Salutation to a Centenarian

Published November 10, 2019 | Joan Reid, Mandeville SDA Church

Centenarian Adolphus Nembhard | Credits: Jerry Holness

The Seventh –day Adventist church, Mandeville recognizes and salutes Bro Adolphus Nembhard on his remarkable longevity on becoming a centenarian and as an upstanding member of the church.

Bro Nembhard was showered with gratitude, a gift and kind words on Sabbath, October 12, 2019 on reaching the milestone of his 100th birthday which he celebrated on October 3, 2019. Members of his family joined him at church in acknowledging the graciousness of God to whom he devoted much of his time.

In keeping with the execution of the “Great Commission”, Bro Nembhard, along with his wife (now deceased), spearheaded the formation of a small group of believers in 1948 from under a lime tree in his yard to the comfortable precincts of what we know today as the Mandeville S.D.A church.

In addition to being one of the founding members of the Mandeville S.D.A church, Bro Nembhard has served as a deacon for many years. In fact, he is officially the oldest living member and an honorary deacon of the church.

Basket of goodies presented to Centenarian Adolphus Nembhard by the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist Church on the achievement of his milestone | Credits: Jerry Holness

Bro Nembhard is recognized by his first granddaughter, Judith Marshall, as someone who not only speaks about evangelism, but practices it. His mantra was that if someone asks you to do something in church, you should not refuse, even if you feel that you cannot do it, because it is the Lord who has chosen you. She attributes her 12-year leadership in the Primary Division at the church to the encouragement of this mantra. He is indeed an inspiration to her.

His commitment and dedication to service nurture a sense of hope, faith and aspiration to the members of the church family, to members of his own family as well as to the members of the wider community in which he resides. They credit his longevity to his hard work, his physical exercise, his healthy food and his complete trust in God.

It is always a blessing to see a loved one live to see his or her 100th birthday and so we celebrate and give God thanks for the life of Bro Adolphus Nembhard.

Bro Nembhard, may God continue to richly bless and keep you in His care.

Family members, including grand-daughter Judith Marshall (far right), joins the Mandeville SDA church in saluting centenarian Adolphus Nembhard | Credits: Jerry Holness