Pastor Oriel Bertram Fleming was laid to rest on Sunday, May 14, 2017, on the island of St. Croix. The former Youth Director of the Caribbean Union (CARU) and the North Caribbean Conference (NCC) died at his home on Sabbath, April 29, 2017. The late Pastor Fleming is credited with giving 37 years of service to the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church before retiring in December, 2009. He entered ministry in 1972 after graduating from the former Caribbean Union College (currently University of the Southern Caribbean). He accepted a call from the East Caribbean Conference (ECC) and began his ministry on the island of St. Lucia – lasting friendships were formed during the three and a half years there. His giftedness in youth ministry allowed him to serve as the first Youth Director of the NCC for six years and of the CARU for fifteen years.
During the somber ceremony, sprinkled with musical selections, held at the Central SDA Church, family members, close friends, peers and the community paid tribute and reflected on his life-long achievements and positive influence. Pastor Fleming was an active member of the Peter’s Rest SDA Church and his immediate family now cherishes the memories: Veronica, his wife of 52 years; his son, Oville, daughter-in-law, Candyss-Ann, and grandchildren Jariel and Jenae; his daughter, Ovillie, son-in-law, Venroy Joseph and grandson Vaughn; his daughter, Orien, son-in-law, Sherwin Clairmont and grandchildren Breanna, Brandee and Brandon; and, his “special” daughter Ruby Urgent,.
Church leaders reacted to the shock of his death, in person and print, recalling his many years of dedicated service to the Church he loved so much. Among the leaders in attendance, with links to the Caribbean Union, were: Dr. James Daniel, Field Secretary and Associate Stewardship Director of the Inter American Division (IAD); Dr. Clive Dottin, Field Secretary of the CARU, and Pastor Anthony Hall, Youth and Chaplaincy Director of the CARU; Pastor Silton Browne, President of the NCC, with several NCC departmental directors; and, Pastor Desmond James, President of the South Leeward Mission (SLM) with Pastor Kendol Doyle, Youth and Chaplaincy Director, and Pastor Andrew Gardner, District Pastor. Several colleagues paid tribute:
- Dr. James Daniel represented the IAD President, Dr. Israel Leito: “Truly a great soldier has fallen asleep. He had a passion for the youth and [a] love for God’s people. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is very grateful for the privileges granted to all young people [who] shared in the ministry of Pastor Fleming.”
- Dr. Kern Tobias, President of CARU, in a letter of condolence to the Fleming family: “Pastor Fleming was an exemplary minister and Youth Director of our Union. He will always be remembered.”
- Dr. Clive Dottin: “His passing has left the Union family sad, but not without hope. I knew Oriel for years as a colleague in ministry. He was a close friend of Junie. He was a good man. There is not a word in the English language to describe him. He was faithful and committed to the Lord and His work.”
- Pastor Silton Browne, who had succeeded Pastor Fleming to become the NCC Youth Director: “I wish to remember Pastor Fleming as the leader whose ministry and leadership was characterized by his commitment to the mission of the Church in the Caribbean Union and his passion for the overall welfare and development of its youth ministry.
- Pastor Desmond James: “He was a conscientious pastor, a caring shepherd and a consummate and eminent evangelist. He has made an indelible impression in all the places in which he has served and has molded and mentored many pastors, including me. He will long be remembered for his passion for evangelism.”
- Dr. Vincent A. David, Youth and Chaplaincy Director of the NCC, deemed the impressive service, A Final Salute by Adventist Youth for a Distinguished Youth Leader. Dr. David led a honor guard unit of over 300 uniformed Youth Leaders, Pathfinders, Adventurers, Adventist Youth and Masterguides and was joined by past and present Conference and Union Youth Directors.
We know that he is just sleeping and waiting for Jesus to call him. We look forward to the day when we will be reunited – Oh, what a wonderful reunion that will be! Let us remain faithful, until that day.