As they sang their class song, Send the Light, the Graduating Class of 2009 sounded convincing; they seemed ready and willing to respond to the call. On Sabbath 21 February, 2009, the 220 men and women marched up the aisle to receive their certificates that officially declare them to be either certified Public Evangelism Lay Preachers or certified Personal Evangelism Lay Bible Workers. Launched in January, 2003, the School of Lay Evangelism - Guyana, presented its first batch of graduates in this graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.

 

The day’s proceedings which were held under the theme “Sent to Preach the Gospel”, was a two-phase affair that featured a pre-graduation convention during the Sabbath morning and a graduation ceremony in the afternoon hours.

Guyana Conference Director of Personal Ministries, Pastor Richard James, delivered the charge to the graduating class. He tasked them with the responsibility of living lives of prayerful, faithful service. Pastor James also announced recipients of some special awards. These were given to the top male and female graduating persons - Compton Campbell and Wendy Adonis. Three other graduates received Lay Leadership Service Awards - Joseph Haywood, Carl De Mattos, and Karen Bastiani.

 

Dr. Jonathan Kuntaraf, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, visited the Guyana Conference for the occasion. He presented the feature address. Also present and officiating in the day's proceedings were Dr. Hilton Garnett, President of the Guyana Conference; Sis Margaret Ramsarran, Treasurer of the Guyana Conference; Sis Sheryle Liverpool, Administrative Assistant of the Caribbean Union Conference; and Professor Roy McGarrel, a former President of the Guyana Conference. A distinguished member of the audience was Justice Winston Patterson, a renowned local judge.

 

The programmes offered by the School of Evangelism covered a total of 40 contact hours, half of which were allocated to Practicum - field work within the local church. The objectives of the school include providing professional training for all church members, preparing gifted members to disciple others in the local church, and providing training for lay preachers and Bible workers.

 

 
Pastor Richard James addressing the gathering