“When a light is lighted it cannot be held within a short range.  It is for the whole world –The west has need of the east, as the east has need of the west, and so the time has come when they should meet.” Rabindranath Tagore.

INTRODUCTION

Sociologist Ulrich Beck writes of the new “globality” which means that from now on nothing which happens on our planet is only a limited local event; all inventions, victories and catastrophes affect the whole world, and we must re-orient and reorganize our lives and actions, our organizations and institutions, along a local-global axis.

This reorganizing process will affect religious institutions. Two critical values would be honesty and humility. There is a clarion call for meaningful dialogue especially where there are differences.  Reuel Howe defines dialogue in the following manner:

“Dialogue is that address and response between persons in which there is a flow of meaning between them in spite of all the obstacles that normally would block the relationship; It is that interaction between persons in which one of them seeks to give himself as he is to the other, and seeks to know the other as he is.”

In this quinquennium, we have emphasized in all of our training, especially with reference to capacity building, that dialogue is enhanced when we are happy to build bridges instead of seeking to build walls. 

This quinquennium, we have identified a marriage between the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty and Global Mission Departments as one of our key objectives. The global scope of our missiological agenda is contained in Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” This prophecy by Jesus indicates that the global proclamation of the message of His kingdom is a prerequisite to the final end-times. 

Revelation 14, 6 – 7 also cannot be ignored as we seek to achieve the global reach: 

“6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Therefore, we are speaking about the textual and the strategic. The Religious Liberty Department seeks to facilitate bridge-building while Global Mission is the destiny. It is compulsory that relationship-building must be a key component before we attempt to win souls who are not Christian and who fiercely resist attempts to evangelize them.

WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

This quinquennium we have sought to reach essentially 5 groups:

Hindus: Primarily, but not limited to Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname

Muslims: Focus on Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and now Antigua

Chinese: Primarily, but not limited to Trinidad, Guyana & Suriname

Javanese: Focus on Suriname

Migrant: Spanish: Primary focus on the migrant population that arrived from Venezuela following the crisis in that country

We must remember, however, that there are also Spanish-speaking members served by Spanish-speaking pastors in the North Caribbean and South Leeward Conferences.

ILLUSTRATION

Luther Copeland highlights the difficulty in the exercise of inter-religious worship. He raises two vital questions:

How can you pray with folks who do not believe in any personal deity?

Can we even claim that the God of the Christians is the same as the God of Jews or of Muslims? Then he provides the following illustration:

“A conference of the day of prayer for peace, October 27, 1986, was called by the Pope, comprising fifty Christians and fifty invited representatives of other faiths. Although, the gathering offered promise for the future, especially at the point of interreligious dialogue, it encountered some very thorny issues, the most nettlesome of which was the discovery that the participants, having been called to assemble for prayer, could not actually pray together. The various religious groups met separately for prayer.

(BOMBSHELL) The Dalai Lama had been invited and accepted.  Though he had said earlier that prayer was unnecessary for Buddhists…Maybe the Pope was getting closer to the solution when he said, “Certainly, we cannot pray together, namely, to make a common prayer, but we can be present when others pray.”

MISSION FOCUS

This is an extraordinary report of God leading in miraculous ways, penetrating non-Christian cultures such as the Javanese people in Suriname. Steven Tulp, Global Mission Director, decided that his relatives should accept the gospel and be saved. Through strategic initiatives including health screenings, blood donation drives, and family life ministries, he hoped to reach his relatives with the gospel, and now, through the power of the Holy Spirit, there is a church-planting project.

Let us focus now on the Life Hope Centre in Guyana, led by the dedicated Global Mission pioneer, Pastor Naresh Lionel. Let us reflect on Asia Bibi, a believer of Muslim background who was very ill and who was admitted to the hospital in Georgetown. While she lay in bed, Jesus appeared to her and she was healed. She is now a powerful weapon in the Church Planting programme. All of these experiences and more, validate the prophetic forecast articulated in Isaiah 60: 1 – 8: 

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.

7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.

8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?”

God is stating that the Gentiles, including the Muslims and Hindus, will worship in the house of his glory. Armed with this assurance, we entered El Socorro South, a territory in North Trinidad, using the health message as a means of reaching the people, and 43 persons were baptized, including 12 believers of Hindu and Muslim background.            

Additionally, within the South Caribbean Conference, under the leadership of Pilot Teelbaney Singh, who supports lay missiologists such as Seepersad Ramnarine, several global mission initiatives have been undertaken. Hallelujah! As a result of bridge-building efforts aimed at reaching Hindu communities in the Penal area of South Trinidad, twelve individuals gave their hearts to Jesus. Pilot Singh has also authored a book that helps readers better understand the dynamics of Hindu culture.

Moreover, we have reached out to our Hispanic brothers and sisters who fled from Venezuela because of political instability in their homeland. We thank our bilingual Pastor, Cordelle Williams, for his immense missionary spirit and evangelistic zeal as he ministers to these new migrants. He is compelled by the mandate contained in Revelation 14:6 – 7: 

“6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Our mission focus has seen the establishment of churches in areas such as Aranguez. At the heart of Pastor Williams’ unique outreach strategy is a vibrant and consistent community service programme. 

Let us turn our attention to Tobago where Captain Vishnu Persad has been engaged in proactive, creative initiatives. Imagine for a moment, Saturday night T20 cricket matches where the conference team plays the Hindu team. Let us also take a trip to the hills of Gru-Gru patch and see a tent where services are conducted on Sabbath mornings and Branch Sabbath School is conducted in the evenings. Additionally, several family life, welfare, and health projects have been launched. But the story gets better since land has been acquired for the establishment of a church. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

MISSION TRAINING

Over the period under review, we have been the beneficiaries of extensive training programmes conducted by CSAR and AMR which are institutions of the General Conference. Nine persons have visited India and England where International Cross-Cultural and Church Planting Conferences have been conducted. We express deep appreciation to the following General Conference leaders and university professors for facilitating these capacity-building activities.

1. Dr. Petras Bahadur – Adventist Muslim Relations, General Conference
2. Dr. Samuel Lumwe – Adventist Muslim Relations, General Conference
3. Dr. Clifmond Shameerudeen – CSAR – Centre for South Asian Religions, General Conference
4. Dr. Umesh Nag – CSAR – Centre for South Asian Religions, General Conference
5. Dr. Fazadudin Hosein – University of the Southern Caribbean: Hindu & Muslim Religions
6. Dr. Chanchal Gayen – University of the Southern Caribbean: Hindu & Muslim Religion
7. Sis. Krishnawatie Persad – Chinese Ministry – Volunteer Missionary to China who is now establishing Chinese Ministry projects in Trinidad (SCC)

We were privileged to share our success stories in Guyana and Trinidad, where the Life Hope Centres served as Centres of Influence.  We also demonstrated the missiological value of these institutions as they contributed to the addition of over 300 souls to the Kingdom of Christ and the establishment of new churches. 

INTEGRATING AND NETWORKING.

It has always been our dream to demonstrate the value of networking and collaborating between departments. Managerial gurus have shown through research that organisations that unite around a shared vision are the most productive. We have sought to demonstrate this through combining and encouraging networking between PARL (Public Affairs and Religious Liberty) and the Global Mission departments.

We have stated on numerous occasions in our congresses and workshops that we defend the rights of members of all religions to worship according to their convictions. This is clearly stated in Article 18 of the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights which outlines that people have a right to 1.Choose their religion, 2.Change their religion, and 3.Choose no religion. In summary, we must engage in JUSTICE FOR ALL.

If this integrating and networking principle is followed consistently, then our Global Mission activities can be more productive because it is a phenomenal bridge-building strategy. We have now established CARLA: The Caribbean Religious Liberty Association Council and the Global Mission Board, and we are convinced that “together we are always stronger.”

Therefore, we have begun the process of appointing ambassadors from each board to serve on the next board. A great example is Attorney Leslyn Charles, and PARL Director of Tobago, Wilfred Des Vignes serving on the Global Mission Board. They both have impeccable credentials as it relates to building capacity through networking.

MODELLING & INTER-CULTURAL MISSION

In 1893, a passionate young Bengali monk known as Swami Vivekananda electrified the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, USA.  What created the “earthquake” was Vivekananda’s powerful representation of Hinduism, in which he expressed pride in belonging to a religion which had taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. He stated that the East had to receive science and technology from the West, but the West learned wisdom and spirituality from the East. He then proceeded to make the following analysis:

“We Hindus do not tolerate, we unite ourselves with every religion, praying in the mosque of the Mohammedan, worshipping before the fire of the Zoroastrian, and kneeling to the cross of the Christian.  We know that all religions alike, from the lowest fetishism to the highest absolutism, are but so many attempts of the human soul to grasp and realize the infinite. So, we gather all these flowers, and binding them together with the cords of love, make them into a wonderful bouquet of worship” (Cited in Thomas 1976, 121).

In direct opposition to Vivekananda’s conviction, there are some in the region who believe that in order for cross-cultural mission to have evangelistic potency, there has to be hostility, untamed aggression and a passionate carelessness. We have made the point, both in Global Mission and the PARL (Public Affairs & Religious Liberty) Departments, that there has to be a substantial, critical relationship between both departments. Therefore, the expression “building bridges” describes the synergy that is required.

The networking linkages are compulsory if we are to spread the gospel in some territories. This is not only important for New Delhi in India, Beijing in China, Cairo in Egypt, or Lagos in Nigeria, but also for Caroni in Central Trinidad, Berbice in Guyana, and Nickerie in Suriname.  Respect and unconditional love are compulsory if we desire to have extraordinary success.

For example, consider the story of Ravi and Netu Gosine who were threatened with decapitation when they were contemplating marriage and a change of religion. Close blood relatives declared that death would be the only outcome if their advice was rejected. This may sound unusual in Trinidad and the wider Caribbean region, but this is the unwelcome reality. Global Mission responds to these challenges. The importance of fostering good relationships in these cultures cannot be underestimated. Bridge-building is more than just saying hello; it is about weaving a beautiful tapestry that exalts respect and decreases disrespect, exalts harmony and displaces division, exalts forgiveness and rejects revenge.

Bridge-building is more readily accomplished within a Christian community, but when the mission is cross-cultural, it can be quite challenging and even life-threatening. 

GLOBAL MISSION TRIP TO DUBAI – IAD PROJECT

In 2024, the Global Mission Director of the Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists requested that we conduct a Global Mission project in Dubai. I was asked to represent the Caribbean Union Conference.

We discovered that though Dubai is phenomenal, it is actually an Islamic theocracy. All Christian churches operate in one compound, sometimes on a rotation basis. Contrastingly, mosques can be found everywhere in that country. 

The period assigned for the Global Mission enterprise was November 9 to16.  At the end of this period, ten persons decided to be baptized.  However, the state allowed only four of them to be baptized. This was because the government has to give permission for this activity and they engaged in a meticulous examination of the candidates before permission was granted.

The table below provides an outline of topics covered during the mission:

CARIBBEAN UNION CONFERENCE, METANOIA,
NOVEMBER 9 -16, 2024
DUBAI CENTRAL CHURCH

We thank God for those who were convicted and who believe in Revelation 12:17 (KJV): 

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

 A POWERFUL MISSIOLOGICAL TOOL TO REACH MUSLIMS

During a training programme conducted by Dr. Petras Bahadur, Director of the Adventist Muslim Relations Department at the General Conference, and Dr. Samuel Lumwe, Deputy Director, an impressive document was presented that compares the Ten Commandments as they appear in the Torah (Old Testament), the Injil (New Testament), and the Quran. Let us now turn our attention to how the Ten Commandments are reflected in the Quran:

1st Set not up with God any other God lest you sit down condemned and forsaken. Beni Israel 17:22

2nd So coin not any similitudes for God.  Nahl 16:74

3rd God’s are the most beautiful names.  Invoke Him by them.  And leave the company of those who blaspheme his name.  Araf 7:180

4th And you know of those among you who broke the Sabbath, how we said unto them: Be you apes, despised and hated!

And we made it an example to their own and to succeeding generations, and an admonition to the God fearing.  Bagara 2:65, 66

Transgress not the Sabbath!  Nisaa 4:154

5th Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and show kindness to parents.  Beni Israil 17:23

6th Kill not one another.  Nisaa 4:29

7th And come not near unto adultery.  Surely it is an indecency and evil way.  Beni Israil 17:32

8th And consume not your property among yourselves in vanity, nor seek by it to gain the hearing of the judges that you may knowingly consume a portion of the property of others wrongfully.  Bagara 2:188

9th Accursed by the liars.  Zariyat 51:10

Shun lying speech.  Haj 22:30 

10th Do not covet what Allah has bestowed upon one more than another…but ask Allah for some of His bounty.  Nisaa 4:32

In our Global Mission outreach ministry, we have utilized this document in several areas. However, many Muslims and Christians were surprised to discover that versions of the Ten Commandments are found in the Quran.

This information was incorporated into a sermon titled “The Fifth Trumpet and Islam in Bible Prophecy”.  The key text is taken from Revelation 9:1 – 5 (KJV): 

“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.”

REPORT ON BAPTISMS AND PROJECTS: 2021-2025

REPORT ON GROUPS FORMED

These groups consist of Hindus, Muslims, Spanish, Javanese and Brazilians who have been converted to Jesus Christ and who are planning to surrender to Jesus:

PROJECTIONS

1. We must continue the marriage between Public Affairs, The Caribbean Religious Liberty Association (CARLA) and the Global Mission Department.  This union has great evangelistic potential.
2. In relation to networking, we must continue to collaborate with the five departments: Youth, Education, Health, Personal Ministries and PARL. This should include training, mega projects and support groups. This collaboration would facilitate the expansion of our discipleship and nurturing programmes.
3. We must continue to build upon the strong foundation established by Krishnawatie Persad in the Chinese Ministry. The launch of the House Church is scheduled for 2027, and we are hopeful that this vision will be realized during the next quinquennium.
4. Our Spanish migrant groups are voicing their concerns about issues such as the construction of their own churches. In most cases, they do not have the space for meaningful growth. This matter needs to be addressed urgently.
5. It is essential for us to launch a mega-education programme which focuses on the concept of ‘intercultural’. In 2026, we have supported the Inter-American Division and the University of the Southern Caribbean in the establishing of the Global Mission Institute. Now, we must unite to produce the required infrastructure.
6. It is imperative that we expand the quantity and quality of our Life Hope Centres. This was a very useful outreach tool initiated by Centre for South Asian Religions (CSAR), led by Caribbean-born Dr. Clifmond Shameerudeen. More Caribbean nations can benefit from adopting the Life Hope Centre model.
7. We must expand the scope of our inter-faith projects in order to foster a greater level of appreciation for diversification. The story of the Good Samaritan requires deeper reflective study!

A NOTE OF GRATITUDE

We express our gratitude first and foremost to Almighty God.

We give thanks to our CARU Administration:

Dr Kern Tobias, President

Pastor Johnson Frederick, Secretary

Pastor Bertie Henry, Treasurer

We give thanks to the Field Administrators of each Conference & Mission for the tremendous support that they have given to the various programmes.

We give thanks to the members of the Global Mission Board.

We give thanks to Sis Carol Joshua, our consecrated Administrative Assistant, for her excellent and diligent work.

We give thanks to the Conference & Mission Directors of each territory that has a Mission Director:

Suriname Mission, Pastor Amazias Costa

Guyana Conference, Pastor Naresh Lionel

South Caribbean Conference, Pastor Teelbaney Singh

Tobago Conference, Pastor Vishnu Persad

We give thanks to the local PARL Departmental Directors across the fields for ensuring active participation among large numbers of church members who believe in the prophetic WORD.