Rev Jesse Jackson in The Bahamas for Baptist Convention

Iconic civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson is enjoying the warm weather and sunshine in The Bahamas. Jackson, who is in Nassau for the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) Mid-Winter Board Meeting, said he has been visiting The Islands of The Bahamas for many years, and is happy to be back to escape the snowy weather in his hometown of Chicago.

“I came to escape the snow!” Rev. Jackson said with a smile. “But it is not just the land of sunshine, The Bahamas has a stable government and a progressive government. When [the late Sir Lynden] Pindling became prime minister of The Bahamas, a black leader, it was an inspiration to people around the whole world. I’ve been coming since then,” he said.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is proud to host Rev. Jackson and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Nearly 2,000 visitors traveled to Nassau for the PNBC Mid-Winter Board Meeting. The conclave is a major boost for Religious Tourism in The Bahamas, which has been rapidly growing from year to year.

“The Bahamas gives a heightened focus to faith based tourism. Our tourism infrastructure has the capacity to accommodate a wide range of meetings, from small, intimate ministerial seminars and board meetings to large-scale international conventions with delegates numbering in the thousands. Our offerings of diverse room accommodations and ultra modern meeting spaces attract scores of events to our destination each year – both secular and religious. At the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, we boast of being one of the only tourist boards in the world with a department dedicated to religious tourism,” Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Travis Robinson said while addressing the opening service on Monday night.

President of the PNBC Reverend Dr. James Perkins said he and the members of the PNBC traveled to The Bahamas to discuss serious issues, but also to enjoy the destination and relax. He added that the conference is also a great boost for the destination as the many visitors who came for the conference will get out to experience Nassau and Paradise Island.

“During the time that we have our midwinter board meeting we like to go somewhere where the weather is more pleasant. I came from Detroit and left about four inches of snow on the ground. So when we come here, we come for rest, relaxation and we can clear our minds and focus on those important issues that we have to address,” he said

“The members also come here to shop, eat and enjoy whatever it is The Bahamas has to offer and the benefit to The Bahamas is that they will reap that economic benefit. We also hope to inspire Bahamians.”

The PNBC has a membership of over 20 million people worldwide. The First Vice President of the organization is Bahamian Reverend Dr. Timothy Stuart, of Bethel Baptist Church, who is first in line to be president.

The PNBC Winter Board Meeting is being held at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel January 22 – 26 and members of the public are invited to attend their evening worship services.