Bahamas Mission

The mission trips to the Bahamas' began in the year 2000. The first trip was to Eleuthrea where two houses were built under the supervision of the Bahamas Methodist Habitat and Bahamas Government. These two houses were built to replace two that had been lost during Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

2001-2007 the Mission was centered on the Island of Bimini. These seven trips were headed by Pastor Don Pottorff and his wife Helen. Both are members of Shady hills United Methodist Church. They spend four months each year on the island from Dec 1st through April 1st. During the time there, the Pottorff's with donations from the members of Shady Hills United Methodist Church and other sources head up work on the island such as home repair for the elderly and those unable to do their own. Smaller projects on the island have included island clean-up and a Vacation Bible School. A group from Shady Hills UMC also spent a week in the winter of 2006 and another group plans a trip in December of 2009. While there, the group had daily Bible classes, worked with people on the island and did home visitations. While there, the Pottorff's serve as Pastor of the Wesley Methodist Church and also speak at other churches on the island.

The Island of Bimini is a small island of approximately 1800 people and the size of the Methodist Church does not warrant a full time pastor through the Bahamas Methodist District. They rely on volunteer pastors from other churches. Shady Hills United Methodist Church is the only church that sponsors a pastor for such an extended time. Other pastors generally stay about two to three weeks. Shady Hills United Methodist Church is very proud of the fact that we have been able to do this for the past seven years and pray we continue to be able in the future.

Don and Helen are leaving again this December 1st for another great year of presenting Jesus Christ to the people of Bimini. If you would like to help with their cause please send your donations to:

Thank you and May God bless you and your families.

Pastor Don and Helen