Young Methodists in Anguilla have been told that the days when the flames of Methodism were lit on the island by such pioneers like Reverends John Hodge and Henry Britten, and carried forward by a cadre of Anguillian ministers, are not over. That burden and commission will have to be taken up by the upcoming youth of the church and, according to the influential preacher, Reverend Theophilus Rolle, “the best is yet to come.”

Rev. Rolle delivering sermon

Reverend Rolle, a native of The Bahamas and married to an Anguillian, served as a Minister here from 1995 to 2000 following which he was transferred as Superintendent of the Aruba Circuit. Known for his Pentecostal-like preaching and motivational skills, he was invited back to Anguilla to address the young people at the 175th Anniversary of the Ebenezer Methodist Chapel in The Valley.

The “Youthquake”, as the event on Sunday, July 23 was called, comprised a programme of singing, skits and narratives by the youngsters of the church with the participation of Girl Brigade campers from a number of regional islands.

“If this chapel is to continue, it is people like you and me who will have to recreate the past so that 175 years will not just inspire us, but will motivate us, challenge and propel us… so that the great work started by John Hodge and Henry Britten and others …will continue,” Reverend Rolle said.

Young people at the Anniversary Service

“Come and see what God has done at Ebenezer. Come and see what God is doing now and will continue to do,” he went on. “If I have to stand alone, I believe with all my heart that some of our best days may be behind us, but we have all of our good days and better days still ahead of us if we would look to the future. I believe with all my heart that the best is yet to come - not just at Ebenezer and Anguilla, but wherever the flames of the Methodist Church are lit.

“That’s why I believe in these young people because many of the adults have resigned themselves to believe it is all behind us, those days will never come back…Brothers and sisters as I address you here, I believe that God is calling us who dare to believe that the best days are ahead of us,” he added as he made a call to the young people to take up the mantle of leadership in the church as they grow up.

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