Song of St. Croix

By Gene Wooten

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

It would be an understatement to say we were surprised when God called us to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Since our arrival, however, He has made it clear over and over that we are exactly where He wants us, and we need to work while there is time. Through all the changes we experienced in the past year, He remains our constant. No matter what unknown we have faced, we rest in the fact that it matters less what we know and more that He is known. The ministry in St. Croix has been challenging with some exciting highs and some dark lows. Through it all, it is clear that God is at work on this island, in our community, and on our campus.

When we first moved here, we were worried about being able to connect with the people. Would we be able to form friendships here like we have in other places? Would the people understand us? Would we understand them? Would they be patient with our sons, who can be challenging at times?

Through all the doubt and questions God has shown me that people are people; they hurt, they laugh, they want to hear from God. The people on this island are no different. Even more, believers have a unique bond that goes beyond barriers of race, social status, age, and cultural differences. Sure, we have had some difficulties understanding each other; still, we have been able to form close bonds with the church people and community here, and God has provided us with a family. He has opened doors for us that we never could have kicked open on our own.

On campus, we just wrapped up the 2014-15 school year at Free Will Baptist Christian School (K-12) and summer is in full swing. The thought of being pastor to a school of students was new to me and, honestly, terrified me. But God provided a great team of people called to minister here. Stephen & Rejyna Beck have been here eight years; they understand the culture well and have a unique and practical way of working as a family to form friendships and reach islanders. Stephen has greatly helped me navigate my first year as school pastor.

We have been able to reach into the community through simple sweat equity. The National Honor Society of the school adopted an overgrown, paint-chipped intersection that had been neglected for years. It has a 30-foot wall, with a sign that announces visitors’ entrance into our neighborhood. The school, church, and mission teams from the States have helped revitalize this part of the island. As we worked and sweated, planting flowers, painting, and weed eating, the islanders honked and waved encouragement as they passed by. Our main goal has been to show Jesus’ love in a practical way. At least six newspaper articles have been written and one evening news story aired about the work done to spruce up this intersection. In each interview, we are careful to point people to Jesus Christ.

The church is just as amazing as every other aspect of the ministry here in St Croix. It is filled each week with people from all over the Caribbean. We recently had World Missions Day, and it was an amazing service. We had 32 states, islands, and countries represented in a crowd of about 150 people. As I looked out over the crowd, I couldn’t help but think of the passage, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9). I have often wondered what that worship service in Heaven might look like. This year, I was privileged to get a small glimpse in the Song of St. Croix.

About the Writer: Gene Wooten is senior pastor at Free Will Baptist Church in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Gene and his wife Angela have four children. The whole family is involved in this island ministry.