By Cecelia Campbell Livingston
If anyone can relate to the story of Jonah and his refusal to go to Nineveh until he finally had to comply, it would be Pastor Winston Orr.
In an interview with Freedom Come Rain, he said he was aware that there was a call on his life for ministry, but he kept hiding. In fact, the call was confirmed by so many people who told him to come to God, but he still resisted.
He said it wasn’t until it reached a point in his life where a lot of bad things started happening to him that, through the spirit of the living God being with him and seeing him through it all, he eventually had no choice but to surrender.
Orr, who pastors the Heart of Worship Endtime International Ministries located in Kingston said the most difficult part of leading the flock is getting people to understand the value of time.
“The hardest part in my view is trying to get people to understand that we only have one chance at life, so the time to get it right is now,” were his impassioned words as he expressed his concern that the church will not be ready when the Lord makes His appearance.
Among the ministries in operation at his church is the intercessory ministry, which creates a wall of defence for the leaders and members of the evangelism team. Considering they are going on the battlefield to win souls, the ministry covers them in prayer. There are also worship, hospitality, and youth ministries.
Intercessors meeting
A minister’s life is never easy, and with all the responsibilities that fall on his plate, Pastor Orr said he makes a deliberate effort to ensure he doesn’t drop the ball when it comes to family time.
“The key is getting everyone to understand the duties that are set before them and getting everyone to be respectful of the responsibility that is laid before us,” he shared.
He has a lot to be thankful for where his family is concerned, as he credits their support for making his faith journey a lot easier. He is also thankful for the input of friends and the community.
“They have shaped my journey seeing what I’ve been through and my background leading up to being what I’ve become. I know that I’m being observed, so knowing that it makes me want to do my best at being a good shepherd on this journey that I’m on,” he noted.
When Orr is not engaged with pastoral duties, he spends his time doing one-on-one counselling with people who are struggling with life’s issues. He does this because speaking from the pulpit doesn’t always solve what they are going through.
Commenting on the many misconceptions out there about pastors, Orr said that because of the ‘false prophets and pastors in wolf clothing, it has shed a bad light on the ministry, causing people to think that pastors are just in it for the money and are corrupt.
“But there are still good vessels appointed and anointed,” he said.
Being there for his flock and for those who need him, Pastor Orr said there are times when he himself requires spiritual lifting.
“When that happens, I would consult the Holy Spirit, then the intercession team would fast and pray,” he revealed.
Dance ministry
Born in the volatile community of Mansfield in Kingston, he said he was surrounded by bad company, but thankfully he always had a mind of his own, so he avoided that trap. He is a past student of Tivoli Gardens High School.
Since embracing the call, Pastor Orr said his desire is to lead souls to Christ, and now that he has been serving for four years, he still stops and asks himself how he got there.
“But then I remember all things work together for good to them that love God,” said the clergyman, who was married but is now a widow with three children. He still misses his wife, whom he credits as being his source of inspiration.
