The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to enhance quality of life for people everywhere and to let people know that Jesus is coming again soon.
Adventists believe a Trinity of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—make up one God. They made salvation possible when Jesus, the Son, came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem and lived a sinless life in accordance with the Father's will. When Jesus was crucified for the sins of the people of the world and arose from the dead on the third day, victory was won for everyone.
When He returned to heaven following the resurrection, Jesus left the Holy Spirit to serve as our Comforter and Counselor. He promised to return to earth a second time to complete His plan of salvation and take His people to heaven. Adventists are among the believers who look forward to that day.
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us—is part of His plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our money, and our time are all important to Him.
In the summer of 2002, the Life of the World Series was held at 163-27 Baisley Boulevard Queens, New York, featuring International Evangelist Winston Stevenson of the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, this multiple time "Evangelist of the Year" winner, radio speaker, and experienced visionary engaged the South Jamaica community in six weeks of electrifying evangelistic meetings.
At the end of the series Evangelist Winston Stevenson gathered forty (40) of the one hundred and seventy (170) newly baptized members. On September 7, 2002 the fledgling 40-member church family assembled for their first Sabbath worship in a church building rented at 157-02 Meyer Avenue Jamaica, New York 11434. It was evident that its members were grateful;they gave God the glory for the great things he had done.
The Shelter Rock mission journeyed and knew challenges, but it also knew that (i) the difference between defeat and victory was prayer (ii) moving steadily forward required complete trust and humble dependence upon God(iii) committing to His wise providence, themselves and all that concerns their present and future, was essential (iv) holding the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end, was necessary, considering the fact that it was not because of their worthiness that they receive the blessings of heaven, but because of their worthiness of Christ and their acceptance through faith in Him, of God's abounding grace.
Advancing in faith, Shelter Rock asked and it was given. On August 5, 2006, God allowed the Shelter Rock flock to take a joyous but short trek from 157-02 Meyer Avenue Jamaica New York 11434 to 157-18 Meyer Avenue Jamaica New York 11434.
Were there deficits? Were there discussions concerning whether or not to merge with other missions? Did negative Northeastern Conference assessment of its capability to purchase its 1.5 million dollar building, surface? Yes! But Shelter Rock interceded with God: sometimes praying around the clock ,prayer walking several times, sometimes fasting for many days, but always moving in firm faith in the assured promise that "in the blessing I will bless".
On May 17, 2008, Shelter Rock Seventh-day Adventist mission was organized into a church and was voted into the sisterhood of churches, as the Shelter Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church by the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Our work has only just begun, but “we have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has lead us, and His teaching in our history.” Life Sketches, pg.196
Information obtained from Elder Vernon Samuel-First Head Elder of The Shelter Rock SDA Church
Pastor: Donnett M. Blake: October 15, 2011-December 2016
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."~Jeremiah 3:15.
Pastor Blake was called by God to oversee his flock at Shelter Rock SDA Church on October 15, 2011. She assumes this responsibility faithfully and humbly. In Christ, she finds strength and courage to perform this solemn task. Among the many texts that have empowered her to forge ahead in spite of obstacles is Isaiah 41:10: "Fear thou not; for I Am with thee: be not dismayed; for I Am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Friends of Shelter Rock
Pastor: Dr. R Young: 2008-2011
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.~Jeremiah 3:15 ”
Pastor: Kenneth Jones: 2002-2007
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.~Jeremiah 3:15 ”
Evangelist: Winston Stephenson
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.~Jeremiah 3:15 ”
