The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

STILL riding the high from celebrating the church’s 50th anniversary earlier this year, the Macedonia Baptist PUSH Youth Department will host a series of events for students heading back to school.

Each year during the month of September the youth department is afforded the opportunity to celebrate its anniversary in a special way. 

This year, the members have extended activities to not only include a back-to-school rally, but also a reunion choir concert, a seminar, an anniversary service and luncheon. The activities will be held under the theme “Purpose in Motion – In Pursuit of Greatness” and will feature appearances by performers like Minister Ricardo Clarke of Calvary Deliverance Church, the Ambassador Choral headed by Minister Michael Bullard, and more.

“Normally our youth department would put on at least one youth rally per year, but this is the first time that we are doing the back-to-school rally and the reunion concert. We want to express our gratitude to our senior pastor, the Rev Hartman Nixon and the officers and members of the church for affording the youth department the opportunity to host the series of events,” said Brent Stubbs, PUSH youth director.

Mr Stubbs said he believes God has designed young people in a special way to achieve greatness, but in order to maximise their abilities, the necessary tools must be provided to them.

He said he is happy to know the church will do its part to assist in providing those tools.

“As we send our children back to school, we want to ensure that they remain focused and committed to not just learning, but making an impact as a child of God in a world that is in need of real life and genuine examples of what it truly means to live life in His fullness. There are also a number of teachers who are a part of the congregation of Macedonia Baptist Church, and the event is intended to encourage, motivate and inspire their minds as well,” he said.

As a parent himself, Mr Stubbs said starting a new school year is always a big deal for students, especially those who are moving from one level to the next, or those looking forward to graduating.

Highlights of the back-to-school rally will include a youth seminar to take place on Saturday, September 17, on the church grounds on Bernard Road, Fox Hill, from 9am -12 noon. The event is free of charge and lunch will be offered at no cost.

Speakers will include the Rev Deno Cartwright, president of the Youth Department of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, and Timothy Blair.

A special mid-week service is scheduled for Wednesday, September 21, at the church and will feature Minister Davanya Williams. The service starts at 7pm.

The reunion concert will take place on Friday, September 23, beginning at 7pm. It concludes the church’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Mr Stubbs said the participating choirs have will have all performed at Macedonia in recent years and are now returning home.

“For a number of years we have been talking about bringing the groups together as some of the members would have since left the church. From our practices, we have seen the synergy that has been the hallmark of our youth choirs over the years as we represented Macedonia Baptist Church at various concerts and other church related activities. There is no charge for the concert, but a love offering will be collected to assist with the church building fund at Macedonia Baptist. The choir is being conducted by Jacinta Rolle, the longest serving choir director in the past. Refreshments will also be on sale,” he said.

The big day for PUSH is scheduled for Sunday, September 25. Denero Rahming, who is currently attending the American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, will be returning home to speak. Mr Rahming served as the immediate past-president of the Youth Department. Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be held at the Akhepran International Academy on Bernard Road. Tickets are $20 tickets for adults and $10 for children 10 years and younger.

“We have a power-packed month of activities planned for our young people and those who are young at heart. We look forward to making an impact on our young people as they pursue the greatness that is already in motion in their lives,” said Mr Stubbs.