George Henry, STAR Writer

It was 1:10 p.m. last Sunday when parents Faye-Ann and Dean Hyman were called to take their infant daughter to the altar to be dedicated to Christ.

The parents were focused as they stood in front of the congregation and listened to encouragement from Bishop Donald Dawson, pastor and district overseer for the Sanguinetti District of New Testament Churches.

Dawson told the assigned godparents they were also important in young Abigail's life. He said though the involvement of godparents has lost it's religious meaning, they are like third parents.

"Godparents offer guidance and try to protect the child. They are to assist the parents, so that if parents are not available they would fill the slots, while making themselves available to the child.

Godparents are also responsible for helping to discipline the child and for providing financial, emotional and other support for the child. You need to know that you are performing an important function," Dawson said.

The pastor told the parents they have an obligation to God, and their daughter, to ensure she is properly taken care of.

Dawson said the Hymans needed to recognise the sacredness of their charge as partents and accept their responsibility to nurture Abigail in the ways of righteousness and godliness.

"It is your duty to provide a Christian home and a godly environment for her. As soon as she is able to learn the principles of our holy faith and the nature of the Christian life, you should see to it that she is taught.

"She should be trained to give reverend attention upon the public and private worship of God and the teachings of the Holy Scripture. It is your responsibility to nurture this child and bring her up in the fear of God," Dawson said.

The parents pledged to raise little Abigail in the fear and admonition of the Lord, lead to accept Christ as her personal Saviour, and set Godly examples for her.

Following their pledges, Dawson prayed for Abigail. He prayed for blessings and protection for her.

"We ask, dear God, that your blessings will be upon her. We pray that the home will be a better place now that this child is in the home. Therefore, we come against every generational curse that would want to come upon her.

"We bind every curse in the name of Jesus and we tell the enemy that no curse will be passed upon this little child. She is blessed and dedicated to the glory of God.

"Nothing shall prevent this child from being what you have destined her to be," prayed Dawson, who also called on God to set Angels in her bedroom.

Abigail Hyman, born on July 20 at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Manchester, the sixth baby to be dedicated at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God since 2015.

Seven babies were dedicated at the church in 2014.

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