Pastor Abby: Commitment to God and His People
We met Pastor Abby, his wife Alona, and their three children at Morley Seventh-day Adventist Church 19 years ago. His preaching style was dynamic, captivating, motivating, and filled with incredible humour. He showed a genuine interest in individuals, and his passion for his work was unmistakable. He was down-to-earth and relatable. As migrants, we laughed and connected with him as he shared stories about owning a credit card for the first time, and how it was only later that he realised the multiple pairs of shoes he enthusiastically purchased came with the unexpected burden of repayments and interest. His honesty allowed us to appreciate life's challenges through his lived experiences.
Pastor Abby has immense spirituality, work ethic, commitment to service, and passion for pointing people to Christ and planting churches. Our family has been blessed to have him in our home, offering support and conducting Bible studies with us . My husband, Michael, who seldom goes to church, would attend if he knew Pastor Abby was preaching. Micheal was always eager to speak with him and never felt judged. Our three daughters were all married by him. For each wedding, he understood the diversity of our new sons-in-law, and respected their individual religious outlooks. There was no judgement! Instead, his wisdom and counsel earned their respect. We were especially blessed when Alona and Pastor Abby agreed to travel to Bali for Mark and Shereice’s wedding.
Our mother, Hazel Williams, surprised us at the age of 78, when she decided to marry her 80-year-old husband. Naturally, Pastor Abby was invited to officiate their wedding. Doug was later baptised by Pastor Abby, and, sadly, it was Pastor Abby who conducted his funeral service. He also baptised our aunt, Marlyn West, and invited church members to make a commitment to their faith. He never misses a chance to serve.
My husband, and I have been blessed with six grandchildren, all of whom have been dedicated by Pastor Abby. Our 12-week-old grandson Raheem, has not yet met this incredible man but is sure to become the youngest of the fourth generation in our family to be blessed by him. From my mother, Hazel Blumears, and her husband Doug, to her sister Marlyn, to my husband and I, to our children Nashana and Brent, Shereice and Mark, and Larisa and Marion, and now our grandchildren—that's four generations of blessings and connections!
Despite his busy schedule, the care Pastor Abby has invested in our family extends to other families, church plants, and churches as far as the Philippines. I remember being one of many church members who received a scam message, supposedly from Pastor Abby. He claimed he was stranded in a foreign country and urgently needed financial assistance. When I called to enquire where to deposit the funds, he was deeply touched by how many people were willing to help. This was not about our response, but rather a testament to the love and respect he has earned from so many.
Even though we hold Pastor Abby in the highest regard, we are aware that his lovely family—Alona and their children—have generously shared their husband and father with us. The Aviles family is humble and beautiful, always redirecting the focus to the amazing God we serve. All glory and honour to God, with heartfelt thanks for all that Pastor Abby continues to do. The special connection between Pastor Abby, his wife Alona, and their now-adult children, and our family, continues to be a cherished blessing. Thank you, Pastor Abby, for being such a wonderful man.
Sharlyn Rahman
Morley Seventh-day Adventist Church