We know that prayers have been going up for the grief-stricken Overseer of the First Church of God Denomination in Bermuda, Bishop Dr. Vernon G. Lambe, Sr.

Funeralising members of his large congregation and the wider community he serves are routine. But having to deal with multiple deaths in quick succession of close family kinfolk is something way out of the ordinary realm.

The sudden death of his son-in-law Clarence Wendell Davis just over a week after celebrating his 50th birthday must have been similar to an after-shock from a huge earthquake, that being the passing of the Bishop's "son" and ministerial colleague 60-year-old Rev. Ronnie Smith just days after his brother-in-law in-law residing in New Jersey was laid to rest. And prior to that a cousin, Earlston Kavon Bailey, aged 31 was killed in a traffic accident on East Broadway.

Spectacular funerals on two successive days were held at The First Church of God on the North Shore. Rites for Rev. Smith lasted more than four hours and almost as long for son-in-law Davis. Each was televised live over Bishop Lamb's regular cable network. Both men served heavily in the Department of Corrections, formerly known as the Prisons.

Rev. Smith's service was on a largely volunteer basis as Senior Chaplain for the whole Department of Corrections, including the Prison Farm and Co-ed Facility in St. George's, working with young male and female offenders and at the Westgate Correctional Facility at the Dockyard where he was the Substance Abuse Counselor.

Davis, holding the rank of Deputy Commissioner was given full official honours, with a heavy turnout of uniformed officers from Commissioner Lt. Colonel Edward Lambe on down.

This sequence of events led Bishop in an aside, to conclude that God must be up to something. He was reminded that whenever God was ready "to do something" there were spectacular occurrences as a precursor. On one occasion he caused the sun to stand still so that he might create a stage for a miraculous victory by the Israelites.

Another instance was prior to the birth of his Son there was spectacular angelic visitations announcing His arrival. The Bishop did not expand on that aside, leaving his audience to ponder on what he has said.

Rev. Smith's obituary did not hide the fact that he was "mischievous from an early age", growing up in and around Laffan Street in Hamilton and having to spend years in a number of foster homes. He also was an avid sportsman, playing tennis, softball, football for Young Men's Social Club, and even taught karate.

Ronnie took full advantage of the opportunity in his late teens to spend time with friends in Morristown, New Jersey, where he completed his high schooling and went on to graduate from the Drake School of Business. After returning to Bermuda, he filled jobs at the National Bank and in the insurance field, living in the fast lane.

In June, 1973 he was married to Shirlene Dickinson. Their reception at the Devonshire Rec was the talk of the town. Two years later, December 1975 Ronnie gave his heart to the Lord under the Pastoral Ministry of Bishop Lambe.

He was one of the Bishop's early converts in Bermuda. The Bishop described the relationship that developed as that of a "father and son". And he cited him as a model of what can happen in a young man's life when he makes a decision to serve the Lord.

He went back to college, gaining an Associate Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, Florida.

In May 1983 he was ordained and appointed Associate Pastor in charge of the Angle Street, First Church of God.

On October 21, 2001 he was installed as Senior Pastor. There he pursued a vision to completely renovate the historic church building that was rooted in the early years of the 1900s.

Among other things, he changed the front to ensure that it looked more like a sanctuary with its stained glass windows.