Pastor Alson Ebanks presented with honorary Doctorate

By Christopher Tobutt

Pastor Alson Ebanks received an honorary doctorate at the Church of God Chapel in Walkers Road during a special service  on Sunday 9 July. The doctorate was conferred upon the pastor by senior members of the Centre for Theological Leadership and Training.

“Honorary doctorates are given to show special recognition for persons who have made a significant impact on the community, on the world, on the country and on the nation. These are given to people who deserve it,” said a member of Pastor Alson’s church. “Jesus said a prophet is honored everywhere except in his own home town, and  among his own family. But this prophet has been spoken of honorably among his own people his own family, his own siblings, so presenting him with this honorary doctorate is just putting icing on the cake.”.

Bishop Clayton Martin, President of CTLT, said, “ Its an honor to be here today. I’d call this a double celebration, one in which we recognise 50th year of marriage for Pastor Alson, and his beloved wife Norma. And of course we are here on a special commission, sent by CTLT, the non denominational college here. We are honored to be here to represent ACTS, THE Academy of Higher Education of Bangalore, India.

“ Pastor Alson, we are here today and we celebrate with you the conferral of honorary doctorate on you. You weren’t here for the graduation, but we have come to you. Thats how precious you are, and we are honored to be here in your congregation today.”

Reading the citation, Dr. Gardiner of the CTLT said,  “Reverent M. Alson  Ebanks was born in Grand Cayman on May 6, 1949, and is a true son of the soil. He is an ordained minister with the Church of God Chapel in the Cayman Islands. He attended Anderson Univesity in Indiana, USA and graduated in 1973.

“He also trained as a broadcaster at the BBC in London in 1981 and gained a certificate in broadcasting. He’s currently the senior pastor here in Walkers Road in George Town, a position he has held since 1992. Prior to this he pastored the Church of God in Old Man Bay while also working as a teacher and Broadcaster.

“Reverent Ebanks was also a speaker and bible teacher for the Love of Jesus radio programme. In Jone of 1992 Reverent Ebanks was honored by Her Majesty the Queen with the Queens Certificate and Badge of Honor, for producing a series of radio broadcasts on the danger of illegal drug usage. Prior to pastoring full time reverent ebanks taught visual arts at the Cayman Islands High School from 1974 to 1980,

 He was a newscaster and Dj at Radio Cayman, and ran the Educational Broadcasting Unit for the Educational Department, taught art and bible, an was a spiritual life director at Triple C School. He was also Cayman’s first on-air televison anchor with Cayman’s first TV company, CITV.

For nearly two decades he was the voice of the Cayman Islands in the USA, promoting Cayman Airways, and the Cayman Islands as a tourist destination. Reverent Ebanks was also instrumental in establishing the local Youth for Christ ministry in Grand Cayman, and served as its President for several years.

His varied interests include ecological conservation, which led him to become a chartered member of the Cayman Orchid society at the National Trust for the Cayman Islands in 1987. With respect to the National Trust, reveent Ebanks also served as Chairman to the Board of Governors, He is also a musician and composer, with two albums of orignial songs recorded over the past 30 years..

Reverent Ebanks is a founding member and past chairman of the Cayman Ministers Aasociation, CFA and presently serves on its executive board. He is also the immediate past president of Chrstian Fellowship Cayman Islands, a position he has held for several years and he has also served as a member of the Parole and Expungment boards.

Reverent Ebanks married Norma Ebanks on July 1st 1973. Together they have two adult children, and one granddaughter. Reverent Ebanks is an avid student of theology, particilarly the discipline of apologetics, and has written several locally published articles defending the biblical world view. as well as a position paper supportingbiblical marriage for the Church of God Chapel.

He has been an active promoter of theological education having personally provided bursaries for students pursuing biblical studies locally, as well as teaching the Introduction to New Testament Greek class for CTLT for the past several years. As one ministerial colleague has said about him, ‘a committed husband and father, a devoted pastor and teacher, a scholar and an excellent communicator. a people’s person and a man who understands life and its challenges and who offers practical solutions. Reverent Ebanks, Reverent Ebanks is, indeed, a servant of God and a man devoted to building God’s kingdom and someone who has given distinguished leadership to the church and society in the Cayman Islands.’”