Editorial

Bishop Everton Thomas … Admonishes his Congregation … “Leave Marion Alone” Do not bombard her for autographs …

Bishop Everton Thomas
Bishop Everton Thomas

Lady Saw

It was a bright sunny Christmas Sunday 27th December 2015, the Emmanuel Apostolic Church was almost filled, as members, visitors, returning residents, some overseas converts, probably some back sliders, and others made their usual “pilgrimage” to their place of birth, place of worship … in their colours. The atmosphere was electrifying, even spectacular,
as the best finery was chosen, linens, the shoes, the tailored suits, the hand bags … they wore them all … a scene to behold was unfolding before our eyes …. a captive audience, if there was ever one. Bishop Everton chose for his theme:

“Touching People with Love”

It flashed on the overhead projector …his image projected majestically over his revered congregants ….

It was show time and Elder Mark in a most eloquent and flamboyant manner introduced the Presiding Bishop of Emmanuel Apostolic Church, (EAC), Everton Thomas, who succeeded his late father Bishop S.U. Thomas, located at 12 Slipe Road, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

Elder Mark reminded that the just concluded play (the naivety scene) was great, but the word was what we all came for … his introduction was impacting, appropriate, and timely …

Bishop Everton had a lot on his mind as he grasped the mike and had to get it off quickly … more quickly than an eagle would have wanted to soar … he had barely begun to address the nearly packed converted Tropical Theatre that now houses a powerful mass choir, orchestra and a hosts of EVANGELISTS, AND MISSIONARIES … this former theatre is better known for having been transformed to become the Emmanuel Apostolic Church. He began to rant about which “tree to pitch on and which not to” ….Bishop Everton likened Marion to an eagle going through various stages of transformation. Marion Hall o/c Lady Saw, the undisputed former queen of dancehall, was recently baptized at Emmanuel to much fanfare … it made previous column inches carried by Vision Newspaper Canada.

“Christmas is the reason for the Season” … Bishop boldly uttered.

The ABCs of Christmas … “I want to draw your attention to 2 Corinthians 8 & 9. For you know the Grace of Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his property might be rich”. (KJV).

“A million Jamaican dollars is nothing. There are various categories of richness, ordinary rich, average rich they fly first call … super rich charter the airline. The extraordinary rich own the airline. Hebrews 1 vs 3 & John 17. He is the first born … the chief cornerstone, the King of Kings the Lord of Lords.

We see people to say grouping through darkness. He was rich, but Jesus became poor. We were made poor ’cause our business folded. He became poor …”

Turning to the buzz in religious if not secular circles, the dramatic conversion of former dancehall superstar Marion Hall better known as Lady Saw. Likely still basking in the dramatic conversion of Marion, the Bishop continuing …

“I prophesied that Marion would be on the world stage … on TBN like T. D. Jakes one day …” to loud applause.

“Leave her alone, do not bombard her for autographs … she wants to be out of the limelight … that is why she accepted the Lord.” to muted cheers …

“Eagles go as eagles do … they rise to the top … you have lost your feathers, he will soar you to the top. God is preparing you for new feathers …

The world will see more stretched hands … your hands in the name of God … he was rich that we may become …. before Bethlehem … in glorious splendour. He was rich in eternity … he became poor. A stable in rags, lying by a trough, the lowliest of places ….

He was rich because of Christmas, you are rich because of Christ … there is guilt by association. If you hang out with a criminal … birds of a feather flock together … do you see what I see … I am rich by association … I have a little talk with Him. Every where I go … I am ….

They call it the incarnation … and the word became flesh and dwelt among us and moved into the neighborhood. Jesus moved in the neighborhood …He moved into my neighborhood. If a prophet moved into my neighborhood the price of real estate goes up. I am rich. because of Christmas.

He accepted rejection, lived a solitary life 2000 years ago … He lived a humble life …for 3 years he lived an itinerant life … did not own a home … he did not travel more than 200 miles .. went teaching, counseled scholars … the tide of popularity … of popular opinion turned against him … He was put among thieves, crucified … buried in a shallow tomb. He was by virgin birth … a unique birth, did miracles, raised the dead, came back from the dead. Four days after, (Lazarus died) He raised Lazarus from the dead … rolled away the stone … none of us could take the stench … he just rolled away the stone. GOD HAS A LOT TO DO FOR YOU … I AM RICH BECAUSE OF CHRIST … I AM RICH BECAUSE OF CHRIST. GIVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR A HI FI … IT IS FINISHED, HE GAVE UP THE GHOST … NO MAN WILL TAKE MY LIFE …HE GAVE UP THE GHOST … at 12 noon the time was as black as night … I respect your right to worship whomever you choose brother man, but you have a lot to convert me … my GOD performed miracles . He went down into hell and brought up the keys. Baptizing them in the Name … kings of kings … prince of peace … give me Jesus in the morning … give me Jesus in the evening …

Say to your neighbour … I am rich because of Christ. Raise your hands and worship … I am rich because of Christ. If any man being in Christ he is a new creation. It is Grace by association … Bishop I do not deserve him … da … it is grace, God’s Grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!”

Altar call … “Tamika going to be baptized today … while the world is going wild … Baptism … the best news you will ever hear but the real essence of this life is to accept Jesus … don’t leave here until you have accepted Jesus … you can join this sister … if you need a special prayer … come, come, come … altar workers where, where are you … they are coming … there is power in the name of God … you have a soul to be saved. There is every power to break every chains. You are going through some struggles in your financial affairs, in your personal relationships …

Likely still basking from his recent success of Marion’s conversion … the goodly bishop was jubilant …

Closing song … “There is power in the name of Jesus”

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie, Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist attended Emmanuel Apostolic Church on the 27th December 2015 and filed this report for Vision Newspaper Canada.

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