The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE NEW Holy Spirit Church of God is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary next week.

Having an impact on the community for 40 years is a major milestone for the church, which was established in 1973.

The anniversary celebration includes several church services from October 30 to November 3.

“Since we made it this far, I thought we would do a little extra and make it a little bit exciting. We have come from a very long way and we chose some very special speaker for this year’s celebration,” said Bishop Reuben Deleveaux.

The theme for this year’s anniversary celebration is ‘I have fought a good fight from the wilderness to the red sea, to the promised land.’

“I feel as though we have fought the good fight over those 40 years. I felt like a Moses leading the children of Israel throughout the wilderness, and the difficulties going on the country, and I have chosen to use that theme,” he said.

The speaker for the celebrations include Chief Apostle Leon Wallace, general overseer of Voice of Deliverance Disciple Center, Apostle Rodney Roberts of Five Porches Ministry, Prophet Bishop Lawrence Rolle, and Bishop Ross L Davis Golden Gates World Outreach Ministry.

“This is an awesome time for the church and especially for me after being in the ministry for 60 years. I started in ministry 1954, then I spent some years with my previous church. This is special because 1973 was the year the country became independent and they were difficult times. I feel as though I played a very important role to help build this country during that period by starting a religious movement in the Adelaide community. I started in the open air without no church building and eventually got to the place God desired us to be,” said Dr Deleveaux.

Dr Deleveaux recently obtained a Doctor of Theology degree from the Bethlehem School of Theology and Smith Christian University.

Dr Deleveaux has written several books including ‘Good News For The Sick And The Aged’, and ‘Marriage And The Family - And Why Was Our Marriage Was A Success For 50 years.’

He was also the recipient of The Queen’s Honour and The Global Vision Award in Leadership for long and dedicated service in religion.

Under Dr Deleveaux’s leadership the church has done great deal of evangelical work and outreach in various communities.

“We have been doing a lot over the years. We assisted the Children’s Emergency Hostel and the Morrison House. Every other month, including the end of the year we prepare special food items and give to the homes. We also work with the Geriatric Hospital. We also have a ministry where we visit AIDS patients and pray with them,” he said.

Over the years the church, which is situated in Nassau Village, has established a fellowship with neighbouring churches to implement programmes geared toward youth empowerment.

“I am now putting 40 years behind me. I am leaving everything up to the Lord going into the church’s future. Currently we are training some of our officers. I have my daughter in training who is looking forward to taking over the church.

“I am grateful for all of those who have a supported us over the years,” Dr Deleveaux said.