The Retention Department of the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists hosted a banquet 29 March to celebrate new members, encourage their spiritual growth and strengthen connections across the conference.
More than 200 guests attended the event at the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall at the University College of the Cayman Islands, including new members and retention leaders throughout the conference. Organizers said the banquet was designed to affirm new believers in their walk with God, create opportunities for fellowship in a social setting and demonstrate that Adventist Christians engage in wholesome social activities.
Pastor Dr. Ivor Harry, President of the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, addressed the gathering, urging newly baptized members to view baptism as the beginning of a lifelong journey with Christ rather than a final destination. He challenged them to pursue authentic spiritual transformation and reminded them that the Christian life is measured by daily faithfulness and service.
Harry also urged attendees to look beyond denominational identity and focus on a genuine relationship with God. “You’re not going to be saved because you’re a Seventh-day Adventist,” he said. “You’re going to be saved because you’re a child of God. And that is the only guarantee you have of salvation.”
The keynote address delivered by Pastor Dr. Shion O’Connor, Ministerial Secretary of the Conference focused on the transition from evangelism to discipleship. He described baptism as an important beginning rather than the end of the Christian journey, also urging members to cultivate a daily relationship with Christ.
“You have cleared immigration, cleared security. You are now in the departure lounge waiting for the train to take us home to glory,” O’Connor said. “But there are many who once gave their heart to the Lord, and somewhere in the departure lounge, they become distracted and miss their flight.”
Using the parable of the 10 virgins, O’Connor warned that spiritual drift can happen within the church if believers lose their focus and fail to remain spiritually prepared.
“The five who lost their way, lost their way in the departure lounge,” he said. “They didn’t lose their way in the world. They lost their way in the church. Don’t let that happen to you.”
A testimony from one of the new members underscored the evening’s focus on spiritual renewal and belonging. The member said a simple invitation from a Berea church member to attend a Week of Prayer led to her decision to surrender her life to Christ.
“I came on island last year, July,” she said. “One of the members at Berea invited me to attend that week of prayer, which I did. And the Lord inspired me that when they called for people to give their life to Christ, I got up.”
She added, “That’s how I decided to give my life to the Lord. And from that day on till now, I’ve never looked back. And I’m grateful for the Lord and what he’s done for me.”
Organizers said the event reflects the conference’s emphasis on member retention and discipleship, moving beyond baptism to intentional spiritual nurture. Joshua Lawrence, Retention Director for the Cayman Islands Conference, said it was encouraging to see new members interacting with one another as well as with pastors and senior church members.
“It was heart-warming to see the new members interacting with each other and with pastors and senior members,” Lawrence said, adding that the positive feedback showed the event was well received by those in attendance.
The banquet highlighted the importance of building relationships and creating meaningful spaces where members of the church can feel welcomed, supported and encouraged in their faith journey.
Lawrence, expresses profound gratitude to Pastor Balvin Braham, Vice President of the Inter-American Division, whose idea for this banquet has now come to fruition. “We are especially grateful not only for the inspiration behind this initiative, but also for the generous financial support that helped make this occasion possible.”
Sincere appreciation is also extended to Pastor Kent Price and his dedicated team of administrators at the Atlantic Caribbean Union for their unwavering support and generous financial contribution, which played a significant role in the success of this event.
Additionally, heartfelt thanks are conveyed to the President and the entire administrative body of the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for their generous financial support and their invaluable partnership in bringing this event to life.
Special thanks to Cythia Scott, Karen Ferguson, Andrelene Royal and all the retention leaders from the various churches in the Cayman Islands Conference.
Cayman Islands | Written by: Devarro Whittaker, Editor: Devarro Whittaker | Photo Credit: Devarro Whittaker
