Celebrating with his brother, Bishop Christopher Minnis, his 13th Pastoral Anniversary at Greater Bethel Cathedral, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert A. Minnis called on church and state to work together to curb the social ills plaguing the country.

The special mid-afternoon service was held Sunday, November 18, 2018 under the theme, “For the Earnest Expectation Anticipates a Magnificent Manifestation.” The sermon was delivered by Pastor Dwayne Fudge, Senior Pastor of the St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church, North Miami Beach, Florida.

Prime Minister Minnis congratulated Bishop Minnis on the achievement, after having stepped in following the passing of Bishop David Dawkins in November 2005.

And, he urged Bishop Minnis to continue to remain relevant in his teachings and incorporating technology, especially at the Sunday school level.

“While your message will never change, you must continue to review your methodologies,” the Prime Minister said. “Your message must be delivered in a way to keep the young people in the Church. Today’s messaging requires innovation and creativity.

According to the Prime Minister, a good church leader must be Christ-like in all his ways and possess excellent leadership qualities. He pointed out some of the qualities include integrity, honesty, capacity to love, compassion, respect for human dignity and a good reputation.

The Prime Minister also reflected upon the scripture, Romans chapter 10 vs. 14, which states: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”

He said although not everyone can be a good Pastor that “Yours Bishop Minnis is a calling. Yours is a vocation.”

In this vein, the Prime Minister reflected upon the reason why he entered politics; to help people, to lift people up.

Hence, the Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative came about -- to improve the quality of life for residents of that area.

The three key objectives being ensuring a safer community, cleaner community and encouraging inclusive economic and social empowerment, through community development.

“In my government’s bold initiatives program, we introduced electronic tablets to pre-school students at Willard Patton School,” the Prime Minister said. “We are in public life to make a difference. We are duty bound to demonstrate love, not only in words, but in our deeds.”

The Prime Minister then called on State and Church to work together in the crusade to eradicate poverty and to address the social ills, which beset the communities.

“As we work together to build a stronger Bahamas, it is important that the Church remain relevant,” he said. “I am of the view that the Church and the State must work together to eradicate poverty and improve the quality of life for our Bahamians.”

The Prime Minister commended Bishop Minnis and his wife Melony and their children in ministry -- Christopher Minnis, Jr., who serves as Youth Minister; Shanika Minnis who heads the Media Department; and Myra Minnis -- Minister of Music for the work they are doing in the church and the community at large.

(PM – Remarks at Greater Bethel Cathedral)
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert A. Minnis brings remarks at the 13th Pastoral Anniversary Service of his brother, Bishop Christopher Minnis at Greater Bethel Cathedral, on Sunday, November 18, 2018. (BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe)

(Congregation)
Congregation at the Pastoral Anniversary service. (BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe)

By Lindsay Thompson