GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Name: Jephitah Reid

Church: New Testament Church of God in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Position: General Secretary and Treasurer.

How long have you been saved? I have been saved since the March 20, 1976.

What was your moment of conviction? Mine was very strange. A lot of persons got saved by attending church or going to a crusade. I got saved just listening to a radio programme. I was studying for my final exams at a tertiary institution, and it was a quarter to twelve when a service came on the radio from St Stephen's United Church, and it was there that I listened and recognised that all that the pastor was saying that night was speaking to me. He read from Matthew chapter 13, speaking about the wheat and the tares; and I recognised that I was bundled among the tares, and decided that I wanted to change my position. Even today I want to thank that particular minister (Reverend Stan Webly).

Most challenging moment since being saved: My most challenging moment has been the fact that I got saved and did not know what it was to live for the Lord. To really see ministers generally endeavouring to spread the gospel to as many as possible and persons just turn away from the truth, that has been very challenging for me. But recognising that the gospel is available to all and it becomes a matter of choice. So if persons choose to turn away from the truth, then there is nothing more that we can do.

Most miraculous moment since being saved: I have had situations that have come to me. I can truthfully say that it is only the hand of God that could have done these things. One of the things that come to mind was when my parents got saved. I went back home and started telling them about the love of God; and it was not very long after that my mother especially, who was not living a life that any son would be very proud of; not that she was an out and out person, but recognising that I was saved and she was not, it burdened me for some time; and I prayed and believed God on her behalf, and she gave her life to the Lord. It was not long after that that my father came along; and right now, we are all saved and serving the Lord in a very special way.

Message to Christians: Be faithful to God. I am a firm believer that God is faithful. There is absolutely no doubt about the faithfulness of God, and anything He says He will do, He will do it. So I want to say to Christians, especially in these last and closing days when so many persons are turning away from the truth, to hold on to God's unchanging hands. When the disciples enquired of Christ in Matthew 24 and 25 as to what would be the signs of the end of the time, he chronicled them one by one; and we see them happening one by one in these days. The scriptures are there pointing out that these signs are being fulfilled. This is telling us that we are close to the end of time, so just hold on to God.

Message to non-Christians: Before you die, seek the Lord. Reach out and touch Him now, believe His word. Confess your sins to Him; eternity is nigh. Before you die seek the Lord. This is very important and should never be left unattended.

Favourtie Bible scripture: "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Favourite songs: We should never leave behind an unfinished task and Life is like a mountain railroad.

Feedback: pehenrya@hotmail.com