Introduction-Apostle Dr. Orlando Wilson (President)
St. Peters:--- On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the St. Martin United Ministerial Foundation (SMUMF) observed it 18th anniversary as the umbrella organization for evangelical, apostolic, and independent Churches on the Dutch Side of the Island.
We have only come this far by faith. Our 18th year represents a greater level of maturity. For this, we salute the hardworking and visionary former and current board members, as well as our volunteers and affiliates who continue to work with us on the national agenda. Much of the work we do has been in the background, but SMUMF is coming forward now. We do not engage in a lot of congregational activity but are set aside to represent the Kingdom of God in the national agenda. Affiliation with SMUMF is strictly voluntary.
Our objectives are:
- Spiritual Governance and National Oversight-There are more than 110 churches located on the Dutch Side and every year more are being registered at the Chamber of Commerce. There needs to be structure as we complement each other and not compete with each other.
- The Promotion of Prayer, Unity, and Fellowship at the National Level
- Mediation, Pastoral Reconciliation & Healing
D. Humanitarian, Crisis Support & Intervention
F. Sector Representation & Civic Engagement
In this 18th year, we will not only celebrate the goodness of God but give ourselves to prayer through our District Prayer Campaign that was launched last month. Every Last Friday for 3 months there will be a national prayer in the various districts as the faith-based community comes together. Our next equipping session will be on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the New Testament Church of God, and the next District Prayer on June 2, 2023.
SMUMF will also host a Wellness Breakfast in July and a National Award Ceremony in December.
Besides these three major activities, our various committees will also keep the public informed on our Facebook page: SMUMFSXM, and other forms of media on other relevant matters such as our Partnerships, Townhall Meetings, The National Thanksgiving Service, Member Database Upgrade and Counsel on socioeconomic and Spiritual matters.
- Bumper Stickers- Apostle Leyland Sam (Vice President)
The theme for SMUMF this year is United Together for the Greater Cause!
For us, this is not just a slogan but an ideal that we are working towards. Jesus prayed for Unity among the saints in St. John Chap. 17 and many prophecies have also been released over this nation that the two sides will become One.
We believe in the Word of the Lord. Therefore, SMUMF has created two bumper stickers that are being sold for $5 each to spread the message of Unity and National Reconciliation. The wounds of division that give birth to instability in our nation need to be healed. One of way doing this is by communicating the language of peace and reconciliation in our society.
The first bumper sticker says United Together for the Greater Cause with the symbol of the Cross and the SMUMF Logo. The Second One features the Unity Flag, Treaty of Concordia Monument, and the Words: One God, One People, One Country, St. Martin, with the scriptural foundation of Acts 17:26.
The bumper stickers are limited so we are encouraging all those who identify with and are willing to run with the message of Unity, to get theirs now.
The Unity we affirm is also demonstrated by our consistent engagement and fraternity with the French Federation of Churches (FEDOC), the St. Martin Christian Council & the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
There is much to be hopeful about. This country is as gifted as ever – full of potential, with remarkable people and extraordinary heritage. Each part has a role and must do its share. So, get your Bumper Sticker, and let us Unite Together for the Greater Cause as One St. Martin.
- Congratulations-Pastor Rita Edwards (Secretary)
On the occasion of last week's observance of Labour Day and International Press Freedom Day, the St. Martin United Ministerial Foundation wishes to congratulate trade unions and media workers on their continued service to the community in spite of internal and external challenges that may arise from time to time.
A free press and a resilient working class are key pillars in building a strong and robust democracy. They are among the hallmarks of good governance.
We respect and value your contributions to nation-building and appreciate you being supported in your work at all levels.
Part 4-Wholesome Families- Reverend Dr. Nolan Nanton (PR Committee)
Advocating for the promotion and protection of God's cornerstone of society, the family is a key priority in SMUMF's agenda. Therefore, next Monday, May 15, we will be joining the world in its celebration of International Day of Families, a UN observance since 1995.
The United Nations states that “this annual observance reflects the importance which the international community attaches to families as basic units of society as well as its concern regarding their situation around the world.”
We are happy that the UN sees and adopts the biblical position and ultimate intention of God for the family as the cornerstone of society. A truth that Genesis 1:28 expresses and which stands as a culmination of the Creation Story.
The International Day of Families provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families as well as to promote appropriate action. “This Day can become a powerful mobilizing factor on behalf of families in all countries, which avail themselves of this opportunity and demonstrate support of family issues appropriate to each society.”
Here at St. Maarten, we are appealing to every civic organization, to rally around families, contend for the family, host more activities that promote the family, plan agendas with consideration given to family time, and of course, pray for families. But more than just symbolism, we want to see national policies geared towards strengthening God's blueprint of the family.
To the families, we recommend that you plan family time, bond, talk with each other and make peace where necessary. Familial reconciliation and healing lead to national healing.
There are too many broken or dysfunctional family units, unsupervised minors in Carnival parades, absentee fathers, ill-prepared mothers, and morally and financially bankrupt families in St. Maarten.
In fact, the St. Maarten Anti-Poverty Platform concluded that 94% of households cannot survive monthly and live in poverty based on a household income of less of Fls.4000 or $2222.00 per month. They based their findings on the Department of Statistics Household Budget Survey 2018.
The World Food Programme, on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat, also conducted a Caribbean COVID-19 Food Security & Livelihoods Impact Survey in St. Maarten in November 2020.
The Report reads “The pandemic appears to have affected the economic wellbeing of the vast majority of households in Sint Maarten. Eighty percent of respondents have experienced a job loss or a reduced income in their households, higher than the regional average (69%)
Nearly six out of ten respondents are primarily worried about job loss, followed by worries about illness (50%) and the inability to cover essential needs (47%) and food needs (33%).
“I’m unemployed with 4 kids to feed and rent to pay, I’m stressed because I can’t get another job” – an anonymous female, age 31 said.
Another one remarked that, “Having just one income is hard on a household. One needs to prioritize what to get and what to do without. Those out of work with no income might think of doing something that is not good to be able to live/survive.”
Families are struggling to cope, to survive on St. Maarten.
SMUMF will organize a roundtable discussion focusing on the families and demographic change (which is the international theme) on Monday May 15 that will be streamed live on our Facebook page SMUMFSXM at 6:30 pm.
Part 5- The GO Movement -Apostle Norma Arrindell (Treasurer)
On Friday April 28, 2023, the GO Movement St. Maarten was launched. Caribbean and Latin American director of the GO Movement Bishop Daniel Oscar travelled to the island to host a 2-day equipping session with spiritual leaders.
The Go Movement is a joint collaborative movement of many denominations and ministries worldwide with the aim of mobilizing and training every believer to be a witness to Jesus and thus reach the world together. In the 10 years since its launch, 64 million people have found Jesus and over a billion people have been reached. Affiliation with the GO Movement opens up networking opportunities and access to multilingual evangelism resources to St. Maarten.
We have been Commissioned to Go into all of the world and make disciples of all Nations, and St. Maarten is no exception. May is observed as Global Evangelism Month or GO Month. This month should see increased activity in the areas of praying for the unsaved, serving the community and witnessing. Like the UN Decade of Development, the GO Movement also has a GO Decade which aims to reach every person with the gospel of Christ by the year 2033. We are mobilizing all people of the Christian faith to join us in the GO Movement.
6. Increased Civic Engagement-Pastor Torana Granston (PR Committee Chair)
We want to alert and sensitize members of our faith-based community and the community at large that over the next few months, we will begin to see an increase in political activity as the nation gets ready to host Parliamentary Elections.
Participation in the democratic process is your right and responsibility. On both ends of the spectrum, postulation and voting, SMUMF is encouraging increased civic engagement among its affiliates. Support those who have a proven track record (publicly and privately) of Integrity, Fairness, Justice and Righteousness Rule. Those who are willing to not only stop at the wisdom of the world but will employ and express the manifold wisdom of God. The destiny of this nation depends on it. Therefore, we are looking forward to engaging with political candidates on common interests.
The philosophical concept of separation of Church and State does not mean that people of faith should disconnect from public action. In fact, SMUMF espouses the view that though Church & State remain Distinct in their Roles, they are Inseparable. The People's Constitution of St. Maarten recognizes the guiding principles of Almighty God as the core of their values, its Preamble.
So, if we all take part in forming our values, if we base them on what is good and precious in our heritage, then our future can be better than our past. Our children and grandchildren can remember us as a generation that gave them hope and purpose.
Matthew Hawkins of the Gospel Coalition says, "When the Church remains silent, virtually all our opinions about how Christians should engage politics come from influences other than Scripture and the guidance of our church." We have become wiser. The Church is not divorced from society but adds value. We are salt and light. We are in the civil service, we pioneer educational foundations, soup kitchens, family counseling, we work in law enforcement, we are there for your births, weddings, and funerals, etc. We are involved in every sphere of national life. Therefore, we are appealing to those in the legislative and executive branches of government, do not to make decisions for us and about us, without consulting us.
And, because politics has real-world implications for Christian evangelism, missions, and preaching etc, (the implications are being seen on the French side already) Christians ought to engage in the political process by leveraging their rightful authority, advocating for laws and policies that contribute to human flourishing. After all, we are Christ's Ambassadors in earth. We have a Voice and our voice which represents the counsel of God needs to be heard on the mountains and in the rooms where decisions are being made.
Let us not only pray for those in authority but also encourage and pray for those emerging leaders, those whom God is calling to step forward in this sphere of public life to serve His interest.
7. Funding -Pastor Harold Richardson (Ass. Treasurer)
SMUMF is a non-profit foundation solely dependent on the financial donations of individuals and affiliate churches.
Much of the work that we do is heavily subsidized by our board members. To better represent the interests of the Community, we need funds and your generous contribution would be highly appreciated.
All donations can be sent to our Republic Bank Account number #970101001567 for USD and Account number 970101001568 for ANG contributions.
Those wishing to join the umbrella body St. Martin United Ministerial Foundation (SMUMF) can also do so by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
In closing, may the God and Lord of our Saviour Jesus Christ bless you with all-natural and spiritual blessing. May Grace Abound for every good work and may Peace be the portion of St. Maarten and her people.
