Old Harbour's Bishop Neville Currie honoured

At a ceremony marking the occasion on the church grounds, appreciation for the deserving man of God came in the form of speeches, songs, and heartfelt testimonies that celebrated his profound impact.

Bishop Currie, 84, originated from Ulster Spring, Trelawny and is the fifth child of Felix and Sylvia Currie. The man of God created a family of his own as he has been blessed with his first daughter, Sheryl Currie-Clarke, his wife Esmay Morgan-Currie, and their three children: Althea, Aleitha and Osbourne Currie. 

He became a pastor in 1971 and has been devoted ever since, positively impacting as many lives as possible through his many sermons, counselling sessions and presiding over approximately 1,498 wedding ceremonies. He describes his journey, which began when he was only 10 years old and became conscious about God, as an ‘incredible story’.

“When I was 10, my father was talking to my older brother who was 15 about serving the Lord, I wasn’t in the argument but I said to myself, if I was 15 like my brother, I would surrender my life to the Lord. Five years later when I was 15, the Lord reminded me…just like a friend,” recalled Bishop Currie. “Coincidentally, there was a series of service at my church and I gave my life to the Lord and got baptized in 1955.

But it wasn’t smooth sailing afterwards as he found himself faltering many times. He lost his mom when he was 17 years old before ending up in Cobbler camp where his focus shifted from church. At the age of 19, Currie left Trelawny and moved to Old Harbour to live with his cousin and brother with no set goal or sense of direction.

“I know I was going to Old Harbour but to do what, I don’t know. I broke away from church from the time of camp so when I reach Old Harbour I wasn’t going to church. I was smoking and going to shows, just up and down and my life became a wreck,” he continued with his reflection. 

Fortunately, Currie started working at the Old Harbour post office on January 2, 1962 where he was employed for 34 years. In early 1965, he hatched an ambitious plan in his mind which was to work overseas then return to build a house, get married and go back to church. However, according to the Bishop, he had an ordeal with the Lord and clearly heard the words from a voice saying, ‘when you do all of that, suppose I don’t want you then’. This led Currie back to church, first the Church of God of Prophecy then eventually to Refuge Temple Apostolic where he recommitted his life to the Lord and never look back.

“After I settled down in church, I became Young People’s President then I move on to an Evangelist, then I moved on to being a Minister, then I was ordained as an Elder in June 1971 and by December of the same year, the church was handed over to me,” he outlined. “I then moved from Pastor to District Elder and then to Junior Bishop, then to Senior Bishop and now I am the Assistant Presiding Bishop from June.”

Justice of the Peace (JP) and  Parish Manager for the Social Development Commission (SDC) for Clarendon, Baldvin McKenzie who is also a member of the church has worked with  Bishop Currie for many years when he was assigned to the parish of St Catherine and has only good things to say about the Bishop.

“Bishop Currie not only serves his church, but he always reach out to those in need in the wider community. He participate in community activities share his ideas for improvements in community. He is a role model for others to adopt his commitments, kindness helpfulness and commitment,” said McKenzie proudly. “He never allowed the distraction to demotivate him in doing good to whomever he can and at times he look out for those who not in his corner and help them whenever they are in need of help. He is a true man of God, who relied on his leading.”

This is not the only testament to why Bishop Currie deserves to be honoured; other members of the congregation believe that he is one of the best pastors to ever live.

“Bishop Currie is a protector, he is a very caring person and one of the things I admire most about him is that he is not a judgmental pastor. If he hears something about you or if somebody say something about you outside of the gospel, he does not come and accuse you, he would call you like a father, say what he hears and ask if it is true…he is not the one to run you from the church or put you down. He would continue to nurture you irrespective of what happened, he is just a different kind of pastor,” said anniversary committee coordinator Marshalee Williams.

Bishop Currie’s 53 years of dedicated pastoral service stand as a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to his congregation and to Jamaica at large. His journey, marked by both trials and triumphs, has profoundly impacted countless lives and strengthened the community he faithfully serves. As he reflects on his remarkable career, his legacy of compassion and leadership continues to inspire and guide future generations.

“I try to always have something in the back of my vehicle so I can stretch my hands to bless someone with a little package. I love the Lord, I love the ministry, I love people and to help them…you can’t be pastor and be selfish or not for the people. I will always remind others that there is only one foundation and is not about taking a risk and feel like you will get through, there is no pull string to take you into heaven, you got to be right according to the word of  God and you must be born again,” he preached.