Hundreds of worshippers and supporters last Saturday witnessed the elaborate official installation of the Rev. Dr. Roxie Morris, the Vincentian-born pastor of Hope Restored Tabernacle, Inc. (HRT), an evangelical church in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Two Jamaican-born members of the clergy —Bishop Dr. David N. McDonald, chief officiant and consecrator, and Bishop Dr. Donald F. Clarke, co-consecrator — presided over the three-hour-plus-long “Sacred Service of Pastoral Institution” at the Full Gospel Assembly on Sullivan Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Bishop Clarke’s wife, Dr. Helga A. Clarke, co-overseer and founding pastor of Harvest Fire Worship Center, Inc. in Miami Gardens, Fl., delivered the homily.
Several members of the clergy, as well as Pastor Morris’s husband, Stanley Morris, a Vincentian sports ambassador, and Pastor Morris’s mother, Rosemarie Bobb, also participated in the ceremony that was punctuated with, among other things, lofty singing, scripture readings, congratulatory messages and words of encouragement.
The Rev. Faith Barnett, Pastor Annette Shields, Minister Hillary Gillings, Hope Restored Tabernacle and Firstborn Juniors rendered impassioned selections; and Pastor Nathaniel Williams, Sis. Joan Grant, Bishop Sandford O. Taylor, Pastor Dr. Crystal Baines and Minister Yvette Frith brought congratulatory remarks.
Elder Lensworth Grant served as “presenter,” while Bishop McDonald led the ministerial charge.
After Bishop McDonald asked the presenter if Pastor Morris has been selected in accordance with the cannons of the church and whether her manner of life is suitable to the exercise of this ministry, he responded: “We certify to you that she has satisfied the requirements of the cannon, and we believe her to be duly qualified for these Orders.”
Bishop McDonald then solicited this promise from Dr. Morris: “In the name of Jesus Christ, I, Roxie Valerie Morris…do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, disciple and worship of this church.”
No one objected to the Rev. Dr. Morris becoming the pastor of Hope Restored Tabernacle, Inc.
“My sister, you have been chosen and the people have affirmed their trust in you by acclaiming your appointment,” said Bishop McDonald before asking Dr. Morris whether she will seek “true humility to deal justly with your brethren and covenant pastors in the ministry and with all others over which you shall pastor?”
She responded: “I will, in the name of Jesus Christ, seek to pastor those under my care.”
During the Hymn of Consecration, “Take My Life,” the bishop, Boad of Presenters and the ordinand witnessed and affixed their signatures to the pastoral document.
The ordinand then laid prostrate in prayer and meditation during the Ordinandus Prospectus. Afterwards, she knelt before the bishops, as they anointed her with oil.
While standing, Pastor Morris was adorned with the garments of her order: The Cassock, the Surplice, the Stole or Tippet, the Cross and Cord; and the Bible.
“Pastoring is not going to be easy,” Bishop McDonald warned Pastor Morris. “The members of the church are the same as everywhere. Some who are here with you now will not be with you.
“I want to encourage you not to do it alone,” he urged. “I want you to have a circle that will speak up for you.
“You must find the tears in the wheat,” Bishop McDonald added. “Don’t stifle the people who have gifts and talents to use.
“I thank God for you; you stayed away from the mess,” he continued. “There’s a reason why we make these services public and not private. We will not walk away from you. So, preach the gospel. Preach the Word in season and out of season.”
In her homily, Bishop Helga A. Clarke also urged Pastor Morris to “to keep the presence of God,” stating that “the church is supposed to be the center of everything.”
Amb. Morris said in his “special message” in the program journal that his wife is “indeed deeply committed” to the call of the ministry.
“Your dedicated service to the ministry and the many hats you wore have profoundly equipped you for this moment,” he said. “Your insatiable hunger for God and Kingdom work, and your quenchless passion for studying God’s Word are priceless.”
Pastor Morris said her journey began at the tender age of seven, when she gave her heart to the Lord.
At age 13, she said she was ministering in songs to patients at the Kingstown General Hospital, now known as the Milton Cato Hospital, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as at nursing homes and the mental hospital.
In 1986, Pastor Morris migrated to the United States; and, a year later, she became a member of the Church of the First Born, renamed Miracle Temple Ministries International, in Brownsville, under the leadership of the late Jamaican-born Bishop Dr. Ermine Stewart.
There, she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, choir director, worship leader, counselor and mentor.
Pastor Morris holds a Doctorate of Religious Education degree from Anchor Theological Seminary and Bible Institute, and serves as an instructor at the Bethel Bible Institute in Queens.
Dr. Morris or “Sister Roxie,” as she is affectionately called, is the founder and president of the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB), a nonprofit organization that provides medical supplies and other charitable donations to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Rev. Morris and her husband served St. Vincent and the Grenadines as “strong defenders” in netball and soccer, respectively.
After her installation, Pastor Morris told the ceremony that she initially “didn’t set out to be anybody’s pastor,” thanking the late Bishop Stewart who “disciplined” and nurtured her.
“And I give God to him” she said. “So, today, I want to thank each and everyone. I’m humbled. For Bishops McDonald and Clarke, for each member of HRT, please stand.
“Church, I love you, I love you; and, together, we’re going to do what God has called us to do,” Pastor Morris added. “We’re on a quest to nurture our relationship. HRT, we’re hooked in Christ, and we’re committed in love. Thank you, thank you.”
