It isn’t very often that a man celebrates 40 years of Christian ministry, but this past weekend, Bermudian pastor, the Rev Wendell OE Christopher Sr, has returned home to do just that.Now serving at Pilgrim AME in Washington, DC, Mr Christopher began his ministry in 1968 at Vernon Temple AME, and was later licensed as an exalter on November 12, 1971.“You are called in to ministry by God,” Mr Christopher explained, rather than it being simply a choice of vocation. “I’ve been pastoring since 1976.”When asked about what has helped him sustain in ministry, Mr Christopher shared: “Getting in at a very young age that was very fortunate, because you get to grow up with your ministry.”Celebration services were being held at Pilgrim AME, and Mr Christopher’s family all travelled to Washington DC for the occasion. Events included a revival service, a gala and a special Sunday morning service, lead by the Rev. Harry J White.As a part of the Second Episcopal District of the AME church, Rev. Christopher has found his forté as the Director of Social Action, where he helps develop the denominations positions on politics and social development.For some, this may seem to be a challenge, especially while working in a country where there is a strong importance and desire to maintain a separation between church and state, however, Mr Christopher has found that it really isn’t such a big problem.“It is not an issue, except when it comes to endorsing a particular issue or a particular candidate,” he said.“I’ve always been involved in social change,” Rev. Christopher added.A large part of his work is involved in the running of a Pilgrim AME’s Job Connection ministry, that has a contract with the city of Washington to help find employment for jobless families through the TANF, or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families programme.“One of the problems in the US is that the volume of help needed has grown and many churches are overwhelmed,” Mr Christopher explained.Up until recently, churches in Bermuda haven’t had that component to the same extent, however with the ever-increasing need and hardship faced by families in Bermuda, Mr Christopher has been talks with former Cabinet Minister Neletha Butterfield to see how some of the ministries at Pilgrim AME might work in Bermuda.While there are churches beginning to set the wheels in motion, Mr Christopher sees that not enough is being done by religious institutions in Bermuda.“Churches can be a repository of help, rather than leave it to the government. The church needs to extend itself beyond its walls.”Areas that he suggests churches can be involved include food banks, clothing closets, tutorial services and family services, including alcoholism, domestic violence and child molestation.A programme for children at Pilgrim AME includes religious education, cultural education, whereby they take students to museums and national monuments, and tutorial services.“It’s a good way to reach out,” Mr Christopher added.“There’s always a way. People just have to be courageous and step outside the box... It’s a matter of will, rather than opportunity.“There is always opportunity.”