Spiritual Baptists 'come out' with Carlotta John

THIS Tuesday marks the ninth anniversary of celebrating the Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day holiday. Baptists no longer have to praise in secret (as was times past) and day by day, more are called to the faith, which (as is described by the devout) is getting to know more about God and walking closely with Him. Bishop Carlotta John has been involved with the Spiritual Baptist Church for more than ten years. Most people know her as a successful businesswoman, a mother to two daughters and a son and a former schoolteacher. What few know is that she is also the general secretary of the NESBF (National Evangelical Spiritual Baptist Faith) Archdiocese.

“I had met the Archbishop of the Faith, Archbishop Moses Simon, on a flight to Trinidad from New York,” said John. “At that time, I didn’t have the knowledge, I didn’t understand any of it, but he said that my spirit was pulling him. He wanted me to meet with the late Dr Elton George Griffith and his wife, along with many others, for there are many names attached to the Griffiths and the contributions that they made regarding the faith. We exchanged numbers and I thought that was the end of that when we left the airport, but next day I got a message saying that Dr Griffith wanted to meet with me.” She went and was subsequently invited to attend a Freedom Celebration at the National Stadium by Elaine Griffith (wife of Dr Griffith and a Mother Superior of the church then).

“I mean, I had an idea of what Baptists did as we lived near to a Baptist church as children, but I had never gone into it. (Laughter.) But there was a little fear and anticipation mixed in, because here I was, not knowing what was going to happen or what to expect. But what amazed me that day was the fact that so many people came out to support this, including the Prime Minister and the President and she could single me out, someone who was not even a full member of the faith yet... to be a part of their celebration.” Over time, John was becoming more and more involved with the Baptists. While she assisted with letter writing and the administration, Dr Griffith passed on and she was appointed Chaplain to his wife Elaine Griffith.

“They had both began teaching me the Bible at a rapid rate,” said John. “It was amazing that they took to me so much, because it was like, everything they had going on, they wanted me involved in some way. It reached a point that my father had even stopped talking to me, telling me, ‘Take that thing (headtie) off yuh head! What yuh doing with them people? Throw that away!’ But it was temporary. I was able to show him tapes of things I had been to. “There was still a huge stigma attached to being a Spiritual Baptist. Now the Spiritual Baptist really is the Shouter, and they are called that because of the exaltations made during prayers. The Shouting is the chanting of the name of God, mostly done in Hebrew with the ‘doption’ beat until the anointing, or connection with the Holy Spirit.”

John has not regretted her decision. Spiritually, it’s been a beautiful experience for her, but she still worries about the stigma attached to being a Baptist. She didn’t let people know for years, but she is “out” now. “They joke and call me the Baptist in the designer suit,” she said with a laugh. “A lot of my peers started to come out after I did, telling me they were so proud, and they were there too. But my part is mainly dealing with my spiritual life. Being a Baptist has not affected me in any way, for I have grown spiritually. It’s good for my daily life. I’ve learned that I can talk to God freely in prayer without going through any mediator other than Jesus, who I accepted as my Saviour.

He is always with me. I have really come to appreciate this, because so many of us walk around not satisfied and don’t know why. On becoming Baptist I developed a true relationship with Christ. As a Catholic, I knew the principles. I knew the doctrines cover to cover, but some of the deeper understanding was not there. Being Baptist is an awesome experience which I would like everyone to share. People might say, ‘Who she playing she is?’ But, we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory and Jesus Christ died to take those sins away. It’s up to you to walk the walk and talk the talk. I’m doing just that.”