There’s no doubt in Cola Elcock’s mind that God brought her to St. Lucia to minister to her husband’s people.
The attractive woman in her mid-40s returned to her husband’s country four years ago after living in London for 30 years.
Although reared in a nominal Catholic faith in her native country of Dominica, Cola was led to Christ by her sister-in-law nine years ago, while still living in England.
“I got to a place in my life where I had the material things that I wanted, but I found that I wasn’t really happy or satisfied,” she said.
These feelings of discontentment led Cola to accept her sister-in-law’s invitation to attend her church, where she heard a woman give her testimony.
Cola said the woman’s message greatly moved her that day. “This woman explained that for many years she felt that she had just sat on the edge of being a Christian. I realized that was exactly how I was feeling,” Cola recalled.
Shortly thereafter, following discussions with her sister-in-law, Cola accepted Christ, joined a Baptist church and was baptized.
She attended London’s West Kilburn Baptist Church for nine years, during which time she learned about Southern Baptist doctrine and grew in her Christian faith.
Sudden change
Then, following an unexpected turn of events, Cola’s family decided to move to St. Lucia to the southern city of Vieux Fort.
Seeking out a Baptist church, the Elcocks were led to New Hope Baptist where they became active members. “The Lord led us to New Hope,” she said.
Cola is not shy in explaining the many challenges that face the small church. The congregation of 35 members has been without a pastor for two years.
In addition to needing a pastor, the two-room building that the church recently bought is run-down and in constant need of repairs.
“There are only two men that are still involved with the church, and it is very difficult for us,” she explained, but added, “we have not given up hope, we still trust in the Lord.”
Because of a controversy with some of the male members regarding a difference of opinion in worship style, the few men who were coming stopped attending.
Working together
Cola said the majority of the work in the church, including teaching and preaching, is done by women. She herself serves as one of the assistant moderators, as well as the church administrator.
She said it is not unusual in St. Lucia for women to be the leaders in churches as opposed to men.
“They think it is something that women should do,” she explained.
Having been a trained day care professional in London, Cola said she felt the Lord leading her to open a day care center at the small church.
“I knew I had this talent of working with children and running a day care center, and I felt that I was just sitting on it. God showed me that this was what I needed to do.”
Through her involvement at New Hope Baptist Church, Cola made friends with now retired Southern Baptist missionaries Lee and Deb Miller. They helped her open the New Hope Baptist Church Day Care Centre.
The day care, which has been in operation for two years, currently has 22 children, ages two through four.
Cola sees the day care as an outreach of the church and she uses the opportunity to not only minister to the children and teach them about God, but to minister to their parents as well.
She said one mother recently accepted Christ and her spouse has visited the church.
“We teach the children about God and sing about Jesus and they go home and tell their parents what they have learned,” she said.
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