GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

NAME: Patrick Phillips.

Church: Braeton Seventh-day Adventist, in St Catherine.

Position: Elder.

How long have you been saved? I got baptised when I was 15.

Your moment of conviction: I grew up with my grandmother. She taught me the principles of God. It was mandatory for me to attend church every Sunday. Though my grandmother did not attend church with me, I listened attentively to what the pastor said and wrote down the scriptures read. I had to tell her everything when I got home. Sometimes she allowed me to preach like the pastor so I developed the skill of preaching. Being an Elder in the Seventh-day Adventist church comes naturally for me. I preach, teach and do all sorts of exhortations.

What has been your most challenging moment since being saved? My reaction to people's action towards me at times. Sometimes persons cause me harm and, humanly, I want to retaliate in the harshest way but, because of that Christian conviction, I say to myself, 'no, I am a Christian I have to show them the Christ like way'. You deal with the situations, but you are still hurt. Sometimes persons try to ridicule me. My friends and supportive employees would tell me I can't allow persons to do these hurtful things to me, but I always try to look at the most peaceful and calm ways out.

What has been you most miraculous moment since being saved? Just living is a miracle to me. Living day by day is a miracle. However, I am a praying person, and I have many simple prayers being answered. I knew a boy who was a gang leader at my school four years ago. He was involved in a number of things. He left school for about six weeks and came back. One day he came to see me with his mother. I sent them to check out his school-based assessment. After they left my office, I went on my knees and asked God to help me with a decision regarding the boy. As soon as I got up, the mother and the boy rushed into my office, and the mother told me she did not want her son to continue at the school, because when he went outside, a boy said to her that he had been looking for him for a long time, and punched him in the face. I told the mother that was why I wanted her son out of the school, because his life was in danger. That was a miracle.

Message to christians: Even if there was not a promise of Heaven, it is still valuable to live the Christian life because it brings orders to your life. It is a good thing to be a Christian. You cannot lose for being a Christian. As Christians, you are not going to be perfect. If you slip or slide, just hold on to Jesus.

Message to non-christians: Get on board. There is no experience more wonderful than being on board with Christ. He gives the peace that passeth all understanding. No matter what you are going through, no matter what the struggle, God can fix things for you. We are living in a world where there will always be challenges and problems, but when you are anchored in Christ you will be able to deal with the challenges and situations. You will be able to have that calm and that peace that passeth all understanding.

Favourite Bible scripture: Job 23:10

Line from favourite song: 'My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.'

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