Leaning back in his chair inside his modestly decorated office, Reverend Hugh Neil reflects on how things around him have changed.

He is 78 years old now and has been associate pastor at the Church of the Open Bible on Washington Boulevard, St Andrew, since 1962. He has experienced the birth of a nation, the turmoil of an unstable political system, several hurricanes and earthquakes, all as associate pastor of that church.

He is about to retire from the post he has held since the church was established, and has started thinking about how much he has seen and done since he first joined as an eager 31-year-old.

"I certainly have been blessed with a great opportunity all these years to serve and to fellowship. I really feel honoured," he said quietly.

Not impressed with accomplishments

But don't get him wrong. Reverend Neil is hardly impressed with his own accomplishments, even if other members of the church are. He sees little point in talking about the work he has done, opting instead to divert attention to the future of the church.

"I have absolutely no insecurities about where the church will be, even after I step down. I am thankful for the time I have been given to serve and hope I have done a good job. We certainly have come a far way over the years and we will only get stronger," he said with a smile.

That the church has come a far way is clear, having started out under a tent on borrowed land at Cassia Park Road. Today, the church is a landmark of Washington Boulevard, with offices, a huge parking lot and even a school on the property.

"It makes me very proud to see how much the church has grown," said Reverend Neil, who will be honoured at a special service on Sunday, June 28.

Strong resolve

The soft-spoken pastor can recall preparing sermons during gloomy economic periods in the 1970s and 1980s and through the aftermath of Hurricane Gilbert, but insists that there was no despair that could topple the resolve of members of the church. "Membership never really took a hit, even when people were facing hard times. Instead, it always seemed to pull them closer to the church and to each other," he said.

And as Reverend Neil steps away from active duty, the country is again faced with a period of great uncertainty. Again, the people have turned to the church.

"We have seen a steady growth in membership, which is partly due to the fact that people are looking for answers to the questions they face every day. We also have seen an increase in requests for financial and other kinds of assistance. But you know, God has always taken us through, and again He will do the same," Reverend Neil said, smiling.