Your donation directly impacts others! Wherever Back to the Bible radio, television and Internet programming reaches, wherever our books and CD's are distributed, we are seeing changed lives through knowing God's Word.
Meet Nigel Wilkinson, Director-Jamaica
From my research I discovered the following:
Carl is a Scandinavian name that means "free man", "man" or "one who is strong."
Nigel is an English name meaning "champion". It is possible I was named after the after the English Actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne (1929 –2001).
Wilkinson literally means "Son of Wilkin," from Wilkin, a diminutive for William
from the Germanic name Wilhelm from the elements wil, "will or desire," and helm, "helmet or protection."
My parental background is very interesting. My father was born in Trinidad and was working at the rediffusion radio station there when he was transferred to the station in Guyana where my Mom was working at the time (she being born in Guyana). Well, they met fell in love and got married.
I have one daughter, Crystol-Chadae Imani, born January 26, 1998. I should note that with God's help, I have 'fathered' a number of fatherless young men from Church who always get offended when I state that I only have one child.
The following year, the church had its annual crusade to which I was invited. On Monday March 6, 1978, the speaker, Rev. Stephen Clarke, preached a clear message on the need for each individual to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When the alter call was made, I went forward and after receiving counsel, accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.
I was asked to sit on the youth ministry committee of my Church and since then there has been no turning back. During the rest of my high school days, I got involved with the ISCF group, eventually becoming the President and attending a number of Leadership Training Camps. During this time, I also served as President of my church's Youth Fellowship.
After High School, I attended seminary, not to become a pastor or preacher, but more so to ensure that I was properly equipped to respond to the questions coming from my peers and also to help set a firm foundation for me before going into the working world.
Since completing seminary, at my local church, I have gone on to be Youth Director, Choir & Music Director, Christian Education Director and now I serve as Deacon with overview for the Worship, Music and Media Department. In wider circles, I have served as Youth Director for my denomination for the past 10 years and host of our weekly radio program for the past 24 years. Though I do share in small group settings, I do not consider myself a 'preacher' and so I do not accept invitations to speak/share/talk at church services or similar settings.
This is the verse I selected for my baptism back in 1979 and have kept it close over the years.
Shortly after I became a Christian, as I read through the Gospels, I was also in search of Gospel music to replace my secular collection. Amongst my new music was a song by Andrae Crouch entitled "I'll Keep Loving You". Whilst reading this portion of scripture, a line from that song became embedded in my heart all these years--I thought I'd given Him my all, Until I heard Him ask for more.
For me, this simple story is a constant challenge to give to the Lord, to share with others what He has blessed me with, even when I feel I can't afford it-- whether it is my money, my time, my talent, my house, my car... God always gives us enough so that we can give more.
Nigel Wilkinson is the director of Back to the Bible Jamaica. Nigel lives in a housing scheme known as Christian Meadows in the municipality of Portmore. This fast growing community is in the parish of St. Catherine on the island of Jamaica.
Full name and meaning:
Carl Nigel WilkinsonFrom my research I discovered the following:
Carl is a Scandinavian name that means "free man", "man" or "one who is strong."
Nigel is an English name meaning "champion". It is possible I was named after the after the English Actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne (1929 –2001).
Wilkinson literally means "Son of Wilkin," from Wilkin, a diminutive for William
from the Germanic name Wilhelm from the elements wil, "will or desire," and helm, "helmet or protection."
Family information:
My wife's name is Charmaine. We worshiped at the same Church for some 11 years. I thought she was 'taken' so never really took note of her. As choir director I met her Mom and became her 'pixie' one year and got to know the family a little better. In 1991, I was very sick with shingles and was on sick leave for a month. Near the end of my sick leave I tried to go out to church one Sunday but was still too ill to stay in church. I went into the church secretary's office where Charmaine was looking over some Sunday School material. Realizing how sick I still was, she offered to take me back home. She did, and we had an interesting conversation on our way. After she left and my roommate got home, I told him I found my wife! He laughed... Two years later, February 6, 1993 (the day after her birthday), we got married.My parental background is very interesting. My father was born in Trinidad and was working at the rediffusion radio station there when he was transferred to the station in Guyana where my Mom was working at the time (she being born in Guyana). Well, they met fell in love and got married.
I have one daughter, Crystol-Chadae Imani, born January 26, 1998. I should note that with God's help, I have 'fathered' a number of fatherless young men from Church who always get offended when I state that I only have one child.
How you came to know the Lord:
In 1977, my family moved into a new community and I became friends with three sisters who attended the Portmore Missionary Church. As a young teen, I was not averse to church as my siblings and I were always sent off to church as children with a friend in our previous neighborhood. It wasn't long before I would accompany them to church and even began to help one of them in Sunday School...just collecting offering and marking the register.The following year, the church had its annual crusade to which I was invited. On Monday March 6, 1978, the speaker, Rev. Stephen Clarke, preached a clear message on the need for each individual to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When the alter call was made, I went forward and after receiving counsel, accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.
Ministry background:
My involvement in ministry began about five months after becoming a Christian in 1998. From the start, I had a passion for reading the Bible, and as such it had a tremendous impact on my life. I was asked to sit on the youth ministry committee of my Church and since then there has been no turning back. During the rest of my high school days, I got involved with the ISCF group, eventually becoming the President and attending a number of Leadership Training Camps. During this time, I also served as President of my church's Youth Fellowship.
After High School, I attended seminary, not to become a pastor or preacher, but more so to ensure that I was properly equipped to respond to the questions coming from my peers and also to help set a firm foundation for me before going into the working world.
Since completing seminary, at my local church, I have gone on to be Youth Director, Choir & Music Director, Christian Education Director and now I serve as Deacon with overview for the Worship, Music and Media Department. In wider circles, I have served as Youth Director for my denomination for the past 10 years and host of our weekly radio program for the past 24 years. Though I do share in small group settings, I do not consider myself a 'preacher' and so I do not accept invitations to speak/share/talk at church services or similar settings.
When did you start with Back to the Bible? How have your responsibilities changed?
I began working at Back to the Bible in September 2010. Coming from an organization where I was the Operations Manager to one where I am the Managing Director has been an interesting change for me. I now see how He used my previous job to prepare me for this one.
How the Bible has changed your life:
Oh my... Before becoming a Christian in 1978, I was very much into the party scene and along with my siblings, began to dabble in astrology, oriental beliefs, tea-leaf and palm reading and such the like.
When I became a Christian, the Lord placed a deep desire within me to read His Word which not only turned me against those things that I was involved in, but laid a foundation upon which I have built my life over the past 32 years.
Favorite Bible passage:
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."This is the verse I selected for my baptism back in 1979 and have kept it close over the years.
Favorite Bible story:
My favorite Bible story is found in Mark 12:41-44 / Luke 21:1-4. It is the story of the widow's mite. Shortly after I became a Christian, as I read through the Gospels, I was also in search of Gospel music to replace my secular collection. Amongst my new music was a song by Andrae Crouch entitled "I'll Keep Loving You". Whilst reading this portion of scripture, a line from that song became embedded in my heart all these years--I thought I'd given Him my all, Until I heard Him ask for more.
For me, this simple story is a constant challenge to give to the Lord, to share with others what He has blessed me with, even when I feel I can't afford it-- whether it is my money, my time, my talent, my house, my car... God always gives us enough so that we can give more.
Greatest struggle growing up:
My greatest struggle growing up was dealing with asthma. I became asthmatic at the age of three and this affected me through to my young adult life. The result was that I was not able to participate in sporting activities. This was very depressing at times.
It was while in my third year at seminary that I decided I was going to overcome this ailment. I began a basic exercise programme which eventually led to a more structured gym routine.
About the people of Jamaica:
At the core, Jamaicans are friendly people who always look out for each other. Jamaicans place a lot of weight on family connections. Even if you are a distant cousin or a step-relative, you're family.
Our country is going through a rough time at the moment as the reality of the global recession hits home. We are also plagued with a very high murder rate.
Jamaica has always prided itself in being a "Christian" country, however the influences of the USA pop culture and other factors have greatly affected our value system. As a result, we have a generation of youth that are not as exposed to church.
The one place in Jamaica you would take a visitor:
They would have to see Dunn's River Falls. The fact is, you can only get there via driving from any one of our two international airports. By so doing, the person would see the beauty of the island.
What makes you the most proud of Jamaica:
What makes me most proud of my country is the fact that being considered a third world country with a population of just under three million, we have made and continue to make our mark in this world in music, theatre and sports. As we say here in Jamaica, "Wi likkle, nut wi tallawah" (we may be small in size, but we are strong, so don't take us for granted).
Fun Facts
Interesting or funny fact about you:
I hold the local record for being 'on-air' for 52 consecutive hours at LOVE FM to raise funds for the expansion of the station.
Hobbies:
I enjoy going to the gym and getting a good workout whether cardio or weights. (Good healthy habit.) I also enjoy listening to all forms of gospel music and smooth jazz instrumental.
If you had a random day off, what would you do for the day?
Sleep late. Then I would either head to the beach or watch a good movie.
Do you have a nickname?
No nicknames. Everyone calls me Nigel. Well, due to my work with LOVE FM, I am known as the Gospel Music Master.
Favorite food:
Local dish: Ackee & Salt-fish with fried breadfruit, a slice of pear (avocado) and three fried dumplings. Other: Any meal with shrimp, lobster and/or crab.
Least favorite food:
Hmmm...sushi.
Favorite book (besides the Bible):
Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Support the Caribbean Outreach