Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Bishop Joyce Pearce of the Fellowship Spritual Apostolic Church in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, holds the Honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity she received. - Andrew Smith

A bishop with over 50 years of service to her community and church had her efforts recognised when she recently received an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.

The Jehovah Jireh Biblical Institute at the Cumberland University in North Carolina presented Joyce Pearce with the degree on April 9.

Bishop Pearce, a 73-year-old leader of the Fellowship Spiritual Apostolic Church in Central Village, Spanish Town, St. Catherine and another branch in Miami, said that the honour was based on her work with the poor.

"I have been helping each and everyone on land and sea," she said about those in need of food, clothing and counselling.

Pearce said that she got a vision to start her own church when she was only 23 years old. Asked whether or not she was timid while doing her job she said, "No man, no man. I just step out with 'braveness'."

The Jamaican branch has a congregation of approximately 100 people. In 1990 she opened the branch in Miami after her husband lost his battle with cancer. At the Miami branch she said that they have an outreach programme, praying for the sick and doing work with the Food Bank.

The bishop has passed on her Christian beliefs and commitment to her 13 children, one of whom is deceased. Two of her sons are pastors. Lascelles Pearce is an evangelist that has a radio programme in the United States and Ralph Pearce is a head pastor.

She has received other honours and was one of the first religious Jamaicans to receive the gold key to the United States.

Bishop Pearce said that people have lost faith in some religious leaders.

" ... Some of them don't care about people's lives and how they get on ... how is he or she a pastor and this happen? They are not real born again," she said. She said that religious leaders must remember that they need to set an example.