Let us put our differences aside!

INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE from Archbishop Melford Pompey, of the Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of SVG

CELEBRATING our identity can only be accomplished if we acknowledge who we are as a people, putting our differences aside, whether it be politics, religion, race, opinion, or any other factor that works to our detriment, then we will be able to inspire the future with a firm belief, “What e’er the future brings, our faith will see us through.”

What exactly are we celebrating and why? Deuteronomy 8: 7-9 puts us in a position to answer: “For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys, a land of vines, fig trees pomegranates, olive oil, and honey. A land that shall eat bread without scarcity and lack of anything”.

As we celebrate our 46th anniversary of independence, we salute our nation with pride, knowing God has given us a good land to enjoy what is set before us. We stand resolute and unwavering in our approach, resilient in our efforts to overcome whatever stands in our way.

God has given us freedom and wise governments and a people who truly understand his supremacy. It is time to make our contribution to nation building and ensure St Vincent and the Grenadines remains a good land. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord and the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

I call on all those who continue to jeopardize our nation and tarnish the name Hairouna (home of the blessed), to put away all hatred, malice, envy, spite, and those taking the law into their own hands, to put down the weapons that continue to rob a family of a loved one and those who reaped the first fruit where they have not sown. Despite all of this, we can still smile and thank God that the good has overcome the bad.

Blessings on Prime Minister, Dr Hon. Ralph Gonsalves again for paving the way, allowing all Spiritual Baptists to showcase our independence as a religious body, celebrating the first ever National Spiritual Baptist Day Holiday this year May 21st .

We are thankful for the support of all.

I urge all Vincentians at home and abroad, especially at this time when we are close to general elections, not to be divisive destroying families, churches, and communities, but rather stand for unity and togetherness.

Righteousness exalts a nation; sin is a reproach to any people.

Leave no unguarded place.

No weakness for the soul. Take every virtue, every grace And fortify the whole. Let us, as one people, one nation under one God, redouble our efforts in this our earthly pilgrimage that at last, we may be found worthy to enter into the rest through Jesus Christ.

Happy Independence Anniversary to the Government and people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

May peace reign from shore to shore, and God bless and keep us true.

May God bless us all.