“Evangelize, Heal, Sanctify – The Ruth O. Saxon Holiness Service and Academic Conference”

From July 26 to 28 at the El Socorro Church of the Nazarene on Chanka Trace, El Socorro and at the Caribbean Nazarene College (CNC) in Santa Cruz, the Church of the Nazarene Trinidad and Tobago held the Ruth Ora Saxon Holiness Service and Academic Conference. The purpose of the event, in the words of District Superintendent, Reverend Dr. Victor George, was to show gratitude and build upon the dedication, the sacrifice, and the legacy of Reverend Dr. Ruth Saxon who for forty-three (43) years worked as Missionary from Mississippi, USA in Trinidad and Tobago.

Reverend Saxon was a teacher at Caribbean Nazarene Theological College (now CNC) and also served as Registrar, Academic Dean, Choir Master, Pianist, and Interim President. Her long service in Trinidad and Tobago was not limited to the College. She also served as the Pastor of four (4) Nazarene churches in Trinidad: Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Old Road, Piarco, and El Socorro. Moreover, Dr. Saxon published four (4) books which chronicle the spread of the Nazarene denomination throughout Trinidad and Tobago, the development of the Area Nazarene College, her personal struggles as a Missionary in the Caribbean, and her love experience with the congregation and wider community of Chanka Trace in El Socorro. These publications are Flares in the Night, A History of Caribbean Nazarene Theological College 1951 – 1996, Triumph in Trinidad, and Love Story from Trinidad.

Seventeen (17) presenters converged to share their views at the Holiness Service and Academic Conference.  Former President of Caribbean Nazarene College Reverend Dr Scoffield Eversley, holder of the Barbados Star, a National Award of Barbados, delivered the keynote message entitled, “our Holiness Heritage”. Reverend Eustace McDonald, Professor of Psychology at Adelphi University, was the keynote speaker at the Academic Conference, examining the theme “A Time to Heal”. He focused on the need to forgive and forget the past in order to fulfil one’s highest potential.

Reflections on the life of Dr Ruth O Saxon were read on behalf of her sisters Ester Saxon, Mary Lee Saxon, and on behalf of her brother Dan Saxon.  Panel discussions were divided into the publications and the personal, professional, and pastoral life of Reverend Dr. Ruth O. Saxon. Panellists included Dr. Oliver Phillips, Church of the Nazarene General Board Member Darryl Bodkin, Reverend Kwame Payne, Church of the Nazarene Trinidad and Tobago District NMI President Leonard Grant, Reverend Aziz Abidh, Windward Islands District Superintendent George Leonce, Dr. Kenneth Sharpe, Reverend Rudyard Morgan, and Reverend Leonie Chapman.  Reverends Mark Lawrence, Rodywn Fanfair, and Rudyard Morgan also presented a specially convened panel on the experience of Entire Sanctification. The papers at the conference stimulated wide discussion and even ended with seasons of prayer around the altar.

The Chairperson of the event, Dr. Gelien Matthews, is assured that the purpose of the event, to encourage evangelism, bring healing to interpersonal relationships and to cause Nazarene to embrace sanctification, has been achieved.

Submitted by: Dr. Gelien Matthews.