Pastor Sylvester Williams, a former cricket star and now the resident pastor in Virgin Gorda and Anegada, British Virgin Islands, was ordained to the gospel ministry on Sabbath December 8, 2018, in an impressive and solemn ceremony at Central SDA Church in St. Croix.
In his sermon addressed to the pastor directly–and indirectly to the entire audience–Dr. Kern Tobias, President of the Caribbean Union Conference, urged him to be “Motivated by the Mystery of the Master.” The President asked these piercing questions: “How sure are you that this is what you want to do for the rest of your life,” and “what evidence do you have that you were called to the gospel ministry?” Dr. Tobias then quoted Mark 3:13-16 where Jesus ordained his twelve disciples and gave them their charge, a charge that still resonates today. He closed his message with this appeal: “Look away from yourself to Jesus who is the perfect model for all pastors.”
Then the ordination ceremony began. Pastor Royston Philbert, Ministerial and Communications Director of the North Caribbean Conference, (NCC), presented the candidate and his wife Kay Resha to the packed audience of over five hundred members from the churches in St. Croix, and hundreds of others following the program on live stream. Pastor Ammaran Williams, Ministerial Secretary and Family Ministries Director of the Caribbean Union, prayed the ordination prayer, with the ordained ministers surrounding the pastor for the laying on of hands. Then Pastor Ammaran Williams gave the charge. Pastor Desmond James, President of the North Caribbean Conference and Mrs. Hester Philbert, Shepherdess’ Coordinator, welcomed the couple and presented the certificate of ordination along with other gifts and bouquets. The vocal music of Gillian Glasgow, Linda James, and the Pastoral Chorale enhanced the ceremony, while Celeste David’s piano accompaniment enriched the audience’s lusty singing.
Pastor Williams’ response was dotted with humor as he expressed gratitude to the many who guided and assisted him on his journey, a journey that began in Irishtown, Basseterre, St. Kitts, and the cricket field in Nevis.
Young Sylvester, who as a child and young man in St. Kitts and Nevis often felt lost and purposeless, had found a home on the cricket field. He became an outstanding cricketer and seriously considered a career in sports, but he had to give up that dream to “seek stable employment.” Still feeling unfulfilled, however, he found the fulfillment he sought after attending Pastor Roosevelt Daniels’ evangelistic series in Nevis and accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord. Baptized on March 1, 2003, he joined the Brown Hill SDA Church in Nevis. There he quickly threw himself into the life of the church, serving as a deacon and then as an elder. No longer “lost,” he realized his calling, enrolled in the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) in Trinidad and prepared for the gospel ministry. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Theology in May 2009.
It was while attending USC that he met and fell in love with Kay Resha Simon of St. Martin, a science major. They were married on August 9, 2009, by Pastor Philbert. Sister Williams holds a BS in Chemistry and teaches at the Brigado Flax Educational Center in Virgin Gorda. The Williams’ are the parents of Syl-Kaysha, six years old, K’Syl, four, and Kason, two.
Pastor Williams interned with Pastors Earl Daniel and Winfield Ambrose in Tortola and Anguilla respectively. Since 2013, however, he has been at his first pastoral district–Virgin Gorda and Anegada. This “hardworking, dedicated and devoted pastor with a passion and desire for evangelism,” has led over 100 persons to accept Jesus as their Savior. We wish Pastor and Sister Sylvester Williams and their lovely family God’s richest blessings as they continue their ministry for the Lord, wherever He calls them.