Guyanese-born Pastor Joseph Persaud, the lead clergy of the vibrant Liberty Bible Fellowship Church in Ozone Park, Queens, was honored at a faith-based 60th Birthday celebration on Nov. 7, surrounded by more than 200 family, friends, congregants, and clergy.
The wonderful festivity began with a cocktail hour, followed by spirited gospel music to welcome the arrival of Pastor Persaud and his lovely wife, First Lady Rachael Persaud, and parents Michael and Gladys Persaud into the ballroom of the elegant Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, Long Island.
A fervent prayer by Pastor Mahase Singh, fit for the steadfast man of God, set the tone for an evening filled with praise, prayer, and heartfelt appreciation for Pastor Joe, who was drawn to the pulpit at the tender age of 14. His actual birthday is Nov. 12.
Father, Pastor Michael Persaud, who started the ministry over 65 years ago, inspired his son, whom he called “pleasant, peaceful, and prosperous.”
“As parents, we have the responsibility of choosing names for our children. We chose Joseph for our first male because the biblical Joseph is as important as any other figure in the bible,” said Pastor Michael.
“Joe was raised in a conservative Christian environment, and as such had the privilege of growing up with serious-minded Christian youth in Guyana,” he added.
“As one of the pastors’ kids in the mission field, Joe was exposed to learning about the demands of the Christian ministry both personally and vicariously. This helped to instill in him at a younger age the passion for souls and the desire for serving God.”
“Based on his awareness, Joe understood the staggering responsibility and inimitable privilege of mobilizing believers to use their spiritual gifting and God’s given resources to help the unsaved people who are far from God to know God and become fully devoted, noted Michael, who complimented his three grandsons, Jonathon, Jeremy, and Joel, who, along with him are actively involved in the ministry.
During a profound testimony to his son’s success, Pastor Michael noted that before Joe enrolled at the currently known Christian Theological Bible Institute, for his ministerial training, “I began to mentor and discipline him so that he could understand the seriousness of God’s calling. I also shared with him Apostle Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy 3:10. ‘But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance.’
“He loves the lord and the ministry. I pray that he continues his good work. Happy Birthday, many more to come,” said Granny Betty.
The outpouring of love, well-wishes, prayers, and words of encouragement from nieces, nephews, in-laws, relatives, colleagues, and others demonstrated how deeply Pastor Persaud’s messages have touched lives, not only in the church, but also in the community.
Pastor Joe Persaud holds two master’s degrees and a solid theological education that has served as a springboard for his advancement to the present ministerial level, and has helped him develop a resounding, distinctive preaching style that draws listeners to embrace God’s message without hesitation.
‘Holy Joe’ who brings his passion for preaching to the pulpit at Liberty Bible Fellowship Church during an 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday service, offered in-person and livestreamed, features a talented inspirational speaker whose gripping sermons have garnered huge followings, including young people who are engaged in various ministries within the house of prayer.
The preacher’s worldwide outreach has taken him to countries across the globe, including Haiti, Nigeria, Ghana, India, Panama, Suriname, Venezuela, Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy, among others.
Pastor Persaud has been spreading the gospel for the past 46 years, reaching over 200,000 households via the church’s social media and livestreaming platforms. Families in 22 cities in India have benefited from water wells, constructed by the paster.
Additionally, his ministry has been instrumental in building hospitals, while impacting approximately 12 million souls globally.
Over the past years, Pastor Persaud’s Hope Is Rising outreach has been helping to lower suicide rates in Guyana and the Caribbean. Recently, the church joined thousands in donating much-needed provisions to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica. He has also founded the Filia Foundation to meet the needs of poor people in various countries, providing power generators and stoves.
The evening was filled with profound tributes from Pastor John Samuels from India, Pastor Michael Basdeo of Guyana, Dr. Shurdon Murray, a medical doctor and pastor from Guyana, Pastor (Dr) Emmanuel Rotimi Onabanjo, Senior Pastor of Power and Authority Evangelical Ministry, with headquarters in Brooklyn, Apostle B. Ragnaut head pastor of Life Spring Ministries in Guyana, and Carlos Mason, a friend from Barbados, among others.
During the evening’s festivities, Pastor Joseph and his wife, Rachael, who celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary, renewed their vows by reading words of love and devotion to each other. The loving couple then danced in an artificial cloud of smoke to the song, “Wings Beneath My Wings,” and later cut the 60th Birthday cake.
A tribute in song was performed by lead choir vocalist Christine Anato, whose melodious voice filled the room with CeCe Winans’ gospel hit, “The Goodness of God.” A group of worshipers then danced to the infectious hymn – “Very Big God,” spun by DJ Glen. Sara Persaud also recited an inspiring poem to honor her uncle.
To learn more, log on to https://www.libertychurchny.org
