Two Islands … Two Years … Two Vision Conferences

Two years ago the first-ever Vision Conference in this two-island nation was held on Trinidad, the larger of the two islands. Recently, Tobago joined the list of host nations when Darrow Miller and Bob Moffitt accompanied Clifton Charles to facilitate a shortened Vision Conference.

Rev. Ramlakhan Ramdial, Senior Pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle, Tobago, and Chair of Tobago Pastors’ & Ministers’ Fellowship, chaired the planning committee which brought the three-day training event to the island. The Lambeau Church of God hosted the event January 20-22, 2011.

Rev. Dr. Clifton Charles, Senior Pastor of the Worldwide Church of God, planned and hosted the earlier five-day vision conference and joined Bob and Darrow as a presenter at this event.

Clifton and Pearl Charles

Seventy-five participants, representing 25 local churches, attended the sessions. Pastors and church leaders were joined by several leaders from various spheres of society, including officials from Health and Social Services, TV Channel 5, and the Tobago House of Assembly.

“What was taught in the Conference was a reinforcement for my ongoing projects that I am doing in my ministry,” one pastor said by way of appreciation. “It served as a booster.”

“God gave me a vision and mission for the ministry,” said another, “and I told God that it was too big for me to even begin to fulfill and that I did not know where to start. Then there was Vision Conference 2011 to show me the way forward. Very timely, appropriate and confirmation of [the need to change] mindsets that were not Biblical but cultural.”

The success of the event was attributed in part to the thorough planning, as indicated in the work of multiple committees, one each for finance, marketing, and site and maintenance issues. Volunteers also saw to the registration and other needs.

Organizers now look forward to the opportunity to advise, help, and strengthen pastors in the projects they are already undertaking. One Seed Project includes the participation of all pastors and church members toward the development and operation of a warehouse distribution center.

– Story developed from a report filed by Agnes L. Williams, conference registrar.