Kitson Town SDA bids farewell to inspirational leaders

Ruddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer

It was a moment of sadness and at the same time an acknowledgement that the work of the Lord must be done in other places by dedicated servants who have resigned themselves to wining souls for the Kingdom of God.

Church Elder Sharon Morris and her husband, Deacon Leroy Morris, for 25 years have dedicated themselves to the spiritual development of the congregation at the Kitson Town Seven-day Adventist Church, teaching them how to live as true followers of Christ.

The reality that they were leaving the church family they worshipped with for two and a half decades to take up residence in New York, came on February 17 when the congregation gathered at the church in a special service to bid farewell to them with the congregants delivering a series of moving tributes, exhortations, songs and prayers.

Senior Elder Kenneth Wright, referencing the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians where his central theme was Christian unity, encouraging the believers in Philippi to accept Christ as their model of humility and service, exhort the two departing senior church leaders to stand fast and be of the same mind as they carry on the work of the Lord in the USA.

"They are candidates for Heaven. I am sorry that they are leaving, but it was a blessing worshipping along side them since 1992," Wright said.

"We will certainly miss them, but the work of the Lord must go on in other places. Elder Sharon Morris has proven to be a winner of souls and one who cares dearly for the church, while Deacon Morris has shown his love for the church in many way."

"She was a generous persons who always sought out members of the church who need some form of help to assist them, dedicating most of her time to the development of the youth ministry," Elder Wright disclosed, describing Elder Morris as a firebrand who was always ready to preach the gospel when called upon.

He mentioned occasions when Elder Morris would take cash or other valuable items from her home to give to members of the church who were in need and when her husband missed the items and inquired about them, her response was, "I gave it to someone at church who needs it more than we do".

Church Brother Garfield Angus, in his tribute, referred to Elder Morris as a zealous church leader and caring sister to the brethren.

"You will be greatly missed for your dedication and passionate efforts to protect and build the church, while seeking to nurture and encourage new members to participate in various activities," he said.

"You have encouraged many, including myself to fellowship and spread the good news of salvation with the sick and shut-ins," Angus added.

"Elder Morris is always on a mission to help someone," Angus continued, "as you depart to another shore, in our midst there will be a significant absence of the fruits of the spirit as identified in Galatians 5:22. I salute you for always seeking to bring out the best in others," he concluded.

Agreeing with the sentiments of the congregants, the Morrises, who met in Kitson and got married 25 years ago, told Family & Religion that it is difficult for them to leave their church family.

"When you leave a family, a part of you is left behind, but I am convinced that this church is led by the Spirit of God and someone will come and take up the baton. While I am sad to be leaving, I am mindful that God has called me to be on another part of the field spreading the Gospel."

Elder Morris disclosed that on a recent vacation to New York, she visited a church and noticed that there was no youth ministry. "I will be working to establish one there," she said.