A Church Worth the Wait
Twenty-two years after a solemn ground-breaking ceremony, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Grand Mal, St. Georges, Grenada, has been officially opened for religious services and community events.
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The Grand Mal Seventh-day Adventist Church is the most recent Church to be dedicated by the Grenada Conference Administration. A beautiful building nestled in close-knit community of Grand Mal, St. Georges, Grenada. Image by CARU media.
Twenty-two years after a solemn ground-breaking ceremony, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Grand Mal, St. Georges, Grenada, has been officially opened for religious services and community events. This new SDA congregation is located on the outskirts of the main town of St. Georges Grenada, has a seating capacity of more than 150, and is a hub for residents of the closely-knit community.
Scores of members were numbered among more than 200 people who gathered for the 2 ½ hour celebration on August 20, 2023. Six former church pastors and sixteen active pastors attended the service. Guests who functioned in their official roles included: Dr. Clinton Lewis, President of the Grenada Conference; Pastor Oliver Scott, Executive Secretary of the Grenada Conference; Pastor Enoch Isaac, Ministerial Secretary of the Grenada Conference; Pastor Ashton O’Neil, Personal Ministries Director of the Caribbean Union Conference, who delivered the keynote address; and Pastor Royston Philbert, Communication Director of the Caribbean Union Conference.
The impressive dedication service was led by the church’s pastor, Dr. Clinton Lewis, who warmly welcomed everyone. He applauded the faithfulness and generosity, of the church’s membership, which did not waver throughout the 22 years of the project. He gave special recognition to the builder, who is a member of the church and a skilled professional.
Pastor Oliver Scott, Executive Secretary of the Grenada Conference; Dr. Clinton Lewis, church pastor and former President of the Grenada Conference and Pastor Ashton O'Neil stands next the commemorative stone unveiled by Dr. Lewis in honor of the church dedication. Image by CARU media.
To mark the historic opening, Dr. Lewis displayed a commemorative plaque as he shared, “Today, I unveil this plaque, in honor of those who have contributed so greatly, as a gift to God from all of us – for the sacrifices we have made. The completion of the church building is a testament to the sacrifice and unity of members (past and present) who did not have monthly income religiously contributed to the building of this house of worship finishing with no outstanding mortgage.” Dr. Lewis’ tenure as pastor of the church concluded at the end of August 2023, when he retired from active denominational ministry after 39 years of service to the Grenada Conference.
Pastor Ashton O’Neil’s address was replete with key reminders. He said, “This is a proud moment for the church. Now that the church is dedicated, remember that it is God’s house and God deserves first place in the worship. All that is done in the temple must glorify God. Those who come must come to meet God and, more importantly, the church must be safe place for sinners and those who are lost.”
Pastor Oliver Scott joined Elder Martin Thomas at the main entrance of the building for the ceremonial ribbon cutting and expressed his joy, “Today, I am delighted. I am excited and happy to be a participant in this grand program and to officially cut the ribbon to open the Grand Mall Seventh-day Adventist Church to the service of Almighty God in the community.”
After Pastor Enoch Isaac led the litany of dedication, attendees concluded in unison: “We dedicate this building to the glory of God the Father, to the honor of Jesus Christ our Savior, and the praise of the Holy Spirit. Lord, bless all activities done here — to glorify Your name.” The dedicatory prayer offered by Pastor Oliver Scott, sealed the members’ commitment to God.
Dr. Clinton Lewis extending words of welcome and acknowledgements to those attending the dedication ceremony. Dr. Lewis served as pastor of the church while he was acting as President of the Grenada Conference. Also in the image is Pastor Jamie Gordon and Pastor Elvis Hillaire. Image by CARU media.
A Look Back…
From as early as 1990, SDA members in Grenada dreamed of dedicating a new house of worship to God in Grand Mal, St. Georges. Consistent membership growth, and inhospitable worship environment for the youth and children, in the dilapidated existing wooden structure heightened the need for a new church building.
A building fund committee, led by Elder Martin Thomas, was formed, and included the following elders: Cuthbert Baptiste, Luther Redhead, and Robert Bowen. This committee motivated members and organized many fundraising efforts. Everyone prayed and participated through personal sacrifices, pledges, donations, and offerings. The church quickly raised funds internally, and by the end of 1999, the building fund account had amassed more than $65,000 (ECD).
The site was excavated in September 2001, and the top floor was completed late in 2002. Work started on the ground floor in 2002, through sacrificial and dedicated service. Brethren from Oregon, USA, immensely contributed to finishing the ground floor through their finances and labour, and it was completed early in 2004. On September 7, 2004, during the passage of Hurricane Ivan, the building sustained minor damages.
Several pastors from the Grenada Conference attended the dedication service. Among them are church pastor Dr. Clinton Lewis and Pastor Oliver Scott and Pastor Ashton O'Neil, Personal Ministries Director for the Caribbean Union. Image by CARU media.
From 2004 to 2017, the interior was plastered, painted, and tiled; furniture and equipment were also purchased. The walkway, parking facilities, retaining walls, redesigned steps, porch, and ramp were constructed between 2018 and 2023. Over the years, infrastructure defects were the cause of partial demolitions.
In 2007, a loan was obtained from the Grenada Conference Revolving Fund to purchase benches. Members praised the Lord that the loan was repaid on time, without missing any payment. The Grenada Conference also gave generous contributions toward the building project.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church at Grand Mall continues its divine mandate to preach the gospel to all, to heal and restore shattered lives, to release the bonds of the oppressed, and to prepare men and women for the soon return of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Looking back at how God led the congregation, all can exclaim, “We are filled with joy because the Lord has done great things for us.” (Psalm 126: 3)