The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

In commemoration of his first year in office as the director of the Men’s Department of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, Rev Stephen Ferguson and his team hosted a successful ‘Men’s Week of Service’ to round out a year of special events.

Held last week under a theme inspired by Nehemiah 4: 1-6 – “ Baptist Men at Work” – the activities kicked off on Thursday with a service of thanksgiving at the Pentecostal Baptist Church in Nassau Village. The following night featured the first round of the men’s bowling competition that took place at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre.

Wellington Stubbs, Rev Ferguson himself and his son Stephen Ferguson, Jr, earned the bragging rights for their church, Hillside Missionary Baptist, as they beat the defending champions Mount Ararat, New St Paul’s, Macedonia, First Baptist and Faith United Missionary Baptist.

The week concluded last Saturday with a prayer breakfast at the Hillside Missionary Baptist, where Minister Dereck Munroe of New Bethlehem was the keynote speaker.

“Special sessions of prayers were done by Deacon Perry Nichols for Hurricane Dorian victims; one by Rev Anthony Garrison for the men and their families, and another by Deacon Doyle Bethel for the leaders of the Bahamas,” said organisers.

In addition to the “Men’s Week of Service”, the Baptist Men’s Department this year staged the fifth annual Bahamas National Baptist Men Concert held in January at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church, where for the first time floating trophies in two categories were presented. At this event, the New Covenant Baptist Church was awarded the trophy for the best overall choir, while the New Free Community Baptist Church was awarded the trophy for the largest offering.

Then in March, a Family Island Retreat was held in Andros where Minister Wendell Coakley was installed as vice president of the Andros arm of the Bahamas National Baptist Men’s Department. In April, the inaugural Battle of the Baptist Grill was held on the grounds of the William Thompson Auditorium. the New Covenant Men’s Department was crowned champions, while Faith United and Mount Horeb placed second and third respectively.

Also in April, the “7 Last Sayings of Christ” service held at Mount Ararat Baptist Church, and in June, the fifth annual Bahamas National Baptist Men’s Department Pre-Fathers Day Dinner was held. A total of 15 men were honoured for their outstanding service to the baptist community.

In July, National Baptist Men’s Department came together with members of the Baptist World Alliance to host the “Rally in the Park” at the Sarah Butler Park, Meadow Street. Lunch packages were given out to those in attendance from the local community.

The Men’s Department is now gearing up for 2020. Starting off the year of activities will be their annual Baptist Men’s Concert which will take place on Sunday, January 12, at the First Baptist Church starting 3pm.

Rev Ferguson of Hillside Missionary Baptist Church is the third director of the Men’s Department, serving under the current presidency of Rev Dr Lloyd Smith. He succeeds the Rev George Bodie, who served as the second director under the presidency of Rev Dr William Thompson. The first director was Rev Stephen Duncombe, who served under Rev Dr Anthony Carroll.