Venue for Regional Baptist Conference officially opens
Condor and Parry urge believers to preach in and out of church
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Hon. Robelto Hector, Deputy Prime Minister and Mrs. Sam Condor, and Nevis’ Premier Joseph Parry |
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - THE Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Sam Candor and Nevis’ Premier the Hon. Joseph Parry yesterday stressed the role of the church in transforming life in and outside the place of worship while visiting Evangelist Kwame Selver from The Bahamas told worshippers “anybody who says there is no God is a fool”.
The leaders were speaking at the Shiloh Baptist Church, which was officially dedicated yesterday and witnessed by dignitaries and people from all walks of life. The church is the venue for a Regional Baptist Conference scheduled to be held in January, 2009.
Evangelist Selver said only fools say there is no God and added that fools made mock of sin.
He said God constantly assesses people’s life and warned that those who do not believe in God would eventually be subjected to hell’s fire. He talked about a biblical fool who had piled up wealth but forgot God and had eventually died without enjoying it.
The visiting Evangelist told his audience to put God first not only when they were in despair but at all times. He said no human
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| Visiting Evangelist Kwame Selver from The Bahamas and his bride of two months |
being knows the day or the moment of their death and, as a result, it is important that people should stop to live for the moment and dedicate their lives God who has created them for noble purposes.
Minister Condor said the church has a responsibility to uphold truth, inspire, encourage and facilitate the growth of Christians. “Church buildings are important to us as is the community of faith, which is the church.
“They provide a place of worship to all people to have their faith strengthened. You must prove the skeptics wrong, who say it is just another church building. Let it remind you of your own faith of God’s love and of how you would try to live His love so other people benefit.”
Premier Parry was impressed by the architecture, the interior design and the magnificent skills possessed by local persons who built the sanctuary.
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| Shiloh Baptist Pastor Eric Maynard and his wife |
The new sanctuary architect was Spencer Brand and the initial contractor was Edrick Pemberton who constructed the first half of the structure. He was succeeded by Steve ‘Flamingo’ Reid who completed the building.
The roof and ceiling were done by Rasbal while the electrician and plumber was Albert Myers. The art work and decoration were done by Vaughn Anslyn while the furniture was made by Florida-based Gaylen Reddick.
Parry praised the local workers and hailed Shiloh Pastor Eric Maynard for ensuring high standards were maintained during the entire construction of the building. Pastor Maynard is a former contractor.
He also thanked the Shiloh congregation, its pastor, his wife and family for being loyal, hard working and devoted. “This is a job well done,” he said and stated that the building was completed on time as planned.
Parry called on the Shiloh congregation and other believers on the island to reach out to the youth who commit crime. He also told the pastors in the congregation to mobilise their congregations to show love to the youth who have chosen to go into gangs.
The Premier said as he toured the island on the week-end in the company of the Prime Minister to assess Omar hit areas, he had seen blue and red flags displayed in strategic places and “the flags represent division”.
Earlier, Minister Condor commended Pastor Eric Maynard and his congregation for being faithful and diligent over the past 34
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| The new sanctuary, venue for the January 2009 Regional Conference |
years since the church was established.
“To get this Holy Sanctuary to where it is today demanded great diligence, hard work, loyalty, sacrificial dedication, commitment and your financial resources. In a real sense, there are those of you who have put your everything into ensuring the Sanctuary’s expansion…this beautiful edifice we see here today.
“According to the information given me, he [Pastor Maynard] appears to be the ‘perfect pastor’, as described by someone at an appreciation function.
He is someone who preaches, sits down, condemns sin without offending anyone, works 16 or more hours a day, doing everything from preaching to sweeping, makes $100 per week and gives $50 back to the church, wears nice clothes, has a model family, supports good causes and helps the needy who stops by the church.
“It was pointed out that this perfect pastor smiles all the time while keeping a straight face, because he has a keen sense of humour that finds him seriously dedicated. He makes at least 24 visits a day, spends every waking moment evangelising and is always in his office, in case he is needed.”
~~Adz:Left~~ The Deputy Prime Minister admonished believers to support their pastoral leaders and quoted First Thessalonians (Honour those who work so hard for you, who have...the responsibility of guiding you). He also quoted Hebrews 13:7 (Honor those who work so hard for you, who have the responsibility of guiding you).
He described Shiloh’s congregation as diverse: “The diversity reminds me that the Church of Christ has always been in the forefront of civilisation, in the inculcation of moral values, the culture of co-operation and inter-dependence, is based on mutual respect and the dignity of human life.”
Nevis’ Opposition Leader the Hon. Vance Amory spoke highly of the Shiloh congregation and said believers in the church had continued to show love to all people. He described the new sanctuary as a “magnificent edifice”.
Amory said God needs human hands to carry out His work and the challenging task ahead is for believers to reach out to others and to show them love.
