HAPPENINGS AROUND THE WORLD n HAPPENINGS AROUND THE WORLD n HAPPENINGS AROUND THE WORLD n HAPPENINGS AROU Examining contemporary

Roderick James

Caribbean issues, inspiring believers to live out the lordship of Christ.

Phase three of the curriculum plan

Caribbean Christian Publications

TURNS 40 I

n 1975, Caribbean Christian Pub- lications (CCP) was established as the Literature and Publications

Committee of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF). CCP came into being as a direct result of a decision made in 1972 by the then newly- formed CBF to pursue the production of Caribbean-oriented Bible lessons (CBL). The tenets of the agency, then as now, were to produce material

is biblically grounded, culturally relevant,

educationally sound,

examines contemporary Caribbean issues and inspires believers to live out the lordship of Christ. CCP has undergone major changes

over the years. The offices and operations have been relocated several times, from Kingston, Jamaica, to El Paso, Texas, in 1980; to Hollywood, Florida, in 1987; and back to Kingston in 2004 at facilities named after Azariah McKenzie, first president and founding secretary/treasurer of the CBF. Materials produced have also been

broadened. The first phase of the development of CBL spanned 1976- 1980 and catered to four age groups. During that time, countries across the Caribbean region grew in awareness and acceptance of the material and embraced its use in their churches. Phase two of the curriculum came

on stream in 1981 and lasted until 1994. This phase incorporated an additional group, moving to five age ranges and the development of a cycle plan. Supplementary materials such as music, teaching pictures and Vacation Bible School lessons were added.

that that

was from 1994-2011. It supplied six age groups with a curriculum titled “The Together Series.” Color was introduced and the number of pages per issue increased. New resource materials were produced, such as discipleship literature, which included the companion booklets Finding the Way and Following the Way. Phase four commenced in 2008,

even while phase three was being implemented. It carries new features and changes to the layout. Plans are being put in place to pilot translation of the lessons into other major regional languages beginning in 2016. The organization produces and

distributes Sunday School periodicals three times per year and Vacation Bible School materials covering biblical teachings on stewardship, a song book and an accompanying CD. The editorial staff continues to offer teacher-training regionally. CCP has also begun publishing books by various authors, including Burchell Taylor, Norva Rodney and William Edwards. “CCP grapples with resource

challenges,” said Beryl Roper, CCP director. “There is the growing influence of contending cultures, new outlook on the place and purpose of church, shifting of the spiritual underpinning of Caribbean societies and the need for new and creative educational methodologies to transmit the message of the Gospel.” Hurdles aside, the organization

remains resolute in its mission and continues the legacy of those who served, pioneers such as the Campbells, a husband and wife team from the International Mission Board; and Morris Wright, Sam Vernon, Roderick James, Arthur Edgar and Gillian Francis, who have all laid a firm foundation. “Coupled with the dynamism and commitment of present day volunteers and staff, enabled by the Holy Spirit, CCP is assured of a future full of hope and promise,” declared Roper.

Tropical Storm Devastates DOMINICA

T

ropical Storm Erika left a trail of infrastructural damage that killed at

least 27 persons and destroyed

more than 370 houses on the Southeastern Caribbean island of Dominica. Eighty percent of the island was left without power after the storm landed on August 26. An initial sum of US$10,000 was

sent by Baptist World Aid, the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, for emergency relief. The main river running through Roseau,

the nation’s capital, burst its banks during the evening of August 26 through August 27, flooding surrounding areas. It triggered mudslides and flooding that destroyed roads, bridges and homes.

Batalie Bridge, one of the several bridges damaged or destroyed by

Tropical Storm Erika in Dominica It is estimated that between 10,000 and

20,000 people have been affected. In one community alone, 109 residents had to be evacuated. Nine local areas were declared disaster zones by the prime minister. “I have received words from the Baptist

Federation of Guadeloupe and the Baptist Association of Grenada that plans are being made to deliver some basic items to the Baptist Union of Dominica for distribution,” said Everton Jackson, Baptist World Alliance regional secretary for the Caribbean. Jackson, who is executive secretary/

treasurer for the Caribbean Baptist Fel- lowship, declared September 6 as a day of prayer for Dominica and the collection of a special offering by Caribbean Baptists to provide assistance to the island of 72,000 people. “I call upon the member bodies of the

Caribbean Baptist Fellowship to pool efforts and resources to assist our Caribbean sisters and brothers,” Jackson pleaded.

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