A warm welcome: Bahamas native moved to area to preach the Gospel

The Rev. Claval Hunter moved to the area to preach at the New Life Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship, 361 Country Club Drive in Cape Girardeau, and the Grand Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Charleston, Mo. The Nassau, Bahamas, native said his churches offer a warm welcome to anyone wanting to study God's word, and he hopes the church members will not only become leaders in the church, but also in their community.

Why did you decide to move to the area? I was chosen by the Central States Conference of Seventh-day Adventist located in Kansas City, Kan., to pastor my first church in Charleston, Mo., and to help start up a new church in Cape Girardeau.

Why did you decide to go into the ministry? While studying the Word of God at age 19, I was called by God in the year 2000 to enroll at Oakwood College, which is now Oakwood University, in Huntsville, Ala., to study for the ministry.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of pastoral ministry is seeing lives positively transformed and people coming to have a personal relationship with God.

What has been your greatest achievement since entering the ministry? I have so many, but let me say that some of the greatest achievements since entering ministry is baptizing over 100-plus souls around the United States of America, Jamaica and the Bahamas; impacting the lives of thousands of people through the preached word; and raising thousands of dollars to help feed hungry children around the world (this was with the missionary group The National Association for the Prevention of Starvation located on the campus of Oakwood University).

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position? I desire to see people become disciples for Christ and to see members not only become leaders in the church but also in their community. I also desire to meet the felt needs in the Heartland community.

What to you hope people take away from a visit to your church? Our prayer is that they would experience God's love through our worship service, through the study of God's Word and that they would feel welcome and love through our fellowship.

What is your favorite thing about your new church? The people are excited about coming to church and fellowshipping with one another. They are excited about learning about the Bible. We minister to a person's whole being and the members are friendly.