ELIZABETH GONZALES
Born into the Spiritual Baptist faith, Jesse Taylor is seen as a beacon in the Tobago Baptist community serving as a shepherd, spiritual advisor, leader, father and counsellor to hundreds.
Taylor, 49, is an apostle at the St Anthony's National Evangelical Spiritual Baptist Church, which was founded by his grandmother 49 years ago and handed down to him after she died.
"Forty years ago I didn't think I would be doing those things I consider would be truly beneficial to my generation and future generations.
"I have walked a long spiritual road but I go without regrets ..." Taylor told Newsday in an interview on March 25.
He also carries the title of grand prince and king of Sankofa the Ancient house – a repository for people searching for an induction into the spiritual realm and the teachings associated with it.
[caption id="attachment_947285" align="alignnone" width="1024"] King of Sankofa The Ancient House, Jesse Taylor, background, spreads his arms in worship as his wife Avril Jerry Taylor leads a prayer segment at its Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day celebration at Enchanted Waters Hotel, Shirvan Road, Tobago in 2021. - PHOTO BY DAVID REID[/caption]
And with all of this spiritual authority, Taylor remains humbled and focus.
But outside of the many roles he holds in the Spiritual Baptist faith, Taylor isn't a stranger to the Tobago cultural landscape for he is widely known as a cultural enthusiast on the island and is employed as the head cultural officer at the Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation.
Taylor owes the fulfilling life he has lived to the beauty and spiritual liberation that comes from the Spiritual Baptist practices.
"Tobago's foundation is rooted in this faith. The practices can be seen incorporated in some of our major events, our culture and in the way we live."
Taylor is also a designer and a dancer and has trained many in the art of folk and African dances. He is a part of the Pembroke Village Council and has produced, directed and acted in numerous state productions for the Pembroke Salaka Feast during the annual Tobago Heritage Festival.
At birth, medical officials discovered a life-threatening respiratory health condition in Taylor.
Taylor was just a few days old when his parents, Zipporah Thomas and Leon Taylor, made a pact with God after doctors told them their son's chances of living was very low.
"I was born into the church, I was given to the church and in the hands of God because of my irregularities, which I still have up to this day."
Despite his respiratory illness, Taylor's power-driven shouts and mesmerising induction fills the room at spiritual services and other cultural events.
[caption id="attachment_947288" align="alignnone" width="498"] Spiritual Baptist leader Jesse Taylor is also a cultural enthusiast. Taylor is a designer and dancer and has trained many in the art of folk and African dances. He is a part of the Pembroke Village Council and has produced, directed and acted in numerous state
