Interview 4

“I came out of poverty. So I understand the hurt the people are going through, I understand their cries, and that is why for the past 30 plus years I have done what I can to feed them and help them.”

STACKS of boxes containing groceries and other necessities piled up at International Deliverance Praying Ministries, ready to be distributed to the less fortunate - church members and non-members alike.

Every week, people flock to his church to get a hot meal, a carton of groceries, clothing or financial assistance.

“All are welcome. Anyone can come in you don’t have to be a member of my church. We are here to help anyone in need,” he said.

But operating his ministry does not come cheap, and over the years many corporate sponsors and charitable organisations have stepped up to the plate to provide donations.

They do this because he has a built solid reputation over the years for faithfully using the funds for the needy.

“It costs thousands of thousands of dollars, but the Lord will always provide for His people,” he said.

Bishop Rolle is always willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that his feeding ministry can continue, even if that means he has to use his own salary to ensure that the supplies are maintained.

When Tribune Weekend visited the church last Sunday, Bishop Rolle was about to start an afternoon service for the community. The front of the church was packed with hundreds of food items.

Bishop Rolle is currently trying to give out about 1,000 boxes of groceries to the community, packed with enough food to give them many meal options.

Before the end of that service, more than 200 families were provided for.

“We have a little bit of everything; grits, sugar, tea, tuna, rice, flour, corn beef; we have soda and water,” he said.

“I just celebrated my 32nd pastoral anniversary and my congregation gifted me with money, but I told them that I could not take that money for myself when I know that the people out there are hurting, and so we took that money and added it to the funds to buy food for the people.”

As the Thanksgiving and Christmas season draws closer, Bishop Rolle is asking anyone who can to assist in his ministry’s efforts to help people have a better holiday.

“We need clothing and food and water, money, things for the kids’ Christmas, anything that you can donate, we can use,” he said.