|
Tributes were showered
on His Excellency Dr. Patrick Allen, Governor General of Jamaica, by
Central Jamaica Conference and all the fields and institutions
within West Indies Union Conference at a Testimonial Dinner held on
the eve of his inauguration. The dinner held under the theme
‘Service to God and Nation’ was put on by West Indies Union
Conference on Wednesday February 25, 2009 at the Knutsford Court
Hotel.
Elder Billy Watson, Treasurer of Central
Jamaica Conference, making a presentation to Dr. and Sis. Allen at
the Testimonial Dinner held in their honour. The dinner was put on
by the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
In addition to broad
members from the executive committees within West Indies Union, and
Dr. Allen’s family members, personnel from the General Conference
and Inter-American Division were also present.
Pastor Orville Parchment, Assistant to the
President of the General Conference, speaking at the Testimonial
Dinner held in honour of Dr. Patrick Allen and Sis. Patricia Allen.
Pastor Orville
Parchment, Assistant to the President of the General Conference
stated, “We are always delighted when a Seventh-day Adventist is
called to serve in a public office because we have leaders in the
bible who have served in high offices. It is not the office that
changes the individual; it is the individual that moulds the office.
Elder Paulsen is happy for you and your family, and we at the
General conference are praying for you and your family that you will
stand tall as you embark on this new journey.”
Elder Israel Laito, President of
Inter-American Division, speaking at the Testimonial Dinner held in
honour of Dr. Patrick Allen and Sis. Patricia Allen.
Elder Israel Laito,
President of Inter-American Division, had these words for Dr. Allen,
“There is a saying that when you meet somebody you will never be the
same. And Dr. Allen has caused some deep structural changes in the
Inter-American Division. And we are praying that he will help change
this country as well. This is the best gift we are giving to the
island of Jamaica. We would like you to remember you are always our
brother, and we praised the Lord for your ministry.”
President of Central Jamaica Conference, Pastor Everett Brown, in
paying tribute to Dr. Allen stated, “I’m honoured to join the
workers and members of the West Indies Union Conference, in paying
tribute to a dear colleague of mine, Dr. Patrick Allen, former
president of the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists. Dr. Allen has served the Central Jamaica Conference with
distinction for a number of years, in the capacities of Youth Leader
in St. Mary, Principal of the Port Maria High School, District
Pastor, Conference Director, and Conference President. Dr. Allen is
a man of vision, with a passion for excellence. “
Pastor Brown went on to say, “I am convinced that Dr. Allen’s
commitment to God, his love for his country, his ability to reach
and identify with people from different sectors of our society, his
unquestionable integrity and moral fitness, will enable him to serve
us successfully as Governor General of Jamaica. On behalf of my
wife, the workers and members of Central Jamaica Conference, I pray
that God will bless him and his lovely wife Patricia, as they
continue to dedicate themselves to God, and serve the nation.”
Elder Joan Wint, a member of the May Pen Seventh-day Adventist
Church (one of the congregations that Dr. Allen pastored), had these
kind words for him, “I’ve had the distinct honour and privilege to
have worked with Dr. Allen on a number of levels and they are some
words that I could use to describe him. He is a very hardworking and
visionary leader. One who has not lost the common touch at whichever
level he serves the church. He’s articulate, he is respectful, and
that sharp mind makes him come up with ideas and solutions to
problems for which you cannot help but respect him. Dr. Allen is
warm, and anywhere you meet him, he exudes that kind of charm,
concern for spiritual growth and for the prosperity of the church.”
President of West Indies Union, Pastor Derek Bignall, along with the
Union Executive Committee, gave a video tribute accompanied with a
resolution of gratitude statement in recognition of the service of
the service of Dr. Patrick Allen and Mrs. Patricia Allen to the
Seventh-day Adventist Church. This resolution was voted on January
28, 2009. A copy follows.
|
West Indies Union Conference
Resolution of Gratitude
In Recognition of the Service of
Dr. Patrick Allen & Mrs. Patricia Allen
to the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Whereas
Pastor Patrick Allen has been appointed Governor General
of the island of Jamaica, effective 26th February, 2009,
And whereas on this 28th day of January 20098 he demits
office as President of West Indies Union Conference and
Chairman of the Board of the Union’s various
Institutions and Agencies, after giving distinguished
leadership for more than eight years.
And whereas he has given 27 years of outstanding,
visionary service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church as
a worker,
And whereas throughout these years he also served as
Principal of Port Maria High School, District Pastor,
Education & Communication Director, and President in
Central Jamaica Conference; Assistant Registrar of
Andrews University; Education & Family Life Director of
West Indies Union Conference; Member of the Executive
Committee of the Inter-American Division Publishing
Association, the Inter-American Division and the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,
And whereas his service has been inspirational,
transformational, supportive of progress and
development, innovative, bold, dynamic, and nurturing,
distinguishing him as a “faithful steward”,
And whereas he has led in the implementation of
programmes that contributed to the unity, the spiritual
growth and development, and the stature of the Church
nationally,
And whereas he is an approachable, affable leader,
providing mentorship for the clergy and lay leadership
of the Church, impacting the lives of many,
And whereas under God’s guidance the Union adopted a
strategic approach to development, thereby increasing
the membership by over 100,000, establishing three new
Missions – North Jamaica, North Bahamas and North-east
Jamaica; and upgrading two Missions – Cayman Islands and
North Bahamas – to Conference status,
And whereas under his presidency extensive development
and growth were also achieved at Andrews Memorial
Hospital and Northern Caribbean University; and two new
companies – the West Indies Union Investment Management
Limited and the Book and Nutrition Centre – were
founded,
And whereas he has given sacrificial service, often
going beyond the call duty, carrying out his civic
responsibilities as a nation-builder, serving on
numerous, national consultative committees, and also as
a Justice of the Peace,
And whereas Mrs. Patricia Allen has served, with
distinction, side by side with her husband, giving
voluntary service, also serving in her own right as
teacher at Willowdene High School; Dean of Women,
Lecturer and Human Resource Director at Northern
Caribbean University, as well as Shepherdess Coordinator
of West Indies Union Conference, receiving high
commendations from the Shepherdesses of West Indies
Union for her caring, diligent effective leadership.
Be it resolved that we the members of the West Indies
Union Conference Executive Committee meeting in
Mandeville, Jamaica on January 28, 2009, register our
profound gratitude and commendation to Dr. Patrick Allen
and Mrs. Patricia Allen,
Be it further resolved that we give God thanks for their
sterling service, visionary leadership to this Church,
and for the great accomplishments of this Church during
Dr. Allen’s tenure as president.
Be it also resolved that we unite our hearts and minds
in prayer for Dr. Allen and his family as he and Mrs.
Allen continue to serve God and their country in his new
assignment as Governor General of Jamaica. |
-Article and Photos by Pastor Kemar T. J.
Douglas |
