Pastor Basil Rose - George Henry

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

March 26, 1996 was a turning point in the life of Basil Rose, the assistant pastor at the Apostolic Church of Jamaica, Spaldings Hill branch, in Clarendon.

That was the day his life was changed for the better. He was transformed from a womaniser, alcohol abuser and a hard smoker to a serious child of God.

"I was a womaniser, a rum drinker, a wretched gambler, you name it. Everything that was bad," confessed Pastor Rose.

Rose told Behind the Pulpit that his changed life has been great and he has enjoyed his work for the Lord, first as a Christian and second as an assistant pastor.

"It has been great. It has its ups and downs but then with the grace of God assisting me, it is always easy," said Rose, who has been serving in his current capacity as part of the church leadership for more than six years.

His Christian walk started one morning after listening to a sermon preached by well-known local preacher Rev Paul Lewis. He stated that he got word that the pastor was hosting a crusade, in collaboration with another pastor, Rev V.T. Williams, in Mandeville, Manchester, and decided to go.

"I went there just out of curiosity saying that I was going there to mock and jeer and all of that. That was all on my mind, but somehow the Holy Spirit just worked in a mysterious way. I went there and all that was going on I just had to keep myself still," confessed Rose.

He remembers that at the end of the service an altar call was made. However, according to the assistant pastor, he doesn't know what happened, because he is still unaware as to how he answered the altar call that evening.

"I still do not know how I answered to the call, based on the type of person I was at the time; but that is the way that the Holy Spirit works. I found myself at the altar and when the question was asked as to who wanted salvation and that they should come on the rostrum, I found my way up there. From then, it has been just straight ahead with God," testified the assistant pastor.

Rose said that there have been times on his Christian journey when he has been tempted by the devil to backslide and return to his former sinful life. However, according to him, because the Lord has a mark on his life he cannot go back there.

He stressed that those whom God has marked can never leave Him; and even if they take a step away from their maker they are bound to return.

Rose said he was given a few weeks by detractors who knew the life he was living before being saved to turn back to a life of sin. However, with the leading of the Holy Ghost, he was able to disappoint them.

"There was Easter coming up and somebody said to me, "I know why you are going church, because you are going there to see if you can get to the church kitty". At that time I had just closed a business I was operating in my community and started a taxi business. So what they were saying is that it looked like the shop was not paying me sufficient and the taxi business not too hot, so I was going into the church to get to the church kitty (money)," said Rose.

Assistant pastor Rose said he remained focused and he was encouraged by St John 16 verse 33, which reminded him of tribulations and how he should keep courage. He said he went to church the Sunday after reading that passage of scripture and heard the preacher giving the assurance that God's grace is able to help in overcoming every dart that the enemy throws.

"When I remember these words; you are going to face tribulations, but 'be of good cheer for I have overcome the world'. There is another scripture that says, "If you are in Christ you are also an overcomer". These passages are favourites of mine, including Psalm 23 verse 1," said Rose.

He wants all persons who are still living the life he used to live as a sinner to get away quickly. He said they should not only try Jesus but to take Him as their personal Lord and Saviour, because He (Jesus) will never let them down.

"If you try Him you may not succeed with what you want at first and then you are going to leave Him. But if you accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour, His grace will be sufficient to keep you. I put the word into action, apply the word to my daily life with faith, and that just keeps me going, because the grace of God is sufficient to keep me," said Rose, who added that he loves God with a passion and vows to stay with Him for as long as He lends him breath.

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