A popular clergyman who broke off from the Full Gospel Baptist denomination has been named Jones Communications Network’s (JCN) Person of the Year.

The Bishop Neil C. Ellis yesterday received the honour after being the first Bahamian to head a Christian fellowship, which is comprised of more than 200 churches.

Every year, JCN holds its Civil Society Awards where it honours Bahamians who have made outstanding contributions to society.

His fellowship may only be a few months old, but Bishop Ellis has one of the biggest in the world.

His Global United Fellowship was formed in August last year and since then has grown to almost 250 churches around the world, just one of the reasons why he was chosen JCN’s Person of the Year 2013.

“This simply affirms the fact that nothing is outside the power of almighty God,” he said.

“There is nothing that God has never done for or through anyone or anywhere, at any time in history that he will not do again. But while God is no respecter of persons, what we need to remember is that he loves outdoing himself.”

Bishop Ellis said history makers are ordinary men and women like him who have decided to take their talents and do something different with them.

“You cannot build a reputation on intentions,” he said.

“You cannot build a legacy on what you wanted or intended to do. People will judge you by your actions and not your intentions. The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Benjamin Franklin said well done is better than well said.”

During yesterday’s awards ceremony, JCN also honoured Don and Trevor Davis, owners of Quality Home Centre, as Businessmen of the Year.

“I know that there are many businessmen and businesswomen that could have been recognised for this award,” Don said as he accepted the award with his brother, Trevor.

“Therefore, I would like to say that we are humbled and grateful for your recognition.”

JCN CEO and President Wendall Jones said it is exemplary Bahamians like these men who are the true heroes in society.
“We have come to recognise people who are serving and through hard work and determination are making things happen in our community,” he said.

“We’ve come to celebrate Bahamian excellence. That is people who have unlimited possibilities and who are using their talents to move up the social and economic ladder, without regard to ethnic or other associations by birth.”

Mr. Jones also encouraged young people to be visionaries and go above and beyond so that they, too, one day can be movers and shakers of the world.