A Finish Challenge Commitment Fulfilled
Mt. Zion New Testament Church of God in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, recently held an appreciation service honoring its former pastors, pioneer and career missionaries Robert and Jeanette Cary, on the 30th anniversary of the church’s initial dedication.
After several successful pastorates and serving as Florida state youth and education director, the Carys felt called to give the rest of their lives to World Missions. Arriving in 1978 as overseer of the Virgin and Leeward Islands, they simultaneously pastored the Savan New Testament Mount Zion Church of God in St. Thomas. The congregation desperately needed a new facility and the Carys literally helped build a new 800-seat sanctuary that was dedicated in 1985. His hands were rough and blistered and his body worked to death from the construction, but that was the way Robert Cary operated. No sacrifice was too great for the Kingdom.
With the passing of 30 years, the church has undergone refurbishment and is now air-conditioned. It provides half pews and half theater seats. Jeanette was curious as to why they had two obviously different modes of seating and upon asking was told that half the congregation wanted pews and half wanted theater seats … everyone was accommodated.
The celebration was a lavish affair with the ushers wearing white tuxedos. The Carys were amazed that the church was full to capacity, and even individuals attended from the surrounding islands. They were deeply touched when they realized 18 to 20 adults in attendance were children earlier during their pastorate. Their influence continued, as the Carys also were constrained to encourage higher education for the young people, and that led to the founding of The New Testament Academy which now has 186 students.
Robert Cary was considered by many to be the best pastor because he had a true heart for the people. That trait is still characteristic of him today. Others commented … “The Carys had hearts as big as the universe, and many of us are what we are today because of the impact they made upon our lives.” Bishop Earl Harrison said: “[In building the sanctuary] I can imagine the sentiment of the heart of Bishop Cary as being ‘Give me this mountain!’ ”
The following years have seen the Carys raising funds for several projects and providing help for countless lives around the world. They are relentless in their pursuit of winning lost souls and actively live the World Missions FINISH Challenge.
No greater words can sum the ministry of the Carys than those from the Holy Scriptures:
Hebrews 6:9-11 … “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.”
(Source: Church of God World Missions. By Janet Price)
