The Jamaica Star :: Life& Times :: Leading Daniel to God

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

The Reverend Barrington DaCosta hands Daniel to his mother, Charmaine Brown, after he was prayed for at the dedication ceremony. Looking on are Albert Allen (right) and Aswell Wright, godfathers. - George Henry

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON

It was exactly noon when the Reverend Barrington DaCosta called on Charmaine Brown to take her four-month-old son Daniel to the front of the Sanguinetti New Testament Church on Sunday, April 20, to be dedicated to God.

Accompanied by godfathers Aswell Wright and Albert Allen, the mother walked proudly down the aisle towards the minister with the child.

This was done as the congregation sang Jesus Loves Me This I Know. Reverend DaCosta was, however, dismayed to discover that the father was not present, as he wanted both parents to witness the christening.

The pastor continued with the short dedication ceremony, calling on the officers of the church to join him.

During his sermon, Rev DaCosta said God was awesome, because He allowed women to conceive and give birth to children.

"God knew how to make it possible for women to be able to carry children in their womb for nine months and then deliver the baby thereafter in one piece," said Rev DaCosta.

He called on the parents and godparents to raise little Daniel in the right way, so that when he was older, he would not stray from the proper teaching. He pointed out that if the fear of God was not enforced upon children in Jamaica, the country will be in greater trouble than it is.

Take a stand

DaCosta noted that the church needed to take a stand before children started using guns. The pastor told parents not to prevent their children from serving God when they showed signs that they wanted to, because they were never too young to serve Him.

He said parents should encourage children to live in the way of the Lord from early on, so that the teachings of God and the Bible could remain with them always.

The pastor also called on Brown to allow godly principles to be a part of her life, so that she would be able to pass them on to Daniel from early. With that, the baby was blessed.

Daniel is also the son of Alvin Brown. He was born at the Mandeville Hospital on January 11. He was the third baby to be dedicated at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church since the start of this year.