A Word From Pastor Randy

By now you probably have heard the news of the passing of Pastor Al Ebanks--the pastor of Agape Church and, in many ways, the beloved pastor of the whole Cayman community.  I am calling upon our church family at Cayman Islands Baptist Church to join me and Cindy and our Leadership Council in expressing our sincere condolences to his wife, Cathy and their family and to the Agape Church family of fellow believers.  Indeed, they are our family in Christ.

Through the years that I have known Pastor Al, he has been a faithful man, a loving brother in Christ, and a dear colleague and friend in ministry.  I will never forget the first time I met Al.  It was 1978.  I was new to the island, and one day, while crossing the street in front of the Legislative Assembly Building in downtown George Town, we crossed paths.  In that brief moment with an exchange of greetings, the first words I heard from him were:  "Praise the Lord!"  The smile of God was on his face, and the love that comes only from Christ was evident in his warm response to me.  We were friends from that day on!  I don't know what Pastor Al's last words on earth were, but I am almost certain that his first words in Heaven were:  "Praise the Lord!"   I do know that his life among us was a continual offering of praise to God!  Al lived for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ! 

Yes, we are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the most respected and loved individuals in the Cayman Islands!  Pastor Al will be long remembered for his many contributions to the good of this society and for his faithful proclamation of the Gospel--both in what he preached and in how he lived!  He was a Spirit-filled pastor and preacher who made a huge difference for good.  We will miss his wise and strong leadership among the Cayman Ministers' Association, and all of us will, in some way or the other, miss his smile and influence of faithfulness.  But, yet, in the midst of the sense of loss--remembering the words of the Apostle Paul:  "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!"--we share a profound sense of thanksgiving and celebration.  As Pastor Al lived, he lived for Christ, and, we are thankful to God for his life.  In his death, he experienced in Christ a gain that goes beyond our imagination, and, we celebrate!  We share the joy of Heaven at his homecoming!

Please continue to hold his family up in prayer and pray for the Agape Church family.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Randy