Ordination

Newly ordained members:(Back, L-R) Deacons C Folkes, L Billings, D Fenton, D Ebanks, D McKenzie, C Northover & Elder D Gordon. (Front, L-R) Elder V Mullings, Deacon C Smith & Elder D Hall. Missing: Deacon H Smith | Credits: Richard Smythe The final strains of the song, “Onward Christian Soldiers” signaled the commencement of the ordination service which was held at the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist church on Sabbath afternoon on April 14, 2018.

On this special occasion, three (3) elders and eight (8) deacons were ordained to service in a solemn and dignified ceremony. Pastor Vincent Peterkin welcomed church and family members, friends and well-wishers who were in attendance to witness this special event. Pastor Barrington McLean, the host pastor, along with Pastor Peterkin, gave a brief, but interesting biographical account of the life, work and mission statement of each ordinand as they were each presented, along with their wives and children, to the church. The elders to be ordained were, David Hall, Vinton Mullings and Dalton Gordon. The deacons to be ordained were, Leon Billings.

Clayton Folkes, Danny Fenton, Christopher Northover, Clarence Smith (Shortie), Donald Ebanks, Donald McKenzie and Hugh Smith. The beautiful harmony of special music by Jermaine Vassell and Jeffery Powell preceded the sermon by Pastor McLean entitled, “Service Beyond the Call of Duty.” Pastor McLean emphasized that “being a leader in God’s church is not easy, but the same God who called Moses and Elijah will give you the strength to carry on.” He also called on the ordinands to commit their lives every day to the Lord Jesus Christ and that they “have to be men who are willing to serve the Lord.” Why? The answer lay in 1Peter 2:9.

Pastor McLean also gave some practical advice: “Treat people with respect; have only one wife; go forward by God’s grace; read Phil 2: 8; and may the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.” Prior to the prayer of consecration, the ordained ministers and elders encircled and laid hands on the ordinands and in praying for them, Pastors Peterkin and McLean asked for the blessing of God to be on both the elders and the deacons and their families respectively.

Each of the newly ordained elders and deacons and his family received a certificate and a warm welcome into the God’s service. Dear Elders and Deacons, may God continue to bless your ministry as you avail yourselves in service to the Master and to others.

Newly ordained members and their families pose with church pastor, Pastor Barrington McLean (Back Left) and other ordained elders | Credits: Richard Smythe