By Sam Boodle, For the Guardian

On Wednesday, October 4, 2006, over 300 Lutheran Pastors, their wives and lay people from the Florida-District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod visited Nassau. They came by way of the Sovereign of the Seas Cruise ship.

Every year, in October, the Lutheran Pastors of the Florida-Georgia District meet in conference, normally in Florida or Georgia. This year they have decided to move away from the main land of the United States and have opted to have their conference on board a cruise ship, while cruising through the Bahamas.

The Pastors were joined by Rev. Dr. Gerhard Michael, Jr., who heads the Florida-Georgia District. The Florida-Georgia District, which includes The Bahamas, is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod in the United States. The district, is made up of over 70,000 Lutherans.

The Lutheran Church began in Germany more than 400 years ago. Today the church can be found in every continent, worshiping in hundreds of languages.

Lutherans are Christians who hold beliefs that are shared by many Christians: 1. God is three persons in one: the Father, who created and sustains the world; the Son, who lived as a human being, died, and rose from the dead; and the Holy Spirit who works God's will in the world. 2. The Bible is God's Word, spoken through human writers.

3. Sin exists in every person. It is the cause of the bad things people do to each other.

4. Everyone will have existence after death-either in heaven or hell-forever.

5. God has a plan to end the world, when he will judge everyone-both living and dead.

Many of the visiting Lutheran pastors were first time vistors to Nassau. While here, they enjoyed a selection of the many amenities of the island. Others participated in a servant event at the local congregation of the Lutheran Church.

On Wednesday, the Pastors joined members of The Lutheran Church of Nassau in divine service at the church on John F. Kennedy Drive. Rev. Dr. Michael, Jr. delivered the message.

During their short stay in Nassau, the executive of the District along with the local Pastor made a courtesy call on the Governor General.

The local congregation, the Lutheran Church of Nassau, is headed by Rev. Samuel Boodle. Rev. Boodle, a Bahamian, has headed this congregation for six years.