Pastor Martin Taylor

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Church: Village Pentecostal Church of God, Walderston, Manchester.

Positions: I am the pastor for my church and general secretary for the Pentecostal Church of God in Jamaica.

When were you saved? I was saved 45 years ago.

Tell us about the moment you got your conviction: My conviction came about one Sunday morning while planning to go to the beach with a cousin. I sat on an old tank catchment waiting for him. The road was below the tank so I could see when he was coming. That morning, the voice of God spoke clearly to me and said, 'Give me thine heart.' I remember I was contemplating if I should do so, how was I going to live it out. The voice asked me the question, 'What will hinder you?'

I went home and told my mother she should iron my clothes because I was going to church. I told her I had already made up my mind that I was going to serve God. I went to the altar so others could see I had made a move for God.

What has been your most challenging moment since becoming a Christian? There were times when the children had to go to school and, financially, it became difficult. There have been times when those challenging moments came about and I thought if I was not in the church maybe I could get it here or there. Sometimes I wonder if is it the best choice. However, there are always encouraging spirits to say better days are coming.

What has been your most miraculous moment since becoming a Christian? In 1992, I went to Spalding and changed four tyres on my car. The guy who put the tyres on the vehicle tightened three of the wheels and forgot to tighten one on the front. I was going down Pen Hill at about 50 miles per hour. The front wheel flew off and the car went over into a ditch. It was so badly damaged that the floor of the car came up and touched the dashboard. When I was looking for my shoes, they were fastened between the floor and the dashboard. My two feet came out and I did not get even a scratch. Only God knows how my feet came out of the shoes and I did not get one scratch. The wrecker had to come and remove my car. That, indeed, was a miracle.

Message to Christians: You will have difficult times but the difficulties do not mean God is not there for you. All you have to do is hang on and never let go, because the light is beyond the tunnel still shining.

Message to non-Christians: In this world there are so many things to gain but outside of God you will lose all. It is for you to acknowledge that the only hope is in Christ Jesus. If you want to live for evermore you will have to turn from those things.

Favourite Bible scripture: Psalm 127:1

Favourite line of one of your favourite songs: 'He leadeth me oh blessed thought'.

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