SAC

So many are hurting and don't know where to turn for help. As Christians we are encouraged to care for each other...encourage each other.... In other words - LOVE ONE ANOTHER. The Spanish Town Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church is exercising such love in their newest venture – ‘SAC’ (Single Again Club). We speak to the Secretary of 'SAC' (A. Donaldson) to find out more about this ministry.

The secretary of the SAC Ministry spoke with Write2Shine (W2S): Providing information for those who could benefit from this ministry and reflecting on her own journey to single life, leading to her involvement with the SAC Ministry. By Janice Ramkissoon

Is your church involved in a similar project as SAC? Would you like to share it with the wider community?

The interview started off by our representative asking the secretary how she was feeling about the interview and she replied: "I am feeling great! And I am happy that SAC is apart of Write2Shine where People can see what is happening in this part of the world". We continued the interview as outlined below substituting the interviewee and interviewer's name with the represented companies:

W2S:    Well, I guess the best place to begin is finding out about Sac. So, what exactly is SAC?

SAC:    SAC is the abbreviation for our newest venture – Single Again Club The group was born out of a Single Again Seminar, which was hosted by the Family Life Department of the Spanish Town SDA Church, by Elder Anthony Gordon in September 2006.

W2S:    How did this seminar develop into a ministry?

SAC:   On the last day of the seminar, we had the opportunity to share…..I was one of the first persons to share my experience. There was so much I needed to get off my chest – it opened the door for others to share and that’s when I believed we all saw the need for a ministry like SAC. People were in tears, now realising they were not alone and didn’t have to carry the burden alone anymore.

W2S:    Let’s assume an abused person is reading this article, how would you explain SAC to that person?

SAC:    What we are trying to do through SAC is to provide an amicable environment for healing, bonding and restoration such that will enhance our spiritual and social life. We are newly established and so the direction in terms of the different activities and programs offered will depend on the needs that are highlighted as SAC progresses. We want to create a support group that provides an atmosphere for acceptance and understanding of our status (the needs of the group) and to foster spiritual development and growth.

W2S:    This sounds like a very exciting project. How did you get involved?

SAC:    3 years ago I had to literally run from what was then our “home”. Then I came to the Spanish Town SDA Church which provided warmth, love and shelter – it was like a re-hab centre for me. I’m still not healed but by Gods grace I’ll get there. Having been in an abused situation myself, then being at this seminar where it was evident that so many others were hurting, I knew that I was not alone and wanted to do more to help others in similar situation. And just as how the church provided comfort for me, I wanted to be there for others too. SAC was an answer to that prayer.

W2S:   That's a great testimony for us all to follow - knowing that we don't have to be perfect or even totally healed ourselves, to want to help others. That to me, is LOVE in ACTION.  Seems to me that you are certainly on the right track to healing and restoration. My dear, you will receive your deliverance. You'll no doubt have some struggles along the way but stay focused on the Lord and He will direct your path and renew your strength daily.

SAC:    Thank you for the encouragement...I'm just glad I didn't let anger get the better of me.

W2S:   Anger is a terible thing! But you have overcome and you are a testimony to others of how God can turn a negative situation into something positive.

SAC:    ...to God be the Glory!

W2S:   Amen! So back to the ministry - Who are the people you are trying to attract?

SAC:    SAC is for persons who are single again and need restoration or healing. It is for people who have either been in abusive relationships or who have been made single through divorce, death or separation.

W2S:   How often will the group be meeting and where?

SAC:    We meet every 3rd Saturday night at the Willowdene High School auditorium We will begin each session at 7.30pm and the programme is set to run until 11pm Our second meeting will be on Saturday, October 21, 2006 @ 7:30 p.m. at the Willowdene High School Auditorium located at 58 Brunswick Ave, Spanish Town P.O., St. Catherine. J.W.I.

W2S:   How can people find out more about SAC?

SAC:    Further information can be obtained by telephoning: 1-876-984-4402; or sending an email to: spanishtownsda@gmail.com. Alternatively our postal address is: Spanish Town Seventh-day Adventist Church, 58 Brunswick Ave, Spanish Town P.O., St. Catherine, Jamaica.

W2S:    What are your hopes for the future of SAC?

SAC:    Hoping that we will be here for people who need support, hence we will be providing a support system so that people can be healed, restored and bond.

W2S:   Thank you for representing SAC and providing us with such indept information, it was great talking to you. We are happy to help in sharing the good news with the rest of the community. There are so many people who are hurting and don’t know where to turn for help so it is great to know that there is an avenue now available for them. We pray that God will use this ministry to reach out to those in need and draw them closer to Him so that the healing, bonding and restoration process can begin.

SAC:    Thank you for having me and I look forward to working with you in the future!

W2S:   It was a pleasure. We look forward to the next update of SAC.