GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

The Bible encourages Christians to show love to one another as well as to be charitable to each other. Well, one Christian who is doing just that is Reverend Dr Edmond Folkes.

Reverend Folkes, who is the pastor at the New Broughton United Church in Manchester, gave his life to the Lord more than 54 years ago, having done so at the tender age of 16. He told THE STAR that at age 21 he entered for ministry and has been involved in it ever since.

"As a minister of the Gospel I do not think that there is anything better than that. This so, because you have the chance, you have the opportunity to reach out to people; and when you see suffering you can know that you are going to go into it, not with your own power and strength; but you are going to know that you need to depend on God to lead you through," noted Folkes.

He said God has been good to him because He has allowed him to care for 34 children in his home. The church leader said he did all he could for several children over the years he has been alive, because he saw the need to help them.

"I am also a Justice of the Peace; and when I try cases at the Juvenile Court and see certain things, sometimes I would take one child or two children and take them home. Mrs Folkes never grumbled," said the charitable church leader.

God is pleased

Reverend Folkes believes that God is pleased with the efforts he has made in helping others, because those children he took into his home were never just provided with what to eat and drink, but they were also provided with a good education.

"I think the Father is pleased, because we grew them and three quarters of them are professionals. Some are doctors, some are teachers, and some are nurses and lawyers; and twelve of those we have grown are ordained ministers of religion. We only have two biological children. Two boys," said Dr Folkes.

The father of Albie and Elon and who is married to Dr Auma Folkes, said one of the children he took into his home is currently working as one of the top gynaecologists in Florida. He is proud to know that because he was able to offer him what his biological parents could not provide, he has turned out to be a worthwhile citizen.

"When many of them came to us, we did not know anything about their parents. God provided us with what was needed to pay for their education. Sometimes God just touched people and they sent things. Some sent money and some sent foodstuff, because people came to know the type of ministry that I was carrying on. That is caring for the unfortunate," said Folkes.

help from the community

The pastor said all the children he and his family cared for never went to their bed hungry one night. He added that there were times when members from the community where he was a pastor, would turn up at his home to leave baskets of food items to help the children, because they knew what he was doing.

"I would do it again because I have found joy in it I have found pleasure helping people; and that is my delight," boasted Reverend Folkes.

He stated that for all the work he has done in helping persons he has been rewarded by being appointed a Justice of the Peace, and that he was also awarded the Governor General's Award for the parish of Manchester.

"If you are led to, and these children are led to your door steps, don't turn them away. Don't worry about how you are going to provide for them; and how they are going to make it. God will make a way for them," said Reverend Dr Folkes.

Feedback: pehenrya@hotmail.com