New pastor installed at Rose Hall New Testament Church of God

The leadership of the New Testament Church of God (NTCG) of St Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) converged on Rose Hall last Sunday for the appreciation of Pastor Gleva Burke, who has retired from active pastoral duties and the installation of Pastor Don Stapleton, her successor.{{more}}

Burke, a dynamic preacher, has been one of the highest ranking females within the NTCG circles for many years and was pastor of the Rose Hall congregation since 1998. She became a born-again Christian at the tender age of 16.

Burke took over as pastor at Rose Hall from Isaac Soleyn when he became national overseer in 1976, after which she was transferred to Troumaca and helped to develop the church there from 1984 to 1991. Burke, a retired schoolteacher, celebrated 46 years of marriage to her husband Morris on December 16. At Sunday’s ceremony, she received many tokens and gifts from the various congregations represented at the event.

Newly installed pastor Don Stapleton thanked God, the congregation, his colleagues, his mother and family for their support over the years. He said that his mother, who is community activist Chaddis Stapleton, has been both mother and father to him.

“I remember selling cakes that my mother baked to make ends meet during the early days. Even when I became a schoolteacher at Chateaubelair, I hurried home at evenings to sell cakes, and if my mother calls me now to go and sell cakes, I will gladly go, because the selling of cakes helped make me the person I am today,” the newly minted pastor said.

In tribute to the outgoing pastor, Stapleton said that Burke was a teacher, leader, friend, mother and mentor to him. He said that during his early days at school, he was a slow student and when Burke became his class teacher at Junior 2, she inspired him to improve. She was also his class teacher in Junior 3 and 4, where he wrote the then Common Entrance Exam and was successful.

Stapleton attended the Troumaca Ontario Secondary School (TOSS), and after a stint as a teacher, he presently works as an extension officer with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

He is currently enrolled at Bible school, studying for a diploma in theology. Stapleton is married to his high school sweetheart, Charmaine, who hails from Coulls Hill and they are parents of a teenage son.

Last Sunday’s event was moderated by Bishop Gosnell Williams, district overseer for Chateaubelair. Burke’s citation was read by retired principal Wendy Rodney.

International evangelist Reverend Arthur Grant of Jamaica, who delivered the sermon, said that his sermon was directed to the church leaders. He extolled then to be good Samaritans.

After the presentation of instruments by various members of the State Council, administrative Bishop Wendell Davis, who also heads the NTCG of St Lucia and Dominica, installed the new pastor.

The anointing was also performed by Davis, along with outgoing pastor Gleva Burke.