Bishop Melch Pope fulfils promise to Jestina Charles at her funeral service

Hundreds of mourners gathered last Saturday to say farewell to a woman who helped transform many lives.

Jestina Charles, popularly known as “Lady Charles” was a former local and regional FCIB Unsung Hero. She died on Wednesday November 15 at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown.

Her funeral service took place at the Bethel Gospel Assembly in Georgetown, where she and her husband Bishop Hollis Charles pastored for many years.

Bishop Melch Pope honouring the wish of Jestina Charles’ to preach at her funeral.

Some 15 years ago, Lady Charles had told Bishop Melch Pope that if she died before him, she wanted him to preach at her funeral.

Dr Pope is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but he and his family lived here for many years, while he pastored the Faith Temple Church at New Montrose.

The Pope family have since returned to their homeland, however, Dr Pope recently returned to these shores to fulfil the assignment which Lady Charles had given him 15 years ago.

Speaking at the funeral service on Saturday December 2, Bishop Pope said Lady Charles had also given him the text from which he would deliver the sermon at her funeral.

That text was Acts Chapter 20. “She did not say to me this is the verse,” Bishop Pope reflected.

Acts 20 records the final part of the Apostle Paul’s 3rd missionary voyage.

“Preach the message of repentance,” Dr Pope said, as he admonished the many pastors and other clergy who attended the funeral service.

He also called on them to “finish the work” which God had called them to do.

He reminded all Bishops, pastors, evangelists and others, that they ought not to do things on their own, as they belong to God.

“We belong to him, the ministry belongs to the Lord.”

Just as Lady Charles would have wanted, Dr Pope appealed to church leaders to “feed the flock of God.”

Over her many years in ministry, God used Lady Charles to draw many persons unto him.

She also witnessed to many backsliders who returned to serving God after listening to her encouragement.

Jestina Charles lived with her husband Bishop Charles at Chester Gap.

She was originally from Byera Village and her body was laid to rest at the Byera cemetery.