A week after a brazen attack on a St. James church, congregants returned Sunday to praise God and proclaim that Satan has not prevailed.
During last Sunday’s service, churchgoers to the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) Sion Hill, St James, were left in a state of shock when their pastor, Reverend Gregory Holder, and his wife first lady Alison Holder were assaulted by a man who entered the building and caused a ruckus.
At that time, first lady Holder said that the disturbance erupted after they declined to give into the suspect’s reported demand to “stop calling the name of Jesus”.
The man spat in the face of first lady Holder, bloodied Reverend Holder’s lip and damaged several pews. The man is still assisting police investigations into the matter.
This morning’s service was vastly different as merriment permeated and words of praise for God and thanksgiving were echoed among worshippers. The service opened with Reverend Holder spiritually cleansing the building with prayer before his wife went on to recount last week’s episode and expressed her gratitude to persons, local and overseas, who reached out to lend their support.
Declaring her love for God, Holder stated that the incident has strengthened her faith in Him and she resolved to worship Him more and live a life that is worthy of higher calling.
“Whatever has been destroyed is wood and nails, it was bound to perish anyhow but that which is precious to Almighty God, which is His people, which is us, we are still alive today and we continue to call the name of Jesus Christ. And every devil and every agent of the kingdom of darkness that would seek to silence the people of God, we say the Lord God rebukes you,” she proclaimed
“Satan your assignment failed. How many saints can tell you that they stood toe-to-toe with a demon and lived? How many people could say that? There are not many and it gives us witness and testimony to the empowerment of our God,” Holder added.
On the matter of the suspect, Holder, did not express any animosity towards him. To the contrary, she expressed a hope for his salvation. She also noted that after the incident congregants, namely the youth membership, were provided with counselling from the Barbados Society of Psychology. (KC)
