18/08/2023
Avonelle Hector Joseph - ITNAC
Eight billion (the estimated world population) Amens! Sister Avonelle Hector Joseph.
Around the late the 70's, the Living Epistles (Christian Gospel Jazz band) of which I was a member, was invited to minister in a popular bar in Woodbrook. Well girl, the amount of fire and brimstone messages we received from "saints" so called, who do not understand the "highways and byways" nature of the Gospel, was very sad.
The noise from these empty vessels did not deter us, as a matter of fact, the owner indicated that whilst he was touched by the ministry, he could not afford to invite us a second time. He said his sale of alcohol took a nose dive after we ministered and for a very long time thereafter. Patrons complained that something that they could not put their fingers on, changed in the space. A few years after, the very popular entertainment spot closed its doors.
I have other examples of ministry in the dark places, including:
1. My father, the late Rev Timothy Browne taking "current" (electricity) from a "rum shop" to conduct an evangelistic meeting. The owner decided to shut down for the evening to facilitate the meeting. Those converted that evening, included patrons, who were protesting vociferously earlier on, about my father choosing their recreational spot to host an evangelistic meeting.
2. Taking a group of Gospel musicians to play at a harvest of a non-evangelical Church in St. James and when the church yard had to be secured, our instruments were placed in a popular St. James "watering hole" while we awaited transportation. Giving us another opportunity to shine some more light in the darkness.
My encouragement to you and all other true ministers of the Gospel who understand the assignment, is to continue to push forward towards the mark of the high calling of God through Jesus Christ.
