Yesterday, the entire nation rested for the observation of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day public holiday, but last Saturday, the streets of San Fernando were filled with worshippers who adorned themselves in traditional Baptist apparel and preached the word of the Lord. They came from all over the southern region as the Universal Ecclesiastical Order of Spiritual Baptist held its ninth annual prayer rally. Among the churches were Mt Carmel, St Uriah, St Michael and others. Worshippers gathered from early as 8 am at the Spiritual Baptist monument at Carib Street, San Fernando as they begun their day with hymns and prayers.
This monument was presented to the city of San Fernando by the Baptist community to mark the first National Shouter Baptist Day. Reverend Leon John preached to those gathered and told them that they should get to know God if they did not know him. He said that if you want to survive and have eternal life God is the only way and that the wages of sin is death. Many who gathered were in high spirits as Brother Monty led them in song, accompanied by drums, bells and tambourines. The procession began its march through the streets of San Fernando ministering to the community in song under sunny conditions.
Many spectators and store workers came out to view the procession. The procession then assembled at the National Insurance Board building on Harris Promenade, site of another Spiritual Baptist monument, this one representing the site of the first Baptist church in Trinidad and Tobago, established by the late Archbishop Elton Griffith. However, the procession was met with locked gates. Rev John said that they would usually be opened but he was not aware of why the gate was locked. The worshippers, in high spirits, still prayed from the outside and then proceeded to the Harris Promenade band stand where they met with their elders.
San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray addressed the congregation and told them that the time had come for them to place emphasis on the elders.
"We are not making good use of the elders knowledge and skills in the our communities," she said.
The Mayor also called on Baptist women to help in the initiative the City Corporation has undertaken to help the street children of the city.