The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MEN, pastors, politicians, and women came together in the spirit of unity for the Men United March in Grand Bahama on Monday.

Marching bands and various youth organisations, including the Grand Bahama Boy Scouts Association, also participated in the street parade, which culminated at Taino Beach with a family fun day and gospel concert.

Organiser Pastor Dudley Seide, of Reach Out Ministries, thought the event “a great success” and plans to continue to hold it every year on Whit Monday, a Christian holiday. Whit Monday, or Pentecost Monday, is the day after Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus Christ.

“This is the only holiday we have and I am trying to keep it for the Christian community,” Pastor Seide said. “The idea is for Christians to come out on this day, march together and have gospel artists perform in a grand gospel concert.”

Veteran Educator Cecil Thompson was honoured at the concert, where Pastor Simeon Outten, the New Life Band and other gospel artists paid tribute to Mr Thompson for his years of service in education, in the civil service, in the Anglican church and in the community working with youth.

The Men United March was started five years ago, calling on men to march against crime and social ills in the country and to promote spiritual and social responsibility of their gender in society.

The Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr Michael Darville, commended Pastor Seide and said the event is one that needs to be better supported by the business and corporate community in Grand Bahama. “I am pleased the parade has grown. I am pleading to the business community that this is one of those things that is worthwhile to partner with Reach Out Ministries because a lot of young people here today really need that kind of support,” he said.

“We are pleased to be out here to support him and the great change he is making in the community with our young people. It is a pleasure to be here because I have been with Dudley Seide for many years and watched this parade grow by leaps and bounds.”

Dr Darville noted that the parade, which was initially to showcase men in unity, has now been extended to also include young women and said that the event fosters unity among all. “One thing we must realise … we must come together to promote unity in our community, and I am so pleased we are demonstrating to the residents of Grand Bahama and The Bahamas that there is power in unity.

“I want to commend Peter Turnquest, the deputy leader of the FNM, because we are out here on a unified mission. You see, politics is one thing, but sometimes we need to put politics aside and unify under the umbrella of Jesus Christ, and we are here to do that and celebrate the lives of our young people.”

Mr Turnquest praised Pastor Seide for what he is doing in the community and commended the young people for participating in the march. “I encourage you to have faith and stick with it, to obey teachers, learn your lessons, listen to parents, and the future is bright for you. No matter what people say you have something to contribute and you are valuable so continue to do positive things, and I am sure as a country we are going to be successful,” he said.