Devon Dick ELDER ALBERT Temeir Karram was a rich man but he did not die a rich man. Rather, he lived richly by donating his riches in the cause of the construction of churches and schools.
His friend of many years, the Rev. William Edwards, said he never saw him driving an expensive car though he could afford to go to Karrams and buy the best Volvo. Instead, he offered the land for housing that is now called Duhaney Park. He gave the land for the school called Edith Dalton James and he gave the land for the Duhaney Park Gospel Assembly.
This was the start of a life of giving - not only money but of time, talent and service - to churches and school. Albert Karram, in his service to education and schools, did so as a member and leader in the Associated Gospel Assemblies. The schools were for over 40 years, his ministry to God for and through the Church. He gave major funding to: Rehoboth, Bethel, Emmanuel, Hope, Light of Life, Duhaney Park, Lyndhurst, Arlene Gardens, Portmore, Lilyfield, Spring Village, churches in Clarendon, Manchester and St. Mary, and some overseas churches.
He also pastored many churches: Bethel on St. Joseph's Road with his cousin Joe; Light of Life in Trench Town where prevailing economic and social conditions would cause hearts of lesser mettle to fail; Hope at an uptown setting; Emmanuel on Red Hills Road, that is situated in front of the troubled 100 Lane community; Rehoboth, the main church of the denomination, and where his partner, Elder Henry White, served for many years and was once called "Karram Church" until it became formally "Rehoboth Mission." He was also on the Executive Board of the denomination, actively for 40 years, serving several times as chairman.
His first formal role of leadership came in May 1946 when he became an Elder. When the AGA was registered through the 29th Act of Vesting by Parliament in 1959, his name as treasurer, stood with two others. He was the first one, through his Chairman's Report of 1973, to call for evaluation of the denomination's fulfilling of its mission. He was the first one to jump at the opportunity of a mission to Haiti, going there to help establish a work.
In many ways, where there was a need, he was the first one to respond. His help and ministry were not confined to his denomination. He also contributed to: Back to the Bible (as chairman), Gideon's International, Christian Literature Crusade (funding), Source of Light, Jamaica Child Evangelism, Jamaica Theological Seminary (funding), Christian Enterprises (a philanthropic entity he founded and capitalised), Curtis Cole Foundation, Jamaica Youth For Christ and Family Life Ministries.
Interestingly, he was not a denominational man at the outset. In fact, he was staunchly against the Associated Gospel Assemblies becoming a denomination and almost left the group because of the decision to formalise such.
He thought the congregations should just be brothers and sisters loving one another. He was aware of the negatives of denominationalism.
He worked sweetly, even silently, with the conviction that his possessions belonged not to himself, but to God and God's Church, and God's mission through him. So he spent little on himself, very little on himself, so that he could spend much for God and God's work. His generosity came about from the Lord in the same way his resources did. He asked that money be used for God's glory.
The Government of Jamaica recognised him for his contribution to education, in particular the five schools that he served directly, and several others. His real purpose for schools, by the way, was revealed in a 1987 interview in which he said, "I realised that schools can be a tremendous blessing undertaken the right way. With schools you can have the children five days per week; to love, talk to, be with . . .become like brothers and sisters. Teachers should be Christians . . .and [schools] become missionary operations; [the] greatest missionary operation of the church. Children would be saved and then become missionaries in the wider world.
. .That was the purpose of schools".
Albert Karram has made a significant contribution to nation-building through the construction of churches and schools. The schools and churches built by him bear his trademarks in design - simple and functional. He has left a legacy for the Church to be more involved in education.
Albert Karram was born 21st February 1913 and he gave his life to the Lord in November 1925 and was called to higher service September 6, 2002. And as the Rev. Donovan Cole said at his thanksgiving service on September 14,
"He never knew ahead of time,
Nor did he run ahead of time,
But he rather followed in time
Each beat of the Master Conductor of his life
Who after great service said
"No more time. . .you've done well
And done enough" time for rest, for eternity, for me".
Elder and pastor, Albert Temeir Karram did not die a rich man but he lived richly. May his soul rest in peace.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of The Boulevard Baptist Church, St. Andrew.
