‘Don’t hang killers, deliver them to God’

Pastor Wilma Kelly forewarned yesterday that resuming hangings will only unleash “the demon of murder” declaring criminals must be given over to God.

“What we need to do is convict them and get them delivered,” Kelly said at the launch of the Intercession for our Nation 2017 initiative held at Sogren Grounds, Laventille. The event, which is a collaboration between Kelly’s church, The Way of Holiness Church, Point Fortin, the Inter-Agency Task Force’s Hearts and Minds Programme and Sky 99.FM radio station.

Kelly said there has been a great response in prisons to evangelism because many inmates are being baptised and converted.

“I have seen the miraculous hand of God work and we cannot sit back and allow what’s taking place in the country to happen.

When we must recognise that we not fighting against flesh and blood but principalities and powers and rulers of darkness in high places,” she said.

Kelly said churches have to “invade” at-risk areas so people’s lives can be transformed.

“These are our brothers and sisters. We want to let them know they have worth and value.” She said many people are praying for the nation but they are not going into areas to restore families.

She added that everyone is affected by crime.

Kelly said there have been previous outreach programmes on Duncan Street and Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain “and God has worked tremendously”. She reported, for example, that the former leader of a gang in Duncan Street was now pastor for The Way of Holiness in Remand Yard Prison.

She also reported that a building in Guapo is used for rehabilitation of about 15 men who were in gangs and came off the street.

Kelly co-founded the initiative together with Marcus Jean-Baptiste and his wife Elizabeth.

Jean-Baptiste said the event will be held from six months to about a year. He explained it is endorsed by the police and the Port-of-Spain Mayor.

Next Saturday they will be in Sea Lots, then Beetham Gardens, Piccadilly Greens, and then to Bagatelle in Diego Martin and Richplain Road, Simeon Road and Covigne Road, also in Diego Martin, L’Anse Mitan, Goodwood Park and then to the East West Corridor.

He said the event is designed assist police in the anti-crime fight. He added that though they are Pentecostal-based they are not pushing religion and anyone is welcome including Muslims and Hindus.

“This is for bringing back unity to the country.” He pointed out that when he listens to talk shows people complain that Government and the police are not doing anything about crime “but my question to people is what are you doing to assist the police because the police can’t see everything.”