Church in United Front After Vote on Fraser

Mon, Mar 11th 2013, 12:14 PM

Members of Pilgrim Baptist Temple joined hands and sang with one voice throughout yesterday morning's worship service, a stark contrast to the division observed last week when members voted on whether imprisoned Bishop Earl Randolph Fraser would remain head of the church on St. James Road. Fraser is still officially head of the church, even though he is imprisoned for having sex with a 16-year-old girl who was placed in his care for counseling. Fraser's wife, Minister Jacqueline Fraser, led the vibrant and energetic congregation through a special service to recognize two of the church's elders, Pastor Philip Benjamin Bailey and Minister Blythe Bailey.

The honorees entered to a stellar round of applause before song erupted with the declaration "To God be the glory", which was followed by "I am praying for you" and "Keep on the firing line". The words from each hymn united around a common theme of forgiveness, perseverance and faithfulness. During fellowship, members walked the breadth of the church to embrace one another warmly in what became a rich social activity. However, on Wednesday night, there were no songs or displays of companionship as more than 100 members lined up to vote, which at one point erupted into a heated argument between two senior members.

The Nassau Guardian spoke to several members who expressed mixed views about the disgraced pastor. Though some members still supported his leadership, others argued that he should have already resigned and insisted his conviction had deeper implications. One member, who did not wish to be named, said it would be "unjust" for Fraser to lead the church, adding she was shocked there was so much support for him. The results of that poll reflected an "overwhelming majority" of members voted to keep Fraser, even though he is currently serving a three-year prison sentence.

The Court of Appeal last year condemned Fraser as a "sexual predator" who "disgustingly defiled the sanctum of his church" when it upheld his conviction for having sex with the teenage church member. But as members held hands during prayer and joined in song and intricate dance recitals, the controversy surrounding the church, tucked away off Shirley Street, gave way to a transcending service.

Pastor Leroy Major, who assumed Fraser's duties after his conviction, preached on the Christian journey; remaining faithful through life's trials; not taking the easy way out and being surrounded by Godly influences. He told the congregants the greatest challenges in their lives would determine their growth and they should not be shied away from, but embraced as a test of faith and spiritual endurance. "Growth is a product of resistance," Major said from the pulpit. "If you've never had resistance in your life you will never grow. If you never have resistance in your life you will never know how strong you are."

He continued, "When you go through hard times and when you go through troubles, go where God tells you to go. So often we don't listen to God; we listen to people." Though Fraser was not mentioned during the main service, Pastor Bailey thanked the pastor for directing he and his wife to ministry. The congregation applauded at the mention. "It is not the [people] who are normally honored that cause ministry to happen," Bailey said. "There has to be the inspiration of the Almighty and so I am grateful to him.

It has to also be directions from God to the pastor to appoint us to ministry, so I am grateful to Bishop Earl Randy Fraser. "Until he came, I was sitting on the third bench with my wife and we were not in ministry. We were simply members. And so, to him I am grateful. I am also grateful to his wife because he didn't come here by himself."

As the service came to a close, one of the church deacons told The Guardian to remember, "This is the Lord's house and not the leader's". According to the deacon, who did not wish to be named, the church's leadership will hold another membership meeting this week to discuss the way forward after last week's vote.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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