It appears that as Anguilla develops, becoming a changing society on all fronts, religion, which has been a long-time contributor to the spiritual lives of the island’s people, is also becoming more aggressive in its companionship role.

The Dedication Service in progress

This seems to be borne out by the formal establishment and dedication on Sunday, July 29, of Destiny Church, Anguilla, West Indies whose founder is another young pastor, Gareth Hodge, who has joined a long list of young men who have branched off into new ministries on the island. Pastor Hodge, until recently the Assistant Minister at the Hilltop Baptist Church, has followed closely on the heels of Pastors James and Patricia Harrigan, a husband and wife team, who some two months ago, dedicated the No Walls Church after having branched off from the Church of God of Prophecy.

The Dedication Service in progress

There were twenty-two male and female pastors at the dedication service along with some two hundred other persons from throughout the island. The new church is attractively housed in the building once used by Merchants Market located just west of the Anguilla Drugstore.

Pastor Gareth’s sister, Ethne, leading out in song

“My vision for this Church began thirty-one years ago,” Pastor Hodge said as he addressed the congregation and related how he became a Christian at the age of 16, while at High School, and began ‘‘teaching and preaching” at just over 17. “Why Destiny?” he went on, referring to the name of his Church. “My role in life is to help you find why you are here in this world so that your life may be meaningful and fulfilling… and I want people to find their joy.”

He continued: “It is not about me. It is about people: the island community on a whole. That’s why we call it Destiny Church, Anguilla. Anguilla is an island community – East End to West End and because of this the whole island is our mission field and one day when we think we have done our job in Anguilla we will change it from Destiny Church, Anguilla to Destiny Church, Caribbean. The vision for this Church is big.”

Prayer of Dedication for Pastor Gareth and wife, Joan, by Pastor Harrigan

He was grateful to Pastor Davis Lloyd, with whom he previously served for all his assistance and for nurturing him in the ministry. He also expressed gratitude for the support of his wife, Joan, his other family and fellow pastors.

One of the officiating Ministers was Anguillian Pastor Elliott J. Harrigan, who serves in Philadelphia. In his address he spoke about the importance of an understudy in the ministry and the need for the church to progress to meet the shifting needs of the society. He said that in Anguilla, where some frightening things were happening, the church had its greatest opportunity to become involved and to transform the situation.

The Reverend Dr. Ambrose Richardson, Senior Pastor at the Christian Fellowship Church, gave words of exhortation and encouragement to Pastor Hodge. He emphasised the importance of leadership, discipline, honesty and transparency which he said were among the fine qualities that any pastor should pursue in his ministry.

The keynote address was delivered by Pastor Dexter Skepple, a visitor from St. Croix, who has also been conducting special evening services at Destiny Church. He spoke largely on the power of positive thinking, living and leadership and urged Pastor Hodge to carry forward the mission of the Church, ever seeking divine guidance.

During the service there was the unveiling and dedication of the pulpit by Pastors Cecil Richardson and Jerome Harrigan, the Act of Dedication by Pastor Desouza, the Prayer of Dedication by Pastor Elliott Harrigan and the launching of the Church’s website, WWW.DESTINYCHURCHANGUILLA.COM created by Pastor Hodge’s sons. Various other pastors participated in other activities during the dedication service.

The programme was chaired by Timothy Hodge, brother of Pastor Gareth Hodge.

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