The Future Is Now:
Preserving Values for a Better Tomorrow
September 11, 2016 Event
Background for Media
The
motto for the 11 September event and other activities, “The Future
is Now: Preserving Values for a Better Tomorrow”, reflects
a desire of Cayman churches to preserve Bible-based values upon which
the Cayman Islands was founded and to which the Islands owes its
present prosperity and success.
Who
is involved
The
overall initiative is being sponsored and driven by a group of Cayman
Islands churches, spearheaded by the Cayman Ministers’ Association,
the Adventist and other churches.
Youth organisations in the churches are
collaborating in the effort. Young
people are vested in this effort since they will inevitably bear the
burden from the impacts of today’s challenges to our values in the
decades ahead.
As youth, they will soon be passing on
their values to the next generation, as they play, live, work, create
value, worship, and raise their families.
Why
now
The
Cayman church is concerned that future generations retain these
values and principles in every sphere of their lives.
The
church is becoming increasingly sensitive to the fact that the values
and influences which shape the future state of societies worldwide,
including in the Cayman Islands, are being framed today in ways that
are creating shifts in our value systems.
The
church’s concern is largely motivated by an awareness that
adherence to Bible-based values provide a
strong basis for the psychological and social health, stability, and
security of children. These stable
family outcomes in turn support a stable and secure Cayman now and in
the future. This is where all the initiatives in this drive are
focused – on the positive values of bible-based values to the
family and society
In
light of these Bible-based positions, however, emerging international
and local trends create disquiet for churches, as these developments
run counter to Bible-based family values that support the outcomes of
stable family and society. The church underscores that it is
concerned about all
lifestyle choices and behaviours that run
counter to Bible-based values and positive outcomes for families and
societies. These include departures that may occur within the context
of conventional marriage unions and other heterosexual unions as well
as those involving alternative lifestyles.
In
taking note of such trends, the church is calling for the
involvement, conversation and investment from everyone, especially
from among those who hold convictions that values based upon Bible
principles are the ideal platform for the wholesome thriving of any
society.
How
the church is approaching its response
The
church believes that it has a
responsibility to take a stand with respect to all behaviours that
are not in keeping with Bible-based standards. As the Biblical Jude,
brother of Jesus’ disciple James, exhorted the brethren of the day
to “contend” with those who are deviating from Bible-based
standards, the church believes it has an urgent responsibility to
guide diligently those who are failing to observe Bible-based
standards.
The
church is very concerned, however, that its initiatives, while based
on Bible principles, must be deeply rooted in, and characterized by,
love and compassion to all.
The
first such effort towards these goals is that of raising awareness
about trends, Bible-based standards, and related concerns. This drive
will begin with an island-wide rally for all interested persons on 11
September, at 5:30 pm, at the Lions Centre.
That
event will be preceded and followed by a multi-media public
awareness-raising programme and activities that will continue into
the foreseeable future.
The
overall initiative is intentional, has been carefully thought out,
and is envisaged as being long-term. Representatives from
participating churches have been jointly deliberating for many
months.
Events
and activities:
- September
11 Rally: The key message will
be that everyone, especially Christians, must maintain awareness of
–
- local,
international, and historical trends that may impact family life
and society in general. (These trends alert people to the need to
stand for and safeguard Bible-based standards in homes and in
society.)
- Bible-based
standards. (Everyone should be aware of what the Bible teaches).
- The
social and psychological impacts of preserving Bible-based
standards. (Everyone should be informed on the positive impacts of
Biblical principles in how lives are ordered).
- Speakers
at the 11 September rally:
- Alson
Ebanks, pastor and family life advocate
- Pastor
Alson will focus on the theological aspects
- He
is the Senior Pastor for the Church of God Chapel in George Town
- David
Gibbs III, International constitutional attorney
- Attorney
Gibbs will focus on current and emerging international legal and
constitutional trends.
- Has
more than 20 years’ experience defending religious and
free-speech rights across US.
- President
and chief legal counsel for the US National Center for Life and
Liberty.
- Brendan
Bain, medical doctor, researcher, and educator
- Board
Chair, Family Life Ministries in Jamaica; church elder.
- Pioneer in Jamaica for caring for and
treating AIDS and HIV patients.
- The
programme will also feature musical items.
- An
essay and poster competition – With a soft launch in August, this
competition will be formally launched at the 11 September Rally.
- Youth
Activities through participating churches and a youth subcommittee.
- Plans
are for a subcommittee to liaise with other similar regional
initiatives, to maximize utilization of joint resources.
- Spokespersons
available to media
- The
following spokespersons are available:
- Pastor
Torrance Bobb, Chair of the Cayman Ministers’ Association and
Pastor of the First Assembly of God
- Pastor
Alson Ebanks, Deputy Chair of the Cayman Ministers’ Association,
and Senior Pastor of the Church of God, George Town
- Pastor
Shion O’Connor, Chair of the Joint Committee (CMA, Adventist and
other churches) and President of the Cayman Islands Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists (currently off-island)
- Bishop
Nicholas Sykes, Member of the CMA and the Joint Committee and
Rector of St. Alban's Church of England
- To
arrange meetings with spokespersons, please contact Patricia Ebanks,
Communications Director for the Cayman Islands Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists, 938-2209,
jointcommitteeCMS.CICSDA@gmail.com.