The Light, Issue 19

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A Publication of the Gregory Park SDA Church Communication Department September 2014

Issue #19

Elders White and Ebanks ordained in District Service On Sabbath, September 27, 2014 four men were asked to take up this important call to serve – Elders Clive Ebanks and Fernando White of the Gregory Park SDA Church and Elders Colbin Hutchinson and Phillip Whittingham of the Waterford SDA Church

O

rdination is a significant event in the life of the Adventist Church. It signifies that men and women are being called to leadership in God’s Church and officiate in its services. On Sabbath, September 27, 2014 four men were asked to take up this important call to serve – Elders Clive Ebanks and Fernando White of the Gregory Park SDA Church and Elders Colbin Hutchinson and Phillip Whittingham of the Waterford SDA Church. Elder Clive Anthony Ebanks became a baptized member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on November 2, 1996, the first step in his Christian ministry of service to the Church. Elder Ebanks has served as Leader, Deacon, Head Deacon, Personal Ministries Leader, Adventist Youth Sponsor, Technical Team Leader, member of the Male chorale and any other department in need of his support. . He cites ‘I serve a risen Savior” as his favourite hymn and the passage found in St. John 14: 1-3 as his favourite scripture.

◄ From left to right - Elder Fernando White, supported by his wife, Sis Jackulyn White and Elder Clive Ebanks with his wife Jacqueline Ebanks

Fernando O’Neil White is a dedicated servant of God and friend to his brethren. Born in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth, a past student of Munroe College, he dedicated his life to the Lord through baptism in April 2008. Since then he has served the Church as Elder in training, Adventist Youth Elder, Sabbath School Superintendent, Youth Choir Coordinator, Men’s Ministry Committee member, Male Chorale member and Worship Committee member. Elder White lives his life according to his favourite text found in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Indeed it is reflected in his work ethic, his personality and his drive. A firm believer in God, positive and dedicated, he has a strong sense of self efficacy. Fernando White brings a smile, warmth, reassurance and energy to the congregation at Gregory Park. Pastor Kevin Danvers, Ministerial Secretary of the Central Jamaica Conference, delivered a very potent message under the theme “The Time has Come.” Reading from Acts 2:41 onward, Pastor Danvers

reminded the men that an apostle is one that is sent while a disciple is one that follows. However to become an apostle one must be a disciple first to ensure that a proper foundation was established. The disciples, he reminded, were not perfect or even schooled men, but they experienced conversion during the 3 ½ years they spent following Jesus. “Let us commit ourselves to this mission, the mission of saving souls. God’s people must take God’s business seriously,” Pastor Danvers charged. After the message from Pastor Danvers, the Elders recited the Litany of Dedication and were each presented with a certificate of ordination. Immediately after, they received special prayer – surrounded by the ordained Elders of both churches. Later they were joined on the podium by their spouses who offered a warm embrace and welcomed into the fraternity by the ordained elders of the District.

Inside this issue...Page 2


I s s ue # 1 9

Where are they Now We check in on Sis Ava Barrett, a former member of the Gregory Park SDA Church

The Pastor’s Desk Pastor Campbell reflects on his four years at the Gregory Park SDA Church

Testimony Sis Hortense Brown shares her testimony of the theft and recovery of her handbag

Youth Retreat

Publications of the Quarter

Issuu / Adventist Resources ‘What Adventists Believe’ is an exposition of the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the SDA Church

Health as a Lifestyle We explore the issue of Prostate Cancer and also provide tips on how to lose weight without dieting

Church News

We reflect on this year’s 3day Youth Retreat at the Jamaica Crest Resort in Portland

Farewell to Pastor Campbell

Calendar of Events


T he L i g h t

ELDERS’ ORDINATION

Pastor Danvers offers the Prayer of Consecration as the ordained Elders of the District lay hands on the newly ordained Elders.

Where are they

NOW?

‘Keep your eyes on Jesus and not on fashions, styles and what others accept as norm. There is no norm outside of the word of God that will strengthen us in these licentious times. The way we dress and worship tells who our Master is’. These are stirring words of admonition from Sis. Ava Barrett, a member of the Gregory Park Seventh Day Adventist Church from 1977 to 1989. It has been 37 years now since she became a Seventh Day Adventist Christian through the influence of Phillip Francis and her own mother-in-law, Sylvia Barrett. She also vividly remembers the challenge extended to her by Bro. Wright and the teachings she received in Bible Classes conducted by Bro. Charles Brown and Bro. Cooper. The powerful Christian witness of all these brethren combined, ignited a spark in Sis. Ava Barrett. Her love for God continues to burn bright wherever she goes. She currently resides in Florida and worships at the Lehigh Acres Seventh Day Adventist church. She has many fond memories of Gregory Park Seventh Day Adventist church. These include the singing of hymns, some of which she sings from memory because of how often they were sung and the exceptional Bible Classes which she states ‘…provided a foundation on which I stand up to now’. Sis. Barrett was a very active church member. She served as Sabbath School Superintendent, Sabbath School teacher, Adventist Youth leader, member of the Church Choir, Vacation Bible School teacher and interim Adventist Youth leader (on loan) to the newly established Waterford SDA. Perhaps her stellar area of service was being the first female elder ever at Gregory Park SDA. Her wonderful years at Gregory Park SDA are vivid, pleasant memories which she treasures in her heart, never forgetting the humble beginnings and sincere devotion to God.

Pastor Kevin Danvers

When she took up tenure at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) as Director of Library Services, she attended the Georges Valley SDA church. The migration of the family to the USA made the distance from the Gregory Park SDA even greater. For Sis. Barrett, worship overseas has its differences. The wearing of lots of jewellery, makeup and pants in church are among the things that create an atmosphere suggesting less respect for the sanctuary there than here. However, she continues to serve the Lord fervently and her husband serves as Elder in their church. Sis Ava Barrett and her husband Clifton Her recent visit to Gregory Park SDA was very nostalgic. She was ‘very impressed with the young people who were leading out with the singing’. Sis. Ava’s wish is that ‘they remain faithful to death!’ While away from us, Sis. Ava has added new dimensions to her life. She completed another Masters Degree, this time in Public Administration and is currently completing her dissertation for a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. She is also grandmother of 5 with another grandchild on the way. She looks forward to seeing us all in heaven and appeals to the membership do ‘not lose focus and your first love!’.


T he L i g ht

This issue of the Light will be very special - as it marks the last time I will speak to our members through this medium. Yes, it is time to say good-bye to my family as the Lord sees it fit to take me to another section of His vineyard to continue His work.

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his issue of the Light will indeed be a very special one for me. As a family we have seen and experienced the workings of our God throughout the life of the Church. We can all agree that our God is indeed good and worthy of all the praise and adoration that we can give to Him. Time and time again the various departments have risen to the task of enriching the spiritual and social life of our members. As such, congratulations must be given to the Sabbath School Department for a most wonderful, delightful trip to Turtle River Falls and Gardens. We had fun as a family! The Youth Department is not to be left out as they had another inspiring, fun filled spiritual Retreat for the youths of the church at the Jamaica Crest Resort in Portland. I know the youth took the opportunity to recommit themselves to the Lord and His service. My most grateful appreciation to all our Department Leaders and their team for ensuring that the Church did not lack its spiritual nourishment and social enrichment, especially during the special days when the programs seemed to have an extra ‘unction of the Holy Spirit’. Yes, we were all blessed throughout the last quarter. I pray that the love of God will continue to motivate you in your service to Him. In the midst of all this, we had the pleasure of having another ordination service in which Elders White and Ebanks were officially inducted to the Board of Elders. This is a high calling and comes with a huge responsibility to care for the flock of Jesus. As we extend congratulations let us pray for and encourage them to continue to be exemplary, moral leaders holding the standards of Christ high with love and without partiality. I pray that

they will allow God to continue to lead in their lives. We are still in the ministry of making disciples and therefore I encourage all to attend the series of meetings to be held by Pastor Dwaine Scott, who is no stranger to us. As usual Pastor Scott will be delivering some powerful, soul searching, heart rending messages to change our lives forever and add new citizens to the Kingdom of our God. Let us come out in our numbers not just to support Pastor Scott but to hear the messages that the Lord has for us. I dare you to come and be changed! I did start by saying this issue of the Light will be very special as it marks the last time I will speak to our members through this medium. Yes, it is time to say good-bye to my family as the Lord sees it fit to take me to another section of His vineyard to continue His work. It has been four wonderful, interesting, fun filled and spiritual years for my wife and I. I could not have made it without the love, support and hospitality of the members. You open your hearts and allowed my wife and me to enter and become a part of your families. For this we are grateful and truly enjoyed the experience. My prayer is that you will continue to pray, study, minister and have fun together as a family and allow the love of God to dominate all that you do in His behalf. I cannot close without a special ‘thank you’ to the Board of Elders, Church Board and all our Officers for their overwhelming support in my ministry to the Church. Yes we had our challenges as all families do but in spite of these, the love of Christ and for each other unites us in our mission. I pray that you will

BLONDEL Campbell Pastor, Gregory Park Circuit of Churches

continue to allow the Holy Spirit to lead out in the business of the Church. I extend my deepest and most profound gratitude to Elder Cavan Davis for his stalwart support during my tenure and who has become my friend. Thank you Elder and Sis. Davis and may God continue to bless you and your family. Bro. Wilson and his family and the members of the Communication Department, thank you for your patience and gentle reminder for each article. You and your team have shown exceptional patience and given valuable guidance throughout the process. You have kept the Light of communication burning for the Gregory Park family regardless of the challenges over the years. Well done and continue to be the Lord’s vehicle of ‘Light’ for information and evangelism in the Church and wider community. As I bid farewell, you will welcome Pastor Onell Montaque and his family. I pray that you will extend the same if not a higher measure of love, hospitality, support and friendship to them as well. As they minister to you – build a hedge of constant prayers and love around them. As my wife and I take our leave – in the words of Paul, “Finally brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” Let us pledge to meet the Lord together where there will be no more good-byes. Continue to keep us in your prayers and love. God bless you all.


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Testimony:

God still answers Prayers I have often heard it said: “no test; no testimony” and “God will not give you more that you can bear”. My experience recently has helped to reinforce my belief in these axioms. There are several lessons that I have drawn from this experience which I am sure have served not only to broaden my worldview but also to strengthen my faith in God. Saturday, September 27, 2014 was a typical day as far as I am concerned, that is until my testing moment. We were at my brother’s house when, upon deciding to leave, we discovered that the passenger window on the driver’s side of our car was broken out and my handbag stolen. I raised an alarm and a police car patrolling in the area came to investigate. The handbag which was a recent gift from my brother overseas, the officer informed, was of significant value and as such, I gave up all hope of recovering the handbag. This was despite the fact that I desperately needed the contents which included: some local cash which I needed for transactions that weekend – minus my tithe - , foreign currency, passports, credit and debit cards, health cards, and other items.

Sunday morning dawned with a feeling of despair over the loss as well as a sense of gratitude to God for sparing me and my family, which could have been a more horrible scenario. I decided I was going to adopt the latter feeling. I went to a prayer retreat and I presented the situation to the brethren there. Many persons prayed on my behalf but I was impressed with one particular prayer because of a phrased that was used. The sister prayed: “cramp and paralyze dem Jesus”. I felt that that was the essence of what needed to be done to these persons. Consequently, I adopted the phrase. Whenever mention was made of the situation I was sure to inform that they are not going to benefit from my loss because “dem cramp and paralyze”. This became my mantra and oddly enough it gave me a sense of peace. Little did I know how “cramped and paralyzed” they were. On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, I received a call from Mr. Irvin Johnson, a JUTC bus driver, who informed me that he had found my handbag. He requested that I meet him to return the bag. I immediately contacted my husband who accompanied me to the location - which I had no idea existed in Portmore - way up in the hills behind Bayside. This is where the bag was found. Mr. Johnson stated that he insisted on seeing me because he expected a corpse to accompany the bag in such a remote area, but my God was not ready for me yet. Everything was in place in the

Elder Cavan Davis does the special prayer for all the children who will be heading back to school in September. (August 29, 2014)

bag- except the cash of course. I have been rejoicing. I have been thankful. I have learnt several lessons from this incident. What are some of the lessons I have learnt? I have learnt that: 1. God still answers prayers-Paul in the book of Philippians admonishes us to present our requests with thanksgiving to God and he will not only give us peace but provide the answers. 2. God is an on time God – just as I was becoming frustrated with the red tape associated with replacing these documents the bag was found 3. Nothing is impossible with God- He blinded the eyes of the thieves to the value of the bag so that it could be recovered. He held up the rain so that the contents of the bag could not be damaged. He sent Mr. Johnson to this remote place to recover my bag - “My God is awesome! 3. There are still honest people left in this world. 4. Mr. Irvin Johnson has restored my faith in the human spirit. What he has done for me cannot be repaid. More importantly, my experience has strengthened my faith in God.

Hortense Brown

Justin Reid prepares to be baptized by Pastor Blondel Campbell as one of two candidates who decided to give their lives to Christ (August 22, 2014)


T he L i g ht

2014

F

Rebuilding the Centre – Christ the Core

or most persons, August 1 is a public holiday - Emancipation Day, but for the Gregory Park Adventist Youth Department, it marked the beginning of a grand weekend as they packed their bags and headed out to the Jamaica Crest resort in Portland for their Annual Retreat, under the theme: “Rebuilding the Centre – Christ the Core.” Despite getting off to a late start through no fault of their own, the retreaters remained in high spirits as they used the extra time for extended devotion and fellowship in anticipation of a great weekend. Nearly two hours later, after servings of saltfish fritters and fruits, they were all comfortably seated aboard JUTC‘s premium service carrier, and were on their way. Among the group of 52 were eleven first time retreaters, two of whom were non-Adventists. Two hours later they arrived, having hardly noticed the long and winding journey en route the Junction, as they watched movies, amid tides of conversation and laughter. The journey also included an impromptu rest stop in St. Mary, The activities for the weekend began with welcome exercises geared at getting to know each other better. During this session they were introduced to three exciting group activities. The first was a picture taking competition where individuals were challenged to capture the ‘Best of Retreat’ in pictures based on different categories. Second was Parade of the Prophets, where each room was given a bible character for room members to collectively capture the design of the attire worn by the bible character and select one person to model the garb. The audience would then have to guess the bible character based on the attire. This activity was a precursor to the Sabbath afternoon Session “Why Should I Care What I wear?” - a break out session hosted by Pastor Romone Phoenix and wife Sis. Odean Phoenix. The third group activity was called “Drop Everything and Read.” Room members were to collectively read the entire Book of Daniel and prepare three questions for the other rooms to answer. This inspired a very exciting Bible Class on Sabbath afternoon where everyone delved a little deeper into the book of Daniel with Bro. Omar Bernard as Host. They welcomed the Sabbath with a vesper service done by Pastor Phoenix focused on the theme for the week-

end, "Rebuilding the Centre: Christ the Core". This garnered the participation of many, as they spoke and discussed shedding their baggage in order to start the rebuilding process with Christ. The Sabbath morning was welcomed with devotions and the sound of Peacocks and Peahens calling. A bout of diarrhea the night before and into the morning, believed to be caused by tainted drinking water courtesy of the long standing drought, threw off the Sabbath morning’s schedule. While concerning at the onset, but proved to be rather hilarious later on in the weekend. The Sabbath School Program done by Francine Green looked at the purpose of walls in the construction process as seen with the walls of Jerusalem that God instructed Nehemiah to rebuild. Guest speaker for Divine Service was Pastor Adrian Case, speaking under the caption “Laying the Foundation – A heart that forgives”. Pastor Case highlighted the fact that forgiveness is a critical starting point in the rebuilding process. This was a very practical, interactive and moving session which started the catharsis that characterizes Youth Retreat. The musical capstone was a Duet by Pastor Blondel Campbell and Elder Edward Chambers with guitar accompaniment by Pastor himself - a beautiful rendition of “Lord I want to be a Christian in my Heart”. The Sabbath afternoon sessions ended well past sunset with vespers done by Kerton Lampart. The day ended with the well anticipated banquet hosted by Khalangi Gayle and Jade McGann. A few hours later, they arose to the shrill of a whistle, heralding the traditional Sunday morning devotion and workout session conducted by LeAntonio Stephenson and Sis. Michelle Roper-Carty respectively. It was then off to breakfast and our final session on ‘Conduct in the Workplace’ by our AY Elder, Angela Chambers. The weekend of activities ended with an untraditional but nevertheless fun sports day. Despite being behind schedule, the retreaters managed to get a little bit more pool time squeezed in, ending their retreat on a high note. The group travelled back in the same fine style aboard the JUTC via the Junction amid showers of blessing, disembarking at the Gregory Park SDA shortly after 6:00pm.


I s s ue # 1 9

Scenes from Youth Retreat Retreaters capture and display the attire of selected Bible characters, among whom were Hulda the prophetess, the High Priest, Jezebel, Ruth and Elisha

Javaun Powell impresses fellow Retreaters as he makes a daunting back flip dive into the pool during pool time

Retreaters running up the steep hill towards the crest for an exhilarating Sunday morning work out

Female retreaters gather by the pool listening to a presentation by Sis. Phoenix on 'Why Should I care what I we wear"

Retreaters enjoy a creative version of football during Sports day on Sunday

â—„ Kerton Lampart and Shaye-Ann Harriott strike a pose during the Retreat Banquet


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As Pastor Blondel and Sis Campbell prepare to take up Ministry in the Palm District, we asked a few of our officers who worked with Pastor Campbell over the past four years:

How will you remember Pastor Blondel Campbell and his Ministry at the Gregory Park SDA Church?

Serving as the first Elder of the Gregory Park Seventh-day Adventist Church I enjoy working with Pastor Campbell and respect him not only for his high level of Spirituality and his close connection with the Lord, but also for his calm demeanor, friendliness, and leadership style. Pastor Campbell brings the Word of God with strength and never holds back what God places on his heart to share with his congregation. I admire him as a virtuous pastor as he is generally at his members’ side at family gatherings, men’s meetings, women’s meetings, funerals, sick calls, along with church retreats. There are a myriad of other things to mention about Pastor Campbell but the rest I would have to write in a book. He has been a blessing to me and my family and the Gregory Park Church family at large and we thank God for him every day.

What I will remember about Pastor Campbell is his quiet and calming disposition, the interest he displayed in visiting the brethren and his fragrance of humility. I cannot recall him ever raising his voice but instead has always spoken in the spirit of love.

Sis Jasmine Stubbs Head Deaconess

Elder Cavan Davis First Elder

Pastor Campbell will be remembered as the people pastor. Always willing to share in what you have to offer kind, loving, a good listener. A true under shepherd

When I think about Pastor Campbell I think about someone who is compassionate and loving; focused on ministry/evangelism; apt to teach and willing to learn! Humble and gentle, yet firm as it relates to principle. He gets his way almost every time with his familiar "Brethren, let us do... yuh hear" or "Brethren we are going to do... yuh hear?"

Sis Marjorie Stone Church Clerk Elder Clive Ebanks


The Light

Pastor and Sis Campbell in Pictures Pastor Blondel Campbell and his wife were introduced to the Gregory Park Church on Sabbath November 6, 2010. We take a trip down memory lane with a few photos of Pastor and Sis Campbell appearing in The Light over the years

Here Pastor and Sis. Campbell are introduced to the Church, taken from Issue #4 (Dec 2010)

Pastor Campbell officiated over the Ordination Service of Elders and Deacons, in this photo taken from the Issue #15 (Sept 2013)

Always ready to impart God’s word Pastor Campbell speaks from the pulpit during a Vision One Million Service, taken from Issue #9 (March 2012)

Pastor and Sis Campbell, with Pastor Levi Johnson, President of Central Jamaica Conference on Sabbath December 3, 2011, taken from Issue # 8 (Dec 2011)

Pastor Campbell shares his love for music and playing the guitar. Here he is playing at Youth Retreat 2011, from the Issue #6 (June 2011)

Pastor Campbell baptized several persons over the course of his Ministry at Gregory Park. Here is one such image, taken from the cover of Issue #7 (September 2011)


I s sue #18

To get copies of these and other SDA Christian Literature: 

Speak with your local Publishing Director

Visit your local Book and Nutrition Centre Kingston, 74 Constant Spring Road. Spanish Town, 58 Brunswick Ave Mandeville, 5 1/2 Annex Drive, Ocho Rios, Native Plaza, 58 Main Street Montego Bay, 30 Church Street Savana-la-mar, 6 Rose Street Visit the Inter-American Division Book Store Website at http://store.iadpa.org/ Or any other online book store such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble

PUBLICATIONS

of the Quarter

The Faith of Jesus

Living for the Triumph

by Carlos E. Aeschlimann H.

by Felix Cortes

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

One of human beings' greatest needs and desires is to know God and to know His will.. In order to meet this need we include in this volume a summary of Christian doctrines explained in a clear, concise way. With the help of this compendium we who yearn to know God's will can search the Holy Book, and as the man in the parable of Jesus who found a hidden treasure, we too will find it (Matthew 13:44). The treasure is the knowledge of God revealed in His Son Jesus Christ: "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent."

We all want to be successful and would all like to know if there is a way that can help us get there. The author shows that there is a realistic, practical, and easy system. The masterpiece of one of our greatest authors.

Those who know the lessons THE FAITH OF JESUS know that they have become a classic work of proven usefulness. Now we present THE FAITH OF JESUS revised and updated with a complementary study after each lesson.

Best features: • Teaches us to convert our body, time, good books, and good habits into allies we can use to become successful people. • Reveals where to obtain strength and the power to reach the highest and most permanent peak! Dimensions: 17.5 x 25 cm • Binding: hardcover • 224 pages


T he Li ght

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What Adventists Believe

What Adventists Believe is an exposition of the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It describes the 28 Beliefs of Seventh-Day Adventists, complete with references to the Bible texts. Adventists and other Christians worldwide will benefit from an understanding of these 28 Beliefs.


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Health as a Lifestyle

September was celebrated in Jamaica and in other countries as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in the world and the leading cancer affecting men in Jamaica. If identified early in its natural history, it is eminently treatable with great potential for cure. The Caribbean has the highest age standardized prostate cancer-specific mortality rates in the world. Talk to your doctor about prostate cancer.

UNDERSTANDING Prostate Cancer - The basics What Is Prostate Cancer? The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It makes most of the semen that carries sperm. The walnutsized gland is located beneath the bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. . Prostate cancer is a major health concern for American men. The disease is rare before age 50, and experts believe that most elderly men have traces of it. In 2014, about 233,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S., and about 29,480 will die of it. African-American men are more likely to get prostate cancer and have the highest death rate. In other parts of the world - notably Asia, Africa, and Latin America - prostate cancer is rare. Prostate cancer is usually a very slow growing cancer, often causing no symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Most men with prostate cancer die of other causes, and many never know that they have the disease. But once prostate cancer begins to grow quickly or spreads outside the prostate, it is dangerous. . Prostate cancer in its early stages (when it’s only found in the prostate gland) can be treated with very good chances for survival. Fortunately, about 85% of American men with prostate cancer are diagnosed in an early stage of the disease. . Cancer that has spread beyond the prostate (such as to the bones, lymph nodes, and lungs) is not curable, but it may be controlled for many years. Because of the many advances in available treatments, most men whose prostate

cancer becomes widespread can expect to live five years or more. Some men with advanced prostate cancer live a normal life and die of another cause, such as heart disease. .

Wha t

Causes

Prostate

Cancer?

Prostate cancer affects mainly older men. About 80% of cases are in men over 65, and less than 1% of cases are in men under 50. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to get it. . Doctors don’t know what causes prostate cancer, but diet contributes to the risk. Men who eat lots of fat from red meat are most likely to have prostate cancer. Eating meat may be risky for other reasons: Meat cooked at high temperatures produces cancer-causing substances that affect the prostate. The disease is much more common in countries where meat and dairy products are common than in countries where the diet consists of rice, soybean products, and vegetables. . Hormones also play a role. Eating fats raises the amount of testosterone in the body, and testosterone speeds the growth of prostate cancer. . A few job hazards have been found. Welders, battery manufacturers, rubber workers, and workers frequently exposed to the metal cadmium seem to be more likely to get prostate cancer. . Not exercising also makes prostate cancer more likely. Drugs that may lower the risk of having prostate cancer include aspirin,finasteride, cholesterol-lowering drugs and triglyceride-lowering drugs, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Adding certain foods in your diet may also help reduce the risk, including tomato sauce and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Reviewed by David T. Derrer, MD on March 31, 2014 WebMD.com


T he L i g h t

Health as a Lifestyle

Ways to lose Weight without Dieting

won-ton. Soup's especially handy at the beginning of a meal because it slows your eating and curbs your appetite. Start with a low-sodium broth or canned soup, add fresh or frozen vegetables and simmer. Beware of creamy soups, which can be high in fat and calories. Go for Whole Grains Whole grains such as brown rice, barley, oats, buckwheat, and whole wheat also belong in your stealthy weight loss strategy. They help fill you up with fewer calories and may improve your cholesterol, too. Whole grains are now in many products including waffles, pizza crust, English muffins, pasta, and soft "white" whole-wheat bread.

Time Your Meals Set a timer for 20 minutes and reinvent yourself as a slow eater. This is one of the top habits for slimming down without a complicated diet plan. Savor each bite and make them last until the bell chimes. Paced meals offer great pleasure from smaller portions and trigger the body's fullness hormones. When you wolf your food down in a hurry, your stomach doesn't have time to tell your brain it's full. That leads to overeating. Sleep More, Weigh Less Sleeping an extra hour a night could help a person drop 14 pounds in a year, according to a University of Michigan researcher who ran the numbers for a 2,500 calorie per day intake. His scenario shows that when sleep replaces idle activities -- and the usual mindless snacking -- you can effortlessly cut calories by 6%. Results would vary for each person, but sleep may help in another way, too. There's evidence that getting less than 7 hours of sleep revs up your appetite, making you uncommonly hungry.

Eat at Home Eat home-cooked meals at least five days a week. A Consumer Reports survey found this was a top habit of "successful losers." Sound daunting? Cooking may be easier than you think. Shortcut foods can make for quick meals, such as pre-chopped lean beef for fajitas, washed lettuce, pre-cut veggies, canned beans, cooked chicken strips, or grilled deli salmon. Catch the 'Eating Pause' Most people have a natural "eating pause," when they drop the fork for a couple of minutes. Watch for this moment and don't take another bite. Clear your plate and enjoy the conversation. This is the quiet signal that you're full, but not stuffed. Most people miss it. Shrink Your Dishes Choose a 10-inch lunch plate instead of a 12-inch dinner plate to automatically eat less. Cornell's Brian Wansink, PhD, found in test after test that people serve more and eat more food with larger dishes. Shrink your plate or bowl to cut out 100-200 calories a day -- and 10-20 pounds in a year. In Wansink's tests, no one felt hungry or even noticed when tricks of the eye shaved 200 calories off their daily intake.

Serve More, Eat More Veggies Serve three vegetables with dinner tonight, instead of just one, and you'll eat more without really trying. Greater variety tricks people into eating more food -- and eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to lose weight. The high fiber and water content fills you up with fewer calories. Cook them without added fat. And season with lemon juice and herbs rather than drowning their goodness in high-fat sauces or dressings.

Go Meatless More Often Eating vegetarian meals more often is a slimming habit. Vegetarians tend to weigh less than meat eaters. While there are several reasons for this, legumes may play an important role. Bean burgers, lentil soup, and other tasty legume-based foods are simply packed with fiber. Most Americans get only half of this important nutrient, which fills you up with fewer calories.

When Soup's On, Weight Comes Off Add a broth-based soup to your day and you'll fill up on fewer calories. Think minestrone, tortilla soup, or Chinese

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on February 12, 2014 WebMD.com


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The Light shares the following news stories on religion from across the world, for the information of readers. Opinions expressed in these reports/stories do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Light, the Gregory Park SDA Church or the Seventh-day Adventist Church

New CJC Officers Installed

    

Nevail Barrett Family and Health Ministries - Pastor Roy Dennis Stewardship - Pastor Thomas Bryan Youth - Pastor Greg Baldeo Women and Children Ministries - Sis Claudia Bailey Communications, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty - Pastor Damian Chambers

Source: Central Jamaica Conference. Article by Damian Chambers Photo by Hubert Swearine

On Sabbath, July 26, 2014, the newly elected Officers, Departmental Directors and Executive Committee Members of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for the 2014 to 2018 quadrennium were installed at the Spanish Town Church. The service was conducted under the supervision of Dr. James Daniel, Field Secretary, Inter-American Division, Pastor Everett Brown, President, Pastor Milton Gregory, Secretary and Elder Bancroft Barwise, Treasurer of the Jamaica Union Conference. Presidents of the other Jamaican fields (including Pastor Glen Samuels, president of the West Jamaica Conference, Pastor Karl Archer, president of the North Jamaica Conference, Dr. Eric Nathan, president of the East Jamaica Conference and Pastor Arlington Woodburn, president of the North East Jamaica Conference) along with Danieto Murray, Vice President, Northern Caribbean University brought greetings and congratulations on behalf of their respective Conferences and Institution. The Administrators and Directors of the Central Jamaica Conference that have been appointed to serve for the quadrennium 2014-2018 are as follows:    

President - Pastor Levi Johnson Secretary - Pastor Ronnie Henry Treasurer - Pastor Billy Watson Sabbath School and Personal Ministries - Pastor

Islamic Militants Destroy Adventist Church in Nigeria Boko Haram burns the building after church members flee village.

Islamic militants burned down a Seventh-day Adventist church in northeastern Nigeria after its 67 members fled the area in fear for their own safety, a church leader said. Members of Boko Haram, which seeks to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state, destroyed the Magar Adventist Church in the state of Borno on Sabbath, Aug. 23, said Stephen H. Bindas, president of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference, based in Abuja. Magar is a village near Maiduguri, the capital of Continued on next page


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Borno state. The local Adventist congregation is one of seven rural churches built in 2009 with funds provided by the Adventist Church’s Global Mission program, Bindas said this week. . Bindas said the whereabouts of many members are unknown. Some went as far as the city of Jos in central Nigeria and are now staying at the headquarters of the North East Nigeria Conference. . “At the moment, the insurgents have taken over their homes, foodstuffs and beddings,” Bindas said by email. . Although none of the Adventist churches in the region had previously been threatened, churches belonging to many other Christian groups face the same fate, he said. He asked church members around the world to pray for Nigeria. “We ask the world church to remember northern Nigeria in prayers and to assist in whatever means to restore hope to these fleeing members and their families,” he said.

sitions on women’s ordination that emerged during the committee’s research. . The results of the study will be discussed in October at the Annual Council, a major business meeting of church leaders. The 338-member Annual Council will then decide whether to ask the nearly 2,600 delegates of the world church to make a final call on women’s ordination in a vote at the General Conference Session next July. Wilson, speaking in an interview, urged each of the church’s 18 million members to prayerfully read the study materials, available on the website of the church’s Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research. . "Look to see how the papers and presentations were based on an understanding of a clear reading of Scripture,” Wilson said in his office at General Conference headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. . “The Spirit of Prophecy tells us that we are to take the Bible just as it reads,” he said. “And I would encourage each church member, and certainly each representative at the Annual Council and those who will be delegates to the General Conference Session, to prayerfully review those presentations and then ask the Holy Spirit to help them know God’s will.” .” The Spirit of Prophecy refers to the writings of White, who among her statements on how to read the Bible President Wilson and TOSC chair Stele also ask forwrote inThe Great Controversy (p. 598), “The language of prayers for the Holy Spirit to guide the proceedings the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” “We don’t have the luxury of having the Urim and the Thummim,” Wilson said, in a nod to the stones that the Israelite high priest used in Old Testament times to learn God’s will. “Nor do we have a living prophet with us. So we must rely upon the Holy Spirit’s leading in our own Bible study as we review the plain teachings of Scripture.” He said world church leadership was committed to “a very open, fair, and careful process” on the issue of women’s ordination. . Wilson added that the crucial question facing the Artur Stele, chair of the Theology of Ordination Study Committee, addressing a church wasn’t whether women should be ordained but meeting of the group in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 23, 2013. Photo: Ansel whether church members who disagreed with the final deOliver / ANN cision on ordination, whatever it might be, would be willing to set aside their differences to focus on the church’s 151Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist year mission: proclaiming Revelation 14 and the three anChurch, appealed to church members worldwide to ear- gels’ messages that Jesus is coming soon. nestly read what the Bible says about women’s ordination and to pray that he and other church leaders humbly follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance on the matter. . Church members wishing to understand what the Bible teaches on women’s ordination have no reason to worry about where to start, said Artur A. Stele, who oversaw an unprecedented, two-year study on women’s ordination as chair of the church-commissioned Theology of Ordination Study Committee. . Stele, who echoed Wilson’s call for church members to read the Bible and pray on the issue, recommended reading the study’s three brief “Way Forward Statements,” which cite Bible texts and Adventist Church co-founder Ellen G. White to support each of the three po- Source: Adventist News Network

Adventists Urged to Study Women’s Ordination for Themselves


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Central Jamaica Conference, Third Quarter October Wed 1 Tue-Thur 1-31 Sab 4* Sab 4 Sab 4 Sab 4* Sab 4 Sun 5 Moin 6 Wed 8 Fri 10 Sab 11*+ Sab 11 Sab 11 Sab-Sab 11-18 Thur 16 Sab 18 Sab 25 Sab 25 Sab 25 Sab 25

Pastors’ Community Outreach (St. Catherine) Ingathering Emphasis Month Tell the World: In the Community Day of Prayer for Church Leaders and Offi cers Launch of Ingathering Campaign – Parishwide Spirit of Prophecy Day of Prayer and Fasting Celebration of Move to Live (I.A.D.) Pastors & Bible Workers’ Meeting – CJC Board Room Executive Committee Meeting 3rd Quarter Churches’ Statistical Report due at CJC Office Day of Kindness and Compassion Adventist Teachers’ Day Adventist Heritage Day Children’s Week of Prayer – Conference-wide Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day Adventist Children’s Day Day of the Pastor Creation Sabbath Spiritual Revival Emphasis Clarendon Lay Workers’ Rally & AGM

Wed 12 Sab 15 Thur 20 Sab 22 Sab 22 Sab 22 Sab 29 Sab 29 Sab 29

December Mon 1 Sab 6 Sab 6 Wed 10 Wed-Sab 17-20 Thur 18 Sab 27# Sab 27

November Sab-Sun 1 *Sab-Sab 1*-8 Sab-Sun 1-30 Sun 2 *Sab 8*+ *Sab 8* Sab 8

Executive Committee Meeting Ingathering Promotion Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day Bible Emphasis Manchester Lay Workers’ Rally & AGM HIV/AIDS Awareness Day St. Catherine Lay Workers’ Rally & AGM Book and Nutrition Centre Promotion – BNC Connect Andrews Memorial Hospital Offering

Day of Prayer for Membership Conservation Week of Prayer Parent’s Month Pastor’s Evaluation (Church Board) Annual Sacrifice (offering) Trust Services Emphasis Day in the Churches Lay Preacher-thon (Conference-wide)

*Programme provided by the General Conference or by the Inter-American Division **One week before each “Mission To The Big City/Town Outreach” all night prayer meeting on the Saturday night at the main church +Worldwide Offering. Special offerings are included in the systematic plan of the Division # Organized Baptisms are conducted and recognition of those baptized during the quarter

BNC Clearance Sales World Stewardship Day Day of Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise Executive Committee Meeting Lay Institute & Camp Meeting – Camp Verley Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Day Vision One Million Baptismal Day 13th Sabbath Offering (Inter-American Divi sion)


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