God’s Revival Ministry Church
God’s Revival Ministry Church in Canvas City (Carl Croker photos)
God’s Revival Ministry Church in Canvas City (Carl Croker photos)

– Giving back to society despite challenges

Senior Pastor Murlene Dowding is attached to God’s Revival Ministry Church located in Canvas City, Wismar, Linden and is doing all she can to minister to the people even during the pandemic which has been taxing on everyone.

She explained that with schools out they have been trying to engage the children in church activities to keep them occupied but still have all COVID-19 protocols in place.

When the team visited they had a practice session for an upcoming virtual concert over the weekend.

Senior Pastor, Murlene Dowding and Pastor Roger Rogers

Dowding added that they would meet in small groups on different days for worship service and they have a few meetings in between. She related that the church has been struggling since it is an old building which needs to be re-painted and fenced and they have been trying to maintain their feeding programme but needs a little help with the essentials.

This church also has a choir and band and presently the aged band needs to be replaced with a new one and are hoping that they would receive a donation to assist in that regard.

For adult membership they have about 40 while they have about 30 children in attendance.

Senior Pastor Dowding reported that after two pastors died and another took over she was trained for the position she currently holds and took over from Pastor Mariah, who is ministering at a church on the East Bank Demerara.

The children in a practice session for their upcoming concert

The journey to pastorhood has been challenging but she is still learning and finds peace in serving God.

Meanwhile, Pastor Roger Rogers told the Pepperpot Magazine that he would lend support to the youth arm of the church to ensure they practice and whatever events they have are successful.

He was in the process of supervising the recital of dancing, ballroom dancing, slow and fast dances, and poetry, singing, solo and group songs for this weekend’s concert.

The children in a practice session for their upcoming concert

Rogers stated that God’s Revival Ministry Church has been in existence for more than 50 years and it is a weathered building that needs upgrading but finances are tight.

The Pastor added that they are playing their part in the community by giving back through their feeding programme and many activities for the children.

“This church is the light in the village and we practice what we preach in fostering peace, unity, harmony and togetherness among the people and members,” he said.

Rogers pointed out that during this period, they have engaged the children in church activities such as film shows, concerts and talent shows, wholesome family entertainment.

He reported that the door of the church is always open and anyone can visit to be counselled, to have a talk or worship and reach out to him or any member if they feel the need.

Some of the young church members

Rogers noted that the concert which was scheduled for August 28 from 14:00hrs to 18:00hrs would be staged in the auditorium of the church and would be a live programme to avoid any large gatherings and more than 25 children were expected to participate.

The Pastor was in church devoting his time and expertise to assist the children in pulling off a good show.

Rogers is from West Watooka and he is a respected resident and member of the church.

He disclosed that God’s Revival Ministry is a church with a lot of elders and they are working with the youths to take control of the services.

“With the pandemic we realised that as a church we had to do something to keep the children occupied so we organised shows and concert to have them busy,” he said.

Rogers stated that the church is a part of the community and they are doing what they can with limited resources to minister and reach out to the people to fulfil their mandate as a religious organisation.

The pastor noted that the church is there to stay and they are willing to partner with other agencies and the private sector to upgrade the building and launch newer initiatives to give back to society.

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