Pastor Rex Major leads the list of 24 people to be honored for their contributions to not only the church, but to family and community development, and for making a difference, at the 13th Bahamas National Gospel Excellence Awards.
Pastor Major, who will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the awards banquet on Monday, May 28, came together recently with the other honorees at Evangelic Assembly Church at Baillou Hill Road and Fleming Street to worship together at a service of recognition and blessing.
"For as long as I've known myself, Dr. Rex Major has been in the trenches of Christian work, having been in the gospel ministry for 60-plus years," said Rev. Patrick Smith, chairman of the awards committee. "Rev. Major is like what Billy Graham is to Americans. He has that kind of impact, and he's been that type of person throughout The Bahamas, internationally and the Caribbean. He will be given the highest award as one who has touched lives," said Rev. Smith.
Anglican priest Rev. Gilbert Thompson will be honored with the Bishop Michael Eldon Christian Heritage Award, as he exemplifies what Bishop Michael Eldon was all about - being in contact with the common man and offering committed service to them.
"Bishop Thompson isn't just an icon in the Anglican tradition, he's an icon around the entire Bahamas. He's one of those persons who moves beyond religious barriers like Bishop Michael Eldon did. He gives great service to the community and to the church."
And according to Smith, Pastor William 'Jay' Simms, pastor at Christian Life Church, is being honored with the Christian Ministry award because of the impact he has made, and for his ability to minister to all and sundry, along with his influence on religious education.
"We are honoring people from within the Christian community who have made invaluable contributions, not only to the church, but to family and community development in terms of helping people, and making a difference in their community and church life," said Rev. Smith.
The awards were introduced to recognize the work that people do that often goes unnoticed. Initially it started off as a musical thing and evolved into what it is today, where people are nominated in various categories.
This year's list of awardees, according to Rev. Smith, is a good selection of people the committee is proud to honor and say thanks to.
Paulamae Bethel was honored for her role as an educator, having played a vital role in the lives of thousands of Bahamian children. Bethel is one of those persons Rev. Smith said did not receive her due honor, which is why they chose to recognize her.
Jack Thompson, director of immigration, was honored with the national service award.
"Apart from his daily jobs, he's always helping people and he does these things out of his heart, so he was an excellent choice for the overall national service award," said Rev. Smith.
Rev. Eric Johnson from Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, received the youth development honor for his development of youth on the island for more than 40 years at St. Stephen's Baptist Church.
San Salvador's Ishmael Major was recognized as one of those people who diligently work in the trenches, and who people call on for organizational help when it comes to events for the youth of the community. Rev. Smith said Major is a master organizer, as he outlined the reasons why he was given the community service award.
Deaconness Autrey Russell from Bailey Town, Bimini, was also awarded with a community service award for having a home that anyone could go to.
"She cooks for everyone - not only her family. And they can also get an encouraging word at the same time. She is involved in all of the community activities," said Rev. Smith.
Sister Sister Breast Cancer (Support) Group President Andrea Sweeting was given the humanitarian award.
"She's an advocate for disseminating information on breast cancer and has been doing an awesome job in organizing women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has this passion about helping women to understand the importance of knowing their own bodies and what is happening with it," he said.
Reverend Janet Smith-Butler who runs Unity House was awarded with the humanitarian award, having been an advocate for caring for the elderly for more than 30 years.
"She has this awesome responsibility, and we're giving her a national thank you," said Rev. Smith.
Prophetess Helen Duncanson was honored with the Intercessory Award. Rev. Smith described her as a legitimate and genuine host to hundreds of people weekly. He said that she's always available to people who need counseling and prayer.
Minister Clint Watson, Brother Jermaine Lester Dames, Brother Timothy Bailey and Evangelist Eugene Munroe were all recognized with music ministry awards.
Rev. Smith said that Watson and his group Shaback has blown the gospel music world away, and his brand of music has opened up the radio airwaves to playing gospel music because his style reaches everyone. He said that Dames was being honored for his involvement with a music ministry from Pentecostal Baptist Church, an association of churches called the Morning Star Baptist Association and the Youth Chorale for the National Baptist Convention. He is presently the music director for the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Bahamas Chapter.
Bailey is being honored because of the effort he puts into grooming the youth in the area of music ministry.
Although Munroe is a behind-the-scenes kind of person who few people know, Rev. Smith said he galvanizes his musical friends to help raise funds for whoever needs it.
Husband and wife Norris and Margaret McDonald were honored with the family development award. The couple has been married for 60-plus years and were selected to showcase to people that marriage is honorable and can work.
Receiving women of excellence awards were Betty Lewis, who was given the Mother Alrena Smith Meritorious Award, named after Rev. Smith's mother; Rev. Barbara Gibson, Pastor Claudine Virgil and Deaconess Geraldine Ferguson.
"Lewis is known as a woman of excellence and a helpful lady in church activities, no matter the church," said Rev. Smith. "She is receiving the award named after my mother, I always try to get someone with my mother's spirit, a person who is a humanitarian and a helpful worker."
He said that Gibson is known as a community-minded person in her Crooked Island community, who anyone can call on.
Virgil had always been instrumental working with her father in the church and when he passed away a few years ago she took over the mantel at Philadelphia Baptist Church where she has been a main driving force.
Ferguson was described as an all-around lady who is the epitome of excellence in women and youth affairs, particularly in the Baptist convention.
Receiving the changing a generation youth award were Pastor Vaughn Miller, Minister Lionel Elliot and Brother Tyrone Romer. Rev. Smith said that Miller, Elliot and Romer have been instrumental in youth development.

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