Rev Dick to speak on accessing the power of God in T&T

Using Psalm 23 as the text, 'Accessing the Power of God for Restoring, Rebuilding, Refining and Realigning' will be the theme of the Rev Dr Devon Dick's message tomorrow at the Assembly of the Baptist Union of Trinidad and Tobago (BUTT) in Port-of-Spain.

Dick is the first sitting president of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) to preach at the BUTT.

Last year, as the BUTT observed 200 years of the founding of Baptist work in Trinidad and Tobago, the theme was 'Repairing the Breaches', but this year, the focus is on the power of God restoring and rebuilding the Baptist witness in T&T.

Similar history

The BUTT and the JBU share a similar history in that both were started by former enslaved persons who were fleeing the United States (US). In 1816, the work was started in Trinidad by former enslaved persons and soldiers who were on the side of Britain in the 1812-14 war in the US; while in 1783, the work was established in Jamaica by George Liele, a former enslaved person who was on the side on the colonial power, Britain, in the War of Independence in the US.

These Loyalists to Britain were fleeing the US after supporting the losing side. From such beginnings, the Baptists in Trinidad and Tobago number 100 churches, with membership of 10,000.

It is hoped that this pioneering exchange between Jamaican Baptists and Trinidadian Baptists will lead to better relationship between these two CARICOM countries, who have a history of strained relationships.

At this Sunday's service, there will also be the installation of officers for 2017-19. The president of BUTT is the Rev Francis Baptiste, while another Trinidadian, the Rev Anselm Warwick, is one of the vice-presidents of the Baptist World Alliance.

Dick returns to Jamaica on Monday.