The Willesden Seventh-day Adventist church held a dedication service for their newly installed community kitchen and minivan on Sunday 18 June 2023 with over 50 people in attendance.
In his opening remarks, local church pastor, Dr Mario Phillip, expressed his gratitude to God for the effective outreach of the church members in meeting presenting needs of their community.
Community impact
Willesden Seventh-day Adventist church is well-known in the Brent community. Over the past five years, they have received grants of nearly £100,000 for their work and impact outreach.
Speaking about the financial blessings the church has received to date, Dr Phillip said,
"One of the most notable grants was the awarding of over £49k to the church to upgrade its present kitchen to an industrial one, as well as the purchase of a minivan to aid in the distribution of meals and supplies to those most vulnerable."
The dedication service
Keynote speaker, Dr Emmanuel Osei, South England Conference (SEC) President outlined the importance of churches embracing the SEC's mandate to 'build communities' and 'make disciples'. He stated, "You are a church with a mission, following in the footsteps of Christ, mingling with the community, meeting needs, and reflecting the gospel through impactful acts of love and service." Dr Osei also conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony and delivered the dedicatory prayer for the community kitchen and newly acquired van.
Attending the event was Mayor of Brent, Councillor Orleen Hylton, who applauded the ongoing work of the church and its current expansion. "I have always been impressed with the ministry of this church and its service to the community. It is doing God's work and changing many lives. I wish other churches could do half as much as you are doing. If that was the case, we would see an entirely different community, with most people's needs being met. May God continue to bless the work you are doing."
Acknowledgements and awards
Current and former leaders of the Willesden's Centre of Help and Hope were recognised for their outstanding service. These included Elsie Staple, Otilia Charles, Norma Whyte, Dennis Murray, and Bea Jackson who were awarded certificates for their significant contribution to community ministries. The committed volunteers who work daily in the various church community ministries were given specially design lapel pins.
A special presentation was made to the family of the late Penelope Thompson for founding and running the Golden Age Club for three decades.
Also in attendance was British Union Conference Director for Adventist Community Services, Sharon Platt-McDonald, who presented the church with a Certificate of Excellence in Community Outreach for church's daily ministry which includes:
- Centre of Help and Hope
- Food bank
- Clothes bank
- Steps Up Education and Empowerment programme
- Daily Community Kitchen
- Weekly Golden Age Club
- Bi-weekly United Drop-in Centre
- Weekly winter night shelter (seasonal)
- Barber service
- Partnership with local Community Action Team
Commenting on the dedicatory service for the kitchen, Norma Whyte, previous Centre of Help and HopeManager said, "Through dedication and unwavering commitment, we have transformed our community kitchen into a symbol of nourishment, resilience, and care."
May God continue to bless the compassionate ministries of the Willesden Adventist church, that have enhanced the holistic wellbeing of so many in the community, bringing hope to their lives.
