2 Apr 2026, 19:16Monique FrancoisNorfolk, England, United Kingdom
Inclusion in Action: SEC Possibilities Ministries Event at Hay’s Wood Retreat
On the weekend of 27–29 March 2026, the SEC Possibilities Ministries Department led a well-attended Possibilities Awareness event at Hay’s Wood Retreat, Norfolk. The weekend hosted several exciting and memorable presentations from International Pastor John Boston, Senior Pastor of Fondren SDA Church, Texas, and the NAD Evangelism Institute; Pastor David Neal, Ministerial Secretary, Chaplaincy & Possibilities Ministries Director for the TED (Trans-European Division); and Pastor Leslie Ackee, Director for Family, Children’s & Possibilities Ministries for the BUC (British Union Conference).
Presentations commenced on Sabbath evening under the theme ‘Access to the Gospel’, with Pastor Neal providing attendees with seven Christ-led, practical, and achievable steps that we, as a Church and as individual members, should implement to successfully integrate Possibilities Ministries into our local church environments.
The seven steps Pastor Neal shared were: 1) Transformed by Christ, 2) Humble & Compassionate, 3) Equal & Inclusive, 4) Controlled by Christ, 5) Apologetic & Forgiving, 6) Much to Learn; Much to Unlearn, and 7) Led by Christ.
Pastor Boston concluded the evening with some poignant and thought-provoking charges, advising able- and non-able-bodied attendees that “the Gospel and how we present church should reach people that our normal systems are incapable of reaching.” He further stated that “the Gospel should be accessible to those who are overlooked; those with mental health and mobility challenges, substance misusers, and the homeless.”
Equally, Pastor Ackee led an engaging Sabbath School under the title ‘Disability and Suffering in the Bible’. He posed the question, “Does God cause suffering, or does He allow it?” drawing on Job 3:23–26 and Genesis 1:27. Much discussion followed, with further scriptures contributed by the audience, highlighting that at times God allows us to face difficult circumstances, including those concerning our health, family, and work, because He has created us with the ability to overcome them. Not only does He give us the capacity, but by the fact that “we were created in His image” (Genesis 1:27), challenges or disabilities do not define our ability to overcome when we place our faith and trust in Him.
Pastor Boston also presented on ‘Evangelism’, asking the question, “Evangelism: Activity or Identity?” His exposition directed attendees to reflect on whether evangelism is something we do, or whether it goes to the core of who we are as Adventists and followers of Jesus Christ.
Attendees received a wealth of spiritual and motivational insight from all three pastors. In addition, they were blessed by contributions from several accomplished church members. A highlight for many was the powerful presentation by Nana-Osei Bonsu Boakye-Dankwa of Reading Ghana SDA Church. At only 12 years of age, Nana-Osei demonstrated a remarkable command of Scripture. Presenting on the theme ‘Valued in His Image: Embracing Disability with Faith & Compassion’, he used Matthew 9:27–31 and Lamentations 4:14–15 to show how Christ demonstrated compassion, empathy, and love to those with disabilities, urging the audience to follow Christ’s example. Nana-Osei, who has cerebral palsy, declared that when Jesus returns he will be healed, but until then he will serve God faithfully. This deeply moved the audience, and praise filled Hay’s Wood’s conference room.
Anastasia Ross, SEC Women’s & Possibilities Director, curated a special ‘Chill-Out Zone’, a calming, creative, and fun space for the children in attendance. Supervised by members of the Possibilities team, activities included colouring stations, bean bags for relaxed seating, and card and board games, with Twister proving especially popular. For children with noise and sensory sensitivities, noise-cancelling headphones, known as ‘ear defenders’, were provided to ensure they could engage comfortably without becoming overwhelmed.
Hay’s Wood Retreat proved to be a beautifully appropriate setting, with Sabbath afternoon’s spring sunshine adding to the experience. The bright, though chilly, afternoon encouraged adults and children alike to enjoy walks around the retreat grounds, taking in the natural surroundings. The Highland cows, with their distinctive horns and long, shaggy hair, became a memorable feature of the weekend.
Presenters and attendees alike contributed valuable suggestions for improving church practices in relation to Possibilities Ministries, including:
Proper advance planning of events
Creating wheelchair-accessible areas
Providing relevant resources for disabled individuals, including Deaf and blind resources
Advocacy in all meetings, including church board meetings
By the evening, the main question on everyone’s lips, apart from “is it dinnertime yet?”, was “when is the next Possibilities Ministries retreat?” Or, in the words all followers of Jesus Christ long to hear, taken from Matthew 25:21–23: “Well done, my good and faithful servants.”
On the weekend of 27–29 March 2026, the SEC Possibilities Ministries Department led a well-attended Possibilities Awareness event at Hay’s Wood Retreat, Norfolk. The weekend hosted several exciting and memorable presentations from International Pastor John Boston, Senior Pastor of Fondren SDA Church, Texas, and the NAD Evangelism Institute; Pastor David Neal, Ministerial Secretary, Chaplaincy & Possibilities Ministries Director for the TED (Trans-European Division); and Pastor Leslie Ackee, Director for Family, Children’s & Possibilities Ministries for the BUC (British Union Conference).
Presentations commenced on Sabbath evening under the theme ‘Access to the Gospel’, with Pastor Neal providing attendees with seven Christ-led, practical, and achievable steps that we, as a Church and as individual members, should implement to successfully integrate Possibilities Ministries into our local church environments.
The seven steps Pastor Neal shared were: 1) Transformed by Christ, 2) Humble & Compassionate, 3) Equal & Inclusive, 4) Controlled by Christ, 5) Apologetic & Forgiving, 6) Much to Learn; Much to Unlearn, and 7) Led by Christ.
Pastor Boston concluded the evening with some poignant and thought-provoking charges, advising able- and non-able-bodied attendees that “the Gospel and how we present church should reach people that our normal systems are incapable of reaching.” He further stated that “the Gospel should be accessible to those who are overlooked; those with mental health and mobility challenges, substance misusers, and the homeless.”
Equally, Pastor Ackee led an engaging Sabbath School under the title ‘Disability and Suffering in the Bible’. He posed the question, “Does God cause suffering, or does He allow it?” drawing on Job 3:23–26 and Genesis 1:27. Much discussion followed, with further scriptures contributed by the audience, highlighting that at times God allows us to face difficult circumstances, including those concerning our health, family, and work, because He has created us with the ability to overcome them. Not only does He give us the capacity, but by the fact that “we were created in His image” (Genesis 1:27), challenges or disabilities do not define our ability to overcome when we place our faith and trust in Him.
Pastor Boston also presented on ‘Evangelism’, asking the question, “Evangelism: Activity or Identity?” His exposition directed attendees to reflect on whether evangelism is something we do, or whether it goes to the core of who we are as Adventists and followers of Jesus Christ.
Attendees received a wealth of spiritual and motivational insight from all three pastors. In addition, they were blessed by contributions from several accomplished church members. A highlight for many was the powerful presentation by Nana-Osei Bonsu Boakye-Dankwa of Reading Ghana SDA Church. At only 12 years of age, Nana-Osei demonstrated a remarkable command of Scripture. Presenting on the theme ‘Valued in His Image: Embracing Disability with Faith & Compassion’, he used Matthew 9:27–31 and Lamentations 4:14–15 to show how Christ demonstrated compassion, empathy, and love to those with disabilities, urging the audience to follow Christ’s example. Nana-Osei, who has cerebral palsy, declared that when Jesus returns he will be healed, but until then he will serve God faithfully. This deeply moved the audience, and praise filled Hay’s Wood’s conference room.
Anastasia Ross, SEC Women’s & Possibilities Director, curated a special ‘Chill-Out Zone’, a calming, creative, and fun space for the children in attendance. Supervised by members of the Possibilities team, activities included colouring stations, bean bags for relaxed seating, and card and board games, with Twister proving especially popular. For children with noise and sensory sensitivities, noise-cancelling headphones, known as ‘ear defenders’, were provided to ensure they could engage comfortably without becoming overwhelmed.
Hay’s Wood Retreat proved to be a beautifully appropriate setting, with Sabbath afternoon’s spring sunshine adding to the experience. The bright, though chilly, afternoon encouraged adults and children alike to enjoy walks around the retreat grounds, taking in the natural surroundings. The Highland cows, with their distinctive horns and long, shaggy hair, became a memorable feature of the weekend.
Presenters and attendees alike contributed valuable suggestions for improving church practices in relation to Possibilities Ministries, including:
Proper advance planning of events
Creating wheelchair-accessible areas
Providing relevant resources for disabled individuals, including Deaf and blind resources
Advocacy in all meetings, including church board meetings
By the evening, the main question on everyone’s lips, apart from “is it dinnertime yet?”, was “when is the next Possibilities Ministries retreat?” Or, in the words all followers of Jesus Christ long to hear, taken from Matthew 25:21–23: “Well done, my good and faithful servants.”
