Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

PORT MARIA, St Mary:

FIVE PASTORS were ordained during a ceremony held in Port Maria on Saturday, but not before president of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Everett Brown, laid the charge for them to be servants of the people.

Brown, who was the main speaker at the ordination service held at the Port Maria Seventh-day Adventist Church, urged the five pastors to put away selfish thoughts, beliefs, and practices, and to instead preach the Gospel truth to all.

"It is a special moment, as you are called for a lifetime of service for God, your church, and humanity. Congratulations to you all, but I must caution you that you will be faced with ridicule, rejection, and accusations. However, don't despair, as Jesus Christ, too, was persecuted," said Brown.

He added: "As you reflect on your calling, I urge you to speak the truth according to the Bible and the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church."

Enormous pressure

According to Brown, preaching is the duty of every ordained minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and it is not for them to seek high positions in the conference as perceived by many.

In addition, Brown also encouraged the wives of the five ordained pastors to play a supporting role to their husbands, who at times will be faced with enormous pressure from all angles.

It was a capacity crowd that turned out to witness the ordination.

The five ordained pastors were: Dobson Campbell, pastor of the Oracabessa District of Churches; Damion Attou Clarke, pastor at the Zion Hill District of Churches; Steve Cornwall, pastor of Dover District of Churches; Geovanni Franklin, pastor of Castleton District of Churches, and Roland James Vassell, pastor of the Hunts Town District of Churches.

rural@gleanerjm.com

CAPTION: Dobson Campbell (right), pastor of the Oracabessa District of Churches in St Mary, accepts a copy of the Bible from Pastor Arlington Woodburn, president of the North East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, during the service of ordination for five pastors who serve in the conference. The service took place on Saturday at the Port Maria Seventh-day Adventist Church in St Mary. Looking from left are pastors Steve Cornwall, Geovanni Franklin, Roland Vassell and Damion Clarke. - PHOTO BY GARETH DAVIS