Pastor John-Mark Bartlett of the Wildman Street Pentecostal Tabernacle in central Kingston.
Alessandro Boyd, Gleaner Writer
With the nation heading closer to the New Year,
The Reverend Dr Roy Henry of the East Queen Street Baptist Church in Kingston. -photos by Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
various religious leaders are agreeing with the Reverend Karl Johnson’s view that for the betterment of the country, the Church should speak out more against individuals, institutions, and business leaders who are involved in unfair practices.
The religious leaders were responding to Gleaner requests yesterday for reaction to Johnson’s views as outlined in The Sunday Gleaner.
“The Church must preach against sin wherever it raises its head, whether it is in the Church or in the corporate world. I don’t believe that the Church should necessarily target anybody or target any group,” said John-Mark Bartlett, pastor at the Pentecostal Tabernacle, located on Wildman Street in Kingston.
Church’s responsibility
“I believe that the Church has a responsibility to share the life of Jesus and to bring good news. So yes, the Church must denounce sin and denounce unrighteousness anywhere it occurs,” he added.
Bartlett went on to note that another part of problem is the fact that the churches need to lead by example.
“If there is corruption in the Church, then I believe that the Church has a role to play, yes, but not to target anybody or any institution, necessarily,” he said.
Reverend Dr Roy Henry of the East Queen Street Baptist Church reiterated that there should be a general call for those involved in unfair dealings to repent if the nation is to survive.
“I am not only speaking against business people who are involved in unfair business, but all people. All who are involved in any unfair practice should repent as there should be justice for all people. Wrong is wrong when committed by whoever,” he continued.
alessandro.boyd@gleanerjm.com
