Mr Cline, a former school teacher and businessman, replaced his father Bishop John I. Cline, who served nearly 30 years as the senior pastor of NLBC.

‘I must decrease…’- Bishop Cline

It was during the 2022 Power Plus Conference at NLBC on Sunday, October 9, 2022, that Bishop Cline had stated he was stepping down as Senior Pastor and that his son Jovan would be elevated to the position.

“He will take over the reign in 2023. I must decrease so that he must increase. This is my third born child,” Mr Cline had stated as he introduced his son and choir member, Jovan, to the congregation.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart’

Bishop Cline on Sunday encouraged his son to hold Proverbs 3:5-6 close to his heart as he leads the church. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths’.

The first ‘Act’ of the new pastor was the serving of the communion to his fellow pastors, after first being given communion by Bishop Cline.

He was also presented with church manuals and a symbolic bunch of keys to the church.

‘I Look forward to going forward’- Jovan E.L. Cline

Taking to the podium as the newly minted Senior Pastor, Jovan broke out into singing ‘How Great is our God’.

Among other things, he said he once told himself he would never be a pastor and that “people who wanted to be pastors are crazy.”

Nevertheless, he said it was a lot getting to where he has come and he is happy.

He shared that he loves the New Life Baptitst Church and is also prepared to love those who will not “stick around. I don’t need you here for God to reach you, because I wasn’t here when God got me,” he said, admitting that he didn’t grow up in church but “around church”.

“I Look forward to going forward,” Jovan stated.

Among those giving well wishes was Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and ordained minister Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), who brought greetings from the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church.

Hon Turnbull also remined that his brother Dr Michael A. Turnbull will also soon take over from their father Melvin A. Turnbull as Senior Pastor of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church.

Bishop John I. Cline, right, encouraged his son Jovan, left, to hold Proverbs 3:5-6 close to his heart as he leads the church. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths’.

A number of legislators including, including Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) attended the installation ceremony for Pastor Jovan E. L. Cline.