News
Elders and Deacons Ordination at the Blue Hills SDA Church
Published: December 3, 2009
By: Roy Lindsay
Photos by: Adrian Hinds
Saturday November 28, 2009 saw the ordination of two elders, Sonia Heastie and Michael Dean and two deacons, Ednol Siffrard and Paulin Nemours at the Blue Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church by Senior Pastor Richard Jackson. These individuals have served their local congregation with distinction for several years and have shown spiritual maturity.
Pastor Jackson in his exhortation to the ordinands urged them to "to walk with God, circumspectly, uprightly and with integrity." He said, "You must be careful where you allow your feet to take you. Your life is on the screen for everyone to see. Trust Jesus and continue to live for Him and He will grant you peace." He went on to outline the responsibilities of an elder and a deacon and charged the ordinands to live up to their responsibilities.
Ordained elders in the congregation were invited to join Pastor Jackson for the prayer of ordination. The ordinands were then presented to the congregation; members were given the opportunity to greet the newly ordained deacons and elders. Each ordinand received the books Christian Service and Testimonies for the Church.
Ednol Siffrard commenting on his ordination said, "I feel blessed to be ordained as a deacon. It′s a calling that I have accepted and I'm willing to be used by God in whatever way possible." He has been a very active youth in the Blue Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church; he has served the church as a deacon for two years and has been an active master guide in the Eagles Pathfinder club.
The evening was one of deep contemplation for the ordinands.
"I am honored yet humbled to be called to such a high calling. The position of a local elder is serious work and I take it very seriously and I am confident that God will equip me to do his work. I am willing to be used by God in service to others…", said Sonia Heastie, who has served the Blue Hills SDA as an elder for three years and is the present Youth Director of TCI Mission.
The evening ended on a high note as all left the service with a deeper understanding of service to God.