Crowds thronged to the Bethel Methodist Chapel in South Hill nightly last week to hear the transforming message of the gospel of Christ delivered by the Rev. Theophilus Rolle of the Bahamas Turks and Caicos District. He is married the former Evona Niles daughter of Rev Dr and Mr H. Clifton Niles of Anguilla.
Rev Rolle was on a return visit to Anguilla having served as a circuit minister here from 1995-2000. His visit on this occasion was to preach at a series of evangelical services under the theme: “Spreading Scriptural Holiness: Transforming the Nation”. The services were to bring the curtain down on a year of celebrations in Anguilla commemorating 200 years of Methodist Witness.
Rev Rolle’s coming was greatly anticipated by many who were blessed by his preaching when he was first stationed here. He did not disappoint. Presenting several dynamic messages in his own inimitable style he challenged the church not to simply celebrate the past but to embrace the present and to adapt its mission to meet challenges of the future. He also spoke of the importance of cooperation and the joint witness of all the churches on Anguilla. The Church he said must be a body that welcomes all persons regardless of their status in society and where all have an opportunity to contribute and be heard. He reminded the gathering that God is a God of second chances and that goes for the individual, the church and the country. The services were all supported by vibrant singing, special selections by choirs and individuals, and lively music that set the mood for spirit filled worship.
During the week over 100 persons publicly responded to the invitation extended going to the altar for various purposes including salvation, prayer, healing, deliverance and standing in the gap for others. Bro Sanford Richardson, Chairman of the Mission and Evangelism Committee in the Circuit that coordinated the services, said he was especially pleased with the number of persons, especially the young people, who surrendered their lives to Christ for the first time. “The challenge for the Church now is to nurture and help them to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ. The future of the Church for the next 200 years depends on how these young minds are developed.”
The week of services was preceded by a period of intense preparation through prayer, fast and meditation by members of the church. These were enabled by weekly presentations on various sub-themes lead by the supernumeraries and other ministers within the circuit.
19 November 2013
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
