THE EDITOR, Madam:
OVER THE years there has been a steady breakdown in the traditional family structure in Jamaica and the Caribbean region. Much blame has been justifiably laid at the feet of absent fathers and very often we fail to recognise those who have been doing remarkably well. I take great pleasure in saluting Rev. Courtney Richards: a father and mentor.
Rev. Richards is currently a lecturer in psychology and counselling at the Jamaica Theological Seminary in Kingston. He is also the founder and director of Renewed Ministries which seeks to equip the church in Jamaica and the Caribbean to grow up in Christ by training its members to follow Christ with their whole lives. This is done primarily through mentoring/disciplining and lay leadership.
I have benefited tremendously from my association with 'Dad' (as I affectionately call him), my spiritual father and mentor. Dad's heart throbs with a passion for righteousness, integrity and justice and has certainly fanned the flames of such passion in my own heart. As a young seminarian, he has challenged me to think and be a critical consumer of information. I frequently hear these immortal words in my head, "Omar, if you long to know the mind of God, you must learn to use your own."
Anyone, who knows Rev. Richards, knows he has a wonderful sense of humour. In fact, recently, a woman walked up to him at the airport in Grenada and asked him, "Are you Oliver?" I later found out he had never met Oliver Samuels personally so I arranged for Oliver Samuels to pay a courtesy call on Dad unknowingly and it was laughter and pandemonium when the "two Olivers" met. Undoubtedly this is one of my most pleasant memories of him.
Dad I salute you. My life will never be the same because of you.
I am, etc.,
O.J. MORRISON
Walker's Wood P.O.
St. Ann
