Prime Minister Gaston Browne is calling on church leaders in the society to come
together to devise plans to help curb youth delinquency in Antigua and Barbuda.
The prime minister was speaking at the 50 th anniversary church service for the
Beacon Light Church of the Nazarene last Sunday. “It is important for all of us to
ensure that our children and grandchildren receive sound spiritual underpinnings to
guide them and to help them to achieve success.,” he told the church leadership
and members.
The prime minister said a cursory glance around the community would see that
there have been changes; from the housing project at Bay Street, to expansion of
the Villa Primary School and the expansion and upgrade of the St. John’s Harbour.
Despite these achievements, the nation’s leader said one area of failure has been
dealing with issues related to youth delinquency. “I believe that the church
collectively has a responsibility to assist in nurturing our youth and to reduce the
level of youth delinquency. So, as we celebrate the golden jubilee of the Beacon
Light Church of the Nazarene, I call on the church and all the spiritual leaders in
the community and across the nation to redouble their efforts to increase the social
outreach, to help to foster greater spiritual learning and greater spiritual
underpinnings for our youth,” he urged.
He emphasised that this was not a task solely for church leaders, but one that
involves the entire society. He added that if parents and grandparents do not send
their children to church then they would not get that spiritual underpinning that
they need.
Prime Minister Brown said he recognizes that such an outreach programme would
require money and with this he pledged a donation of $50,000.00 to support
delinquent youths and social programmes at the Beacon Light Church of the
Nazarene.
“This incredible act of kindness will have a profound impact on our community,
empowering and uplifting those in need. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude
to Prime Minister Gaston Brown for his unwavering support and dedication,” an
announcement from the church stated.
