By Sue-Ann Wayow

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has reaffirmed her government’s commitment to all faith-based organisations making a positive difference in the country.

Persad-Bissessar was a special guest at the New Testament Church of God Caribbean Assembly 2025 on Thursday evening.

She along with MP and Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Service Vandana Mohit attended the ceremony as well as representatives from other Caribbean countries.

Giving remarks Persad-Bissessar reminded attendees of a contribution made by her government of $55 million back in 2014 to full-gospel churches which critics spoke against.

She said the government must help churches so they can continue helping others.

Persad-Bissessar said, “That conviction still guides me today. Just ten weeks into my new tenure.”

She asked attendees to resolve with her.

“Let us resolve with God as our witness, the following: Unity will be more than a photograph. It will be a shared labour and mutual respect. Worship will overflow into justice, mercy and reconciliation. Every church will be a sanctuary for at-risk youth, and a refuge for the broken and a launchpad for service.”

Persad-Bissessar said, “My government will safeguard freedom of worship, my government will protect denominational rights, we will support faith based programmes that feed, heal, counsel and empower our citizens and our collective society.”

The prime minister was gifted with a baton- symbolic of the passing on the baton to the next generation, a plaque of blessing from Bishop Alonso Jones on behalf of the New Testament Church of God, a  bouquet of flowers and prayers declaring from the Bible that “no weapon formed against her shall prevail.”