The Reverend Chiefton Charles, pastor of the Arnos Vale Church of the Nazarene, has urged St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) ambassador-designate to the Republic of China (Taiwan), Kenton X. Chance, to perform a “two-fold” role in the Asian nation, in light of his Christian faith.
Charles made the call as he delivered a sermon on Feb. 22, during a commissioning and send-off service for the envoy and his wife, Symantha, at the Rillan Hill Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, exactly one week before Chance’s appointment takes effect.
“When you go on your mission, you’re not only representing this country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but you’re representing the kingdom of God,” Charles said.
Chance, a distinguished journalist and communications consultant who is the founder of iWitness News, left SVG on Friday for Taiwan and is expected to arrive in Taipei on Monday to take up his new assignment.
He was among the new heads of missions and consulates announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dwight Fitz Bramble, in Kingstown on Jan. 23.
Charles, who officiated at the Chances’ wedding 13 years ago, lauded the new envoy for his distinguished service as a journalist and his stewardship in the church, noting that he is the first member of the Church of the Nazarene to be appointed as an ambassador.
To tie Chance’s two-fold roles as ambassador for SVG, and for Christ, Charles took his text from 2 Corinthians, chapter 5: 17-21, under the theme: “We are Ambassadors for Christ”.
Charles referred to what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”.
Charles told Chance that the portion of scripture ties in a lot with what you will be called upon to do.
“… we are ambassadors for Christ,” the pastor said as he quoted verse 20:
Charles, a retired educator, explained that an ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomatic representative sent by one sovereign state or international organisation to another, acting as the official resident representative to foster political, economic and social relationships.
He noted that it is “not a sinecure” but “a tremendous job”, telling Chance that as chief of mission, he has “a huge task” on his shoulders, “but with the help of God, we know that … you’re going to do this with distinction”.
Speaking about the skills required, Charles said, “… you don’t just pick up any and anybody off the street and ask them to be [an] ambassador”.
He said that to be an ambassador, one has to have certain skills in management, directing staff and overseeing the embassy’s daily operations, including managing budgets and security protocols, as well as exceptional skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and public speaking.
“I know our brother qualifies with some level of fluency in the host country’s language. I know he studied in Taiwan, and he is fluent in that language. So, good choice, Minister Bramble, Rev Charles said, addressing the foreign minister, who also attended and spoke at the service.
“It is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. And to be selected as an ambassador for one’s country, it means that the governing authority that made this election has confidence in the person who is selected, and that speaks a lot for our dear brother and his family.
“I’ve known Kenton for many, many years, and I am confident that this position to which he has been appointed will help to continue to mould and shape him into a citizen of this country of which we as Vincentians would all be proud,” Charles said, adding that Chance has the “full support” of the church and members will be constantly praying for him.
Addressing the relation between the secular and spiritual ambassadors, Charles said Christians are “ambassadors for a much higher authority, the very highest authority that there could ever be”, adding, “the world must be able to look at us and realise that we are good representatives of Christ…
“You’re entering into a new phase, into a new challenge, but with God’s help, you will do it,” he told the ambassador-designate.
Charles reminded the congregation of the “politically charged environment”, adding that he hoped “our people appreciate that, whereas everybody has his or her political orientation, we are all Vincentians”.
He spoke of the rise and fall of political parties over the history of SVG, noting that the People’s Political Party and the St. Vincent Labour Party, which dominated the landscape at various times, are both defunct.
“… political parties may come and go, but the bottom line is, we are Vincentians, and let’s not ever forget that first and foremost…
“So, my brother, when you go to Taiwan, you are not representing an NDP or ULP or any kind of P,” Charles said, referring to the ruling New Democratic Party and the opposition New Democratic Party.
“You are representing the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Of course, you are subject to the governing authority. You’re representing the government, but in a broader scope, you’re representing the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“In the same way as Christians, we are representing an authority that is much, much larger, much, much greater than the government of St. Vincent, than even the government of the great, big, mighty USA. We are representing an authority that is the ultimate in power, the ultimate in authority,” Charles said.
Charles implored Chance’s wife, who gave up her job to support her husband in the role, to be “a strong arm of support” to him.
He told her that while she may not be the ambassador, she is the ambassador’s wife, and that as he had said when he officiated at their wedding, the two “shall become one”.
“So, you’re going to give him all the support”, he said to Chance’s wife, appealing to the envoy to “make sure that you do not let the work occupy all of your time”.
Charles assured Chance and his wife that the church will continue to pray for them, however physically distant they are from home.
“… Prayer is not hindered by distance. Our prayers will reach him,” Charles said.