Update from the Caribbean

January has been an exciting start 2006 in the Caribbean. During the first week Rev. Gerry Seale, EAC’s General Secretary and CEO, spent three very intensive days with 50 pastors and leaders of the Church of the Nazarene on the campus of the Caribbean Nazarene College in Santa Cruz, Trinidad. It was a time of reflecting on principles of nation transformation and key leadership skills that make this possible. Those from have promised to be in touch with EAC further in thinking through transformational ministry in their own context.

During the month EAC also received notification that it has been accepted as an associate member of the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) pending a decision at their General Assembly on full membership. CPDC is the main link into the CARICOM process for non-governmental organisations. This is a critical step towards being a greater voice for Evangelicals in the region. For those outside the Caribbean, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is the region’s equivalent to the European Union.

Another exciting development during January was hearing from HDS at the CARICOM Secretariat that they have endorsed EAC‘s two initial projects on HIV/AIDS to the Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) for funding to the tune of US$55,000.00. These two projects will conduct a pilot survey on the sexual practices of Evangelical youth in and convene a consultation for key regional Evangelical leaders on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its implications for discipling Caribbeans. EAC’s projects have been short-listed for funding and are currently number two on the short list.

The last week of January Rev. Seale preached the Annual Kingston Keswick Convention in . He was asked to address the concepts of personal sanctification for national transformation. Everyone on the Kingston Keswick Council expressed appreciation for the content, anointing, and passion evident in all 13 messages. The final night was recorded for subsequent release on radio and TV across . The island of Jamaica is in urgent need of a move of God. Violence is spreading across the land with over 1,600 murders last year, making the “murder capital of the world.” Please pray that the Church in will be able to make a significant and lasting difference.

February will be just as busy. Work will continue on the two HIV/AIDS projects, a visit will be made to Antigua February 17-18 to assist with the election of a new executive for the United Evangelical Association and February 20-24 to St. Croix for a Transforming the Nation Seminar with pastors of the US and British Virgin Islands (more than 140 have been personally invited by EAC’s office).

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Rev. Gerry A. Seale, D.D.

General Secretary and CEO

Evangelical Association of the Caribbean,

Park, Christ Church BB15092, .

Tel: 1-246-427-9746

Website: www.caribevangelical.org

Empowering the Church to Transform Society

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