GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Pastor Desmond Dunkley's conversion from a sinner to a Christian happened in the strangest way. He was sitting on a bench when God decided that it was time for him to serve Him. That experience was 35 years ago and now the pastor has been delivering God's work without fear or favour.

"Before I got saved, I did not really make up my mind to serve the Lord; but there was a little church just next door to my mother's house, and I went there while they were having a crusade just to enjoy myself. In those days. the church was dirt floor and bamboo for the seating," said pastor Dunkley.

He said he sat in the church and listened to the preacher before an altar call was extended. Dunkley noted that all the young people who were in attendance, except him, responded to the altar call.

"I was the only one who did not move. I sat at the backbench before a little old lady came over to me and asked me why I did not go to the altar. I sat there and was just rocking and not paying her any mind," said Dunkley.

He said shortly after the old lady was through asking him questions, he felt the Holy Ghost came upon him and snatched him. Dunkley said when the Holy Ghost came upon him; he was led to the altar.

out of this world

"From then, I felt like I was out of this world. After the meeting was through, they had to take me home. Before I entered the house, I heard a voice said to me, 'stretch forth your hands'. When I stretched my hands, it was my sister's hands and mine which came together, and then Heaven came down in the house," said Dunkley.

Dunkley is currently at the helm of the Emmanuel's Hope Restored Church of God at Chudleigh in Manchester. He hails from Sanguinetti, Clarendon, and has been a child of God for more than 35 years, having surrendered his life to the Lord when he was 17.

Dunkley's commitment to God has seen him being appointed pastor for the church he currently leads. He has been at the helm for the past 15 years, and he loves every moment he carries out his duties for the Lord.

He stressed that he has been successful in getting his church membership growing over the years; and that signs and wonders have been following his ministry.

"I have done over 20 baptisms since I have been here. People have been coming from all over for baptism and I baptised them and continue to do all I can for the Lord," said Dunkley.

The man of God, though reporting success in his ministry, was quick to make it known that the work he does is not an easy one. However, he added that in order to be successful for the Lord, he has had to be dedicated and committed, as he works with a purpose, knowing fully well that he has been called by God to work.

"It is a real struggle, it is a real fight; but I have made up my mind to serve the Lord, to stay with God and not give up. In spite of the times when things are really difficult, like the Apostle Paul who went through hardship, I am going through the same thing. I have been down but I did not stay down. I got up and move again," said Dunkley.

The pastor wants all pastors who are at times discouraged to know that they need not be, but that they should instead lean on the Lord and ask Him to intervene on their behalf, and they will be able to smile at the storms they face as they work for the Creator.

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