(with Pastor Greer-Wade and Pastor Leslie Richardson observing)
(with Pastor Greer-Wade and Pastor Leslie Richardson observing)
Two long-serving members of the Apostolic Faith Church in Anguilla have been ordained as Ministers and authorised to carry the title “Reverend”.
They are Minister Connie Brooks, a native of Anguilla and Manager of her family’s business – Ashley’s Supermarket; and Minister Leman Johnson, a Jamaican national residing in Anguilla for many years and serving in the construction industry.
The Ministers were ordained by Reverend Michael Anthony, District Superintendent of the Apostolic Faith Church in the Eastern Caribbean. He was assisted by Pastor Rosalie Greer-Wade and Pastor Leslie Richardson of The Valley and Blowing Point branches of the Church respectively.
Rev. Anthony read and signed the documents appointing the two Ministers. They were duly appointed Ministers of God and commissioned by the Apostolic Faith Mission of Portland, Oregon, a registered organisation operating in conformity with the laws and statues of the United States of America. And they were authorised “to conduct the public worship of God as long as their faith and practice were such as befits the Gospel of Christ and are in accordance with the doctrines, constitution and bye laws of the Apostolic Faith Mission…”
They were each presented with a Certificate of Ordination and a Minister’s Manual.
Earlier, Minister Brooks’ sister, Ellenita Harrigan, said it was a happy day yet bitter/sweet moment for her family. “We are happy that Connie has answered the call and accepted the challenge to be a Minister,” she said. “On the other hand, we are saddened by the fact that several members of our family are no longer with us. I know our dad would have been so proud to see his daughter now Minister Brooks. He would have been smiling broadly in his favourite seat.”
She said Connie’s preparation for the ministry had begun very early in life, and pointed to her growing involvement in the activities of the church and the encouragement from her late father, Ashley Brooks, and previous Pastors of the church. “Today, there she stands – Minister Brooks – Minister of God,” Mrs. Harrigan said of her sister. “The ministry is not an easy vocation. It calls for self-giving and sacrifice. We need to uphold our Ministers – especially those now being ordained.”
Minister Johnson’s daughter, Narda, spoke highly of her father, describing him as a role model and a dedicated Christian worker in both Jamaica and Anguilla. She said he would be a tremendous asset to the Church and was grateful to him for his leadership and influence in her life.
He was also described as “a man of prayer and action; a mentor, friend, confidant and intercessor, whose passion for God is at times contagious.”
Minister-in-charge of The Valley congregation of the Apostolic Faith Church, Pastor Greer-Wade, expressed delight with the ordination of the two Ministers and offered her very best wishes to them. She had a message for the visiting Pastors from other Churches in Anguilla. “Don’t be afraid to propel your people[into leadership positions]…“Don’t be afraid to give them space – because we are going.”
She encouraged Ministers Brooks and Leman to be strong and of good courage, and exhorted the members of the congregation to give them their support.
The newly-ordained Ministers gave passionate addresses in which they proclaimed their faith, spoke of their desire to serve their fellowmen and of their gratitude to family members and other persons for their encouragement and support.
Their ordination was witnessed by a large number of persons from throughout the island.
