“We are now devastated by ‘Hurricane Iniquity’ with winds of evil and injustice, where our boys have one God: the gun, they worship one deity: the gang, and they live for one reason: to take revenge.” A quote taken from a sobering sermon presented by Pastor Phillip Gumbs on Sunday, May 25th, 2025 during the ecumenical service that marked the 58th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution. This year’s theme for the annual celebrations which culminated in the May 30th Anguilla Day holiday is “Fulfilling the Dreams of Our Revolutionaries: Making Unity and Patriotism Our Priorities”.
The Sunday afternoon ecumenical service took place at the newly renovated Bethel Methodist church in South Hill which had been recently modified into an immaculate edifice, after its former structure was ravaged by the fury of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Under the auspices of the Hon. Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge, the national service was also attended by Ministers of Government, Her Excellency the Governor, Julia Crouch; Members of the Parliamentary Opposition, Ministers of Religion, civil servants, the Pathfinders, the Boys Brigade and members of the public.
The first scripture reading, taken from Joel Chapter 2, was presented by Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge, while the second scripture reading, which formed the basis of the sermon, was taken from Matthew Chapter 7 and read by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster.
This years’ service was particularly sobering in the sense that the sermon ushered in a passionate call for Anguilla’s fathers to be present in the upbringing of their sons. With the recent uptick in gangster style violence on Anguilla, perpetrated by young men, the sermon was most befitting for the times.
“If the father initiates going to church, there is a 75% chance that the entire family would attend church,” Pastor Gumbs declared. “There is power in fatherhood!” he exclaimed. “That is why the Pharoah of Egypt commanded: ‘Spare the baby girls but kill all the boys! He understood that the power of a nation is when boys become men, and when men become fathers, and fathers lead the boys with the qualities of a real man – not the qualities of an angry gangster who wants to kill people. A father is one who teaches his son that a real man accepts responsibility.”
“We are now devastated by ‘Hurricane Iniquity’”, the preacher said, “with winds of evil and injustice, where our boys have one God: the gun, they worship one deity: the gang, and they live for one reason: to take revenge…So what is our hope? What is the hope for Anguilla? The reality is that Jesus Christ is our rock on which we must stand.”
“We today, faced with so many changes,” he said, “must vow that we will build on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. We dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly, unapologetically and unashamedly, lean on Jesus name. So on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
“God created fatherhood,” Pastor Gumbs stressed. “Boys need their fathers. If there are one hundred guys in a gang, at least 85% of them do not have a father in their lives with whom they are connected…Our boys have rage in their hearts and there is an aimlessness in their lives all because the most important person who could impact their destiny and teach them the meaning of a real man is absent. Boys need their fathers,” he reiterated.
The Pastor emphasized that what Anguilla needs today is a return of fatherhood. “We can have all forms of social services and intervention programmes, but until we get the fathers in the lives of their sons, ‘all hell will break loose’ in Anguilla.”
Closing prayers of intercession were led by Michael Anthony Lawrence of the Roman Catholic Church. In part, the prayers comprised petitions for harmony and unity in homes, and for peace and forbearance among young people.
Brother Anthony – “Heavenly Father, we entrust our families into your loving care. Strengthen the bond between parents and children, brothers and sisters and elders. Where there is division bring reconciliation; where there is despair let hope arise. May our homes be places of love, security and spiritual growth.” The congregation responded, “Lord hear our prayer.”
Brother Anthony – “Gracious Father, we bring before you the young people of our island, who are our future leaders, thinkers and change-makers. Guide them in the path of wisdom, integrity and purpose. May we, the adults be mentors that encourage them and provide then with opportunities that would empower them and always seek to uplift them. Help us to nurture their gifts so that they can lead with courage and compassion.” The congregation responded, “Lord hear our prayer.”
Brother Anthony – “Prince of Peace, we cry out for an end to gun violence and the crime that threatens our beloved island. We pray for the victims and their families who have been affected. We pray for those who are trapped in cycles of violence. Transform hearts that seek destruction into hearts that pursue peace. May our streets become safe, our neighbourhoods thrive, and our island be known not for fear but for unity, resilience and harmony.” And the congregants responded, “Lord hear our prayer.”
The service concluded with the Lord’s Prayer lustily song by all, the Benediction, and the Recession accompanied by the singing of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
