GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Life without Jesus Christ is one that is empty and without hope. These are the sentiments being expressed by deacon at the Church of God in Jamaica May Pen branch, Beresford Williams.

He is convinced that anyone who is living without Christ, is not only taking a chance with his or her life, but is also losing out on the beauty of Jesus and delight in the Lord.

It was 38 years ago, while attending Frankfield Comprehensive High School (now Edwin Allen High), that Williams surrendered his life to his King, Lord and Maker; and he, like many of his colleagues, is extremely happy that he made the right decision to follow the Lord.

"It was while going to Frankfield Comprehensive and in 10th grade I got saved. Hugh Elliston; now Reverend Hugh Elliston, who is currently the superintendent for the Open Bible Church, he came down from CAST along with George Baxter to do their engineering class for a summer school. They used to have a lunchtime meeting; and it was during one of those meetings that I gave my life to the Lord," said Williams.

soul-searching

He said one of the men did a sermon on Hell, forcing him to think seriously about himself. Williams said while the sermon was being delivered he did some soul-searching and asked himself the question, 'why am I not a Christian'. He noted that during his soul-searching he realised that Hell was where he was heading.

"I realised that Hell was where I was going, and I could not come up with a good reason as to why; because my mother was a Christian and I believed in the Lord and all of that; so it was there and then that I became a Christian; and from that time until now I have been walking with Christ," explained the deacon.

The church leader confessed that his decision to follow the Lord has changed his life for the better. He stressed that walking with Christ has made him look at life differently ever since; and that Christianity has helped him to give of his best and think at all times of the best.

"It has helped me to gain the best, including my wife, I went from high school and went to CAST (now utech) and then went on to UWI St Augustine; and throughout these studies I know that of a fact that it was because I was saved why I was able to pass many of the courses I did. There were courses I had to do and had to tell God that He had to help me to do them," noted Williams.

deacon for over 15 years

Williams, who has been serving as a deacon at his church for over 15 years, has also been serving as chairman for the management and finance committee there. And, outside of the pastor, he is in charge of the running of his church.

Williams is a former employee at the Jamaica Public Service Company, where he worked as an engineer. Williams said prior to him being employed, he told God that when he got a job he was going to worship Him more.

"My job at JPS reached a stage where I could hardly serve the Lord as much as I would have liked, because you know that a job at JPS is a 24-hour job. So, after leaving JPS and getting involved in the church I really saw where it was God really leading, because, I find more time for Him," said the church deacon.

Williams is married to Janet and has two children, Brian and Nicole. He wants to assure persons who are studying to know that, while they are Christians they should do their part and God will do his part to see them being successful. He added that God will help them to remember the things they study, because being Christians brings along a change of attitude which brings success.

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