Retired Methodist Minister tells his inspiring life story

Thought to be the first ever autobiography of a minister of religion in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), “Memoirs of a Methodist Minister” promises to tell an inspiring and revealing life story.

“Memoirs of a Methodist Minister” was launched last Thursday, at the Methodist Church Hall in a ceremony hosted by the author, retired Methodist Minister, Reverend Victor H Job and his family. The launch was attended by many, including Ministers from the Methodist Church and dignitaries such as Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Deputy Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who spoke at the event, and Minister of Health Luke Browne.

The book, divided into three sections, takes the reader on a journey, starting with the author’s childhood growing up in a family of 13 in the rural village of Choppins.

The second part of the book details his call to the Ministry, how he became a Methodist Minister and his accomplishments throughout the years. The last part of the book comprises reflections on the Christian Ministry in general, containing insight which the clergyman, now 73 years old, has garnered over the years.

The book is designed in this way, Job said, to reflect the changing seasons of his life, further stating that now he believes he is in the winter of his life.

Job highlighted some of the deeper reasons for his writing the book in his remarks at the launch. He said he had a lovely childhood, but it was not easy.

“They were difficult times, times of trouble, and times of misfortune and because of this, children and young people need to know what life for us was like 50 or so years ago, how we managed on our limited financial resources and how we were able to cope with trying and difficult circumstances.”

He said his childhood should be a lesson to this generation not to pass the blame to others and to rise above their circumstances.

“Some people who do not make a success of life tend to pass the blame. They blame the environment, they blame their parents, the blame their teachers, they blame poverty. We say that’s the reason for the crime and violence now. We say poverty. Poor poverty,” saying that one cannot succumb to one’s environment.

He also promises that the book is an eye-opener to the inside workings of the church, admitting, “there were some experiences with the Church and the Ministry which I should have kept to myself, perhaps to protect the privacy of the church and the integrity of the Ministry.”

However, he felt it was necessary to clarify misconceptions about the church and, “to point out shortcomings in the church, so that the necessary correctments and adjustments may be done.”

More generally he hopes, “My prayer is that it may in some way be an influence for good to all who may read it.”

The memoir was lauded by those who had read it, the Prime Minister saying “I consider this book to be a historic one. It is the first book, to my knowledge, written by a minister of religion, an autobiography written by a minister of religion from St Vincent or in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he stated.

He spoke at length on the meaningfulness of Job’s story and what he called the reminder of ‘home truths’.

Gonsalves, in speaking about the fact that the Job family had to make a lot out of a little and the resourcefulness of Job’s mother, commented “nowadays we deal with school feeding programmes provided by the state and some mothers will tell you they don’t have the 50c or the dollar to pay a day for the lunch.”

He believed that nowadays people take a lot for granted, which, as the book shows, people did not have when Victor Job was growing up.

In a review of the book done by Errol Simms, former Dean of the Social Sciences of the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, and read by Victor Job’s daughter, Trisha-Ann Job Moses, there was more praise for the piece of literature.

“This publication portrays a remarkable life story, which highlights the resilience of the human spirit. It clearly demonstrates that through self-belief, hard work and determination, the help and support of family and friends, and abiding faith in God, a person can achieve great success, despite challenging circumstances.”

Copies of “Memoirs of a Methodist Minister” are available at the Jujube bookstore and Gaymes Book Centre in Paul’s Avenue, or may be acquired by calling the Job residence at 456-9816 and ordering a copy.(KR)