Rev. Dunstan Richardson
On Sunday 24th April, the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas (MCCA) celebrated Local Preachers Sunday. The fourth Sunday in April is set aside to recognise the pioneering and continuing work of Local Preachers in the Church in the Caribbean. To mark the occasion a special service of appreciation was held here in Anguilla at the Ebenezer Chapel in The Valley under the theme ‘Ambassadors of Christ’.
The Local Preachers Ministry began in UK in 1740, when John Wesley, at the prompting of his mother, Susanna Wesley, reluctantly observed the preaching of Thomas Maxfield, and was so impressed that he instituted the ministry. Since then, the Local Preachers Ministry has become an important element of Methodist witness worldwide.
Local Preachers have been responsible, in a great part, for the establishment and growth of Methodist missions in this region, beginning with Antigua in 1760 when Nathaniel Gilbert, a planter, began preaching from the backyard steps of his plantation house to his slaves. The action of Gilbert signalled the start of Methodist witness in the Caribbean and the Americas.
In most of the other islands the witness of laymen preceded the work of the overseas Missionaries.
In Anguilla the mission was started in 1813 by John Hodge, a ‘coloured’ man who was converted in one the neighbouring islands where the work of Black Harry, a slave from St Eustatius, had birthed a revival in the region. John Hodge was also credited with beginning the Methodist witness in St Martin, in 1817, after many failed attempts by missionaries from Britain.
At the appreciation service held at the Ebenezer Chapel, all preachers were awarded for their services to the Church. Sister Merline Barrett and Brother Lindel Brookes received their certificates of recognition as fully accredited preachers. Long service certificates were issued to five preachers: Sisters Veronica Gumbs and Evalie Bradley, and Brother Joseph Richardson, received The Black Harry Award for twenty years of service, while Brothers Sanford Richardson and Kenn Banks, who received the Thomas Maxfield award for thirty years of service, also received special plaques carved from Anguilla stone. The main officiant for the service was the Rev Wilmoth O. Hodge, Circuit Minister, while Rev E Dunstan Richardson shared in the distribution of the certificates.
In her words of exhortation to the preachers, Superintendent Minister, Rev Vincia Celestine, said: “Preachers must always remember that they are ambassadors for Christ and should therefore preach his message of love and forgiveness and be compassionate. They must show others how Kingdom people ought to live and live that way as well. We are not representing ourselves. We are representing Jesus to the world.”
– Press Release
26 April 2022
