GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

For over 30 years Reverend Alphanso DaCosta has been walking with God. Of that number, he has spent 17 leading the flock at the Christiana Church of God in Manchester.

When he made the decision to start following Christ, it came as a result of a call on his life from the Lord; and he is convinced that he could not have made a better move.

"I thought it was the best move for me as a young man then, and I have had no regrets, so far," testified DaCosta.

He noted that although some persons could refer to his following Christ for the more than three decades as a grand waste of time, he does not share such view because he believes that a life spent with Christ can never be regarded as a waste of time.

"Christ came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. So when you have a relationship with the Lord, in spite of everything, you can face all the challenges with the assurance that there is a greater force than yourself," stated DaCosta.

He told THE STAR that prior to him giving his life to God, he was a quiet sinner like anybody else, moving about and doing his own thing; but added that when one comes in contact with Christ it makes a world of difference.

The pastor, like others, believes that Christians cannot make it on their own because God's duties have to be executed and He will give the necessary strength to do what He wants His people to carry out. Christians, he said, should be able to do all things through Christ who strengthens them.

Reverend DaCosta admitted that his work as a pastor does not come without challenges. However, according to him, he has been able to deal with them by first believing in himself and then acknowledging the challenges, in order to understand them and deal with them in a meaningful way.

"If you are in a state of denial, and saying that this cannot happen to me or that cannot happen to me, then there is where you are going to have the challenges. But once acceptance is there, with the Lord you are able to deal with them," explained the church leader.

DaCosta, who pointed out that God has worked many miracles in his life, stated that the first miracle was when God saved him from sin. He added that knowing that all have sinned and have come short of God's glory; and for God to turn around and save us must be a miracle in itself.

focused

As it relates to the moving of the church in general, Reverend DaCosta thinks there is always room for improvement, but what is required of the church is for it to remain focused on its mandate, do what is required, and the Lord will take it from there. He also believes that the church is doing a good job in the society.

Apart from serving in the capacity of a pastor, Reverend DaCosta has served as youth president, deacon and Sunday school teacher. He is currently serving as chairman for region three in his denomination. This involves churches in the parishes of Manchester, Clarendon, St Ann and Trelawny. As chairman, DaCosta is in charge of the supervision of seventeen churches in total.

DaCosta, who said he lives on the words of God, loves especially 1 Chronicles 4 verses 9 and 10. These two verses he regard as his favourites. His favourite song is 'I am so glad that Jesus Loves Me'.

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