A former tailor from Birmingham has fulfilled a long-held dream of being baptised in his homeland – Jamaica.

Lundie Downer, 74, was born and raised in the country’s largest parish, St Ann, but moved from the West Indies to the West Midlands in the 1950s.

A Christian all his life, he has attended Six Ways Baptist in Erdington for many years.

However, he had never been baptised. He had always dreamt that when it happened, it would take place in Dunn’s River Falls, a much-loved Jamaican beauty spot in his home parish.

Following discipleship sessions at Six Ways, Lundie finally decided to take the plunge.

He mentioned his Jamaican wish to minister, the Revd Gerard Goshawk.

After some initial apprehension about logistics, Gerard warmed to the idea.

Contact was made with the local Baptist church in Ocho Rios, the town where Dunn’s River Falls is situated.

After months of planning, the trip took place a couple of weeks ago, with Lundie and Gerard flying out to the island.

A week of catching up with friends and family culminated in the baptism, where they were supported by several members of the local church.

Gerard told The Baptist Times the trip was a homecoming for many reasons.

‘At first I was a bit over-awed when Lundie said he would like to be baptised back in Jamaica, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought what a wonderful thing to do. ‘I love the fact that it has been a homecoming in so many ways, both spiritual and otherwise.

‘We spent a week out there visiting some of his old haunts and meeting family and friends.

‘And then the highlight was the baptism in a pool at the foot of the cascading Dunn’s River Falls. It was a beautiful and moving experience.

‘Lundie’s face was aglow. He was so chuffed.’

The whole venture has caused ‘much excitement’ in church and beyond, Mr Goshawk added.

Another member of Six Ways, Violet Allison, was in Jamaica at the time and was also baptised.

The journey also represented an opportunity for the church, which has a significant number of people of Jamaican heritage, to deepen its links with Jamaica and the Jamaican Baptist Union.

Mr Gosawk met with the Revd Karl Johnson, the general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, and future visits, in each direction, are planned.

Paul Hobson

(Article courtesy of THE BAPTIST TIMES. Click here for so much more!)