On this visit to Exuma, we have attended a great little church in nearby Rolleville, Ebenezer Union Baptist Church. They have so warmly welcomed us to their church that we have to blog about it.
We first learned about the church when we attended the Union Baptist 'Crusade' in nearby Farmer's Hill during our February visit to Exuma. Ebenezer provided the special music that night and we learned that several marina employees attend there. We had hoped to attend the final night of the Crusade, when Ebenezer's Pastor, Reverend Brown was scheduled to speak. We did not attend that night due to a lack of a ride and a planned early morning departure the next day, but we later regretted that we did not make more of an effort to attend.
But this stay we had a car for over a week - primarily to attend regatta, but it also gave us more freedom in attending church.
When we first arrived at the church, we were greeted by a young woman that we later learned was Shazzar, wife of Wayne Adderly who works at the marina. It was about 10 minutes before the start of the service, and she invited us to the Pastor's office to meet him. We had a great conversation with Rev. Dr. Adam Joseph Brown. Pastor Brown exudes joy and friendliness and it is clear that his congregation follows his example.
When you ask Pastor Brown how he is doing - he smiles broadly and responds "Fantastically Well!"!
We so enjoyed the service that we returned the next Sunday, but unfortunately Wayne, who plays keyboard in the church had to work both Sundays so we did not get a chance to hear him play. But Pastor Brown announced that they would have an 'Evangelistic' service that evening and that Wayne would be playing, so we decided to return that night.
Shazzar led the worship and Wayne played keyboards and a young man, 'CC', that Wayne brings from 'The Forest' settlement played drums. It was a great time.
However, at one point the power went out, but the singing continued with only drums and no keyboard. We have previously had similar experiences and we know that power outages do NOT stop a Bahamian church service, but this was the first time we had experienced it at night. The church was VERY dark and quickly grew quite warm.
Pastor Brown proceeded to the pulpit and wonderfully worked the darkness into his sermon. The scripture that he had planned to preach on included Mathew 5:14-16
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill can not be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven
The darkened church was a vivid illustration of the darkness in the world if we do not 'let our light shine'.
Thank you Pastor Brown and the Ebenezer church for so warmly welcoming us - you made us feel like family!
Tom
Docked Emerald Bay Marina
Exuma
No comments:
Post a Comment