GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (Monday, September 14, 2015) The first ordination by the Wesleyan Holiness denomination in the Cayman Islands was conducted on Sunday, September 13. Rev. Michael Leroy Doughlin, a Barbadian, was ordained an elder in the Wesleyan Holiness Church, one day before his 57th birthday. The ordination service was held at George Town Wesleyan Holiness Church. Barbados-based Rev. Dr. Joel Cumberbatch, General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Holiness Church in the Caribbean, and Rev. Conway King, District Superintendent, were the officiating ministers.

In his sermon, Rev. Cumberbatch admonished Rev. Doughlin that ordination was a solemn charge, and that a minister is a messenger, watchman and steward of the Lord. As such, he should be an example of morality.

Rev. Cumberbatch assured the newly-ordained minister that he would experience challenges, but that he should have the commitment and confidence that God has called him to ministry, and would be with him throughout. The General Superintendent also told Rev. Doughlin that he would have responsibility to educate his congregation in the Christian faith and the Wesleyan Holiness doctrine, and to be a confidential counsellor to them.

Rev. Doughlin spent his formative years as an active member of the White Park Wesleyan Holiness Church in Barbados. He served for 20 years as an elementary school teacher, and was trained at Erdiston Teachers Training College. He was an executive member of the Barbados Union of Teachers for a number of years.

In 2005, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Counselling from Boyce College, a school of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Louisville, Kentucky. He has been serving as pastor of George Town Wesleyan Holiness Church since 2013. He and his wife, Denise (also a trained teacher), have introduced community outreach initiatives such as the Set For Life afterschool programme.

Mrs. Doughlin also made a covenant during the ordination service to assist her husband in his ministry. They are the parents of a daughter, Danielle, and two sons, Michael and Miguel.

Members of the George Town, North Side and West Bay congregations of the Wesleyan Holiness Church attended the ordination service in support of Rev. Doughlin, as well as members of the Barbadian community resident in the Cayman Islands.

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Doughlin ordination – Rev. and Mrs. Doughlin

Doughlin ordination – Rev. Cumberbatch 2

Doughlin ordination – Rev. Cumberbatch conducts ordination