This year marks the 125th anniversary of Adventism in the Cayman Islands.
Our Church owes its genesis in these Islands 125 years ago to the late Mr Gilbert Magdaly McLaughlin, an East End sea captain, who accepted the Biblical truths taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bonacca, Honduras, in 1894. On return, Capt. McLaughlin faithfully shared with family and friends the Bible-based messages he had received.
Notwithstanding our celebrations this year of our blessed heritage, however, the commission of Christ to preach the “everlasting gospel” remains our focus. Not only did Jesus command us to make disciples of others, but He also charged us with the responsibility to minister to the hurting, the down-trodden, the poor, the hungry and the imprisoned.
Indeed, this was Jesus’s mission statement, as related in Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
This must therefore become our mission statement. Indeed, after telling the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus commanded His listeners: “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). Jesus also reminded us: “… Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).
Our heartfelt commendation, therefore, to all our leaders, volunteers and financial contributors who have over these many years so selflessly sought to alleviate suffering in these Cayman Islands. I encourage you not to become weary in well-doing, but to embrace consistently Jesus’s prescription for practical living described in Matthew 5:13-16—that of being our communities’ salt and light, symbols of our responsibilities as disciples of Jesus. Indeed, we are salt and light when we influence and improve the lives of those around us.
Yes, even in the Cayman Islands there is suffering. Yes, there are many persons who are in need. Every year your financial contributions support community projects to meet some of these needs, and we are more than thankful for your generosity.
Therefore, once again, we invite you to partner with us in bringing relief to those around us to bring honour and glory to God.
