Mandeville SdA Church Welcomes New Pastor

Published August 2022 | Joan Reid, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mandeville

On Sabbath, August 6, 2022 the Mandeville SdA chuch commemorated two important events in its service. Firstly, it recognized the sixtieth (60th) anniversary of the Independence of Jamaica from British rule, and secondly, it heralded the installation of a new pastor, Pastor Joel Shillingford, for the next four (4) years. The service commenced with a colourful procession of various flags of countries from around the world after which Pastor Vincent Peterkin, the first elder of the church, welcomed everyone present as well as a number of special guests who had come to share in the worship service. Greeting came from Dr Lincoln Edwards, President, Northern Caribbean University, who implored us as a people to “pause and thank the Creator for bringing us this far as a nation.” He also reflected that the now NCU has served as both the emblem and the engine of a movement to provide access and hope to many over the years, under God’s guidance, since its birth in 1907. Mr Nigel Coke, Director of Communication, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, Jamaica Union of SdA (JAMU), in his greeting expressed how proud we are as a Seventh –day Adventist group to assist in building up the nation and in recognizing the annual independence ceremony of the country. He solicited the prayers of the congregation for the church in general and for the country in particular. In addition to the beautifully decorated edifice, the presence of God could be felt throughout the service as Pastor Barrington McLean, Director, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) introduced Pastor Shillingford and his family to the church. They were officially welcomed by Pastor and Sis Vincent Peterkin, Elder Ursula Sharpe and by Sis Johanna Young, on behalf of the children. Pastor Shillingford is a native of Guadeloupe and Dominica, but he has since resided in Jamaica after completing his studies in Religion and Theology at the Northern Caribbean University. Over the years he has served in a number of churches both at the internship and the senior pastoral levels. He is supported in his ministry by his wife, Minerva and their two children. Under his dynamic leadership style, churches were mobilized to reaffirm their commitment to share Christ with others and this resulted in the growth of the church, both spiritually and numerically. In his inaugural message to the Mandeville church, Pastor Shillingford focused on the story of Johnathan found in 1 Samuel 14: 1-7 which he entitled, “The Great Difference”. He emphasized that Johnathan demonstrated bravery and had the tenacity of courage to say, ”Come let us go….” despite the danger ahead. Pastor Shillingford iterated the mantra that faith attracts problems and courage attracts difficulties and when we are mission- driven and vision- centred, there will be obstacles in our way, but knowing that God is with you can make the difference. He implored us to have the spirit of Johnathan and be more intentional in the way we share the gospel to people. He rallied the congregation to have the courage to preach the Three Angels’ Messages and to fulfil the mission of spreading the everlasting gospel to the world. Let them know that Jesus is coming soon! Pastor Joel Shillingford and family, Mandeville church welcomes you!