Devon Dick

Last Saturday, there was a funeral for the Rev. Azariah McKenzie at the Boulevard Baptist Church where he was a member for decades. Rev. Mac, as he was popularly known and affectionately called, was remembered as a pioneering general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) by Rev. Karl Johnson, current general secretary of the JBU, as the architect of many JBU structures. No wonder he was known as Mr. JBU. Rev. Azariah McKenzie was also remembered as the first president of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and the first executive secretary/treasurer of the CBF. Rev. Peter Pinder, executive secretary/treasurer, remembered his role of bringing the Caribbean territories together for Baptist work and witness.

I remember Azariah McKenzie as a source of great wisdom. I encountered and benefited from this when I became his pastor in October 1990. I recall that at my first meeting with the leaders of Boulevard Baptist, at which Rev. Mac was present, I outlined my vision and some practical things I intended to do. With youthful exuberance I declared that I intended to visit the home of every member. However, Rev. Mac suggested that that was impractical and that I should instead visit the 12 birthday groups which meet every first Sunday. I heeded his advice and up until now I visit, once a month, a birthday group. And even after 17 years, I have still not visited every member's house.

Message broadcast

Another thing I remember was taking the idea to broadcast 30-second messages on TV. The Council approved the idea within the first year of my pastoral ministry. So I took it next to the members' meeting. Rev. Mac was not at the council meeting. He was the first to stand up in the members' meeting and I assumed that he was going to oppose the idea. He, to my surprise, gave it a ringing endorsement and the rest is history. In fact, after the filming of the initial messages done by Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio, Texas, he was instrumental in linking us to the Caribbean Media Centre of the CBF which produced most of the spots we have had on TV.

He was a man who knew the Caribbean well. On the 25th anniversary of the Boulevard Baptist Church, it was decided that we would mark the celebration by visiting a Caribbean island and to engage in ministry. To my amazement, he suggested that we visit Cuba. I thought there would be culture and language barriers.

However, we heeded his advice and went to Cuba. It was a rich experience. We got to understand the people of Cuba better and the Baptist witness and work in that island. We visited churches, denominational meetings and a theological seminary.

He was a lover of dominoes and given to long reading of the game which did not appear to help his game plan.

When Rev. Mac spoke at JBU executive meetings, he usually gave the history and context of the matter. Therefore, new members easily understood the issue.

I also remember serving with him on a JBU search committee. Rev. Mac as the chairman, asked us to individually comment on our choice. Everybody was in one accord. Then nearing the end, he gave his comment which was in disagreement with what we said but he accepted the will of the majority.

Here was a man who did not abuse his power as chairman. Here was a man who was a true democrat. And most important here was a man who would speak his mind as he saw it and not be intimidated by the majority.

Rev. Mac's wife, Marion, a former school nurse at Calabar, cared for Mac until the end.

We all remember Rev. Mac for his vision, wisdom, love for his brethren and his dedication to Christian service.