The St. George’s Baptist Church (SGBC), located in the Springs/Belmont community of St. George’s, officially installed Rev. Richard Beckford as its Senior Pastor during a special service held on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the life of the congregation as it entered a new chapter of ministry and leadership.
Rev. Beckford succeeds Rev. Stanford Simon, who retired as Senior Pastor on March 31, 2026, after years of faithful service to the congregation and the wider Baptist community. Following a period of pastoral transition, the members of St. George’s Baptist Church unanimously called Rev. Beckford, who had been serving as Administrative Pastor, to lead the church as its new Senior Pastor.
The Installation Service brought together church members, clergy, community leaders, family, friends, and well-wishers from across Grenada. The service celebrated both the rich legacy of the church and its hopeful vision for the future.
The act of installation was conducted by Rev. Harrison George, President of the Grenada Baptist Association, assisted by Rev. Vonnie James, former President of the Association, and Rev. Stanford Simon, former Senior Pastor of St. George’s Baptist Church and Immediate Past President of the Grenada Baptist Association.
The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Gerard Keens-Douglas, Pastor of Springs Evangelical Church. In his charge to the congregation, he encouraged members to faithfully support, encourage, and care for their pastor and his family as partners in ministry.
Originally from Jamaica, Rev. Beckford is married to Grenadian Marsha Beckford. The couple and their family relocated to Grenada in 2023 after sensing a call to contribute to the nation-building efforts of the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Prior to their relocation, they were active members of Mona Baptist Church in Jamaica.
With more than twenty years of Christian ministry experience, Rev. Beckford brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his new role. His ministry has been characterized by a commitment to biblical teaching, theological education, pastoral care, community engagement, leadership development, and Christian discipleship. Widely respected as a Caribbean biblical theologian, he has become a valued contributor to both church and society.
One of the most memorable moments of the service occurred when Rev. Stanford Simon symbolically passed the baton of leadership to Rev. Beckford. The gesture represented both continuity and transition, affirming the church’s commitment to honouring its past while embracing its future.
In his response to the congregation, Rev. Beckford pledged to “preach the Word and love God’s people.” He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that St. George’s Baptist Church remains “a prophetic voice to the nation” and continues to extend pastoral care and community support throughout Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.
“We are not a church that just talks,” Rev. Beckford declared. “We get into the grind of the nation.”
As the congregation looks to the future, church leaders expressed confidence that the ministry of St. George’s Baptist Church will continue to grow and flourish as it seeks to serve God, build community, and positively impact the lives of people throughout Grenada and beyond.
Founded more than fifty years ago, St. George’s Baptist Church is recognized as the mother church of the Grenada Baptist Association. The church is affiliated with the Grenada Baptist Association, the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship, and the Baptist World Alliance. For more than five decades, SGBC has served as a centre of worship, discipleship, community engagement, and spiritual formation within Grenada.
The church’s mission is “Empowering People to Enjoy Wholeness, Prosperity and Fulfilment in Life,” while its guiding motto remains, “No One Left Behind.” Through its ministries and outreach initiatives, the church continues to seek the spiritual, social, and emotional well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
