More than forty (40) religious leaders (including bishops, priests, ministers, and pastors) responded to an invitation from the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church on Anguilla and attended a service of recognition on Sunday, February 9, 2020. The outstanding contributions of these faith-leaders to the spiritual and mental well-being of the community were highlighted by the SDA host pastors, Howard Simon and Lester Jules, who have been serving on Anguilla for the past six months.
Aptly themed, Give Honor to Whom Honor Is Due, the service welcomed community guests of diverse religious affiliations. Anguilla has a population of more than 14,000 which identifies as predominantly Christian and centers of worship abound. Seven percent (7%) of the island’s religious landscape is comprised of the Seventh-day Adventist Church which has approximately 600 active members.
In addition to a certificate of recognition, the religious leaders were presented with the acclaimed publication, Excellent Preaching: the 5P’s Approach by Howard Simon. In his response, Reverend Menes Hodge of the Anglican Church said, “I accept the honor on behalf of all the people I have had the honor to serve. I believe that the Adventist Church in Anguilla is to be commended for its service to people of all classes, of all walks of life and I am thankful for [its] recognition . . .” Two of the longest-serving religious leaders on Anguilla are the Reverend Wilmoth Hodge, of the Methodist Church, and the Reverend Menes Hodge.
Pastor Simon indicated that the service was a relationship-building opportunity and added, “It is my view that the church’s image has been excellently enhanced. We plan to enroll them to receive the Ministry Magazine and continue to invite them to other church services.”
“It was a well planned and executed service and all who attended appreciated it,” commented Mrs. Linda Ambrose, the Women, Children, and Family Ministries Director of the North Caribbean Conference.