GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer
SPALDINGS, CLARENDON:

Pastor Jonathan Bennett, who has been a Christian for more than 54 years believes that living for Christ is the best thing an individual can do with his/her life.

Bennett, 82, said that God has lent life to man for a purpose, to serve Him and keep His commandments. For more than 24 years he has been the pastor in the Evangelistic Ministries Church in Clarendon. Before that he was a member, Sunday schoolteacher, deacon and evangelist at the Zinc Shop Apostolic Faith Church in the parish.

"I started serving God at age 28, on Tuesday May 2, 1954. I got saved when I saw myself not doing the things that were right. I decided then that it was time for me to do the things that are right in the sight of God and I have been doing that over the past 54 years. My birth song was 'What can wash away my sins', said Pastor Bennett.

great life

He pointed out that since he began serving the Lord, life has been great. A former porter at the Percy Junor Hospital in Spaldings, Bennett said that life as a Christian is never boring, because he can talk to the Lord at all times and God can talk back to him through the Bible.

He explained that it did not take long after being saved to start baptizing candidates for the Lord. He said he started doing so in 1956 and that it was a joy for him to serve God in that way, as he loved to see persons giving their life to the Creator.

"Nothing can separate me from the love of God. If you win the lottery and want to give me half of the winnings I will not partake of that. Christianity is too important to me for me to sell it for a price. Christianity is most important to me because I want to see the King when He returns," testified Bennett.

He believes that some of the ills taking place in the society today happen because satan has blindfolded many persons. The Gospel which was being preached by many pastors in the 1930s through to the '60s has now been watered down.

He said that many preachers have changed God's gospel while there are others who are too greedy and are only in the church as 'money grabbers'.

seeking the lost

"They do not seek for the poor, the orphans, the widows and the shut-ins. That is my mission as a pastor; as well as to seek for the lost and dying sheep," said Bennett.

Pastor Bennett said the churches are separated because of a 'spiritual war'. He is however calling on all the various denominations to come together, have fellowship and fight against sin.

He added that it does not matter which church one attends, once they are serving God in Spirit and in truth. God, he said, does not care which denomination His people attend, once they are saved.

During the interview the pastor also called on persons following Christ for a long time, not to give up. He encouraged those who may at times feel like throwing in the towel to remember that Jesus is gone to prepare a place for them and He is coming back to receive them.

There is no doubt to the respect that Pastor Bennett commands in Clarendon. He is respected by persons of various age groups. Anthony Henry who hails from Nine Miles, described him as a dedicated man of God who knows the Bible, and who always finds time to give a word of encouragement to persons.

Henry said that Jamaica needs more Christians like Bennett and he sets good examples for all to follow.