Two new ministers have been ordained in the Presbyterian Church of T&T bringing to 32 the number of ministers in the local church.
During a ceremony at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church in San Fernando, Cynara Dube-Khan wiped away her tears as she was ordained as the 13th female minister. Bjorn Warde, the son of PCTT’s general secretary Terrence Warde smiled as he was ordained. Warde urged his son and Dube-Khan to remain humble.
“You have made the Curepe/St Joseph Pastoral Region proud; and son, you have made our family proud.
“Our home Church St Joseph Presbyterian is elated that you will now become, after this service, the first PCTT-Ordained Minister from that church after 139 years of its existence,” Warde said.
He said Bjorn will continue his Ministry in the San Juan/Santa Cruz/Woodbrook Pastoral Region.
“Being ambassadors of Christ for the PCTT, especially when on the world stage, is an honour. I urge you to take advantage of opportunities for further study when they do come along. Stay sharp and focussed,” Warde added.
He noted that humility is the “single most important characteristic that any Minister should possess.”
“Remember, no matter how much you accomplish or achieve, let humility be the one characteristic that remains with you. It will keep you grounded and relevant,” he added.
Warde also said Bjorn was elected to serve on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to represent the Caribbean for the next eight years and is the youngest person to be on this committee from this region.
He told the newly-minted ministers that they should always be guided by the spirit of discernment.
“Listen, observe, learn the culture of the region and discern with thoughtful prayer before making decisions.
“Always remember that ministers come and ministers go, but the people of the region will always be there.
“Add value to your region, managing time, the region’s finances and people, and keeping focussed on compassionate pastoral care is essential,” Warde added.
He also had a message for the spouses of Dube-Khan and Bjorn.
“Cherisse and Kris, be prepared for the times when you have to sacrifice family time for the work of the Church.
“A minister’s time can be so divided. It is something you will have to live with, as long as this blessed, sacred vocation is a part of your lives,” he added.
The Moderator of the PCTT Rev Joy Abdul-Mohan performed the ordination.
Rev Sanya Beharry who also spoke stressed that their ministries should be pronounced by prophecy and truth-telling, prayer, and prudence.
