Published 26 February 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
PM Harris underscores power of payer: It is prayers that brought Team Unity in Government
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, February 26, 2018 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris said on Sunday February 25 that Team Unity Administration is celebrating its third year in Government because of the will of God, and gave credit to the people who prayed without ceasing when things appeared rather uncompromising.
“You will recall that this moment would not have been possible had it not been for the will of God and the support of the people,” said Dr Harris at the Calvary Baptist Tabernacle in Romney’s Ground, Sandy Point, where the Team Unity Administration attended a church service as part of the anniversary week of activities, held under the theme ‘Opening Doors and Creating Opportunities Through Service and Empowerment’.
“When we started this new journey of creating something new, something different for the Federation in terms of what was said in the political backstage – many said it wouldn’t happen – and yet through the will of God, it has happened and today we are celebrating our third anniversary.”
“It is prayers that brought us in government and it is prayers that are going to keep us there,” said the Prime Minister. “To all the prayer warriors, many, many thanks from the bottom of my heart, and in particular I want to remember one calling all the way from the State of Florida to shower us with prayers and good wishes, Nurse Sylvia Garnett.”
Nurse Garnett, who was in the congregation, was asked to stand to be acknowledged. The Prime Minister also mentioned other prayer warriors who fought the spiritual battle, and two who were in church, Mrs Sonia Henry and Mr Ericson ‘Wixie’ Wescott, were also asked to stand for recognition.
“There were many others who prayed, because prayer can make a difference, prayer can cause you to cross the great seas, prayer can take you from the valley up to the mountaintops, prayer can change fear into courage, and prayer can give you the stamina to make a difference,” said Dr Harris.
The Prime Minister added: “I hope over the last three years that we as a team have been working diligently and properly to fulfil the commitments that we have made to you, but most importantly we pledge always that we will be a team of persons in service to the country and we will spend every working moment to make St. Kitts and Nevis the best place in which anyone can live, and thank you all of you for your prayers.”
Attending the service were the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton, Governor General’s Deputy Mr Michael Morton, members of the Team Unity Government’s Cabinet, His Excellency Ambassador Michael Powell, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr Osmond Petty, and Special Advisor to the Minister of Youth, Mr Vernon Connor.
Prime Minister Harris recognised all his Cabinet colleagues, starting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Area Parliamentary Representative, the Hon Shawn Richards, and Ministers the Hon Lindsay Grant, the Hon Eugene Hamilton, the Hon Ian Patches Liburd, the Hon Vincent Byron, and the Hon Wendy Phipps. He brought apologies from Senior Minister the Hon Vance Amory who was travelling to Haiti for a Heads of Government meeting where he was standing in for the Prime Minister, and from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon Mark Brantley, who was unable to come.
Prime Minister Harris told the congregation that the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton, was a powerful influence on the government. He pointed out that the Governor General had vast experience accumulated over many years in government and in private sector, and in doing charitable work.
“I want to thank him for the counsel he has given me and the Cabinet colleagues in moments of difficulties and even when things are going good, how we can improve and how we can do better,” said Dr Harris. “Without his counsel, many things would not have happened.”
Dr Harris mentioned that some of the things that would have happened included the naming of the Right Excellent Dr Hon Sir Kennedy Simmonds as the first living National Hero, the awarding of the Companion of the Star of Merit (C.S.M.) to Mr Calvin Farrier, who was in church, and the honouring of Mr Kim Collins.
Ms Myrtilla Williams and Bishop Ron Collins were recognised by the Prime Minister for having organised the service, and he observed that the church service held in Nevis on Sunday February 18 was organised by Bishop Ron Collins and Ms Lorna Hunkins.
“Ms Myrtilla Williams and Bishop Ron Collins were the two persons who have done the brunt of the work in organising what has been a nearly two weeks of celebrations which started with the first sitting of the parliament and we continued with activities every day and last Monday when we met in Nevis,” said Dr Harris.
He added: “We extended it on the request of the Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Hon Ian Patches Liburd, so that on Monday afternoon February 26 at 4:00 pm at Port Zante at the Arrivals Hall, we will have a grand ceremony where we will be witnessing the signing of the documents for the building of the second cruise pier.”
The service, whose topic was ‘Doing whatever it takes to succeed’, was led by Senior Pastor Rev Dr Calvin O. Hazel. He told his congregation that the country has a government that cares about its people, and while advising that winners are finishers he said “Unity Government, God is with you. Continue working for the people. God brought you into the Kingdom to work.”
At the end of the service, Senior Pastor Hazel called to the front the Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet and asked a church elder to anoint them.
ENDS
Pix captions:
1: Senior Pastor Rev Dr Calvin O. Hazel of the Calvary Baptist Tabernacle (right) preparing members of the Team Unity Administration’s Cabinet for anointing.
2: Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris addressing the congregation.
3: Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Shawn Richards reading the scriptures.
4: Prayer Warrior: Nurse Sylvia Garnett stands in church for recognition and acknowledgment.
5: Members of the Senior Calvary Baptist Tabernacle Choir perform in church.
