“There is a need to return to the values of honouring and cherishing life and return to putting God at the centre of our families.” This, according to Senator Donna Cox, Minister of Social Development and Family Services, who lamented that we must all do our part to help, empower and transform lives in a meaningful way that will lead to healing and restoration of families.
Minister Cox was, at the time, delivering remarks at the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies (PAWI) Rally 2022, held at the Revival Time Assembly in San Fernando, on June 5th, 2022. PAWI is a local non-profit organisation, built upon sound biblical truths and unity, which utilises its resources to serve all people.
Each year, PAWI hosts a Pentecost Rally to bring together members and leaders of the full gospel fraternity throughout Trinidad and Tobago. This year, the theme was ‘Re-Building Together: Experience the Reconnect’ which calls on persons to work together towards common goals.
Delivering her remarks, Minister Cox stated that she was pleased to participate in PAWI’s efforts to commemorate what is recorded in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, the Day of Pentecost, which is considered a turning point in the history of the Church. According to Minister Cox, “As a nation, we continue to navigate through perilous times worsened by the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have seen a massive burden being placed on families, whether psychologically, socioeconomically, and spiritually. Hence, it is critical that as the nation recovers from these challenges, that emphasis be placed on providing families with the support needed to navigate these unprecedented times.”
Minister Cox also reminded the audience that The Body of Christ has a very vital role to play in this undertaking. She stated “Scripture speaks to the importance of restoration of relationships, where in Colossians 3:12-14, we are encouraged to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”. She further noted that the Ministry will continue to pursue initiatives to support faith based organisations through capacity building, partnerships and other collaborative mechanisms.
Minister Cox also stated that recently there has been an increase in family violence, resulting in the death of many persons. “This upsurge of violence being perpetrated by family members against each other is quite alarming. This vicious cycle of abuse needs to be broken and it can only start with us” said Minister Cox. In closing, Minister encouraged the members of PAWI, and other Faith Based Organisations to partner with the Ministry, in an effort to provide support to families in their most critical time of need.
Also in attendance were Reverend Lloyd E. Hart, Host and Senior Pastor, Revival Time Assembly; Bishop Dr. Anthony Roberts, District Presiding Bishop, PAWI South Trinidad District; Reverend Jenny-Lyn Warner, National Director for Church Ministries, PAWI Trinidad and Tobago Reverend Ricardo Joseph, Director, World Missions, Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies International; Reverend Winston Mansingh, President of Faith Based Network of Trinidad and Tobago, Chairman of Pentecost Secretariat 2022, and Reverend Arlene Duke Stroud.
As the leading Government agency in the social sector, the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services remains committed to developing a more enabling environment to stabilize our society in the midst of challenging socio-economic circumstances.
