In a graduation ceremony that brought pride to his family and congregation, an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree was conferred on Pastor Ambrose Richardson of the Christian Fellowship Church on the Blowing Point Road on Sunday, November 5.

L-R: Dr. Rey, Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Ambrose Richardson

The Reverend Dr. Alfred Ambrose Richardson was honoured in the presence of a capacity congregation which included Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Minister of Finance Victor Banks, Minister of Infrastructure, Kenneth Harrigan, Pastors and members of other Churches as well as Preachers from, and associated with, the Christian Fellowship Church.

There were shouts of praise all over the large church building as Pastor Ambrose, with 39 years of service in the ministry in Anguilla, was honoured.

Section ofthe Church Choir

The degree was conferred on him by Dr. Josette O. Rey, Dean of the International Theological Seminary of California. Originally from Guadeloupe, she took up residence in the United States where she pursued educational and theological studies and has been involved in the training and development of a number of theologians.

She described Pastor Ambrose as “a dedicated and great man”, “a called man” and “a father figure.”

Government Officials and others

The announcement for the conferral of the honorary degree was read by Dr. Rey’s daughter and fellow minister, Dr. Joseline Rey-Sutton. It stated that the honour was conferred on the Anguillian Pastor on completion of the required course of study.

The Dean of the Theological Seminary announced that Rev. Dr. Ambrose Richardson’s wife, Co-Pastor Rev. Kathleen Richardson, will receive her Honorary Doctor of Theology Degree next year.

The Bachelorate address was delivered by Rev. Carl Richardson, the couple’s son who serves as a Pastor in St. Thomas and is an Attorney-at-Law by profession. He spoke highly of his father and said he was proud of his achievement.

Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming congratulated Pastor Ambrose and said that he and his Church were of much assistance to the Government of Anguilla in providing spiritual leadership for the island’s young people in particular.

Other speakers were Rev. Iton Connor and Rev. Mary Richardson of the Christian Fellowship Church, Pastor Hugo Brooks of World Harvest Assembly; Rev. Dr. Cheryl White of Antigua and Rev. Darlene Carty of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Co-Pastor Rev. Kathleen Richardson spoke of her husband’s passion for the ministry and his successes over the years.

In his acceptance speech the Rev. Dr. Richardson pledged to continue to serve with humility and dedication. He was grateful to all for their support, love and encouragement and thanked the Board of the International Theological Seminary for the Honorary Degree conferred on him.

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