George Henry -Reverend Devon Powell

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer
MALVERN, ST ELIZABETH:

There are stories of persons who have been ill for some time and have been to several doctors hoping the real cause of their illness would be determined, but have been disappointed and have had to turn their cases over to Jesus for healing.

Reverend Devon Powell, the pastor at the Roseberry Shiloh Apostolic Church, in Malvern, St Elizabeth, is one such person. He told THE STAR he was ill for a while, up to 1984, and, after numerous visits to doctors, he was still sick. But, after he decided he was giving his life to Jesus Christ, he got his healing.

"In 1984 I was sick. I went through a period of illness and doctors could not find the source of the complaint, so the only alternative was to turn everything over to Christ. After I did that, I received my healing," said Powell.

He said after he became a Christian in 1984, he went back to the doctor, who was trying to determine the cause of his illness. He said a series of tests were done, and they all showed negative. Powell added that the doctor was astonished, because he could not believe that the sick man was now better.

But Powell said his faith in God was responsible for him being healed. He said when he got saved he kept focused on the Lord until the time of his healing came. Since then, the Christian said he has never been ill.

new creature

"I have never been ill since I got my healing in 1984. I believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead. Jesus said if any man comes to Him he is a new creature. He said old things are passed away, and behold, everything new," said Reverend Powell.

Since he received his healing and is working in the church, Reverend Powell confessed that he would never return to a life of sin. He said he would not do so because it would not be worth it, because the Bible tells him that the last is worse than the first; and so he cannot gamble with his life.

Now a pastor since 1999, Reverend Powell said he took his salvation seriously. He said although there were downfalls in the Christian journey, he believed that if Christians tried to get closer to God, the Devil would lose. He wanted persons who were being tempted by the Devil to focus on God when temptations came about by praying, reading scriptures and doing other spiritual things.

victory

"I want to tell all Christians to buckle their seatbelts a little tighter, because the Bible states that when you think it not, the Son of Man will put in His appearance. With what I see going on now, just hold your seatbelt man. If your belt is slack, just draw it a little tighter, because victory is on before," begged the pastor.

The husband of Marie Powell and the father of four believes that the senseless killings and other things taking place are clear indications that the return of the Lord is at hand. He wants persons who are not yet saved to do so before it is too late.

Vennett Baker, who has been associated with Reverend Powell for several years, described him as a true worshipper. She said Powell is a hardworking man of God who is serious about his salvation; and who does not stop encouraging persons to get close to God.

Powell, she said, practices what he preaches, and if every Christian seeks to emulate him, their Christianity will be more enjoyable.