Reverend Wilmoth Hodge of the Immanuel Methodist Church in West End was ordained as a presbyter of the local church on Sunday afternoon, 30th April, 2022, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church in The Valley.
Many parishioners from the Methodist congregations on the island came out to witness Rev. Hodge being installed as a fully fledged minister. Rev. Everald L. Galbraith is the church’s Connexional President, and the Bishop who officiated the sacred service. Commenting on the many ills and vices that characterise these troubled times, he described Rev. Hodge as: “One who is ordained to serve in this present age.”
Sunday’s event was moderated by Rev. Dr. Joan Delsol Meade of the Netherland Antilles circuit. She cordially welcomed all of the invited dignitaries, including Government officials and local church leaders of various local denominations.
Both the Ebenezer Choir, and Rev. Hodge’s home church’s Choir of Immanuel, lifted songs of praise and petition to God for His blessings and favour as the young minister performs duties. Renowned gospel singing artist, Jemima Romney, led the worship, and Rev. Hodge’s children, Jadia and Jadian Hodge, read the Epistle from Ephesians 4:1-16.
The title of one striking song which reflected the testimony of Rev. Hodge was “Here I am Lord”. His feelings as the one being ordained reverberated though the lines of this immortal hymn. In part, it goes: “I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness light. Who will bear my light to them, Whom shaIl I send? Here I am, Lord. It is I, Lord. I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.”
At the appropriate juncture, Bishop Galbrath pronounced his acceptance of Rev. Hodge to the presbytery, stating: “We are met together in the name of God and in pursuance of the decision of our Conference to ordain as a Presbyter, this our brother who has been duly examined and approved by our Conference…
“And so that you, who are gathered here in God’s name may also declare your mind concerning him, I now invite him to tell us clearly, and distinctly, of his conversion to Christ and his call to this Ministry.”
With that invitation, Rev. Wilmoth walked to the podium greeted the gathering and began: “I am here today in response to God’s love for me,” he said. “When I was a child, I learnt about God’s love for the world. It was then that I realised that that love was also meant for me. I began to live with God’s love and presence enfolding my life daily…I experienced God’s love and presence by going to church and by reading the Bible [the Word of God].
“In particular, I experienced God’s love through the spiritual devotion of my parents. They were true to their baptismal pledge of raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They ensured that we were spiritually trained at home. I recall my parents summoning us early each morning for prayer and devotions. I recall my father teaching me, at a very tender age, how to read the Bible. And I recall my mother’s prayers which she fervently prayed before sunrise.”
Because of this home training, Rev. Hodge could do nothing less than to surrender his life in conversion, and to submit himself to the call of Christ as a Minister of the Gospel. He said that there was a part of him that wanted to experience the pleasures of the world, but yet there was another part of him that predominantly chose to surrender to God.
“I yearned for a deeper relationship with God,” he affirmed. “In my quest to experience the presence of God in my life, there was a time that I absented myself from church, but that was only so that I could I spend more time in God’s presence, reading His Word in spiritual reflection.”
“Then it happened one night,” he said. “In the darkness of my room, I became overwhelmed by God’s awesome presence. I knelt beside my bed in deep contrition. I confessed my sins to God and I asked for His forgiveness…and he gave me His free salvation.”
“The experience of that moment has given me an unshakable resolve in my faith,” he claimed. “It is a resolve that nothing in this world can ever remove…
“But I never anticipated in my wildest imagination that I would ever become a preacher or be called into ministry. In fact, I resisted the idea, even though I wanted to share my faith with others.
“And then one night, while I slept, the irresistible call of God came to me the very moment I rested my head upon my pillow. I felt myself being caught up in a vision where I was boldly ministering the Gospel of Christ to several people. It was at this time I knew that God was showing me what he wanted me to become. And, in that moment I knew that God was calling me to reach lost souls with the Gospel message.”
Following his testimony, Rev. Hodge was given a hearty welcome by each member of the clergy present. He was also greeted by several of his parishioners.
The Bishop then preached a sermon of encouragement for Rev. Hodge. In it, he pointed out that ministry requires patience, determination, stability and proper timing.
“Rev. Hodge, we heard your testimony,” the Bishop said. “We heard your solemn promises. I am certain that all of us were joyful, and we are all happy to declare that indeed you are worthy of your call into ministry. But to be ordained is not an end to your journey. You have been called to serve the present age, and I can tell you that these are difficult days – very difficult.”
Notwithstanding the hard times, the Bishop, by laying his hands on the newly ordained minister, prayed God’s favour, blessings and every success upon his ministry.
After the formal ceremony, and as refreshments were served, almost everyone gathered around Rev. Hodge for an opportunity to compliment him. While many preferred a hug or embrace, others shared the hearty pleasantries of a handshake accompanied by “congratulations Rev. God bless you!”
Indeed, The Anguillian was part of that cluster of cheery well-wishes. Amidst the commotion, I referred the Rev. to that inspiring hymn, “Here I am Lord”, sung earlier
in the programme. He was asked why, as a ‘fresh’ minister, it would be essential for him to “hold God’s people in his heart”, as the song portrayed it. He answered:
“I believe any minister who has been called by God sees people, in general, as children of God. God gave His son Jesus, not for some people, but for all people – for the world. In that sense, ministry is intended to reach people wherever they are – and whatever condition they may be in.
“As a minister, I cannot favour people based on who they are – their background or their ethnicity. I cannot even favour people based upon how they would perceive me. As a minister of the Gospel, I must have an open heart for all the people that I serve. That is the way God would have it.”
The Anguillian extends hearty congratulations to Rev. Wilmoth Hodge, and wishes him success in all of his work in the ministry.
