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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, March 21, 2022 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris was among the political, religious, business and community leaders to welcome the official opening of the new Pentecostal Church of God at Boone Street, Basseterre, during a special service held on Sunday, March 20, 2022.

“Congratulations to the church’s leadership for your great faithfulness and love. You have fought a good fight to get this edifice built,” Prime Minister Harris said, while noting that the challenge now is “convincing others that Jesus must be the Rock on which our anchor holds.”

While delivering brief remarks at Sunday’s service, Prime Minister Harris stated the opening of this new house of worship is a positive development, as he noted that what is needed in this country during these difficult times are more worshipping and praise to God.

“Our world has been in a tailspin for the last two years, fighting a veritable battle against an unseen virus that was disabling and taking the lives of millions of persons around the world. God in his mercy and grace brought the pharmaceuticals, the health professionals and eventually the vaccine to help us through this major pandemic, which has left millions of us poorer and more vulnerable. The forgoing realities tell us that all things, including wisdom, comes from God and we should lean not on our own understanding. It helps us to understand in some ways why we need more churches, not less,” Dr. Harris said.

The honourable Prime Minister also spoke of the roles world leaders should play to protect the rights and freedom of all to worship freely.

“Part of what we as secular leaders of our country have to do to assist is that we must play our roles at the policy level to ensure our religious freedoms, justice and equity for one and all for that is God’s wish. Our Constitution in St. Kitts and Nevis makes these provisions and it goes on to say that St. Kitts and Nevis is a nation under God. This is wonderful. Our Constitution acknowledges that we are a nation under God. God is with us and it is for us to live pleasing to him. It is our role to encourage our citizens and residents to practice their God given faith freely everywhere including at workplaces, at schools, in the prisons or wherever you are you must have that opportunity to praise your God, and we as leaders must encourage that. And finally, we will draft policies and programmes that will propel an ethical influence on our country,” Prime Minister Harris concluded.

Ahead of the dedication service, His Excellency the Governor General, Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton and Bishop George C. Gilfillan unveiled the plaque of the new Pentecostal Church of God.

Others in attendance at Sunday’s service included the Governor General’s Deputy, Mr. Michael Morton and Mrs. Morton; parliamentarians; senior level government officials and Reverend Dr. Analdo Bailey of the Pentecostal Church of God in Saddlers.