Mr. Chairman, representatives from the higher organization, delegates, guests, brothers and sisters in Christ. 

I am pleased to bring you a brief overview of the programs and activities of the Publishing Ministries Department for the past five (5) years, 2021-2025. 

The pen of inspiration through the writings of Sis Ellen G. White reminds us that:

“Our Publishing work was established by God’s direction and under His special supervision; it was designed to accomplish a specific purpose” (Testimonies Vol. 7, p. 138).

She further states: 

“The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as effective and successful a method as can be employed for presenting to the people the important truth for this time” (Colporteur Ministry, p. 6).

The strategic issues and objectives that have engaged the attention of the Department for the quinquennium have been: 

EDUCATION & TRAINING

1. To promote the growth and spiritual experience of the Literature Evangelists in their relationship with God. 
2. To train to enable, empower and equip LEs for greater service to God and in their communities. 
3. To conduct spiritual retreats for the LEs and their families.
4. To educate church members on the importance of the Canvassing Ministry and get them involved in this sacred work. 

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

1. We have offered family orientation and healthy eating seminars, as well as books, to people in our communities to help improve their lives.
2. We have visited cities and government offices, collaborating with individuals to promote stronger families and healthier communities through our publications.
3. The Department has organized public forums to discuss community issues and needs, and provide solutions through our publications.

EVANGELISM

1. We have tried to increase the number of Literature Evangelists and encouraged greater participation in soul-winning initiatives. 
2. Promoted and distributed greater numbers of our ‘missionary book of the year’ to inspire customers to have a closer walk with God. 
3. Encouraged the local Publishing Ministries Department to conduct evangelistic campaigns. 
4. Encouraged our LEs to place greater emphasis on prayer, Bible studies, and follow-up programs for their customers. 

The following programs and activities were implemented in alignment with the three strategic issues and objectives. 

EDUCATION & TRAINING 

Spiritual 

Great emphasis was placed on the spiritual life of the team. Through personal visits, devotions and seminars, the team achieved spiritual growth and an intimate personal relationship with God. 

At every seminar, meeting, congress, and retreat, much time was spent leading our LEs into communion with God, personal and cooperative devotion, and living an exemplary life at all times.

Directors and LEs also attended and actively participated in our monthly, “First Sabbath Morning Back to the Altar” prayer sessions, where each attendee was encouraged to have an unrushed, uninterrupted time with God. 

Virtual spiritual retreats were also conducted.

TRAINING

Several training programs were conducted over the past five years. 

The following are some of the highlights:

• Yearly Publishing Directors Advisory in Trinidad, Panama, Punta Cana and Mexico. 

Some of the areas covered were: 

1. Spiritual Leadership
2. Recruiting Skills
3. Time Management
4. Motivating LEs to Succeed 
5. Field Work Strategies
6. How to Assist LEs to Gain and Maintain Status
7. Money Management
8. Spirituality of the Director
9. The Publishing Ministry – A Sacred Calling

• Literature Evangelists Congress & Retreats
• Joint Program with the Jamaica Union: 23-26 May 2024
• IAD Publishing Congress in Panama: 23-26 April 2025

Present were Directors from the General Conference and the Inter-American Division who made inspiring, meaningful and beneficial presentations. 

Our Directors and Literature Evangelists were educated, motivated, equipped and empowered for exceptional service for the Lord. 

The Directors and LEs also made good use of the opportunities to relax, rest and be revived.

CARU POETRY & SPOKEN WORD CHALLENGE

The Caribbean Union successfully conducted two Poetry & Spoken Word challenges; one virtually in 2022 and the other in-person in 2023 at the University of the Southern Caribbean. 

The following goals were achieved:

1. Exposure of our young people and adults to the unlimited resources and opportunities available by using the printed word to express thoughts that can transform lives
2. Encouragement of our young people to read more and develop the art of sharing the Word in innovative ways 
3. Provision of a platform for young people to use their talents in innovative ways to glorify God and minister to others

TRAINING

Several Publishing Coordinator Training Programs were conducted virtually and in-person to equip local church representatives for service in their church and community. 

Some of the areas covered in the training: 

1. Growing the Team for Jesus 
2. Self-motivation for Successful Delivery
3. Time Management
4. Sales Promotions in Churches and Communities
5. Good Customer Service
6. Following Up After the Sale
7. Managing Your Finances
8. From Approach to Sale
9. Training and Mentoring Beginners/ New Recruits.
10. Student Colporteurs Training Sessions
11. Personal Witnessing 
12. Advance Literature Evangelism Principles

During the Covid-19 period, many virtual institutes were organized to encourage, lend support, and motivate Literature Evangelists to remain faithful to their calling and ministry. 

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Many of our programs and activities focused on providing resources in family life, healthy living, money management and other related practices that meet the needs of people in the community. These resources were provided through community seminars, health fairs, and house-to-house interactions by Literature Evangelists. 

They also visited government institutions and NGOs, offered community talks and demonstrations on health and family life, conducted seminars, sold books on topics such as health and family life, and established office libraries. 

Additionally, Literature Evangelists and Directors were involved in other community activities including community meetings and programs, bereavement ministry, prayer for the sick, counselling sessions at schools, humanitarian activities, and visits to senior citizens’ homes. 

These activities provided opportunities for team members to connect with leaders and citizens in their communities, thus opening doors for our publications and the gospel to reach these homes. 

SOUL WINNING INITIATIVES

Sister E.G. White reminds us that “The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as effective and successful a method as can be employed for presenting to the people the important truth for this time” (Colporteur Ministry, p. 6).

She further states, “More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications” (Colporteur Ministry, p.151).

The Literature Evangelists of the Caribbean Union understood that their main focus was to minister to the spiritual needs of their customers. Mission was their priority. 

This emphasis was evident in activities like the distribution of the missionary book of the year.  

Missionary Book of the Year shared with the communities: 

• 2021: Hope for Troubled Times: How to Thrive in a Shattered World by Mark Finley 
• 2022: The Ultimate Hope by Clifford Goldstein 
• 2023: The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White 
• 2024: The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White 
• 2025: Living with Hope by Marcello & Bruno 

Over the past five years, more than 274, 849 books were distributed in communities across the Caribbean Union.

This truth-filled literature has brought comfort, encouragement, conviction, and the gospel message to hundreds of thousands of people. The seed has been sown, and we have already reaped a harvest, but we are anticipating even more soul-winning results in the future. 

LEs Involvement in Witnessing:

1. The thousands of books and magazines distributed provided guidance on good family living, a healthful way of life, and showed Jesus as the way to a better life and salvation.
2. Literature Evangelists were actively involved in follow-up activities such as inviting individuals to church programs and services, providing Bible studies, accompanying contacts to evangelistic meetings, and ministering to children through Branch Sabbath School and Vacation Bible Club. 
3. Directors and LEs actively participated in all witnessing activities conducted by the church, including organizing evangelistic campaigns, preaching, and serving as Bible workers. The missionary spirit was clearly demonstrated in the dedicated efforts of the evangelists.
4. Some of the LEs also accepted the position of Publishing Coordinator and were involved in leading church members in literature distribution and field preparation for evangelistic campaigns. Publishing coordinators also established literature showcases and libraries in churches, promoting members’ involvement in witnessing. 
5. The Publishing Ministries Department collaborated with the Personal Ministries Department of the church to facilitate greater membership involvement as churches focused on reaching people in their communities with the gospel of Christ.

The Literature Ambassador initiative was launched in 2022 to recruit more members.

Objectives of the Literature Ambassador Initiative:

• Providing a solid base for consistent, continuous, uninterrupted literature distribution and financial support for the Literature Evangelism program
• Greater and consistent membership involvement in literature distribution
• Greater and consistent conference – mission – church involvement in the literature distribution ministry
• Increase in the number of persons participating in literature distribution
• Increase in the overall amount of literature distributed
• Increase in sales and purchases
• Greater saturation of Adventist literature and truth in communities
• Sustaining and stabilizing the Publishing Ministries
• Significantly greater literature distribution in communities to prepare individuals in the field for evangelism campaigns 
•  

Qualifications/Duties of a Literature Ambassador:

• Must be a practicing Seventh-day Adventist
• Must believe in the statement by E.G. White that, “Literature is a very powerful and effective medium to spread the gospel.”
• Must be willing to dedicate time and personal resources to purchase and distribute literature consistently (at least once per month)
• Must be a committed and faithful Literature Ambassador for God and His cause
• Must be willing to work along with the Publishing Department and Publishing Coordinators to distribute selected literature on a consistent basis
• Must be willing to contribute a minimum of TTD $100.00 per month from his/her personal funds toward the purchase of literature for distribution

AWARDS

Despite the many challenges faced by the Department and LEs over the years, Literature Evangelists from the Caribbean Union have consistently achieved awards for reaching the highest mark in sales and baptisms.

For 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, the Caribbean Union received recognition from the Inter-American Division for achieving the highest sales among all Unions within its territory.

Out of the twenty-five Unions of the Inter-American Division, the Caribbean Union received the following awards for the year 2024:

• Union with the highest purchases: CARU
• Union with the highest IADPA purchases: CARU
• LE with the 2nd highest purchases: Sis Tanikia Griffith, St. John, South Caribbean Conference
• Publishing Coordinator with the 3rd highest purchases: Sis Shenella Jackson, Guyana Conference
• LE with the second-highest number of baptisms: Br. Roy Job, Tobago Conference

This report presents the work carried out by the Literature Evangelist team of the Caribbean Union from 2021 to 2025.

As of 2024, the Caribbean Union has a total of one hundred and sixty-two (162) Literature Evangelists.

Appreciation

Firstly, all thanks to God for His ever-present love, mercy, grace, guidance and strength through every area of this ministry. I am grateful to Him for using me, despite my limitations, to accomplish extraordinary exploits for His kingdom. 

To the three (3) administrators, especially the President, Dr. Kern Tobias, I offer gratitude for their unwavering support and guidance during the quinquennium.

It is through collaborative effort and strong teamwork that we were able to realize our accomplisments.

Much thanks and appreciation also to my colleagues at the field level for their outstanding work, passion, and persevering spirit amidst the challenges. We have done it together by God’s grace.

My deepest gratitude to all our Publishing Coordinators and Ambassadors who have championed the cause and motivated our members to get involved. 

Undoubtedly, we have some of the finest, most hard-working Literature Evangelists in the Inter-American Division. Their commitment, assiduousness and passion are second to none. I wish to express special thanks to both our full-time and part-time LEs.

Over the quinquennium, two (2) Administrative Assistants were assigned to the Department.  Thanks to Sis Faith Pustam-Ramdath, who has served the Department with a very high level of efficiency, and special thanks also to Sis Tabitha de Leon-David for her outstanding work, dedication and efficiency. 

Through their dedicated service, the Caribbean Union was awarded some of the highest recognitions for outstanding work. Your service is very much appreciated.

Thank you to my loving wife and children for their support over the years.

We are reminded that “The living preacher and the silent messenger are both required for the accomplishment of the great work before us” (Colporteur Ministry 8).

We are confident that with such an army of dedicated leaders and workers for Christ, this work will be finished and Jesus will return to take us home.  Let us give greater emphasis and support to this Publishing Ministry, a ministry ordained by God.