The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

CELEBRATING sixty-six years of marriage this Saturday, one Christian Bahamian couple is still going stronger than ever.

Rev Diana Francis, the daughter of Rev Earle Francis and Marjorie Eloise Taylor-Francis, shared with Tribune Religion the story of her parents’ journey from 1947 to now.

Rev Diana said it was on June 29, 1947 that the then Deacon and organist, her mother and father, of Salem Baptist Church, in Parliament Street, were joined in holy matrimony.

This weekend, Rev Dr Earle Francis and his beloved, affectionately known as ‘sweet potato,’ will celebrate sixty-six years of wedded bliss.

Rev Francis now serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Nassau.

Rev Diana said that in 1964, Pastor Francis was commissioned to take over the work at the Salem Grove Mission on Market Street.

A year later, the name was changed to First Baptist Church.

Rev Diana said for more than forty nine years, the couple have given their lives unselfishly to the work of the Lord as pastor and organist.

“This powerful ministry team were joined in matrimony by the late Rev Enoch Backford on 29 June. This union gave birth to thirteen children, two of whom predeceased the couple,” said Rev Diana.

Since their 50th Anniversary, the couple have held a service each year to renew their vows.

Many other couples from the ministry would join them in this commitment ceremony. However, Rev Diana said due to age, her parents are unable to celebrate this year.

She said Pastor Francis, who is now 91, and Mrs Francis who is now 86, thank God for the legacy of their 66 years of marriage and 49 years of ministry.

It was the couple’s desire to set a good example for their congregation to follow as leaders in the Lord’s work.

The couple said the secrets to a good marriage are communication, sharing and much love.

Rev Diana said though together they have encountered many challenges, it is the ultimate belief in her mother’s words that ‘this marriage was made in heaven and translated to earth,’ that has brought them so much joy.

Pastor Francis praised his wife’s love, her demeanour, her care and her support.

Under the leadership of Pastor Francis, First Baptist has given birth to five mission churches.

They include: South Beach Union Baptist Church, Harold Road Baptist Church, Rivers of Life Baptist Church, Mt Theo’s Baptist Church and Cedars of Lebanon Baptist Church.

Pastor Francis has ordained and licensed many ministers, has performed countless marriages and funerals and has dedicated many homes and infants to the Lord.

At his side has been his darling wife, whom he affectionately calls his ‘Sweet Potato.’

She said it had been a pleasure to serve God ‘and her husband.’

She said she would always play her part to the very best of her abilities, said Rev Diana.
Rev Diana said the loving couple was instrumental in using their influence to obtain scholarships for 100 Bahamian students to attend Selma University in Alabama.

“With a heart of God, First Baptist Church, the church with a loving fellowship, continues to be a beacon of love and light in the Bahamas,” said Rev Diana.