The Tribune

THE 2013 Mid-Winter Board Meeting of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc was held at the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino with Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe speaking January 14 on the opportunities Religious tourism offers for Bahamians.

He reflected on the similarities of the Bahamas and the United States and the fact that the late Martin Luther King Jr was a member of the Baptist Church and a friend of the Bahamas whose message reverberated around the world.

President of the PNBC Dr Carroll Baltimore Sr paid tribute to Dr King on opening night, which was Martin Luther King Jr Day in the US.

The theme for the meeting was “Securing Our Future: Seeking – A People of Service”.

Dr Baltimore is the PNBC’s 19th president and was accompanied by first vice president, Dr James C Perkins, as well as Dr Timothy Stewart, second vice president of the Convention and pastor of Bethel Baptist Church.

“During the years they were in the struggle, we were in the struggle. So, when we were trying to light a fire under the Bahamian people with what was going on in the United States, they [the Baptists] were helping us because Martin Luther King and Adam Clayton Powell, they came to the Bahamas,” said Minister Wilchcombe.

He said what is being seen at the Baptist Convention is more of a family reunion that highlights the opportunities for cultural fusion Dr Timothy Stewart has been able to organise throughout the Bahamas.

He said he invited Dr Baltimore and his members to spend more time in the Bahamas, and that the synergy created is significant due to the strong historical foundation established between two cultures emerging from social inequity to share their human dignity, practice divine worship and live freely.

“We have a history that’s so similar. We have people that are similar, and we believe in each other,” said Minister Wilchcombe. “And I think this is so wonderful because it goes beyond just the religious tourism.  It’s about rekindling relationships, developing a brotherhood, and continuing to move ahead in the journey that we are all on.”

Minister Wilchcombe said Bahamian tourism professionals expect increased revenue from religious groups touring the Bahamas. He said they believe word of mouth will reveal Bahamians as peace loving people that are tolerant of others who also practice spiritual oneness with a creator that speaks a universal message to many cultures and in many languages.  

“We are a tourism destination and we believe that under one People of God, we are all children of God.  At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, we look beyond and we embrace everyone,” said Mr Wilchcombe.

“The truth is because of our history, and the similarities, you just can’t ignore it. This year is also the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s speech in Washington; the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech.  If you think about that and put all this into consideration, it’s a special day here.”