By Andre Wright, Staff Reporter
WHITTAKER
ALLAN JOSEPH Whittaker is not one of the most eloquent pulpiteers you probably have met. He never lectured at any of the prestigious Bible colleges in Jamaica. Nor has he written any motivational or religious books. But this now retired minister is likely the most popular folk hero at the grassroots level of the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica.
The Reverend Dr. Whittaker, who will be 83 this year, emerged from the small rural town of Higgins Land in St. Ann with very little education. Very little money. Very little anything. But after receiving Christ in 1936, his popularity grew because he typified the unreserved John the Baptist persona with heart-rending sermons, evangelistic zeal, divine foresight and untamed courage.
His ministerial career began in the late 1930s and blossomed in the 1940s and beyond. It is difficult to imagine this balding man, with starry eyes and a charming smile, to have been one of the most feared and revered ministers in Pentecostal circles for over 50 years.
CHARISMATIC
Nicknamed 'Ball o' Fire', the tongues-talking live wire was involved in church planting and built an enviable reputation as a forthright speaker.
What makes Rev. Whittaker different from the average pastor is that his ministerial experiences would easily place him in a chapter of Acts of the Apostles. The miracle-working maestro has effectively called on the power of God to heal many people throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica.
'Ball o' Fire' has been a strong believer in deliverance ministry and his demon-conquering exploits are well-known in the denomination's churches islandwide. Name it and he's done it. From being rescued by angels decades ago when his vehicle plunged over a precipice and having a near-death experience, to raising up his daughter after four doctors had pronounced her dead and exposing witchcraft-workers in his pastorates, the modern-day prophet has blazed an awesome trail that few can follow.
Even though he retired from active ministry four years ago, Rev. Whittaker still gets visits or calls from all over seeking his special prayer, a word of inspiration or for him to anoint heads with olive oil. Where he was short in intellectual savvy and oratory, he made up in his passion, sincerity and charisma.
And if you have any doubts about his popularity, check out his fan base: policemen, theologians, doctors, gardeners, hairdressers, vendors. His popularity probably ranked higher than several bishops under whom he served, even though he was never a bishop
himself.
A co-worker of mine, who had known him when she was a child at the basic school level, asked me to take her to him last year when she found out I knew him. On his verandah, she burst in tears as he spoke to her and hugged her. He did not remember her. But his ability to touch hearts is
remarkable.
That's probably what's special about the octogenarian. He 'grabs' people. But even with all his supernatural experiences, and his living room wall adorned with plaques a plenty, Rev. Whittaker says that bringing the message of salvation to one person gives him his greatest fulfilment.
A HIGHER CALLING
In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner last week, he said, "The most important thing is the souls of men. How can they hear without a preacher? How can they preach without being sent? When God saves it is for a definite purpose. Jesus left preaching to us and we are the preachers of the age, and we must reach
everybody.
"When God calls you to be a priest it is one of the highest callings on earth. If we allow one of those souls to be lost we have to give an account. If you meet a man once and not tell him about Christ, you are responsible (for that man's soul)."
Rev. Whittaker, who on January 31, 1999 received an honorary doctorate from The United Kingdom-based Overstone Theological College, is, however, disappointed about the level of commitment of many present-day pastors.
"A lot of preachers are working for carnal things and the things of this life. We need to stop looking on the material things of life; that's what's killing us. We lust after the things of the flesh and it profits us nothing."
Rev. Whittaker had been a hell-and-brimstone preacher in his younger days but his emphasis on forgiveness has grown significantly, especially over the past two decades. The man whom believers and unbelievers alike feared tremendously urges them "to run to God, not from him".
He further notes that "if you fail, take up the cross and follow again. We are too condemning. We are there to deliver, not to condemn. If a man kills 100 people, you should rescue him. We should give him life and abundant life."
He admits that he wasn't as considerate as he probably should have been in his early ministry. Now in his 80s, he is still willing to learn.
Though he officially should be referred to as the Rev. Dr. Whittaker, his friends and 'fans' still call him 'Rev.', 'Daddy' and, as he will always be remembered, 'Ball o' Fire'.
Andre Wright may be
contacted at wrights@colis.com.
