Antigua & Barbuda Archives - Evangelical Association of the Caribbean

The Regional Board and members of the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean (EAC) joins the Antigua and Barbuda Evangelical Alliance (ABEA), the Evangelical Community of Antigua and Barbuda and the Leeward–Virgin Islands District of the Church of the Nazarene, to extend their prayerful support to the family, loved ones on the passing of Rev. Joscelyn Martin.

Rev. Emerson Boyce, Secretary General of the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean (EAC) commented: “Pastor Martin, as he was affectionately called was a confident, humble, and an intriguing servant who changed the landscape of Christian service in the All Saints community. He served on the Board of Directors of ABEA as President and up to the time of his passing Director of Relief and Development. Rev. Martin was indefatigable in his ministerial service for God whom he loved dearly and leaves behind a legacy of influence in the lives of countless people across Antigua and Barbuda, within and outside the Caribbean.”

Mr. Clovis St. Romain, General Secretary of ABEA recalls Rev. Martin “as being humble and caring, possessing an affable personality, which will be hard to replace among colleague Ministers and friends who will dearly miss his forever smiling face.”

We praise God for the Spirit–controlled life, ministry and legacy of Rev. Martin. We are praying for his wife, Sandra of 39 years, their children Josiah and La Fleur, grand children Josiah, Jr. and Raina, family and friends during this difficult time.

Arima, Trinidad and Tobago – August 10, 2021

The Regional Board and members of the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean (EAC) joins the Evangelical Community of Antigua and Barbuda to extend their prayerful support to the family, loved ones and nation of Antigua and Barbuda, on the passing of Sir Lester Bird, former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

Rev. Emerson Boyce, Secretary General of the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean (EAC) commented: “Sir Lester Bird, a great son of the soil, contributed significantly to the socio–economic development of Antigua and Barbuda. Caribbean leaders acclaim as the architect of modern Antigua, responsible for successfully transitioning the country from an economy dependent on a defunct sugar industry into one of the leading tourism centres in the world.”

Under his stewardship, Antigua and Barbuda became a high–income country, transforming the quality of jobs, housing, and introducing high–end tourist resorts.

He was a keen sportsman, with a great passion for cricket and a superb pace bowler. He represented Antigua and the West Indies and won a bronze medal for long jump at the 1957 Pan American Games.

Sir Lester, a committed regionalist, was highly instrumental in establishing the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). He was a great orator and a progressive thinker whose vast experience and political knowledge served the people of the Caribbean well in the councils of CARICOM.

We are praying for his family, friends and the nation of Antigua and Barbuda during this difficult time.