Volume 19, Issue 05
St. Augustine Evangelical Bible Church, Cor. Agostini & Bellesmythe Sts. Curepe
Editorial
Wonderful Wayumi Weekend
The Wayumi Project raced towards us like the swirling waters in a flooded Caroni River. One bend in the river and Wednesday April 12 and Friday April 14 to Sunday April 16 was upon us!
I have gone on mission trips which required travelling by boat on the three biggest rivers in Guyana: the Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice rivers. I know that our largest rivers in Trinidad are what the Guyanese would call a creek. However, we are proud of our Caroni River and, of course, the Caroni Swamp that is home to our Bird Sanctuary where one of our national birds, the beautiful Scarlet Ibis roosts in evenings.
At least twelve rivers from the Northern Range are tributaries of the Caroni River; the Caroni River itself feeds into the Gulf of Paria which is part of the Caribbean Sea. The Caroni River plays a vital role in our water system in Trinidad.
The Wayumi Project was the Caroni River of the Ethnos360 Caribbean’s plans for early 2023.
On Wednesday April 12, we hosted a one-day retreat for pastors, church leaders, and para-church leaders up at Victory Heights Campsite. They were exposed to village life in two remote people groups in Venezuela and one in Guinea, West Africa. Former missionaries in Venezuela, Steve and Gregory Sanford missionaries also led exciting sessions that helped to bring to life missionary life among the people groups. Attendees saw the Wayumi experience as eye-opening and challenged them to get involved in encouraging persons to go on the mission field to unreached people groups and to be more intentional in their support of those who do go.
The Friday April 14 to Sunday April 16 Wayumi week-end experience took it to another level. Attendees were really engaged and intrigued by the village experience and the hands-on talks, etc. We thank the Lord that 9 persons sensed the call of the Lord to go as missionaries to the unreached people groups.
So, the Wayumi Project was our Caroni River. But just as the Caroni River has many important tributaries that feed it, so the Wayumi Project had a number of tributaries that helped to make it a reality: The Wayumi TT Committee, Construction, Programming, Promotions, Administration. Finance, Prayer, the USA Wayumi team of Steve and Sharon Sanford and Gregory and Dawn Sanford, and our own Ethnos360 local missionaries, Ronnie and Heather Yearwood and Leah Josling.
Just as the Caroni River flows into the Gulf of Paria, the Wayumi Project has resulted in believers heeding the call to go where no one has ever gone before with the Gospel. Romans 10:14-15 puts it perfectly: ‘How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”’ One of those who wants to go on the mission-field contacted someone in St Vincent and they also expressed an interest in going. So, the Caribbean in our Ethnos360 is becoming a reality.
The Gulf of Paria flows into the wider Caribbean Sea. As we in the Caribbean go with the Gospel and persons come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, the Name of the Lord will be exalted and His glory will be seen throughout the earth. This is Ethnos360 Caribbean’s Caribbean Sea: Habakkuk 2:14a: ‘For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea...’
Ethnos360 Caribbean is indebted to a number of SAEBC members who helped to make Wayumi experience a reality: Roshida Alexis, Debbie Dowlath, Kerron and Nikita Edwards, Selva Edwards, Lawrence Isidore and Lorraine Isidore, Ruthann Ramoutar, Deacon Noel Rose, Pastor Francis and Carla Warner, Rahndell and Akilah Yearwood, Renee Yearwood, RoHn Yearwood, Ronnie and Heather Yearwood. Of course, many at SAEBC prayed for the Wayumi and gave financial support. Elder Lindon and Anne-Marie Mitchel, Duane Weekes and Derek Regis attended the One-Day event and Jewelle Mapp, Kizzie Hope and Jewel Vendor were part of the weekend experience.
We thank the Lord for those nine believers - now ten, with the believer from St Vincent – who have sensed the Lord’s calling on their lives to go on the mission field. Two from SAEBC are included in that number, praise the Lord. Ethnos360 Caribbean will work alongside these believers in helping them get trained and prepared to go: they have to do Bible training and Cross-cultural training.
SAEBC continues to support missions and we will keep on supporting Ethnos360 Caribbean as it seeks to encourage believers from the Caribbean to go to unreached people groups in remote areas with the Gospel.
Wayumi was wonderful. It was even more special to see attendees heeding the call. Ethnos360 is excited to work with them as they go through the necessary steps. And we look forward, by God’s grace, to the others in TT and the wider Caribbean who will also heed the call!
Missions
Sexuality... yes, we went there!
God's design for sexuality (Jon)
At the end of February 2023, Cru T&T started a new series on our social media pages called “God’s Design for Sexuality”. This was initiated and implemented after a poll was run at the start of the year, asking our followers in which topics they were most interested. There was an overwhelming response, with our followers selecting the issues around sexuality.
Here in Western societies, the issues surrounding homosexuality and transgenderism are at the forefront of discussions across the media landscape, whether in traditional media (TV, cable, or the newspaper) or in new media (YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.). On the Tik Tok platform, there are people hosting live discussions about sexuality (many are against Judeo-Christian values) literally EVERY SINGLE DAY! To ignore this and to not actively present the biblical perspective of sexuality is to risk many young believers being led astray. The "God's Design For Sexuality" series is written by Bob Lepine and mainly focuses on God’s original intention for sexuality. Rather than immediately zoning in on the issues of homosexuality and transgenderism, it starts with the biblical foundation on sex and marriage. I really appreciate this approach as sometimes, as believers, we have become more noted for what WE ARE AGAINST than what WE ARE FOR. Let us make more effort to let others know what we are for, not only by saying it more, but by living it. I designed and reformatted this series from the articles.
We encourage you to not only check out the series, but to share the posts with others. To view the original articles written by Bob Lepine, you can click below:
Summer Internship Programme (SIP) 2023 (Kim):
I've been meeting with the students weekly as they trust God for the finances to cover their salaries. They have expressed to me that ministry partner development (that is to say, trusting God to raise up persons to invest financially and prayerfully in their ministry) has been the most challenging part of the programme to date. However, I see their perseverance, commitment and growth. Yay! I am happy to report that each of them (three students) has ministry partners!
Praise God:
That He is providing financially for our SIP 2023 student interns;
That God is sending more labourers! We have 1 young woman and 1 young man who are interested in joining our staff team;
That both Kim and I have been able to attain new laptops, one of which was given to us for free (It was previously owned, but in good condition.);
Please pray:
That God will fast-track Jonathan's residency process in Trinidad & Tobago;
That God will heal Jon of his health issues (hearing & nerves);
That God will provide a new vehicle for us. (Just to note ... our current vehicle is quite noisy, and this hampers Jon's healing process every time he travels in it.)
We appreciate each of you! A special heartfelt thanks to our ministry partners. You are very special! Thank you for your faithfulness! Serving joyfully together, Jonathan Garth Digital Strategies Team Leader jonathan.garth@cru.org Kimberly Garth Leadership Development & Human Resources Team Leader Cru Trinidad & Tobago kimberly.garth@cru.org
What's On
This Month
We are securing plane tickets back to West Africa for the first week in June. We invite you to continue to partner with us. On May 30th, Indian Arrival Day, we are planning a food sale that we hope caters to your taste buds. Please see the flyer attached for details.
Of course, one option will be our mouth-watering Curryque. We also have the option of a Barbeque with a choice of either Chicken or Fish. We don't plan on being here for Emancipation Day. So we offer one West African meal on the menu: African Mafe Beef.
The Food Fiesta will be from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm.
Where: From Cunupia or Delivered to you for $20.
Order with Heather, 794-3659 before May 26th.
Most importantly, we covet your prayers for this event and in general, for the raising of the funds to get to West Africa and to cover our on-the-ground expenses there.
We also invite you to visit the website of Afexan (birthed to help the Guinean ladies who produce the raw materials): afexancosmetics.com
Thanks in advance for your support. May God continue to richly bless you.
From Ronald & Heather Yearwood
As announced at SAEBC’s October 2022 Business Meeting, the Pastors and Elders are preparing a Leadership Development Program that will begin in February 2023. The goal of the program is to identify and prepare members who are willing to fill leadership posts in the future within SAEBC: Ministry Leaders, Deacons, Deaconesses, Elders, Pastors or Beyond SAEBC: AEBC, Missions, Para-Church Organisations
In the past, SAEBC has found Pastors from within its Eldership and Elders from among its Deacons. The church membership has endorsed this approach to growth and development. This requires that members make themselves available for training and appointment or election to leadership positions.
We invite those who feel the call to Church leadership involvement to prayerfully consider the application below. Please complete and submit this application to the church office (in written form via Email or WhatsApp) by January 8th 2023 and you will obtain an interview for inclusion in the program.
The head of the Church, Our Lord Jesus Christ, both calls and equips leaders for His body. Pray/work with us as we seek to find His provisions for SAEBC.
Please download and fill out the interest form below
Fun Corner
A Word to the Wise Should Be Sufficient
For those who are not medically trained, here are some definitions of medical terms:
Fibula – is a small lie, Varicose – means nearby, Caesarean Section – is a district in Rome, Seizure – is a Roman emperor, Terminal Illness – a sickness you get in an airport, Benign – it comes after you be eight.
Points to ponder:
A bus station is where a bus stops and a train station is where the train comes to a stop. My office contains a work station.
The human brain is a wonderful thing. It starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.
An extensive government study has revealed that the leading cause of cancer in laboratory rats is scientists.
There are some people who can only recall 25 of the letters in the English alphabet and they don’t know why.
One proof that the American Indians were the first to arrive in that country is the fact that they had reservations.
This Month's
Prayer & Praises
Let’s Pray Without Ceasing
Our students doing Exams- CSEC, CAPE, Tertiary
The missionaries and missionary organizations who we support in various parts of the world as they continue doing God’s work
God’s continued provision for each and every missionary and missionary organization
Let’s Give Thanks
All the students who sat SEA and the results they achieved despite any difficulties they may have faced.
The spread of the gospel through the work of our missionary partners
God’s Continues protection in these testing and trying times
Upcoming
Preaching Schedule
Theme
Missions: God Loving the World through Us
Memory Verse:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son" - John 3:16
DATES | SPEAKER | TOPIC |
MAY 07 | Pastor Kelvin Mapp | Communion Service |
MAY 14 | Mother's Day | Ladies Committee in Charge |
MAY 21 | Brian Burke | Community Bible Study Promotion |
MAY 28 | Wycliffe | Missions Promotion |
JUN 04 | Pastor Francis Warner | Communion Service |
TIMES | SERVICE |
9:00 AM | Sunday Service |
10:00 AM | Sunday Junior Church |
11:30 AM | Sunday School |
6:00 PM | Wednesday CBSI |
7:15 PM | Wednesday Prayer Meeting |