LOVE and Faith Ministries in Sophia has been my home of worship for a number of years. There is no price tag attached to the number of lives that have been changed through this ministry under the leadership of Pastors Claude and Carole Brooks. I’ve been so impressed by the way they lead this ministry and the way they give their elders a chance to grow. They are certainly creating a legacy for churches in Guyana which reminds me of this quote: “A legacy is created only when a person puts his organisation into the position to do great things without him.” John C Maxwell.

There are a number of activities planned to celebrate the 30 years and the theme is “SONS OF GOD ARISE”. I enjoyed the commemorative walk from the Multilateral School where the church was first located to where it is now. We were singing, dancing and worshipping along the route and sharing out flyers and even when the rain came down we didn’t stop. The walk climaxed on the lawns of Love and Faith where they had buns eating and watermelon eating competitions. I didn’t even know I was that fit and I was expecting pains all over my body but I was well dressed in my six-inch heels and was worshipping the next morning in church!

The celebration continued with Wednesday night service and it was off the chains! It was all worship and no preaching. Earl Bishop’s 30-minute segment was amazing. He is so talented! On Thursday, I had to meet sister Nandi who is in Guyana for the first time to look at the possibility of a cultural exchange project between Guyana and the US. After our meeting, she asked me where I was going and I said I was going to church and she asked me what kind of church it was, I said it’s called Love and Faith and it’s a Pentecostal and she said, ‘I’m coming with you,’ so I said, ‘Ok great.’ And it was another powerful evening of worship and she was right at home, just as if she’s been here before.

People always look at me funny when I say go to church during the week. I try to attend Wednesday nights service as much as possible because it’s a different teaching to Sunday service. The visiting overseas Pastors were Dr Keith Peetus and his wife Barbara Peetus, whose church I actually had the honour of visiting in Long Island, and Bishop Neville Noe and Pastor Kelvin Jonming.

It was also great to see a lot of local pastors taking part in the celebration like Pastor Ridley from Restoration Life and Pastor Simon Harris from the Ruimveldt Life Improvement Centre. The other event was the culture night where the young people performed some exceptional dances and songs. Saturday there was the Women’s and Men’s conference special service that brings down the curtains is scheduled for this afternoon at 14:00hrs and all are invited. Minister of State, Hon. Joseph Harmon will also be giving brief remarks. It will not be his first time at Love and Faith because he visits us occasionally. Churches and religious bodies have such an important part to play in the building of our nation and transforming lives.

“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” Jackie Robinson. I know 30 years were not all smooth sailing but the church made it. Big congratulations to Pastor Brooks and team for continuing to lead the way. Let’s continue to celebrate each other and acknowledge God and continue to enjoy this journey called LIFE BEYOND THE RUNWAY.