Buxton pastor dedicated to bringing Christmas cheer to elderly
Pastor Terry Thomas along with several elderly persons who attended the annual Christmas party.
Pastor Terry Thomas along with several elderly persons who attended the annual Christmas party.

By Naomi Parris
TERRY Thomas, the founder of the Buxton Ambassadors of Christ Ministries has dedicated his entire evangelistic life to giving back to his rural community and other neighbouring communities during the festive season.

Pastor Thomas has hosted several massive Christmas drives catering to the elderly for the past 22 years since establishing his church in 1995.

Thomas spoke with the Guyana Chronicle at his annual Christmas outreach and party held at the church in Buxton a week before December 25. Thomas said that he values the elderly greatly and wanted to do something special for them during the Christmas season.
“I value senior citizens because I know that they have contributed to the country to the communities and many times they are somewhat forgotten and I chose, rather the church chose to put them on the spotlight, to bring them together; they’ll sing, recite poems, share jokes and pray together,” he stated.

Two old friends engaging in a ‘gaff’ at the Christmas party

The seniors who attend the Christmas party are treated with a sumptuous Christmas meal of Pepperpot and bread, ginger beer, and sorrel drink. Additionally, they play games; sing Christmas carols and share stories and tales of their younger days.
At the end of the party, Pastor Thomas puts together a small food hamper and presents gifts to every senior in attendance.

In addition, Pastor Thomas takes the party to those who are unable to come out to the event. He stated that a member of the church would usually take hampers and Pepperpot to the seniors in the village who are unable to manoeuvre on their own.

Pastor Thomas noted that many times persons misconstrue churches and assume that they are all about collecting offerings and tithes; however a few years after building his small congregation, himself and several members embarked on the initiative of hosting Christmas parties and several other events to give back to the elders in the community.
He added that the event has grown extensively over the years and has seen persons from all walks of life attending.

“We ask no questions, they come and we just welcome them; we believe that’s how God wants it, we must have love….in the bible, Luke chapter 2 it says when the angels declared to the shepherds they said a saviour is born to all people and we accept everybody respectful [sic] of their race, social class and religion,” he stated.

Christmas is known as an annual festival, celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Although it is a Christian holiday, it is celebrated by almost every Guyanese.
The Christmas season can be considered symbolic of a melting the pot, since the festivities see Guyanese of all denominations working, laughing and celebrating together.
Hence, Pastor Thomas expanded invitations to elders outside of his communities, reaching persons from as far as Victoria, Ann’s Grove, Lusignan, Mon Repos and many other communities on the East Coast of Demerara.

Amid the hustle and bustle of persons, shopping, cleaning and decorating their homes, it is important to remember that Christmas is the season of caring and sharing; while many of us will wake up on Christmas morning to a plate of warm pepperpot and bread, it is important to remember the less fortunate who may not have the same blessings as you; and Pastor Thomas has always kept that thought in mind and placed others’ needs before his.

Deemed a pillar in his community, Thomas is always investing and looking for new initiatives to fill the gaps in the community where he sees a need; to help the residents of Buxton not only during the Christmas season, but throughout the year.
Pastor Thomas stated that seeing the satisfied and happy faces of the elderly when they gather at the Christmas party is his Christmas gift. He further stated that during the year persons are so eager for the party that they start enquiring about the party as early as November.

Shelia Glasgow, a regular attendee at the Christmas party, stated that the event has become a regular on her Christmas calendar; she writes the date down as a reminder as soon as the month of December comes around.

She added that it is heartwarming to know that there are persons like Pastor Thomas who are always willing to give and to share with others in whatever way they can.
Ann Spencer, another elderly who was present at the party commended Pastor Thomas for his initiative to look after the elderly in his community. She stated that the elderly is often forgotten, but Thomas has made it his duty to remember them during the Christmas season.

Apart from the Christmas party for the elderly, Pastor Thomas is very active in his community and has collaborated with Food For The Poor to help the less fortunate in and around his community.

Pastor Thomas also hosts a small get together for the children of Buxton and gifts them little goodies and toys for Christmas.

He is hoping to expand his Christmas outreaches and parties to include disabled persons within the community, so that they too will not be left out from the festivities of the Christmas season.

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