The Guyana Presbyterian Church (GPC) joyfully announced the election of a new Synod Executive Committee, marking a hopeful milestone in healing and inspiring confidence in a united future. The landmark Synod Meeting was held on April 17-18, 2026, under the theme, “Gathered in Thanksgiving, Restored in Love.”
Since the conflict began in 2020, the GPC has been unable to hold a Synod. Following the intervention of a World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) Mediation Team deployed in late 2024. The church has been led by Co-Moderators Rev. Vernon Ramcharan, Elder Anil Manickchand, and Pastor Lashley Gomes. With the April 2026 Synod, the GPC has now reconstituted its leadership and committed itself to an ongoing process of healing and reconciliation.
The newly elected Synod Executive Committee includes:
Moderator: Brother Anil Manickchand, Presiding Elder
General Secretary: Rev. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth
Treasurer: Brother Vijay Goberdan, Elder
Chair, Board of Trustees: Brother Mark December, Elder
Secretary, Board of Trustees: Sister Sandra Durga, Elder
Treasurer, Board of Trustees: Sister Nandraney Kishun, Presiding Elder
The newly elected Synod Executive Committee includes: Moderator Elder Anil Manickchand, who expressed a heartfelt commitment to unity. “I give thanks to God for the Guyana Presbyterian Church. God is the leader of the church, and following God’s order, our tenure of leadership will help us achieve one United Church – the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Manickchand said. “Now the journey of rebuilding our church together begins.”
The newly elected General Secretary, Rev. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, acknowledged the critical role of external partners in reaching this moment. “We thank God for this Synod and for the role played by the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Now is the time to reach out in love to overcome the pain of the past and to build the church together,” Rev. Sheerattan-Bisnauth said. “We are also thankful to the Presbyterian Church of Canada and the Caribbean and North American Area Council of the WCRC (CANAAC).”
The WCRC Mediation Team was led by Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, General Secretary Emeritus of the WCRC, alongside Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan and Rev. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield. Their accompaniment over the past 18 months has been pivotal in guiding the GPC toward a reconciled structure.
Nyomi commented on the outcome, “Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan, Rev. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield and I are very grateful to God for how far God has brought the Guyana Presbyterian Church. We trust that under the new Synod Executive Council led by Moderator Anil Manickchand, the Guyana Presbyterian Church will flourish and consolidate the healing and reconciliation that the church is going through. We pray that all in the church will rise above the past and be fully engaged in God’s mission. With this, the Guyana Presbyterian Church will have great impact in Guyana and beyond.”
Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, general secretary of WCRC, praised the reconciliation team’s good work.” It is indeed a joy and a blessing that the Presbyterian Church of Guyana has just concluded its assembly and elected new officers. My special thanks to Rev Dr Setri Nyomi, General Secretary Emeritus of the WCRC, Rev. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield and Rev Dr Collin Cowans for their wisdom in mediating the church to this assembly and bringing the necessary reconciliation. I am very grateful for their skill and hard work in doing this.”
While the election of the new Synod Executive marks a significant turning point, the GPC has committed itself to an ongoing process of healing and reconciliation. Church leaders emphasised that the work of restoring relationships and trust will continue in the months ahead.
The Synod extended sincere appreciation to those who previously held leadership offices and called upon the entire church to uphold the newly appointed leaders in prayer and partnership. Quoting Psalm 126:3, the GPC declared: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.”
As the GPC continues this journey of restoration, it remains confident in God’s abiding presence and committed to being a church that reflects Christ’s love, justice, and peace in Guyana and beyond.
