Sir James Carlisle, governor-general of Antigua and Barbuda, spoke with passion and conviction July 1 to the Seventh-day Adventist world church gathered in session at St. Louis.

Expressing his conviction that Adventists should be more involved in community, Sir James urged his audience to stand firm for their faith. As head of state, “I decided not to serve alcohol at state functions.” The reason—knowing the damage alcohol does to human body, he says.

He also is committed to observing the seventh-day Sabbath, noting that “a number of people objected to my appointment due to my refusal to work on Sabbath.”

When invited to be knighted by the Queen of England, Sir James also had to decline because the ceremony was on Sabbath. Later he did receive the accolade, being invited by the Queen to Buckingham Palace, which was, he says, “even better.”

The governor-general and his family were welcomed by Dr. John Graz, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Adventist world church, who praised him for his clear endorsement of Adventist values and principles.

Sir James is also highly committed to religious liberty issues. In January 2003, at the time of the formation of the first organization in the country to be dedicated exclusively to promoting and defending religious freedom, he called for strong Adventist support.

“As a Seventh-day Adventist, I believe we are to be model citizens in society, promoting and defending essential values,” he said. “Religious freedom is one of our most precious values, and brings great benefits to society. We also need to remember that we cannot please everyone, we simply do what is right, whatever the hostility we may have to face.”

Sir James was appointed Governor General in 1993 and is the recipient of many awards of distinction. He is also active in his local church, identifying his faith as a positive contribution to his leadership role in the country.