By Cecelia Campbell Livingston
Rev. Paul Forbes of the Berean Church of God International, Kencot, St Andrew, never expected to be called into pastoral ministry. But when he was summoned by God, he readily took the mantle.
Rev Forbes is now passionate about his responsibilities and has been actively involved in service in different ministries at varying levels, including his very first as a Sunday School teacher.
Born in Mandeville, Manchester, Rev Forbes spent his early life there before relocating to Kingston as his mother sought a better life for her and her children.
In Kingston, he experienced a culture shock as he was exposed to “a very hostile environment” while attending high school.
“The influences to engage in undesirable and uncouth behaviours both at school and within my community of residence led me to make a crucial decision at the age of 16. Upon accepting an invitation to attend an Inter School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) meeting, I found myself answering and submitting to the call of the Lord,” he shared.
This decision set him on a new path that empowered him to withstand and overcome the many obstacles he would face. The journey was not easy as his place of residence did not change, and as such, those influences from drug users and warmongers remained. However, two years after getting saved, he found a new environment that is now his home church, which is the Berean Church of God International.
Rev. Forbes, before being called a pastor, served as youth president, national youth director, and youth camp coordinator. At the age of 48, he registered at the Jamaica Theological Seminary to pursue a bachelor’s in biblical theology with a minor in guidance and counselling. By the time he completed his studies, he was ordained as a pastor in the Berean Church of God International, where he served as an assistant pastor for a number of years. He now holds the position of host pastor at the Kencot Assembly.
Now that he is charged with leading the flock, he said among his challenges is dealing with the migration of some members in recent years, as many of the people who were trained and got opportunities elsewhere, in quick succession, migrated for better opportunities overseas. “Another thing is that post-COVID it has proven very difficult to get our face-to-face back to normal, so we are having issues servicing the community in the way we were able to before, and this has created a serious void in our church operations,” he shared.
Among the ministries carried out at his church are youth, Sunday school, women, men, missions, children’s church and social outreach.
Along with his many local responsibilities, Rev Forbes heads the training and development ministry internationally for the organisation.
Sharing his concerns regarding the church, he said the main one for him is the lagging level of commitment that members are willing to exercise in helping in the development of the wider community.
“For example, we have a home work programme geared towards the development of after-school classes for the children, and this has taken a lengthy time to activate, and this is because of a lack of resource persons to volunteer their time towards the project. There is this lack of desire to serve, especially where it calls for dedication, sacrifice, and self-denial,” he explained.
And if there are days when things like that threaten to get him down, Rev. Forbes expressed gratitude to his wife, Yvonne, whom he describes as his confidante and biggest support.
“Also, my children and extended family members and friends have been a tower of strength over the years. They provide a great balance between supporting the goals and vision as well as providing honest and critical feedback on matters that could be considered favourable or unfavourable. Their input really help in shaping my faith and give me the motivation to continue in these very trying times,” he notes.
With all that support, he laughs that he has not been good at creating a proper balance between his pastoral responsibilities and his family.
Thankfully, he says his wife has been very understanding and has even volunteered her time to help.
“She has supported me by structuring my calendar and helping me with time management. Therefore, administratively, it helps me to function with my responsibilities. This has helped, especially since both our sons are now married and the general care in that department is not there to commit to,” he stated.
Sharing on his ministry and some of the personal challenges, he said a lot of people don’t realise that pastors too have struggles and that the general problems that every day people are faced with as ministers are theirs too. He said they always have it altogether, and there are times when the journey is laced with disappointments and despair, but thankfully God is always there to give him coping mechanisms.
“I have not shied away from seeking help whenever the situation has been overwhelming. I make it a point of my duty to have an accountable partner, one who I can bounce things off to help deal with issues; prayer and the word have been two of my tools I employ as methods of coping mechanisms in these seasons,” he informed.
