The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of young Bahamians are getting set to represent the country during the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference in Singapore next week.

The conference is from July 17 to 21 and will also feature three Bahamian speakers: Rev Diana Francis of First Baptist Church, Rev Anthony Sampson of Zion East & Shirley St, and Minister Lauriette Hinsey of Golden Gates Native Baptist Church.

The Bahamian speakers will also be accompanied by a delegation of 18 Bahamians at the conference.

The theme for this year’s conference is REACH and Baptist young people will be encouraged to reach out to God, each other and the Singapore community through various missionary activities.

The Baptist World Alliance is considered a world leader in global missions and evangelism, and every five years more than 7,000 young people from around the world convene to discuss global youth issues, receive spiritual direction, provide mission opportunities and implement evangelism strategies.

Rev Clinton Minnis, who will lead the delegation in Singapore, said the conference will be a rewarding experience. He said during the conference there will be a discussion on issues including global youth unemployment which will require theological reflection on how the issues can be addressed and curb all around the world.

“This is a wonderful experience for all of them. They will get exposure on the different cultures and they will also engage in a cultural exchange. The cultural exchange will be much more intimate than the other activities, because they will have the opportunity to discuss what is happening in their own country and some of the things they have done to solve those problems. The exchange that will take is a powerful experience. Their entire perspective will change about christianity,” he told Tribune Religion.

Rev Minnis said it is a significant accomplishment for the Bahamas to have young representatives at the Baptist Alliance Youth Conference especially as the country celebrates 40 years of Independence.

He said Bahamian Baptist Youth leaders are paving the way for others to follow at the global level. This also took strategic lobbying in 2011, during the site visit, promotions and decision meeting in Singapore.

“We have been preparing for about two years for this and we are happy to have Bahamian representatives at the conference.

“We have also been familiarising ourselves with the do’s and don’ts of the country, for example not chewing gum and other things that are against the law. We want to be respectful to the culture of the country.

He said: “We have also been trying to find ways to minister wisely in Singapore without offending the cultural norms of the territory. There will be a time when we will be doing evangelism. We are going to invade Singapore. We are going to knock on doors and tell people about the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Rev Minnis said.

Earlier this year the Bahamas played host to the Baptist World Alliance Youth Director, Rev Emmett Dunn, who was on a fact finding mission for the Bahamas to be considered as the next host of the 2018 youth conference.

Meetings were held with Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchombe, national baptist leaders and president Rev Dr Anthony Carroll and Rev Dr William Thompson president of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship.

Also, the strategic stakeholders - Atlantis Paradise Island and Bahamar facilitated a guided site visit with hopes of the future business prospect for 2018.

The Caribbean is presently number one on the BWA agenda for hosting the next youth conference, followed by Latin America.

“If it is God’s will that we (the Bahamas) host the conference, this again will be of historical significance as a world youth conference was never held in the Caribbean,” he said.

Rev Clinton L Minnis is also the former President of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship Youth Department, Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance Youth Department and member of the International Programs Committee (IPC).