People of Praise celebrates 35 years on Republic Day

On September 24 this year, the People of Praise (POP) Community celebrates its 35th anniversary. Traditionally, the symbol for a 35th anniversary celebration is coral, which interestingly as a colour, is a shade of orange, the colour associated with POP.

A coral reef develops over several years and is a symbol of strength and longevity. To spare the coral reefs further depletion however, the modern symbol of the 35th anniversary is the gemstone jade.

Like coral, jade is tenacious, symbolising strength, protection and longevity.  POP is an enduring community, built on long-lasting relationships and a place where all are welcome to celebrate God’s love and grow in their gifts.

The POP is a Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community based in the town of Arima.  Established in 1989, the Community exists to fully participate in the renewal of the Church through our charisms of praise, worship and preaching of the Word of God.

Such renewal is fostered through Life in the Spirit seminars, crusades, workshops, retreats, counselling, social, spiritual development programmes, healing and deliverance prayer along with Friday prayer meetings. We are disciples of the Holy Spirit as we see ourselves as servants of the New Evangelisation.

Vision and Outreach Ministry

Our community seeks to embody the vision statement of “Harvesting souls daily and perfecting praise always.”  This is evident in outreach activities both locally and abroad.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, POP launched a Food Bank to reach the socially displaced. That ministry continues today along with providing stationery and school supplies to families and schools at the start of the academic year and launched ministries via Zoom.

Outreach ministries at POP Community include:

Faith Formation Programmes

(in-person & online)

• Retreats, workshops, Life in the Spirit seminars, conferences, prayer meetings, Children’s Ministry, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Teaching Tuesday

Music and the Performing Arts

• Music liturgy at the Sunday evening Mass at Santa Rosa RC Church, Arima for over 40 years, singing for retreats, conferences, rallies, concerts, ordinations, weddings, funerals and national events
• Training persons in voice and instrumentation with an emphasis on the steelpan

Social Welfare Programmes

• Food Bank, distribution of hampers, welfare and empowerment programmes, outreach to the poor and immigrants

Evangelisation & Mission Programmes

• Visiting sick & shut-ins, prison ministry, mission outreach locally and abroad

Support Ministry Services

• Intercessory prayer, Prayer hotline (868-221-6639 or 868-667-1544), Family Life Ministry, healing & deliverance prayer and free counselling services

As we look to the future, the Lord has been leading us to accompany His people. In August 2025, POP will be launching the People of Praise School of Accompaniment and Spiritual Direction, and construction of a retreat centre is in progress on Praise Mountain (ten acres of land, located approximately five minutes from the House of Praise).

We thank God for the first 35 years we have had and for the opportunity to impact positively the lives of His people and look forward with great anticipation to the next 35.

Sound the Trumpet (STT) Conferences

October is another special month for POP. The Community has been Sounding the Trumpet (STT) for the past 19 years through its Praise and Worship Conferences held in October. Over the years, we have seen people experience the power of God transforming lives through the Word with healing and miracles through praise and worship.

This year at STT19 we are sounding the trumpet of highest praise and worship as we prepare to march around the modern-day wall of Jericho in our lives and society.

Our theme is Trust & Surrender. Believe & Receive in response to the call of Pope Francis for a year of prayer and our Archdiocesan initiative of ‘33 days to Eucharistic Glory’.

We as a community are extremely excited as we believe that the Lord wants to do something new in the lives of His people. Our STT19 theme Scripture is taken from Isaiah 43:2–5:

2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you;

    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

    and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

    Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious in my eyes,

    and honoured, and I love you,

I give men in return for you,

    peoples in exchange for your life.

5 Fear not, for I am with you;

    I will bring your offspring from the east,

    and from the west I will gather you;

The Lord assures us that He is with us through all we may face. His love for us is constant. This is a tremendous opportunity to come trusting in a God who never fails, surrendering all to Him, believing Him for our breakthroughs and receiving all that He has for us as individuals and collectively as a people of God. Hope to see you there.

Register for the STT19 Main Conference, Youth Conference and Children’s Conference at www.popTT.org

Why not visit our prayer meeting at Upper De Gannes Street, Arima on a Friday 7.30–9.30 p.m. or for more information on our labour of love contact us at:

Phone/Fax: (868) 667-1544 or 221-6639

Email: popraisett@gmail.com

Website/Donate via popTT.org

Join POP’s Teaching Tuesday (8 p.m.) & Friday Prayer Meetings (7.30 p.m.) on Zoom: Meeting ID: 839 8095 4307 Passcode: 968885