Taking the message to the people

05.APR.07

St. Vincent and the Grenadines prides itself on being a “God-fearing society of believers”, even though our actions sometimes contradict this boast. In keeping with this tradition, we have just witnessed a series of events manifesting our commitment to these principles. There was the SVG for Christ Crusade 2007, a monumental exercise involving eight simultaneous crusades from the north of St. Vincent right down to the Grenadines, culminating in a massive Gospel Concert at Victoria Park. The Association of Evangelical Churches of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, organizers of the event certainly made sure that their message “Today’s Hope for Tomorrow’s Future” was well communicated.{{more}}

Another important spiritual manifestation was the occasion of the consecration of two bishops of the Spiritual Baptists. It was sufficient to attract the presence of the Baptists from neighbouring countries – Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Barbados – to join their local counterparts in praises to the Almighty. The event was given even more significance because it took place on the exact date of the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The Spiritual Baptists are a living reminder of successful resistance to slavery and colonization.

A third development was the bold move of the Anglican community, normally much more conservative than the evangelists or Baptists, to stage two mission services in the community of Paul’s Avenue, taking the message to the people rather than relying on the people to come to the message as the Anglican Church has traditionally done.

Fittingly, all these events came as the Christian Community was marking the final weeks of the Lenten season as it embarked on what for it is one of its high points, Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Saviour. These manifestations of reaching out are certainly both timely and welcome. The rapid development of the technological revolution has brought in its wake the facilitation of the spread of immoral ideas and practices inimical to the teachings and preaching of the Christian Church and has helped to undermine many traditional values and principles. Lent of today is but a pale shadow of what it used to be in our society and the reverence of yesteryear is no longer obvious.

That Evangelists, Spiritual Baptists and Anglican traditionalists would all take up the challenge is a most apt way to embark on the celebration of Easter. May the message take firm root and the significance of the Resurrection be understood and appreciated by all!