A church not limited

A few years ago, when Pastor Al Blake got the call to set up and lead a church in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he jumped at the opportunity after praying about the matter.{{more}}

And now, the Vincentian national has returned to St .Vincent and the Grenadines, with the mission of establishing a branch of the internationally renowned Harvest Bible Chapel in his homeland.

Blake, who visited SEARCHLIGHT’s Offices this Tuesday, to speak of his church’s opening on Sunday September 5, said that he is ready to plant the pillars of his church firmly in the heart of the country.

“I am fired up and excited for what God will do to allow this ministry to make an impact nationwide. I believe it’s something that God has called me to do.”

“My vision would be to see the young adults in St. Vincent be grounded in God’s word, and this would be accomplished by contemporary Christian worship; chapter by chapter, verse by verse expository teaching. Just reaching them at the core of their issues and just giving them hope and strength in their times of weakness,” Blake said.

Still a youth himself, Blake indicated that he was given a passion and a heart for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by God.

A former student of the St. Vincent Grammar School and the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where he earned his undergraduate degree, Blake received his Masters of Arts in Theology at the Michigan Theology Seminary.

He said that his church will be identified by the emphasis placed on three areas.

One of those, he said, is emphasis on the four pillars.

“These are: one, proclaiming the authority of God’s Word without apology. Two, lifting high the name of Jesus through worship. Three, believing firmly in the power of prayer. Four, sharing the good news of Jesus with boldness.”

The other stand out features of the church, Blake explained, is the church’s emphasis on children’s ministry and small groups.

Married for the past ten years to his wife Debbie, the proud father of Sharie, 3, and two-year-old Matthew indicated that he and a team had been home since January, putting things in place for their big day on Sunday, September 5, with the assistance of the Harvest Bible Fellowship team, who are responsible for guiding him along the way.

Worship is scheduled to take place at 10am inside the popular entertainment arena The Aquatic Club, which should only be seen as a visual aid used once per week, to transform lives.

“Church is not about the physical piece, rather it’s our heart attitude towards God,” he stated.

“The church is not a building; it is a collection of God’s people ready to worship. Worship is not limited by facility, not limited to location or place.”

“(Besides), we were looking to have a place where people who do not come to church will feel welcome.”

The son of well known evangelist Verrol Blake indicated that being an Associate Pastor while going through school has given him hands on training, and has made him more prepared for the task ahead.

He said that he expects the word of God to change lives through his ministry, and the church intends to be ‘intentional about evangelism, even if it means going to the blocks, one on one, door to door or even concerts.’(JJ)