Eleven members from eight churches in the Kingston and Mandeville Regions will be commissioned and licensed as Associate Evangelists of the Church Army at a Service to be held on Sunday, November 16 at the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town, starting at 3.30 p.m.
Head of the Church Army, Sister Phyllis Thomas, says “These will be the first batch of Associate Evangelists in the Diocese; and they will bring to 18 the complement of officers in the Church Army whose members support evangelistic missions across the island, provide chaplaincy in hospitals and schools and serve as social workers.”
The persons to be commissioned and licensed are: Flo Angus of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Marverley; Stephanie Barrett of St. Paul’s Church, Chapelton; Ranford Campbell of St. Michael’s Church, Mavis Bank; Thera Edwards of the University Chapel, Mona; Agnes Hall and Clarence Hall of St. Mark’s Church, Mandeville; Marcia Hamilton of St. Luke’s Church, Cross Roads; Carol Howard of Holy Trinity Church, Linstead; Claudette Marshall of St. Luke’s Church, Cross Roads; Suzanne Shirley-Newnham of the University Chapel, Mona; and Colleen Tinker-Whyte of St. Paul’s Mission, Greater Portmore.
Sister Phyllis explains that they have successfully completed an intensive 18 month training programme which covered Biblical Studies; application of the Bible in ministry, as well as aspects of evangelism. “It has always been our aim to have trained persons involved in the mission of the Church in every Cure; and we hope that more persons will participate in this ministry,” the Church Army Head states.
As in the case of Supplementary Ministers, the Associate Evangelists will be attached to their respective churches.