Reverend Astor Carlyle ... Optimistic about Jamaica!

Elaine Commissiong, Contributor

It could be argued that the Reverend Astor Carlyle came into national prominence on his call and subsequent induction on January 17 as senior pastor of the Webster Memorial United Church. The church is regarded within the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands as its premier/largest congregation.

In an interview with him, Outlook aimed to discover what makes him 'tick' and what was his vision for Jamaica. Despite the economic downturn and general pessimism, Carlyle strongly believes that Jamaica is the place in which his children should live and grow up. In short, Carlyle is bullish about Jamaica!

At first glance, his modest demeanour belies the tremendous responsibility that has been placed on him as senior pastor of Webster. But his call to minister there was decisive and his response, though admittedly reluctant at first, has subsequently become so all-encompassing and committed, that already congregants are predicting great success for his tenure and growth for the church!

Who is Astor Carlyle?

He describes his childhood in Mount Olivet, Manchester, where he was born, as one in which his mother, a single parent (his father died when he was five), and his grandmother had a great influence on what he has become. The fourth of five children, Carlyle describes his Christian upbringing with pride.

"The influence of my mother, in this respect, was greatest. I often saw her on her knees, praying and crying. She demonstrated a profound trust in God. She also encouraged us as children to read our Bibles; and that prayer was a daily activity- morning and night! She was a teacher, so she ensured that we worked hard at our studies too."

It was through his mother, he said, that he gained his philosophy in life - to "love God, live for God, love people, laugh a lot, and learn from life"!

Seeds planted in his youth had constant development, for, as a youngster at the then Presbyterian Mount Olivet Church, he became actively involved in service as a Sunday school student and, later, in Youth Fellowship, where his talents in speech and drama were honed through recitations and dramatic presentations. 

"I was deeply involved in church from the age of seven," he states.

Yet his ambition, as a young man, was to be a lawyer, and this remained his professional choice, even after, he said, he had "got the call".

Nonetheless, upon conversion at age 14, he started talking about Christ to other young people, and persons could not help but notice his 'gift' and apparent calling in this regard.

Strange vision

A student at Knox College by then, the calling became stronger, and it was while at Knox Community College that he yielded to it. Carlyle attributes his yielding to a guidance counsellor who was moved to tell him about what he saw as "a strange vision that God was calling him to the ministry of the Word". That was enough of a confirmation.

After further encouragement and discussion with his mother, Carlyle decided to take the plunge and began training at the Institute for Theological and Leadership Development (ITLD) at age 18.

This preliminary year of training led to a stint as student minister at the Runaway Bay Charge where he assisted the Reverend Lansford Lawrence, the minister there. He learned "how to connect with people and get them out to church". That experience convinced him he'd made the right choice. He moved on to studies at the United Theological College at age 20.

"That was an experience!" he reminisces. "I had to grow up fast. Intellectually, it was a challenge to my Sunday school theology and I began to reason about God and with God; look behind the veil of human circumstances and see how God worked there and join Him in partnership. It enhanced my understanding. I also made international connections with other religious traditions and deepened ecumenical relationships." He concludes, "It was a good experience!"

After graduation, it was on to the Greendale United Charge - a suburban environment in the Spanish Town region of St Catherine, first as an intern and then as pastor. "The congregants kindly opened their arms to me and working with them was an amazing experience," he states.

The nine-year experience at Greendale was so meaningful that it possibly contributed to Carlyle's initial reluctance to let go. But having said yes to Webster's call, he now welcomes his decision and declares: "I am happy and believe that this is where God wants me to be. I am here both to learn and try to impart. People have been genuinely welcoming, and the ministry is so deep, I feel that I have been here for three years, rather than just three months!

"I see Webster as a church poised to take off in an even greater way, and be the trailblazer for the Renewal and Transformation Programme of the United Church. I want Webster to be the 'five-star' church it can be, in the pursuance of excellence in every facet of its ministry.

"Apart from this, I would like to stress the importance of accountability to and alignment with the great commission of Christ, to go out into the world, be His witnesses leading people to a renewing and transformative relationship with Him! That means every lane and avenue, every organisation or grouping, wherever the members of the church are, Christ's presence must be felt in our words, actions, attitudes, dispositions and decisions. It calls for a reorientation of our members to see themselves as ministers of Christ wherever they are, and regardless of their station in life."

Carlyle holds to the conviction that the voice of the Church must be heard on national issues.

"As ministers," he says, "we need to wrestle with issues together, and bring to bear critical theological thinking to the process of nation building and issue resolution!"

Not surprisingly, his vision for Jamaica is for a return to Godly virtues, values and principles. "If there is a right emphasis on hard work, diligence, and grateful contentment ... then gambling will not have to be seen as an options for our nation ... . If we balance the principles of honesty, equal rights and justice, then corruption will flee! If we get back to the principles, virtues and values, and governments come to see themselves as accountable, and are, in fact, held accountable, then there would be an even more hopeful future for our children."

Family life

Identifying his wife, Keisha, who he describes as his "best friend", and two children, Abigail, four, and Khaeron, three, as his "favourite people," he carves out family time out of his busy schedule by ensuring that he picks up his children after classes, and spends a two-hour period with them.

"I also prepare them for school in the morning," he states proudly, "and we do simple chores together, such as washing the car."

His scheduled weekly lunch date with his wife has had to be sacrificed sometimes, he admits, but states his determination to do better.

Optimistic that his vision for Jamaica can be a reality, Carlyle is firm in his wish to see his young children become, as he describes, "citizens of the world, growing up in Jamaica! We cannot have a myopic world view. Whereas they must creatively pull knowledge and expertise from the rest of the world, my desire is that they live in Jamaica and build it, and have an impact on this, their space, for God and for all!"