00:00Government Minister Foster Cummings joined other spiritual Baptists today in celebrating
00:1074 years of the freedom to practice their religion.
00:14And I couldn't get it, I didn't understand it, but I know that your mother was a...
00:31The 500-strong congregation was in extra high spirits today, having recently received
00:37an additional $10 million donation from government to assist with ongoing works.
00:43There is an eight-acre block there that was also given to the Baptists.
00:53So this parcel of just over two acres, lovely event space, no mud, no dust, lovely headquarters
01:04building across there.
01:07The government initially contributed, in addition to giving the land, $10 million.
01:13However, he appealed to the community to step up and ensure that all the plans are realized.
01:20That is to contribute towards the construction of the grand cathedral that is to be situated
01:26on that plot of land across there.
01:30It is probably going to cost about five times that amount, but that is the government's
01:36contribution.
01:37It now falls to you, the rest of Trinidad and Tobago, corporate citizens, other Baptist
01:45people.
01:46Cummings also acknowledged the contribution of the previous administration, as he expressed
01:51gratitude on behalf of the spiritual Baptist community.
01:55We are very grateful for the holiday, and we understand that it came as a result of
02:05the intervention of the lay Baptist.
02:13And we are also grateful for the land in Malone, and the school, and the preschool, and everything
02:21that the faith has received.
02:25And we, as a government, we are building on that.
02:29Reflecting on the hardships which spiritual Baptists have had to face over the years,
02:34Cummings credited his faith for where he stands today.
02:38In my political life, I also meet a lot of resistance.
02:42But I think because I'm Baptist, it helps me to combat some of these things.
02:46I was here earlier on in Port of Spain, when I hear these people talking about Agnes' son
02:52sometimes.
02:53Agnes was my mother by the way.
02:55I have to wonder if it's me they're talking about.
02:58But because I have this Baptistness in me, I kind of use it, Bishop.
03:05You know what I mean?
03:06So that when they interfere with me, I just kind of interfere back with them.
03:14Touch my finger with a golden pen, golden pen.
03:19The minister did not make reference to the Prime Minister's call for the community to
03:24consider dropping the word shouter from its name.
03:27The UNC's Rudian Darsing and MSJ's David Abdullah both attended the event today.
03:34Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.
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