Five Baptisms in Guyana
Five baptisms. Countless prayers. A powerful reminder that God is still calling.
Read Time: 5 minutes
It is with deep gratitude that we give thanks to Almighty God for working with our ecclesias in Guyana over the past years, and specifically the last year and a half. Sunday, February 1, 2026, brought us great joy with the baptisms of Mr. Odeon Hubbard and Mrs. Kanini Hinds. This was followed by three more baptisms on February 15, 2026, of Ms. Shonnette Braithwaite, Ms. Cayleen Willings, and Ms. Caroline Harricharran.
This powerful witness to God’s continued saving grace was a result of teamwork spearheaded by 12 faithful brothers and sisters across the Guyana ecclesias who make up our preaching committee, our faithful, elderly prayer group, and many overseas brethren who daily encourage us in the work. We were also supported by a few of our brethren who gave first principles lessons via the Zoom platform. These included brothers Nigel Small, David Corbin, and Dale Andrews, along with David Andrews locally.
About Our New Brother and Sisters
Odeon Hubbard was a student at the Brickdam Secondary School, a former colleague of our Bro. Akeem Headley, Bro. Trimal Accra, and Sis. Abike Barker. He lived in the USA for a few years and recently re-migrated to Guyana. He was in contact with Bro. Trimal and seemed to have randomly met him at an outdoor holiday event. In conversation, he asked Trimal to teach him the Truth, so Bro. Trimal asked for help with this task since his own schedule was very packed. Odeon came to the ecclesial hall faithfully, to dedicate his time in the evenings to learning all he needed to know. He indicated very early that he wanted a new life with Christ and wished to be baptized. I marveled at how Christ called him and could discern that the seed was sown in high school 10 years before. He has been bringing along two of his family members to Sunday School and the meetings!
Kanini Hinds reached out to me just as our classes got started, but on an entirely different matter. She was distressed at the time and needed advice, which, by God’s grace, I was able to furnish from the Bible, and I admitted to her that I was only capable of giving Bible advice. We proceeded to discuss the solutions available, and she asked how I was able to deal with all my own issues so calmly. I invited her to study the first principles, so she could learn to do the same. Following this, every evening on Zoom, we studied CBM lessons together. At the end of our studies, she asked for baptism! So much has now changed in how she approaches life. We check up on each other almost daily to discuss the daily readings.
Shonnette Braithwaite stopped by the Medical Outreach booth in front of Georgetown Hall to check out which pair of free glasses would be suitable for her. Bro. Tyrone Smartt, with his team, chatted with her and took her information. She joined the class to be taught by Bro. Nigel and Bro. Corbin on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. Towards the end of the class, she began to talk about the personal difficulties she was experiencing. Bro. Nigel got into action immediately to assist. That kindness is what encouraged Shonnette to pay keen attention. She requested baptism and asked that I go over the lessons with her in detail. Every evening, after taking care of her family, we did a few lessons. It was totally new to her, since she is from a Pentecostal background. We had to carefully examine the devil, demons, spirits, and the Holy Spirit gifts, especially speaking in tongues. In the end, Shonnette became our Sister in Christ.
Cayleen Willings is just 17 years old and has been associated with our ecclesia from early childhood. She came along with her elder sister, our Sister Abike Barker, to Sunday School, and then to CYC, of which she is now a member. Due to the heavy demands of studying for regional school exams, coupled with the fact that her sister, Abike, who is currently pursuing studies in China, was no longer physically nearby to accompany her, she followed our meetings taught by Brother Nigel on Zoom. Upon completion, Abike further encouraged her to seize the opportunity to be baptized. Your time is now! She agreed, but expressed fear that she didn’t think that she knew enough. By God’s grace, I stepped forward and offered to go over the course with her in person—just those areas that were challenging. She is also a deep thinker and quick in analysis. She did her own research and asked about the things she was unsure of. We worked after school, and soon she felt comfortable to proceed to baptism. Her sister joined online to observe her baptism, with our CYC in full attendance. We were ecstatic to welcome her!
Caroline Harricharran’s baptism was a joy for her parents, Bro. Charles and Sis. Candace Harricharran, who have labored in the Truth almost all their lives. She has a very strong family history of active service in the Truth, with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all in Christ. Sister Caroline also grew up in Sunday School and CYC. She decided to seize the opportunity to join the first principles class. Long before its completion, she was excited to disclose that this is her year to start walking with Christ. She joined the Georgetown CYC last year and got the encouragement from the other youths to start her journey in Christ.
Conclusion
Of course, the angels celebrated! The families and friends of our new brother and sisters came to join in the celebration. Our Brethren across the Demerara and particularly Kilcoy of the Berbice area, attended the baptismal ceremonies in person. Many more joined online from among our migrated brethren, as well as some who are still students of the ongoing first principles class.
We continue to ask our loving Savior to bring all the others who are seeking to find the True Light, and that our ecclesial lampstands may always have the necessary oil until he comes. Like Joshua and Caleb, we believe that all things are possible through Christ.
May the lives we live bring our Father immense joy, as we reflect to him the love He first showed us while we were yet in the world.
Dawne Semple,
Georgetown Ecclesia, Guyana
UPCOMING CONFERENCE: Caribbean Preaching Conference (CPC), August 1-8, 2026 at the Kam’s Resort in Lowlands, Tobago. The daily plan for Monday to Wednesday is to go to the Lowlands Mall from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm to attract people to the Bible exhibition. The CBMC has agreed to help with a large portion of the expenses. So that means each person only has to come up with $150 USD to cover all expenses. Register now