…Minister Norton urges Adventists

DELEGATES of the Fifth Quadrennial Session of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) were on Wednesday urged to elect leaders who will help unite this country.
The charge was made by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, at the opening of the session being held at the Central SDA Church, at Church and Oronoque streets, Georgetown.

In addition to Dr Norton, Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; Opposition MP Priya Manickchand and Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) John Smith were present at the event.
Delivering a special address to the gathering, Minister Norton brought well wishes from President David Granger and pointed out that the proceedings ahead are important, both to the Conference and country at large.

“Over the next three days, you, the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist community will be tasked with making decisions and implementing initiatives that will guide and propel your beliefs and teachings. Your role at this forum is, therefore, sacred and should not be underestimated,” Norton said. As such, he advised the delegates to elect leaders whom, he stated, should be persons willing to protect social cohesion, promote equality and work towards a future where the difference of all Guyanese are respected.

“Religion has promoted social cohesion long before we even coined a term for it. So, as players of the religious community, I believe you have the greatest role to play in uniting our people at all levels,” the minister said. “As Seventh-day Adventists, the pillars of your teachings revolve around loyalty, respect, integrity and collaboration. These are noble values and so the Ministry of Cohesion wants to strengthen collaborations with you in an effort to shatter all the barriers that divide us as Guyanese.”

Touching on youths, Norton encouraged the church to continue to instill moral values which can help steer young people from a path of drugs, crime, abuse and suicide. Noting the over 130 years of service of the Guyana Conference of SDA, he saluted the SDA community even as he welcomed future collaborations on the efforts of positively influencing society.
Manickchand, for her part, brought greetings on behalf of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. Manickchand said that as many in the Christian community prepare to observe the celebration of death and resurrection of Christ this Easter, the gathering presents an opportunity for persons to reflect on how they can better pattern themselves in the Likeness of Christ.

The MP also took the opportunity to note that Jesus “valued women”, “believed in equality”, was just and abhorred anything that divided people.

“To me, if this conference is successful in transforming even one person into His Likeness, then you have done a great job. If you can transform your 60,000 [members] who are all over this country into His Likeness, imagine what our future would be like,” she said.
Meanwhile, the keynote address came from Youth Ministries Director of the Inter-American Division, Pastor Al Powell. His sermonette reminded the delegates that the selection process of new leaders is “not about self” but about “service”.

Comparing the life of Jesus and his interactions with his disciples, Powell painted the picture of a man who led while being humble, selfless and was guided not by men but by the will of God. “Conference session is not about rewards. Jesus said I am coming back and I’m bringing my rewards. The conference session is giving Jesus first place in our lives,” he said.

At the sessions, several preachers, laity workers, overseas organisations, Ministers Norton, Cummings and Hastings-Williams and MP Manickchand were honoured with plaques for their service in various areas. The session will run until Friday. The highlight would be the electing of new office bearers.