A week-long Annual District Convention of the Church of God of Prophecy commenced at West End, Anguilla, on Sunday, January 18, under the theme “Winning The World Through Right Relationships.”

Government and Church Officials

District Overseer, Pastor Samuel Daniel, declared open the Convention which took the form of a seminar. Dr. Daniel, who serves as A Guidance Counsellor at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, gave a brief explanation of the matters to be covered by the convention/seminar. He said that among the topics were presentations by facilitators Bishop Larry and Susan Duncan from Cleveland, Tennessee, highlighting various aspects of the church’s responsibility to function within the body of Christ.
“I am grateful for the support of our Government, the various congregation leaders and representatives who have come to share this time of refreshment and fellowship with us. We wholeheartedly welcome you,” he said in his introductory remarks.

Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, extended greetings to all the ministerial and congregational delegates on behalf of the Government of Anguilla and the people of the island. He said the theme of the convention/seminar was most appropriate and applicable to the situation in the world. “We must all join in prayer and ask God’s continued blessing on her families, friends, various church congregations and our people all over the world and, in particular, our children who seem to be the most vulnerable,” he stated.

Bishop Emeritus David Rogers with Sisters Greenaway and Dorsett

The Minister said that it was “more imperative now than ever to share God’s love and blessings with others because the world needs to turn to God.” He went on: “To go back to your theme, “the right relationship is the relationship that we have God. May this convention be a resounding success with all the participants going forward from henceforth to engage our fellow human beings in a harmonious relationship, and I hope that through your message the right relationship would be spread abroad so that all mankind may be able to benefit from it.”

The other Government official who spoke was the Elected Representative for the West End/Long district and Parliamentary Secretary, Albert Hughes, who went into a discourse about God’s love and relationship with mankind. “The theme of your convention serves as an encouragement, an inspiration and a motivation for all of us to develop the right relationship with the Lord.” He lamented the fact that instead of coming together, people everywhere were becoming more divided.

Section of the congregation

“We have witnessed in recent times the collapse of the world’s financial situation and we have heard of wars and rumours of wars,” he added. “If there is ever a time to depend our outreach to our fellowmen, the best means of operation is through the right relationship, with each one reaching someone for the Kingdom of God.”

In thanking the Government officials for their congratulating remarks, Pastor Daniel commented: “Indeed, they strike us as two preachers in Government.”
They were followed by Pastor Hugo Brooks of World Harvest Church who joined in extending greetings to the Convention.

Song Leaders in action

During the opening ceremony there was a presentation to Bishop Ewing Dorsett, former Regional Overseer based in Antigua. He served the Church for over 47 years in various leadership capacities which included an appointment in Anguilla in the early 1980s. He has been Regional Overseer for nine years and, although now retired, he will continue to serve the church in the area of evangelism. Pastor Daniel extended heartfelt appreciation to him and his family for their contribution to the region and in particular to the Anguilla district.

Bishop Dorsett has been succeeded by Bishop Michael Greenaway of St. Maarten who expressed appreciation to the pastor and other leaders of the Anguilla district for organising the event and for the development of the ministry. In delivering the keynote address, he said that there were “some structures to be put in place for the smooth operation of the work in the various islands,” and pledged to have them sorted out in due course and to work diligently in his new role as Regional Overseer.

The convention/seminar will end on Sunday, January 25. On Saturday, January 24, there will be a grand march beginning at the South Hill Branch of the Church at 3.30 p.m. and ending at the Blowing Point ball field for a rally to which the public is invited.

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