People need to look at where they are compared to where they came from and have hope and never give up, according to Reverend Carla Culmer as Wesley Methodist Church members celebrated their 173rd anniversary.
"I want people to remember that God is positioning us to move forward and continue to make His word relevant in the age we are in now," said Rev. Culmer during the Sunday sermon. "While God's word does not change, I believe it is important that we as a Christian people see that it is our duty to reach out in this digital age. We have so many unchurched in our communities and we cannot ignore them which is why I challenge believers to undergo their own self-discovery as to what their work for God entails. We all have tasks that God gives us and I hope more of us take the time to listen and hear what God has planned for our lives."
The pastor encouraged her members to do their part in making the Word relevant to every age and every person. And she said that although the church had been around for over a century it always aimed to find ways to bring the message in a new way to people. And she said it was this quality a great church must have.
"Much like the poem, 'Till All the Jails are Empty' by Carl P. Daw Jr., which speaks about the level of global peace, social fulfillment and perfection the world must be in, before the church's job is done. Christians today need to keep on doing their job," said the minister. "No matter how old you may be, or how much you have accomplished, if there is one unsaved person, one suffering soul your job is not done. As long as there is a church, there is work for a Christian. I hope to inspire more people to do their best and not just suffice in their own salvation but look to help those who are still lost."
The minister acknowledged the recent rough years, and how hard the lives of some individuals have been. She reminded them that the storm would end, but that they must carry on. That there is always hope in the church and that they should not despair -- despite their situations.
She told them that God still loves them and will provide for them if they believe in Him and continue to do good works. And that what they are going through physically, mentally and spiritually is a test from God and that they will see the end if they believe.
Rev. Culmer encouraged people to continue to seek help and counsel at church before they make a mistake that may be more costly than they are willing to pay. And she reminded them that everyone is a child of God which means everyone is their brother's keeper. She urged them to be compassionate, look out for one another and to never be shy about seeking help in their darkest hour.
Rev. Culmer's message was one she hoped the congregation would remember as the church continues to find ways to grow and provide for the community in the many years to come.
The Grants Town Wesley Methodist Church was established in 1839. It was originally a wooden one-story structure neatly walled on three sides with a fenced front. In 1869, the first stone chapel was erected but was destroyed by a hurricane in 1926 and rebuilt in 1929. According to records, extensive repairs and renovations were carried out and the result is the structure that stands today on the corner of Baillou Hill Road and Chapel Street.
The church, which was established soon after the abolition of slavery in The Bahamas and catered to less than 100 members, initially has grown steadily throughout the years to a congregation size of well over a 1,000 members. Besides its weekly Sunday services, the iconic church in the Grants Town community and has remained active in the community even today through several ministries such as prayer groups, bible study, visitations teams, Sunday school, the Wesley guild, youth and young adult meetings, women's league, men's fellowship, Boys and Girls Brigade, Brownies, Girl Guides, a day nursery, junior choir, soup kitchen and brass band.
The members of Wesley Methodist Church celebrated its anniversary with midweek renewal services to an island challenge competition on Methodist history and songs to a scavenger hunt for the young people, along with a Saturday morning prayer breakfast.

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