The Cayon Church of God proudly honours Pastor Benjamin Browne and First Lady Juanita Browne for 40 years of Pastoral Ministry

Basseterre St. Kitts — From the 25th through 30th September hundreds of nationals and visiting delegates from ten different nations including Canada and the USA gathered from all walks of life to celebrate and honour the life and ministry of Rev Benjamin Browne and his wife Juanita. The pre-celebrations began with a Community Tribute Rally on Wednesday 25th at Maynard’s Park in Cayon, the community where the couple has served these forty years. A wide cross section of the community turned out to pay their tributes including representatives from the schools, the sporting clubs, the nurses, the police as well as churches within the Cayon community. Guest speaker Davidson Morton of Nevis delivered a timely word bringing the evening’s proceedings to a fitting climax. The next event that followed on Thursday 26th was entitled Reflections where the local assembly of the Cayon Church of God gathered at their home church to reflect and reminisce on the 40-year journey of the church and to shower their pastor and his wife with praise for their outstanding leadership. That night of storytelling and laughter included tributes and creative presentations from each auxillary of the church with highlights from the Sunday school department and the Women’s ministry.

The main celebrations commenced on the weekend starting with the Honorary Appreciation Banquet held on Friday 27th at the Jack Tar Royal St Kitts Banquet Hall. This formal event was marked by a celebration of pomp and circumstance upon the arrival of the honourees and the Governor General. Some three hundred guests turned out to witness an evening of splendour as Pastor Ben Browne and his entire family were awarded with special gifts and tokens of appreciation. That night featured Bishop Milton Grannum of USA as guest speaker and the honourees were presented with a Distinguished Service Award for their 40-year tenure from the members of the church. Saturday 28th September featured a grand tour of the island for visiting delegates while Pastor and his wife were pampered at the Spa, ending with a social evening at the home of the honourees.

However, the crowning event was the Grand 40th Anniversary Service on Sunday 29th at the Marriott Ballroom. The ceremonial service was graced with the presence of the Governor General and specially invited delegates. Bishop Vernon Lambe Snr of Bermuda was the featured speaker and various outstanding tributes such as the 40-voice mass-choir and Brian Anthony’s tribute in poetry raised shouts of cheer from the crowd. But the highlight of the service was the honouring of Pastor Browne with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. The Ballroom erupted in a celebration of praise as 700 persons gave a standing ovation when Bishop Grannum conferred the degree pronouncing him as the Rev. Dr Benjamin Browne. It was truly a heart-warming experience for all who attended.

As the mission of the Cayon Church of God is serving the community for Christ, the Executive Planning Committee of the Project 40 Celebrations has decided to distribute 40 food hampers to needy persons within the community. This exercise will be conducted on Tuesday 1st October and will bring the entire celebrations to a resounding climax.

To God be the Glory for the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Ben Browne and First Lady Juanita Browne.