KBC celebrates 30 years of growth

What stemmed from one man’s answered prayers continues to flourish, as the Kingstown Baptist Church (KBC) celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Rev. Don Overstreet, founder of the KBC, explained that he and his wife were newly appointed missionaries whose prayers for insight on where to serve were answered when asked by the Windward Island Baptist Mission to serve in St.Vincent.{{more}}

Overstreet shared the history of the church, which began as a small chapel in New Montrose and moved to its current location in the 1980s, and touched on his early involvement with the inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison, stressing that it was important for him to seek out those who were not being ministered to. He implemented programs such as the Vacation Bible School and the Ladies group, and continued to make visitations to St.Vincent after leaving the country in December 1979.

Although experiencing challenges in the 1980s, present pastor Cecil Richards said the church had matured and seen phenomenal growth in recent years, a trend that he is optimistic will continue. He says the future of the church will be oriented around the vision of seeking to support those in need, saying that they are “thinking of hundreds being saved yearly, not hundreds down the road”.

Accompanying Rev Overstreet on his visit is a group of 20, who intend to minister during their 3 week visit, paying particular attention to violence in the primary and secondary schools. The group agreed that this will be a life changing experience and hope to return, but said the island and its people will always be in their prayers regardless.

The celebrations for the anniversary runs from June 10th to the 17th, with a final convention at 5pm on Sunday at the Kingstown Baptist Church.(KP)