Anguilla’s newly-elected Premier, Dr. Ellis Webster, is a regular member and worshipper at the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church. However, he was given a special welcome there on Saturday, July 11, after his Anguilla Progressive Movement won the June 29 general elections – and he was appointed Premier.
He was welcomed by the First Elder, Keith Smith, and was invited to the podium for a special prayer. Following that, Premier Webster delivered a brief address. He said he was the third Seventh-day Adventist in Anguilla to have assumed the leadership of the Government of Anguilla.
In addition to himself, Premier Webster was referring to the late Mr. Ronald Webster who, at the inception of the 1967 Anguilla Revolution, was a member of the SDA Church and became the island’s first Chief Minister in 1976; and Mr. Osbourne Fleming who eventually rose to that position and is now one of Anguilla’s retired politicians.
Premier Webster, who expressed thanks for the official welcome, was surrounded by an Elder’s prayer group, committing him to God’s leadership. He commented afterwards:
“We are sending out a message that His chosen people have been given a chance, once more, to show the way that we need to go in this country. We have to bring it back to Christ, and this is the way we can do it. Let’s join together to unite and forge a new path for this beloved country of ours – so that others can see that God is still in control. Thank you again church; thank you, members; and thank you, Elders. Let’s stand united in Jesus’ Name.”
Premier Webster has been a member of the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church since his boyhood days – along with his siblings. He was brought up there by his parents, Mrs. Zelmira Webster and the late Mr. Gladstone Webster.
