of emphasis that contributed to this strategic stewardship framework and produced meaningful, measurable, and highly encouraging outcomes throughout the quinquennium.
During this quinquennium Holy Convocations were held in the following fields:
The first Holy Convocation of the quinquennium was held virtually in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stewardship Ministries Department successfully launched a special series entitled “The 7 Cs of Biblical Christian Stewardship”. The presentations emphasized biblical principles of stewardship, spiritual growth, and faithful discipleship. The initiative received widespread engagement, and, to date, the series has garnered more than 72,000 views demonstrating its significant impact and reach throughout the Union territory and beyond.
The second series of Holy Convocation presentations was conducted under the theme “The 7 Ps of Biblical Christian Stewardship”. As part of this initiative, during 2022, teams of presenters ministered in St. Maarten in the North Caribbean Conference and also in the St. Vincent Mission, with additional presentations conducted in 2025. Recognizing the geographical diversity of the North Caribbean Conference, Holy Convocations were subsequently extended to several islands, including St. Thomas, Tortola, St. Croix, St. Eustatius, and Anguilla, thereby broadening the reach and impact of stewardship education throughout the territory.
The third Holy Convocation was conducted within the East Caribbean Conference under the theme “The 7 Rs of Biblical Christian Stewardship”. During this initiative, Barbados and Dominica benefited from the rich, insightful contributions of distinguished guest presenters, including Dr. Aniel Barbe, Associate Director of Stewardship Ministries at the General Conference, and Dr. Leonard Johnson, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Division. Their presentations played a significant role in strengthening the stewardship emphasis throughout the territory.
In 2024, the stewardship emphasis was extended to the Guyana Conference under the theme “The 7 Gs of Biblical Christian Stewardship”. This Holy Convocation brought together members and leaders for focused stewardship education and spiritual renewal. The programme was further enhanced by the participation of Dr. Roberto Herrera, Stewardship Ministries Director of the Inter-American Division, who served as the special guest presenter and contributed significantly to the success of the initiative.
In 2025, the Holy Convocation series was hosted within the South Leeward Conference under the theme “The 7 Ts of Biblical Christian Stewardship”. The programme advanced the Department’s emphasis on spiritual renewal and stewardship education throughout the Union territory. A highlight of the Convocation was the final Sabbath afternoon celebration, which featured Dr. Balvin Braham, Vice President of the Inter-American Division, as the keynote speaker.
In 2026 we visited Grenada, the “Isle of spice”, where the stewardship emphasis was conducted under the theme “The 7 Ss of Biblical Christian Stewardship“.
To date, six comprehensive seven-part sermon series have been completed as part of the Holy Convocation stewardship initiative. Preparations are currently underway for the next series, “The 7 Ls of Biblical Christian Stewardship”, which is scheduled to be presented during the Holy Convocation in the St. Lucia Mission in 2027. Collectively, these initiatives have resulted in the development and delivery of 71 sermons and more than 87 PowerPoint presentations, all of which have been utilized across various fields of the Union territory to advance stewardship education, spiritual renewal, and discipleship.
The Holy Convocation is a signature Biblical Stewardship initiative that articulates a Christ-centered vision of stewardship grounded in Scripture and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is designed to enhance members’ understanding of the fundamental principles of Biblical Stewardship while fostering a deeper appreciation of their individual and collective responsibility in supporting the mission of the Church through the Financial Support Plan.
This initiative seeks to cultivate greater financial responsibility, accountability, and awareness of the interconnectedness of the various levels of the Church organization. More importantly, it provides a meaningful opportunity for spiritual renewal, discipleship, and continued growth in Christian maturity. Through practical instruction and biblical teaching, members are encouraged to embrace a holistic stewardship lifestyle that promotes faithful Christian living, sound financial management, and sustainable family development.
A distinctive feature of the Holy Convocation is its emphasis on ministry beyond the pulpit. During the week of the initiative, visitation programmes are conducted involving active members, inactive members, and non-members who regularly attend worship services. Nightly stewardship revival meetings are also held, creating opportunities for spiritual encouragement, recommitment, and evangelistic outreach.
Additionally, visiting presenters usually participate in a designated tour day, which allows them to experience the culture, history, and unique heritage of the host territory. These occasions often provide exposure to historical and cultural sites of exceptional significance and interest.
The week culminates in a grand Holy Convocation Celebration on the Sabbath afternoon, during which testimonies are shared, visitation reports are presented, and baptisms are celebrated where applicable. The featured guest speaker from the wider Church organization delivers a message of inspiration and challenge, encouraging members to greater faithfulness and commitment to God’s mission.
It should also be noted that representatives of the Caribbean Union Conference, including Stewardship Directors, pastors, elders, and evangelists, participated in many Holy Convocations and stewardship initiatives conducted throughout other Union territories within the Inter-American Division, thereby contributing to the greater advancement of stewardship ministry across the region.
I am pleased to report to this distinguished delegation that the Holy Convocations conducted throughout the territories previously referenced, as well as in other fields beyond our Union territory, yielded significant spiritual, educational, and organizational outcomes during the quinquennium under review. Among the notable results were:
Another significant accomplishment of the Stewardship Ministries Department was the launch of the Stewardship Instructor’s Certification Course in 2024. Recognizing the need to equip and certify stewardship leaders for more effective ministry, the Department developed a structured programme designed to strengthen theological understanding, instructional competency, and practical stewardship leadership throughout the Church.
The certification programme sought to prepare participants to:
The curriculum consisted of eight specialized courses:
The response to this initiative exceeded expectations, with nearly 450 individuals enrolling in the programme. Instruction was provided by a distinguished faculty comprising representatives from the General Conference, the Inter-American Division, the University of the Southern Caribbean, and the Caribbean Union Conference.
The programme culminated in a grand graduation ceremony held at the University of the Southern Caribbean, where 367 participants graduated as Certified Stewardship Instructors. The featured speaker for the occasion was Aniel Barbe, Associate Director of Stewardship Ministries at the General Conference, who remarked that this was the first Stewardship Instructor’s Certification Course of its kind that he had encountered within the world Church.
Mr. Chairman, these accomplishments represent only a portion of the major initiatives undertaken by the Stewardship Ministries Department during the period under review. A number of workshops, advisories, leadership training programmes, and stewardship seminars were conducted for pastors, elders, local church officers, and members throughout the Union territory.
Participation in advisory meetings and consultations of the wider Church organization also provided valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and strategic planning. These engagements contributed significantly to the continued development of stewardship ministry, and offered important insights that will help shape the future direction of this vital department as it seeks to strengthen discipleship, advance mission, and promote faithful stewardship across the Caribbean Union Conference.
As I conclude this report, I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the administration of the Caribbean Union Conference for their unwavering commitment to the advancement of stewardship ministry throughout this quinquennium.
Special recognition is extended to Dr. Kern Tobias, President, for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the mission of the Church; Pastor Johnson Frederick, Executive Secretary, for his counsel, guidance, and administrative support; and Pastor Bertie Henry, Treasurer, for his collaboration and dedication in strengthening the financial stewardship initiatives of the Union.
I am also deeply grateful to our administrative team, whose professionalism and efficiency contributed significantly to the successful execution of the Department’s programmes and initiatives. Special thanks are extended to Mrs. Ann Bacchus-Small, Administrative Assistant, for her diligent service and unwavering support; Mrs. Faith Pustam-Ramdath, former Administrative Assistant, for her valuable contribution during her tenure; and Mrs. Tabitha De Leon-David for her assistance, cooperation, and commitment to the work of the Department.
A heartfelt expression of gratitude is reserved for my beloved family, whose encouragement and understanding have been a constant source of strength throughout this journey. To my devoted wife, Vanessa Samlalsingh, my children, Kavita Samlalsingh, Keisha Samlalsingh, and Kadesh Samlalsingh, and my seven cherished grandchildren, thank you for your prayers, patience, and unwavering support as together we have sought to serve the cause of Christ.
Above all, I offer my highest praise, honour, and thanksgiving to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, whose grace has been sufficient, whose wisdom has been unfailing, and whose providential leading has sustained every endeavour undertaken during this quinquennium. To Him alone belongs all glory for every accomplishment achieved, every soul reached, every life transformed, and every blessing bestowed. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake” (Psalm 115:1).
