The congregation of Sound View Road First Church of God in Somerset was in high spirits on Sunday when their new pastors, the Rev. Deborah R. Evans and Rev. Terence Herbert were installed in office.

They were inducted by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Vernon G. Lambe, Overseer of the First Churches of God in Bermuda.

He did not mince his words when he declared Sound View Church is getting "two great leaders" in Rev. Evans, a mother of three and grandmother of four who is Senior Pastor and Assistant Pastor Rev. Herbert, BA, of whom the Bishop said, "let no man despise his youth".

Standing at the side of Rev. Evans was her husband of 36 years, Kuhn Evans, Sr., and her mother Mrs. Joyce Daniels.

Rev. Herbert was congratulated by his father, now Pastor Emeritus Leon G. Herbert. The void left by the latter's retirement three years ago had been filled by a ministry team along with Elders placed in position to lead the church.

It was 55 years ago that the First Church of God Movement began in Somerset. It was an outgrowth from the First Church of God, Angle Street, Hamilton. Pastor Emeritus Herbert was one of the saints from Angle Street, who came religiously to Somerset in a caravan from Angle to the Grand United Oddfellows Hall fostering the growth of the congregation.

The Rev. Ronald C. Smith, incumbent pastor of Angle Street Church assisted Bishop Lamb in the investiture ceremony Sunday. Worship leader was Elder Dr. Stanley Roberts. He also had the distinction of formally presenting the church keys to Rev. Evans.

The century-old Bermuda legacy of the Church of God Reform Movement with its headquarters in Anderson, Indiana dates back to 1905. It was introduced by the late Rev. Edward Bryam Grant, who migrated here from his native Antigua over 100 years ago. He built the Angle Street Complex wherein the church is situated.

According to the investiture programme, Rev. Evans (see close-up pic) brings to her pastorate, a work of true worship and faith for all aspects of life born out of her own hardships, healings and God's giftiness. Her experience reaches across international borders ministering at conferences, conducting workshops, missions in Africa and much more.

Her greatest mission to date was group travel to Ghana coordinating "VSB" for over 700 children and feeding over 2,000 children while there in 2005.

Rev. Evans has been a long serving Sunday School teacher, worship leader, cure counselor, prison ministry, member of the Board of Elders, Pastoral Administrative Assistant and Assistant Pastor to Bishop Lambe.

Assistant Pastor Herbert is the second child of Pastor Emeritus Leon and Mother Rosalind Herbert. He earned a BA Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Warner Southern University, Florida.

On August 18, 2002 Pastor Terrence was ordained a Minister of the Church of God by the Bishopric and council of Pastors of the First Church, Bermuda.

At the Soundview Church, Pastor Terrence continues to serve in the Music Ministry, preaching, teaching Sunday School, facilitating Bible studies and heading the church's Prison Ministry.