Devon Dick RECENTLY, FORMER President of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU), Reverend Clement Gayle described Sam Reid, OD, MA, BD, JP, as a prophet to the nation. This apt summary of the life of Clarence Samuel 'Sam' Reid was made at a service of appreciation for him on his retirement from the pastoral ministry and after 34 years of service to the Calvary Circuit of Baptist Churches in St. James.
A prophet is one who discerns and declares the mind and will of God to the people of the nation. He/she is usually a fearless person who proclaims what God is doing and what he wants us to do and the consequences of those actions. He/she has great insights and calls the nation to righteous living in politics, economics and culture. Prophets also have the ability to foretell the future, not in details but in broad outline. Based on that definition, Sam Reid fits that bill based on the quality and scope of his service. The Governor-General, The Most Honourable Howard Cooke, confirmed that acknowledgement when at that worship service he recounted how Sam would stand up to him and others and tell it as he saw it.
USING THE MEDIA
Sam used various media to make his prophetic utterances. He has served as Radio Talk Show host, commentator on television, author of the books, 'The Church and Democracy in the Caribbean' and the delightfully readable 'Sam Sharpe From Slave to National Hero'. He also served as Chairman of Montego Bay High and William Knibb High Schools and is the longest serving member of the Board of the United Theolo-gical College of the West Indies. He has served as director of Grace, Kennedy Foundation and Scotia Bank Building Society and he is a former President of the prestigious Montego Bay Rotary Club. He was known in all these circles as a candid person.
Reid's prophetic utterances are of lasting value, a point made by Editor-in-chief, Garfield Grandi-son, who, at the function made a presentation of Reid's Gleaner columns to him. Grandison remarked that his past columns are relevant today especially those written about education. That is a sign of a true prophet.
Sam Reid is the only person who has been asked by both a PNP government and a JLP government to serve as a Senator. He served with distinction in the 1980s, at a crucial time in the life of the country, when there was a one-party government. Sam deserves more than an OD. He deserves an OJ or at least a CD.
NOT IMMUNE TO CONTROVERSY
Sam Reid was not immune to controversy. When he sold the original Calvary Baptist Church building to the financial institution, VMBS, it raised a few eyebrows. In addition, he was moving the building from Market Street in the heart of the second city, Montego Bay, to Corinaldi Avenue on the outskirts of the city and in close proximity to the sporting facility Jarrett Park. Some questioned the wisdom of the move. However, the new location boasts a sanctuary that can hold 1,400 persons with a two-storey educational centre which has facilitated the growth of the church and its ministry.
The measure and stature of Sam Reid can be ascertained by the quality of his response. This was no firebrand prophet who could not be compassionate to one who has erred. He paid tribute to former Mayor of Montego Bay and Treasurer of Calvary, the late Deacon Charles Sinclair, who made some mistakes that became public.
Sam Reid could rightly be classified as a prophet to the world because he was a founding member of the Caribbean Council of Churches and vice-president of the Baptist World Alliance. In addition, after studying at the prestigious Oxford University he served with distinction at Moss Side, Manchester, England. So great was his service that a street is named after him in Moss Side.
Although Moss Side is plagued with violence it was a fitting tribute that British Airways gave Sam and his lifelong partner, the charming Carmen, complimentary tickets in September to re-visit Moss Side.
Last weekend, at the inaugural Jamaica Baptist Union's Mission Conference at the Jamaica Grande Hotel, Sam Reid was absent but one sensed that he would have been pleased that the three hundred delegates affirmed, among other things, that they must proclaim God's love by caring for those who are deprived of justice, dignity, food and shelter. By that declaration, Sam Reid the prophet to the nation will have many other prophets to fill his shoes. Truly, Sam Reid is a prophet to the nation.
The Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
