Archives: Testimonials

Rev. Dr. Dalton Jenkins (Son-In-Law)

We set aside time to celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman of God, Rev. Lurline Larmond. This giant in the Christian faith has tremendously impacted my life and ministry. Her timely and profound counsel has helped shaped my pastoral ministry. Rev. Larmond has influenced my life from a boy to today. Her legacy will live on in the future. Rev. Larmond has touched every stage of my life since the age of 7 years old. During my late teenage years and as a young adult, I witnessed, intimately, her being the stabilizing person in the birth of First UB Church. During those early days, she allowed me many opportunities to preach and teach the word of God in this new church. She demonstrated her love for God, the church and her family. Her deepest desire is to see the church grow through conversions. I dearly love and honor this mighty woman of God.

As a husband to her last baby (Jackie) she would always challenge me to love my wife and take of my family. Her simple advice were the ingredients that help me as a young husband. I admire the love and care that she and Deacon Larmond shared and wanted to make sure Jackie and I could share a similar relationship. She always treated me like her very own son. Throughout my college years, she has always encouraged me to finish college and do my best. I could see how pleased she was when I informed her of my various educational accomplishments. She was one of my most ardent supporters. The most challenging decision of my life was the decision to become a pastor and start a new church. It was her that I turn to, and she always provided godly counsel. Her instructions were simple but profound. Love God, love God’s people, preach the gospel, treat everyone right, pray and pray. When there were difficult decisions, I had to make regarding the ministry; I could always depend on her sound, frank and spiritual advice. She was a woman of great wisdom and understanding.

Rev. Larmond you have served the Lord well. Your race has ended, and your reward awaits you in heaven. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV) applies to you, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” I salute you today! You have earned your place as a great woman of God. Your labor of love echoes across generations. As Matthew 25:23 (KJV) said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

I love you! I will miss you dearly, but we will see each other again.

Testimonial from Church

• Sister Larmond 
• Minister Larmond
• Pastor Larmond 
• Lay Leader Minister Larmond 
• Reverend Larmond 
• Mother Larmond 
• Founder and Financier Larmond 

These are some of the hats or titles our beloved Minister Larmond has worn throughout her ministry in First United Brethren Church.  A powerful, spirit-filled woman of God, who is one of the founders and directed it from its inception in 1988. Minister Larmond has steered this ship alongside each Pastor who has presided over us in the last 30 years. Every pastor inauguration has been graced with her presence. Her support, prayers and leadership has greatly influenced their ministry and their families. Minister Larmond is known to all as a prayer warrior who constantly prayed without ceasing for the church. Many battles have been won through her prayer ministry. Her heart’s desire was for the continued expansion of The First United Brethren Church and for souls to be saved. Sister Larmond was a devoted woman of God that you could call upon to pray at all times. Her faith and dedication to God was unshakeable and it was evident in her life even to the end.  

To us, she was Mother Larmond. highly respected by all, young and old. She was mother to everyone. The women of the church adored her and looked to her for guidance. You often heard her saying “pickney girl come here, you must trust God, pray and hold on. We have to keep the ministry going.” After inspiring us to keep working in God’s ministry she would ask “How’s the family?” with a warm smile on her face.   The men of the church loved and honored her with great respect. Many could be heard saying, “Yes, Sis Larmond.” Never a frown or complain when assisting her. Our young people cherished this woman of God and can quote even today the words of encouragement she gave them. She was not afraid to tell them of their wrong doings but she always gave them the advice to give their hearts to the Lord and He would direct their paths. She never wavered in her faith and even on her hospital bed she was still Mother and Minister Larmond. Mother to her biological and spiritual children and Minister to comfort those who came to visit her. 

 She was courageous, filled with compassion and strength who fought to the end reminding us to live right and trust God. 

We celebrated many milestones with her. Her birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and even most recently paid tribute to her as one of our Founder in our church 30th anniversary.  People traveled from near and far just to see Sis. Larmond one more time. She was a beacon of hope and light as she sat stoically in her wheelchair for those long hours worshiping God.  Basking in the presence of the Lord. You could see the joy of the Lord on her face. Her passion for Christ sustained her through the anniversary celebration. Some danced with her, some lent a helping hand in escorting her and many waited to just to greet her. 

First United Brethren Church is indebted to this noble woman who left behind a legacy for us to live by. She was a loyal and faithful wife.  Her love and respect for her husband, “Ossie” exemplified the true meaning that love conquers all when marriages are grounded in the word of God. Through the Ladies ministry, she encouraged both single and married to let God lead in the right way. Truly she was a Proverbs 31 woman. Her husband, children and us called her “blessed.”

Tonight, First United Brethren Church in Christ celebrates her life.

Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6 says “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time of my departure is near, I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” This has been her life in First United Brethren Church but it does not end…

Her charge to First United Brethren Church is “Trust God” trust Him to direct us in all areas of this ministry as we continue to build God’s kingdom. 

Her work will never be forgotten while she rests in peace. She will continue to be a part of us. Only absent in the body but present in the spirit. Reverend Minister Lurline Larmond, Mother Larmond will live on forever in our hearts as we continue the journey she started 30 years ago.

Given by the Rev. Dr. Linton Thomas

The Seven Legacies of Lurline Larmond

A legacy is an inheritance, a heritage, or an endowment. Today, we celebrate the life and legacies of  Min Lurline Larmond – a Christain matriarch par excellence. Due to the profound nature of her life, in time to come, one of her children or one of her grandchildren might get the inspiration to write a book about the contributions of this great woman of God. I want to submit that one of the chapters of that book could be titled: The 7Legacies of Lurline Larmond.

One, we must celebrate her legacy of prayer. We all know, that like Jeremiah,she was the weeping prophet among us. Sometimes, I didn’t know why she was crying, but she knew. She had a profound sense of empathy. 

Two,we must celebrate her legacy of motherhoodand today, we must bless the generations that have come from her loins. 

Three,we must celebrate her legacy of marriage. I know that you will agree with me that 60 years of marriage calls for a celebration. Her marriage to Deacon Oswald Larmond is one for the history books. 

Fourth, we must celebrate her legacy of Faith and Christain service – from the hills of Jamaica to the hills of the Bronx. She worked assiduously to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is indeed one of the founders of this church – the First Church of the United Brethren in Christ. 

Fifth,we must celebrate her legacy of giving. She was a frequent flier. Anytime she would head for Jamaica, she was like was like mother Theresa of Calcutta – she was carrying money and gifts to the people of Jamaica especially the people of the Jamaica Conference of the United Brethren Church. 

Sixth,we must celebrate her legacy of leadership. Through her instrumentality, several young men including the late Rev. Dr. Owen Gordon and Rev. Orlando Daron were either encouraged or led into pastoral ministry.

Seventh and last,we must celebrate her love for life. She was a frequent flier. Min Larmond loved life, andshe enjoyed going places. Unlike some Christians who have a triangular life from home to work to church, Min. Larmond went to other places, andshe enjoyed life.  Jamaica wasn’t the only place she went for vacation. Deacon Oswald Larmond took her to Europe and Canada and all over the place. One fun memory: Once we went on a church trip to Six Flags in New Jersey. Min Larmond, deacon Larmond, my wife and I were in the same group. We were looking for a ride that was comfortable forall of us. Soon, we saw one that looked like it was not dangerous. We got in, and shortly after that, to the amazement of all of us, it began to go up, and up, and up until were able to see the flora and faunaof New Jersey. When we got to the top, we realized that the name of the roller coaster was the “Rolling Thunder.” As we were plunging back to earth, I heard minister Larmond say, “Lord, receive my spirit.” But the Lord was not ready for her yet. As we walked away from this frightening experience, Min Larmond touched me and said: Pastor, it wasn’t so bad after all. We could try it again.” This experience demonstrates that Min. Larmond had a zest for life. 

Brethren, our beloved sister is resting from her labors. Her soul is resting in peace! 

Bishop Isaac J. Nugent

Rev. Dr. Lloyd Spencer