A JOURNEY OF J.O.Y A JOURNEY OF FAITHFULNESS, OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, AND YIELDING TO GOD’S WILL!
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINISTRY OF REV. ADELYN MGONELA Rev. Adelyn V. Mgonela, also known as “Sis Binta”, was born on the island of St. Kitts. At an early age, Sis. Adelyn felt the call to Pastoral Ministry, and at the age of 15, she preached her first sermon entitled “Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life” at her home congregation, Bethesda Moravian Church, Cayon, St. Kitts. Upon graduation from secondary school, she taught Mathematics for 3 years at the Cayon High School. She then travelled to England to undertake Nursing and Midwifery training in preparation for the Mission Field. On January 11, 1981, she was commissioned at the Spring Gardens Moravian Church in Antigua to start her work as a Medical Missionary in Nursing and Midwifery. After being commissioned, she spent an impressive 18 years in Tanzania. Sis. Adelyn was responsible for overseeing the Paediatric and Maternity Wards and the Tabora Health Center as a Nursing Officer. She was the first individual to serve in Foreign Missions for the Moravian Church East West Indies Province. She was the first woman to serve on the Provincial Board of the Moravian Church Western Tanzania Province. During her tenure, she travelled extensively across East Africa and became fluent in Kiswahili. Her passion for learning and commitment to service is evident in all that she does. Sis. Adelyn went back to the Eastern West Indies Moravian Province (EWIP) in 1998 to continue serving and making a difference. In 2002, she graduated from the United Theological College of the West Indies in Jamaica, with a Diploma in Ministerial Studies, and from the University of the West Indies, Mona, with a First Class Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from OASIS University in Trinidad, as well as a Certificate of Completion in Court Annexed Mediation Training with The University of the West Indies. Her education, combined with her extensive experience, has made her an invaluable asset to the communities she serves. Sis. Adelyn is a certified State Registered Nurse and Midwife from South Lincolnshire School of Nursing in Grantham, England, as well as Birmingham Medical Centre in Birmingham, England. She completed a Psychiatric program at the Georgia Baptist School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA, which allowed her to become a certified Registered Nurse in the state of Georgia and expand her capacity to help those who require assistance. A JOURNEY OF J.O.Y A JOURNEY OF FAITHFULNESS, OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, AND YIELDING TO GOD’S WILL!
Sis. Adelyn has been a pastor and teacher for six congregations in the Eastern West Indies Province (EWIP) since 2002. She was ordained as a deacon on July 28th, 2002, and was assigned to four congregations in the Trinidad Conference. Later, on January 15th, 2009, she was consecrated as a Presbyter. The service was held at the Tunapuna Methodist Church, Trinidad. She then received a call to serve as pastor of two congregations in the St. Kitts Conference. Currently, she is the Pastor of the Ebenezer Moravian ‘Estridge’ congregation, where she continues to make a significant difference in the lives of those she serves. Within the Ministry, she recognizes and appreciates the blessing of having a loving family. She shares a special bond with her siblings, particularly her twin, with whom she is closely connected. In addition to being a mother to her two daughters, Ayeola and Namayombo, she takes great pride in being a mother to many children in Tanzania and the Caribbean. Her commitment to her family and community is truly commendable. Regarding her faith, she explains that it involves fully trusting in Christ for salvation and relinquishing all personal effort to obtain it. Her faith requires complete submission to the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit, with a firm belief in the authenticity of God’s truth revealed in Scripture. Moreover, she always acknowledges that she is a woman who is aware of her great weaknesses and has experienced the grace of God many times. She loves her work and enjoys studying for it, giving herself wholeheartedly to it. She considers it the most important job in the world and believes that no amount of training is too high for it. She likes to spend extra hours studying for her work and believes that God has called her to this job. She thinks it is a wonderful thing to have served God in foreign missions and now in pastoral ministry. “He makes all things beautiful.” _____________________________________________________________________ A JOURNEY OF J.O.Y A JOURNEY OF FAITHFULNESS, OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, AND YIELDING TO GOD’S WILL!
THE CEREMONY – JOY UNLIMITED! Mocktails, Music and Mingling Entertainment Provided by Sugar Hill String Band, Nevis 4:30 p.m. Chairperson: Mr. Creighton Pencheon, Cultural Icon -AFRICAN DRUM CALL - This drum call summons the official start of the ceremony. Songs of Joy and Thanksgiving…………….. Imela | Thou Art My Everlasting Portion Led by the St. Kitts Conference of the Moravian Church Psalmist Ministry Invocation……..…………… Rev. Onita K. Samuel Warner Pastor of the Zion and Bethel Moravian Congregations St. Kitts Conference of the Moravian Church Words of Welcome and Encouragement 4PM THE WELCOME – JOY UNSPEAKABLE! 4:30 40 PM TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINISTRY OF REV. ADELYN MGONELA Thou my everlasting Portion, More than friend or life to me, All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee. Close to Thee, close to Thee, Close to Thee, close to Thee; All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee. Not for ease or worldly pleasure, Not for fame my prayer shall be; Gladly will I toil and suffer, Only let me walk with Thee. Close to Thee, close to Thee, Close to Thee, close to Thee; Gladly will I toil and suffer, Only let me walk with Thee. Lead me through the vale of shadows, Bear me o’er life’s fitful sea; Then the gate of life eternal May I enter, Lord, with Thee. Close to Thee, close to Thee, Close to Thee, close to Thee; Then the gate of life eternal May I enter, Lord, with Thee. A JOURNEY OF J.O.Y When I think upon Your goodness And Your faithfulness each day I'm convinced it's not because I am worthy To receive the kind of love that You give But I'm grateful for Your mercy And I'm grateful for Your grace And because of how You've poured out your Yourself I have come to sing this song out in praise Imela, Imela, Okaka, Onyekeruwa Imela, Imela, Eze mo Who am I to sing Your praises? Who am I to worship You? Its Your blood that makes the difference in me And made a way to enter into Your throne I could not come near Your presence I could never sing Your song But the sacrifice on Calvary's tree Is the reason I can cry out today
- A V I D E O P R E S E N T A T I O N - “A JOURNEY OF FAITHFULNESS” A visual presentation capturing critical moments of Rev. Adelyn Mgonela's journey. Musical Tribute: “Goodness of God” Bro. Omandey Byron & Bro. Romaine Belgrove Steel Pan and Saxphone - A V I D E O P R E S E N T A T I O N - “OVERCOMING CHALLENGES” A visual presentation of Rev. Adelyn Mgonela sharing personal stories of overcoming challenges in ministry. Musical Tribute: “Some of Her Favourites” - Medley of Songs Sis Ayeola Mgonela and Sis Namayambo Mgonela Daughters of Rev. Adelyn Mgonela A Tribute to Rev. Adelyn Mgonela Solo: “My Tribute”…………………………………………………….Sis. Hazel Warner YIELDING TO GOD'S WILL Reflections: Yielding to God’s Will …….....…………………………. Sis Juanita James A Close Friend of Rev. Adelyn Mgonela Scripture Reading…………………………………………………………. Musical Celebration: "Rejoice" St. Kitts Conference of the Moravian Church Dancers - R E M A R K S A N D R E C O G N I T I O N - • Rev. Algernon Lewis Chairman of The Provincial Elders' Conference • Mrs. E. Elreter Simpson-Browne Permanent Secretary Ministry of Ecclesiastics Affairs and Faith-Based • Moravian Congregations Prayers for Rev. Adelyn Binta Mgonela Her Remarks and Response: Rev. Adelyn Binta Mgonela - C U T T I N G O F A C E L E B R A T O R Y C A K E - Closing Prayer and Benediction: Rev. Adelyn Binta Mgonela
Rev.Adelyn V. Mgonela, also known as Sis Binta, was born in the island of St. Kitts. She is the 2nd of a twin birth. Upon graduation from secondary school, she taught Mathematics for 3 years at the Cayon High School after which she travelled to England to undertake Nursing and Midwifery training in preparation for the Mission Field. At an early age Sister Adelyn felt the call to Pastoral Ministry, and was a dedicated and committed member of her home congregation Bethesda Moravian Church in St. Kitts. At age 15, Sis Adelyn preached her first sermon entitled “Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the A JOURNEY OF J.O.Y A JOURNEY OF FAITHFULNESS, OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, AND YIELDING TO GOD’S WILL! 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINISTRY OF REV. ADELYN MGONELA Mr Karim Maynard, KM Services Inc. Beyond Words by Juana Gumbs Mr. Reginald Bussue Mr Sylvester Fraser, F & H Frisco Sol Gas Station Mr Heston Hamm, Stone Deals Ms. Emelita Paul Mr Tristan Gumbs, Cool Tech Air Condition and Refrigeration Mr Loftus Bridgewater Ms Belinda Bart Mrs Shaline Lewis, Elegant Occasions Nelson’s Springs Ms Jacqueline Browne Mr Lennox Liburd, Green Valley Super Gas Station Public Works Department Ms Alicia Huggins St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Ms Ardis Bell Ms Sharon Huggins Ms Yasmaine Davis Mr Steve Francis Ms Latoya Somersall Ms Shermalon Kirby Ms Linet Matthew Mr Dominic Stevens Ms Namayambo Mgonela Mr Wycliffe and Mrs Delyth Morton Ms. Kerstin Petty Mr Garvin Newton Mr Sydney Osborne Ms Desarie Williams Mr Larkland Richards Mrs Joanne Sargeant Ms Jacqueline Bassue Mrs Jamilla Tyson-Morris Reverends Erwin and Onita Warner Mr Lejon James Mr. Kraig Brooks Ms Donaly Liburd Chiverton Mr Jermaine James Mr. Malik Phipps Mr Creighton Pencheon Ms Nikecia Dore Mr Omandey Byron Ms Sasha DeSuza Mr Romaine Belgrove Ms Haxel Warner Ms Delia Pemberton Mr Lorenzo Yearwood Ms Louise Williams Morris Thank you to the Planning Committee for your commitment and outstanding contributions! We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the following individuals and organizations whose generous contributions have played a pivotal role in bringing this event to life. Reverend Erwin Warner Sis Kerstin Petty Sis Sasha Desuza Sis Donaly Liburd-Chiverton Sis Desarie Williams Bro Dominic Stevens Sis Yasmaine Davis Sis Joanne Sargeant Sis Jolene Newton Bro O’Neal Whattley Sis Alicia Huggins THANK YOU