Evangelist Errol Rattray responds to a question posed by The Gleaner.
-Andrew Smith photo
'Then Hurricane Gilbert struck on September 12, 1988. This became a watershed in his journey of faith as he sensed God speaking to him in the immediate
aftermath of that natural disaster'
Mark Dawes, Staff Reporter
ACCORDING TO conventional wisdom, it is difficult to get churches co-operating on projects and programmes that seek to fulfil common objectives. Evangelist Errol Rattray, however, has been making
significant strides in uniting churches for
common objectives.
Since June 5, his organisation, the Errol Rattray Evangelistic Association (EREA), in partnership with 200 local churches, has been convening The Kingston & St. Andrew Citywide Crusade. Beginning in Olympic Gardens, the crusade was taken to No Man's Land in Trench Town, Marverley, St. William Grant Park, Mandela Park and Stony Hill. The crusade culminates tomorrow at National Heroes Park.
In April, the EREA, in partnership with 85 churches in St. Catherine, convened a series of crusades that culminated at the JUTC Bus Park in Spanish Town. Last year, the EREA brought 65 churches together for a crusade in Port Antonio, Portland. Also, last year, the organisation united 60 churches to collaboratively convene a crusade in May Pen. The next stop will be in Highgate, St. Mary in July, where 35 churches are working with the EREA to hold a crusade there.
The Kingston & St. Andrew Citywide Crusade, represents the first time a local organisation has united so many Jamaican churches for an evangelistic campaign. Such unity is rare. Indeed, such unity seemed reserved for collaboration with foreign organisations such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), which has worked with local churches in at least three major crusades since the 1950s - the last being the 'Celebrate Jesus '99' lead by Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham.
Evangelist Rattray, 51, hails from Banks in Clarendon. A born-again Christian since he was a second former at Glenmuir High School, in Clarendon, Mr. Rattray has been an evangelist for the last 25 years.
A former life underwriter, he spent two years with British American Insurance Company then 10 years with Mutual Life Insurance Company. He enjoyed success as a life underwriter, but was often torn between the job and his passion to preach. He tells stories how sometimes while trying to close a sale, he would sense a spiritual need in a prospect and abandon trying to sell a policy and concentrate on working with the person on his/her spiritual need. His passion to preach continued to grow.
Then Hurricane Gilbert struck on September 12, 1988. This became a watershed in his journey of faith as he sensed God speaking to him in the immediate aftermath of that natural disaster. God told him, he said, that for many persons, their lives looked like Jamaica the day after 'Gilbert' struck, and that he wanted to use him to rebuild their lives.
Mr. Rattray quit his job in 1989 and went to work fulltime with Jamaica Youth For Christ, which at the time was facing a leadership crisis. He became chairman of its National Executive Council in essence, the de facto executive director. During this time he also gave pastoral oversight to the Fellowship Circuit of Jamaica Baptist Union churches in Portland.
He served as chairman of its National Executive Council of the Jamaica Youth for Christ for about five years. Then in 2000, he formed the EREA.
Evangelist Rattray acknowledges that for many, it is hard to get churches united to do projects and crusades. Mr. Rattray lists among the factors limiting cooperation:
The fear pastors have of losing members.
The suspicion pastors have about evangelists especially if they seem overly focused on money or boosting their egos.
He has significantly overcome many of these inhibiting factors as pastors know that he is in happy membership at Mamby Park Baptist Church in St Andrew and that he has no
interest in holding the office of pastor. Secondly, he has subjected himself to the gravity of the wisdom of the reputable church leaders who form the board of the EREA.
HE MEASURES THE SUCCESS
OF A CRUSADE BY:
The unity it engenders among participating churches and within particular local churches.
The extent to which non-Christians show up to listen to the message.
The extent to which many prayed fervently.
The scope of the discipling (follow-up) that takes place after a crusade.
The EREA regularly offers evangelistic training on a range of skills notably 'altar work' counselling and discipleship. Next year, the EREA hopes to convene a conference for itinerant evangelists to boost their skills and help them in their respective ministries; as well as training in various forms of evangelism, notably personal evangelism, friendship evangelism and cell group ministry.
HELPING CHILDLESS COUPLES
Married since 1976 to Heather, a probation officer attached to the Family Court, they do not have, biological children. They have, however, mothered and fathered many. At present they are foster parents. Evangelist Rattray is not insensitive to the struggles of childless couples. For that reason, his organisation plans to convene a seminar next year to help such couples.
Fully booked for crusades for this year and for much of 2005, the evangelist also has a presence on the electronic media. He hosts The Hour of Inspiration, a 30-minute programme, broadcast on Roots FM on Sunday afternoons. He also has a programme that may be viewed by
St. Catherine residents who subscribe to JACS cable company.
After tomorrow, his next major activity is an all-men evangelistic crusade, set to take place July 18-25, 2004 in Highgate. Ministry to men and boys is particularly high on the priority of this evangelist.
Since 2002, working in partnership with guidance counsellors and teachers, he has been convening in Kingston a boys' conference, where issues related to sexuality, leadership, and spirituality are discussed from a distinctly Christian worldview. Last year about 300 boys drawn from 25 high schools were in attendance. He gives the boys a free meal during the conference. He only asks the schools to transport them to the conference site, which in the last two years have been the Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God. He asks each school to send 20
boys each 10 of their worst behaving and 10 of their most exemplary.
Assisting him in the planning of the boys' conference each year are about 30 men, drawn from the Corporate Area, who are serving as president of their church's men's fellowship. This team meets regularly, and are exploring activities, including conferences, to empower men
in spiritual and socio-economic areas.
He hopes to repeat the boys' conference at the usual time in November. However, this time, it will be in both Kingston and Montego Bay.
For many guidance counsellors, this annual conference, is a godsend. Many are profuse in their thanks to him. Indeed, many of the boys themselves, acknowledge these conferences to be significant in shaping their
lives to become better persons.
