Proud father Alexander Brown holds his four-month-old daughter Shanessa after she was christened at the Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine, recently. - Anthony Minott

Four-month-old Shanessa Brown was christened at the Power of Faith Ministries, located on Dawkins Drive in the Portmore town centre, St Cathe-rine, along with more than a dozen other children recently.

What made Shanessa stand out, however, were her levels of attention span and the deep curiosity seen on her face. Alexander Brown, her father, said that she is really bright and seemed to understand what is said around her. Early stimulation, he added, is very important for the overall development of the child.

Brown thought that at four months her christening was rather late, but he admitted to being surprised at seeing children who were already walking also being christened at the same service. "I believe in christening the children early, allow them to start their walk with God from a tender age."

Brown, who is a supervisor, has been living in Portmore for the last 22 years. He currently lives in Braeton with the mother of his three children. Though not a Christian, he wants to travel that road very soon, and is already declaring in the name of the Father that Shanessa is on her way to a life of success. "I hope she achieves in life everything I didn't achieve, the sky is the limit for her," he said.

His advice to future parents is: "Love and more love for the children. Once there is love, everything else will follow," he stressed.

The Brown family was dressed for the occasion. Baby Shanessa wore a white dress and matching shoes, her siblings, sister Shanice, 13, and her brother Theodore, 15, also wore white, while their mother, Trasian Campbell, was dressed in beige. Mr Brown was dressed in a grey suit.

He seemed pleased with proceedings, pointing out it was a glorious day for him and his family.

The atmosphere inside the church, said to be one of the largest in Portmore, with more than 2,000 members, was spiritual and loving, as ministers at the sanctuary took turns in blessing the babies.

Earlier, olive oil was poured on the infants' foreheads as a sign of protection under the Almighty. Minister Icilda Noteman prayed for the young ones, asking for God's protection over their lives, rebuking any sickness that the devil will throw at them.

After the christening, parents and children sat and participated in the rest of the service.

Alexander Brown (second right) poses with daughter Shanessa (in hand) and other family members and friends after Shanessa was christened.

A prayer mother holds Shanessa Brown before she was christened at the Power of Faith Ministries, in Portmore, St Catherine. - Anthony Minott photos