BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 19, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — In an environment where freedom of worship is not universal, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has established itself as a Nation under God, and Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris has pledged that his Government will support the work of the church.
“In St. Kitts and Nevis we need more persons fellowship in worship to our God, and so we are very pleased each time we go to a church, especially a new one, to know that there are so many homes of worship for our people,” said Prime Minister Harris on Sunday April 18 when he led a cross-section of the leadership and membership of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) for Sunday worship at the Unique Touch Christian Centre in Sandy Point.
At the worship service which was officiated by Pastor Kaywana Saunders and the sermon delivered by Senior Pastor Clive Saunders, Dr Harris observed that in St. Kitts and Nevis worshiping God is a blessing that people take for granted, because freedom of worship is not universal. He noted that there are persons who are being persecuted in many parts of the world because of their beliefs, while in St. Kitts and Nevis the country has established that it is a Nation under God.
“Thank you to all of you for your warm welcome this morning and I wish that this church will grow from strength to strength,” said Dr Harris. “I know that they are looking at a new location – you have lands and you are making preparation. My Government will support the work of the church, because we need more church worshipping prayerfully without ceasing for the leadership of the country, and for the country as a whole.”
The Honourable Prime Minister expressed his delight at being in the church where he noted its Vision Statement ‘Exalting the Saviour, Evangelising to the sinner, Equipping the Saints’, and said he hoped that that mission is being realised every day.
Calling on persons to be thankful for blessings they are receiving, Dr Harris noted that St. Kitts and Nevis, the smallest country in the hemisphere, has done the best job in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and said it should not be taken for granted and that people should celebrate those critical blessings that God has favoured the country with.
“My wish is that our country continues to grow from strength to strength though we could only do this if we are a Nation praising God,” stated Dr Harris. He added: “Giving God thanks, recognising that all the blessings we have had and all the opportunities they have come from a God of unlimitless and limitless possibilities – a God who has been there in the beginning and a God who will be there till the end of time.”
Prime Minister Harris, who is also the National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) one of the three political parties in the ruling Team Unity Government along with the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and the Nevis-based Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) was accompanied to the worship service by a cross-section of the party’s leadership and members.
“It has been part of the on-going practice of the Peoples Labour Party that we encourage our membership and supporters to spend some time with God,” stated the Honourable Prime Minister. “We appreciate there are highs and lows in our lives – in their lives – and ultimately faith becomes important, but faith in God is the most important thing. So we want to say thank you for welcoming us. It is a church so far that has been full of joy and goodness and high praise for God, and God is deserving of this praise.”
Accompanying him included Peoples Labour Party Senator and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett, Deputy National Secretary Ms Desire Huggins, Deputy National Treasurer Mrs Patrice Ofre, PLP National Women Representatives Mrs Sonia Henry, and Ms Petrona Thomas, and PLP National Youth Representative Mr Jeremiah Locker.
PLP Constituency Number Five Executive Branch was represented by Chairman Mr Glenville Mills, Treasurer Mr Lindsey Caesar, Deputy Chairperson Ms Marsha Lewis, Women Representative Ms Janice Lewis and a large group of the branch membership. Also in presence was a large delegation made up mainly of Constituency Number Seven Empowerment Group members.
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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 9, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — In reaffirming the fact there is an opportunity for everyone in St. Kitts and Nevis to connect with God, Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris took the opportunity to commend the leadership of Worship Tabernacle for creating an environment that allows for people’s youthful energies to be engaged constructively.
“I am happy that everywhere in St. Kitts and Nevis, there is an opportunity for us to connect with the living and merciful God,” said Prime Minister Harris when he delivered remarks at the Worship Tabernacle on the corner of Westbourne Ghaut and Fort Thomas Streets, Basseterre, on Sunday November 8.
“I am very happy to come today and to see so many young people giving God praise and I want to commend Bishop Boland, his wife, and the leadership of the church for creating an environment in which the young, youthful energies of our people can be engaged in a constructive way.”
Prime Minister Harris, who had led members of Constituency Number Seven Group for Sunday worship, told leadership of the church that they were doing a good thing and God will bless them for their efforts.
Also accompanying the Prime Minister was Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett, and members of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) Constituency Number Five Executive Branch led by Pastor Glenville Mills, who is also the branch chairman.
Leading the service were Pastor Sasha Boland, Pastor Latrece Christopher, and Assistant Pastor John Francis who invited Prime Minister Harris to greet members of the congregation, while the sermon was delivered by Bishop Bernard Boland Jr.
“I want to thank you for your prayers for our beloved country, for the peace, for the stability, and for the perseverance of our leadership even in difficult times,” Prime Minister Harris told the congregation. “We need more people who will pray – pray in good times and pray in difficult times.”
The Honourable Prime Minister informed the congregation that every Monday, when the Cabinet meets, they first start with a word of prayer. Referring to the book of Second Timothy, in the New Testament, he said there is a scripture which speaks of how God would wish governments to function. He noted that he has several people who will pray with him, people he can always call on.
Bishop Bernard Boland Jr. talked to the congregation on how to relate to those in authority and quoted from Romans 13-1 which requests everyone to be subject to the governing authorities, advising that there is no authority except that which God has established. The verse adds that the authorities that exist have been established by God.
In his message he lamented that people only read the part of the Bible “that says don’t commit fornication and adultery and that is enough to throw out on people. You do not read the part that says ‘all of you must obey those that rule over you’. So because the people in authority is not who you support, you do not obey.”
The Bishop further advised Christians against wilfully upsetting the ones they do not support and gave his own example noting that he had prepared to wear a red suit coming to church that morning, “but as I got the call that they (Prime Minister Harris and his entourage) were coming, this is not politically oriented, but I respect the fact that I don’t wear red suit here when that is not what they support.” He changed and wore a blue suit.
At the end of the service, Bishop Boland anointed Prime Minister Harris with oil, while leadership of the church through Deaconess Yvette Francis presented him with a fruit basket.
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