Evangelist Donald Black

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Evangelist Donald Black has been a faithful Christian soldier for Jesus Christ over the past 32 years. According to him, his work as an evangelist started from the first day he started his walk with the Lord, and he loves the work he currently does for the One who has forgiven him of all of his sins.

"From you become a Christian you are an evangelist. However, I was officially appointed an evangelist 11 years ago," said Black.

Black admitted that prior to him becoming saved he was a wretched sinner, because as long as one is not a Christian, then one is a wretched sinner; and as long as one is in such a state only God can change him for the better to become one who can talk about the goodness of the Lord.

He testified that it is always a good thing for man to be a soldier for Christ. He added that the best time to do so is to start while you are young and strong, because the Lord says that he calls young men because they are strong.

"I am sorry that I did not start soldiering for Christ long before 32 years ago; because getting to know the depth of God's love in my life and towards his people, and realising that when I got saved I did so at age 24; I realised that those 24 years spent without God could have been used to make myself a better person spiritually and maybe financially, and I am sorry I did not start my walk with Christ earlier," noted the evangelist.

Evangelist Black was not slow to tell that God has been good to him, not only over the 32 years he has been soldiering for Him, but also during the years when he was not serving Him. He stressed that God kept him safe until he was able to be saved and to start working for him.

"Especially since I became a Christian, the Lord has been good to me. He has been so good that I cannot even explain His goodness towards me. He has worked so many miracles in my life. When I look and see what is happening in the world today, and talking to people out of Christ and see that they have not gotten what God has done for me, I can say that to be changed by God from the world to become a Christian is the greatest miracle," bragged Evangelist Black.

He stated that although he has been soldiering with Christ over more than three decades, he has experienced loneliness. However, Black was quick to point out that loneliness is not a sin and it is not a crime, because even Jesus Christ experienced loneliness when He was away doing His Father's work.

"That loneliness is not in comparison to the natural life of a person who lives alone and is lonely. It is just like what the songwriter says, 'There are days I like to be all alone with Christ my Lord, I can tell Him of my troubles all alone'. Even if we as Christians experience loneliness it is just a time for us to be with Christ in secret, and to have an even closer relationship with Him," explained the evangelist.

Black currently serves at the Dykes Hill New Testament Church of God in Clarendon, where the Reverend Theslyn Nation-Black is his pastor and wife. He gave Psalm 91 as his favourite chapter of the Bible. He stressed that it is good to dwell in the secret place with Christ because he is convinced that whenever this is done, whatever harm demons and any other forces want to administer to God's people will never happen, because God protects those who dwell with Him always.

He also has several songs which he considers to be his favourites, but Black loves especially the one that says, 'If I could help somebody as I pass life's way, then my living shall not be in vain'. This song, he said, reminds him that he has a responsibility to help others for Christ as he soldiers about.

Although his walk as a Christian soldier is said to be challenging, Evangelist Black made it clear that without challenges he would not be able to know clearly that the God he and others serve is indeed a great wonderful God. He added that he addresses his challenges when encountered, by applying prayer and fasting and reading the Bible to his daily living.

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