PASTOR Clavis Duke wasn’t always a “man of the cloth,” having worked in the bauxite company and after retirement, he was recommended for the ministerial position in his church by the original pastor, who was migrating.

It was a big step and Duke took hold of it with both hands and today, he is ministering to the people via the church and is well-known and well-liked in the community.

Duke told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was a welder/fabricator with the bauxite company in Linden and was appointed the president for the Mines and Metal General Workers Union in 2002.

He added that he was instrumental in the handing over process of Linmine to RUSAL and he spent about 29 years in the bauxite company.

Duke, a country boy from #40 Village, West Coast Berbice, left his home village in search of work and journeyed to Linden to stay with his sister, who was residing there and he gained employment with the bauxite company at a young age.

He was fresh out of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) after a two-year stint to become qualified in welding/fabricating.

“I wanted to go to the University of Guyana (UG) to further my studies, but things did not work out in that regard, so I had to change my perspective after I met a young lady and got married and settled in Blueberry Hill,” he said.

Duke pointed out that Blueberry Hill wasn’t developed back then, and it was overgrown with bushes and it had some small tracks and back alleys, after which people began clearing the land and settled there after building houses.

“I understand that this village which is a hilltop place had a lot of blueberry plants growing all over and that is how the name [was] derived, but I am not sure but from what I heard it was called New Jersey Hill and there are good people here. We get along and it is a very family-oriented place to raise a family,” he said.

Duke stated that he has been living in Blueberry Hill for the past 40 years and is residing at the same house which belonged to his mother-in-law and after she passed away, her daughter which is his wife, inherited the property.

The pastor reported that the village has good citizens who help each other and connect well because the people are not selfish and look out for each other and live in a manner that is pleasing.

Duke is the pastor of Bethel Tabernacle Assembly of God Church at Yhap Alley, Blueberry Hill, and he has on roll 150 members.

“I took over from the pastor, who was migrating at the time, 20 years ago but I was a member of the church and I played the guitar and I was guided for the position and fulfilled my true calling to serve the Lord and the people,” he said.

Duke was a deacon on the board of directors of the church, after which he became the pastor and is the father of four.

The religious leader told the Pepperpot Magazine that whenever they get things together such as groceries, they would arrange hampers to their members and people in the community.

The church also assists students going to schools out of town with a monetary donation to offset travelling expenses.

Duke noted that they would have outreaches, crusades and minister to people via the internet and phones due to the pandemic, as they do not host large gatherings for worship services.

“My main aim is to win souls for the Lord through the church and through evangelistic programmes; people are drawn to the religion and teachings,” he said.

Duke’s wife, Ann Duke, is the Assistant Pastor and she has a church of her own in Blueberry Hill.

The pastor added that they often try to interact with the villagers to get an idea of their needs and assess how they can assist, because they want to bring about change in people’s lives.

“And more than ever now with the pandemic, we need to support each other and allow the Lord to take charge to bring about change for a better people and country. Togetherness is essential for growth,” he said.