Caribbean Baptist Pastors Unite In Mission

[CDBCA Member pastors: Revds. Banmattie Ram, Michael Friday, Marvia Lawes, Delroy Reid-Salmon]

Uniting as the Caribbean Diaspora Baptist Clergy Association (CDBCA) Inc, Baptist pastors living and working outside of their Caribbean homelands have formed an alliance to advance the mission of God. Together, we affirm a common calling to exercise ministry to and among Caribbean peoples scattered across the Americas.

Over 250 persons from the Caribbean Community and Baptist churches in North America, Jamaica, and Panama were present to witness this historic and long anticipated event. A special celebratory service was held on Sunday March 30, 2008 at the Grace Baptist Chapel, Bronx, New York.

Dr. Delroy Reid-Salmon pastor of Grace Baptist Church, and first Chairperson of the newly inaugurated CDBCA likened the event to the birth of a new child. It was the culmination of nearly 15 years of discussions between the earliest Jamaican pastors serving in New York and the leadership of the Jamaica Baptist Union.

JBU President Stephen Jennings

Rev. Stephen Jennings, President of the Jamaica Baptist Union brought greetings on behalf of that denomination. Rev. Eron Henry brought greetings on behalf of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), and Rev. Peter Pinder spoke for the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF).

Among the other distinguished guests present at the service was Dr. Anthony Reddie, British Black Theologian. In his greetings he acknowledged his Jamaica Baptist lineage or ‘roots’ and shared how he became Methodist in Britain because his family was denied membership in a white Baptist church when they migrated to Britain in the 1960′s.

Such is the story of the Caribbean Diaspora. The evening encouraged the sharing of stories in the rich fellowship that followed. It was particularly interesting to listen to others share their experiences of being in North America and not being able to fit into an African-American congregation. It is far more common than I thought.

Dr. Horace Russell, the speaker at the service, challenged the Caribbean Diaspora to remember who we are, and to recapture the power of memory and not forget where we came from. We are indeed singing songs in foreign lands. At the end of the message, pastors who were members of the CDBCA entered in an act of commitment to serve the Diaspora through this mission agency.

The Caribbean Diaspora Baptist Clergy Association is well on its way. There are many exciting projects and plans already in the pipeline. The personnel to get the job done are the approximately 13 member pastors including 2 women pastors (Rev. Banmattie Ram from Guyana now residing in New York and I working in Panama).

So I braved the cold weather, padded up in warm clothes from head to toe and I’m happy that I did not miss being a part of this momentous occasion. We anticipate some great things in the Caribbean and the Americas as God use this Association of Caribbean pastors and their congregations in mission.

Want to know more about the CDBCA and how you can partner with us? Send me a note marvia(at)marviaspanamajournal(dot)com for further details. We anticipate your prayers and support.

Still thawing out,
Marvia