Chapel is burnt, but the church is alive

THE REVEREND Dr George V. Simpson, pastor of the Mount Carey Baptist Church in St James, says despite fire razing the church last week it will be undaunted as it set about the mission of Christ.

Below is Rev Simpson's New Year's message to the Church.

The beautiful, historic chapel of the Mount Carey Baptist Church, with its equipment and adjoining Christian Education Centre, went up in flames during the early hours of December 30, 2010.

This was the latest in a series of demonic attacks on the ministry of a congregation that has served the community for approximately two centuries.

The break-ins and theft of several items over the years and the murder of the organist, our late brother Delroy Reid, was followed in 2008 by the attempted murder of the pastor, the Rev Dr George Simpson, who was shot and stabbed numerous times on the verandah of the church's manse.

Still victorious

The devil is indeed at work, with agents who have robbed, hurt and sought to intimidate members of the church relentlessly. Yet, the victory still remains in the hand of our redeeming God, whose church will prevail.

Let it be clear that the chapel is burnt, but the church is alive. It should not be forgotten by anyone, let alone the emissaries of evil, that the Christian Church in Jamaica, and particularly its Baptist denomination, remains firmly rooted in a tradition of struggle and survival against the forces of wickedness in high and low places; whether found in the proponents of slavery or in the advocates of gambling.

Make no mistake, the Mt Carey Baptist Church will rebuild its chapel yet again, and before long, out of the ashes shall spring an edifice worthy to be called 'The House of God'. The vicissitudes being faced will not rob the resolve of our community of believers to march forward in the strength of the Lord.

We know that "through Christ, we can".

I take this opportunity to wish all God's people, and the entire human family, a peaceful, prosperous and truly Happy New Year.