The influence of the church on the spiritual lives of members of the Anguillian community is being further enhanced by a new outreach and re-establishment of the City of Faith Church of God.
At 13 years old, it is not a new church, but its renewed passion, renovation, re-launch and commitment, have given its pastor and congregation a better opportunity to fulfil its influential role in the community.
The re-establishment of the church and the work of its dynamic female Minister, Pastor Paula C. Gumbs, came to the attention of many persons on Sunday, May 7. That was when officials of the Ministry of Social Development, Department of Probation and members of the public attended a special service there to mark the 8th Anniversary of the Zenaida Haven Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre.
Formerly, the church, tucked away in a quiet location in the Stoney Ground area, operated mainly within part of the private residence of Pastor Paula Gumbs and her husband, Elder Patrick Gumbs. With its expanding influence and membership, the couple, assisted by members of the congregation and supportive donors, undertook to renovate, re-launch and equip the place of worship.
Sunday, May 7, was therefore also a dedication and ordination service. Those ordained as leaders in the City of Faith Church by the Pastor, were Elder Patrick Gumbs; John Millington, the Church’s Relations Officer; Roni Richardson, Usher; and Donnetta Finlay, Deaconess. Pastor Gumbs appointed and ordained them on behalf of Bishop Courton A. Reid of the City of Faith Church of God which has its international headquarters in the Bronx, New York.
The service was moderated by Mrs. Anita Ruan, Career Coordinator at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, a noted singer and Christian. She gave a brief biography of Pastor Gumbs who, like her, is originally from St. Kitts. According to her, the Pastor “was exposed to every religious activity in her community, whether it was Anglican (her mother church), Methodist, Adventist or Pentecostal. She was also part of the Lodge and Heart & Hands Society, Girls Brigade and Scouts. She had a childhood to be desired.”
Mrs. Ruan said the upcoming young woman eventually migrated to St. Maarten where she later married Theodore Patrick Gumbs. Mrs. Ruan continued: “In June 2002 she was accepted in the ‘Sure Foundation School of Theology’ in Michigan where she did her ministerial studies. She was ordained in Jamaica on August 24, 2004 by several Bishops and Pastors who included her present Bishop, Courton A. Reid, of the City of Faith Church of God with International Headquarters in the Bronx, New York.
“Under the kind auspices of her former Pastor, Thomas Richardson, on September 14, 2004, together with her beloved husband and soulmate of 29 years, she gave birth to the City of Faith Church of God, the Anguilla Chapter; and the City of Faith Dare Care Centre which she manages.”
Mrs. Ruan added: “Out of that experience, and spiritual chapter of her life, came her first booklet: “Answering the Call”. This gives an intimate account of her journey from avoidance to obedience. Today, with conviction, power and influence, touching all the issues surrounding where she once was, Pastor Paula is stirring and bringing about changes to lives in the process.”
After dedicating the Church officers mentioned above, Pastor Paula was herself dedicated by two visiting Ministers: Pastor Gerard Gumbs of God’s Store House Church at Rock Farm, Anguilla, who delivered words of encouragement; and Apostle Edmead Allen of Kingdom Vision Apostolic Faith Church on the Farrington main road.
