Tunapuna Abundant Life Ministries (T.A.L.M.) is a non-denominational collection of Christians committed to the full gospel of Jesus Christ. See a list of Our Beliefs.
“I've never been to church before. What should I expect?”
Expect psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and Bible-based preaching in a loving, friendly atmosphere where you will be greeted upon arrival and treated as family. Expect to experience God's presence. Visit our About Us page to get an idea of who we are.
“I don't have any fancy clothes. What do I wear? Is there a dress code? Can I wear jeans?”
The Bible says to rend your heart, not your garments. However, use your discretion in coming into the house of God. (Joel 2:13, “And rend your heart, and not your garments…”)
“I have young children. Can I bring them to church?”
Of course you can bring them with you. We have a special place for parents or guardians to sit with their children and still hear and participate in the services. There is even a special class for the younger children to have a special time to hear and learn more about God at their own level.
“What is the difference in the services? Will I hear the same message at all the Services?”
A new message is preached at every service as the ministers are led by the Holy Spirit.
“I do not live in Trinidad and Tobago. How can I listen to messages from T.A.L.M.?”
You can listen to our preached messages which we have recorded for your spiritual enlightenment. Please visit our Messages page to select the recording you wish to be blessed with.
“Are there sessions for smaller groups like youth, singles and seniors?”
Yes! There are different ministries which cater to different groups such as youths, seniors, men, women and more. See a full list on our Get Involved page.
“Which Bible version do you use?”
We prefer the King James Version (KJV). Other versions, such as the Amplified Bible (AMP) and thw New Living Translation (NLT), are also referenced.
“Where do I park? Is there secure parking for my car?”
Yes! We have secured parking during each service.
“What if I don't have a Bible?”
Do not let that deter you. We will be happy to give you one. Check with an usher to request a Bible.
Tunapuna Abundant Life Ministries
A History
Historical Background of Tunapuna Abundant Life Ministries
The story of Tunapuna Abundant Life Ministries, has over thirty years of history with the establishment of its chief branch, Abundant Life Ministries, San Juan, which was formally instituted in 1984. The main advocate behind the organization of Abundant Life Ministries was Bishop Goopie Samlal, now deceased. Bishop Samlal first inaugurated Abundant Life Ministries at his home with just 17 persons. He had been an instrumental figure in propelling the Ministries to various areas over Trinidad. Notably, he gave his life, time and possessions to aid the progression and development of his ministry. Bishop Samlal, who came from modest beginnings and was brought up in an orthodox Hindu home, first accepted Jesus Christ as Lord at age 17 after a missionary group had ministered to him. Though he had fallen back in his service to Christ and the Church for a period, Bishop Samlal soon recognized his calling and re- gave his life to Christ by his early twenties. With forceful determination and fervor for his faith in Christianity, Bishop Samlal along with Pastor Harry Mahabir, Evangelist Subia and Pastor Suresh, all of whom he had met along his Christian journey, formed a church board and give themselves the name, Abundant Life Ministries.
By 1986, these men had instituted the first Abundant Life Ministries Church in San Juan. The ambitions and goals of Bishop Samlal and his team were further recognized with the establishment of a second branch of Abundant life Ministries, in Chaguanas, in 1987. As the ministry flourished the board and members of Abundant Life Ministries worked arduously to continue their work at delivering the gospel of Jesus Christ to the population of Trinidad. Subsequently, their determination resulted in the founding of two more branches of Abundant Life Ministries, located at San Fernando and Abundant Life Ministries of Tunapuna, which represented their last constituted branch.
The Early Beginnings of Tunapuna Abundant Life Ministries
Initially, the ministry at Abundant Life in Tunapuna first began in November of 1995 at a residence’s home, Anthony Balmacoon. At the launch of its operations, Abundant Life Ministries Tunapuna, also commonly called A.L.M, began with a reserved and humble commencement having a membership of only five persons and one Sunday afternoon service per week. By the end of 1995 there was a short interruption with the execution of the ministries’ duties, however, praiseworthy and progressive years followed, with few disruptions until the present time.
The Progression and Development of Abundant Life Ministries 1996-2002
The progression and development of A.L.M. signified a process that was essentially moderate in its evolution and gradual in improvement. Fundamentally, January 28th A.L.M was reopened and later a new church board of seven members was commissioned for the management of the church while positions within the church’s body were fulfilled.
A great turning in A.L.M’s history took place in March of 1996 when the board was offered to purchase a nearby property for their ministry from the Open Bible Church which they accepted for sixty thousand dollars. Evidently, much progression was being made and this was also representative by a growing membership of over one hundred and twenty persons and the stability of the church’s pastorship with Pastor Syder. However, by the year 2000 the progress which A.L.M had made was reversed when Pastor Syder decided to depart with an objective of following a calling from the Lord to carry out evangelical work. Within the next two years the foundation of A.L.M became immensely volatile as several pastors were installed and removed over this period. The instability of the church was apparent when the membership dropped to a meager and disturbing figure of just six persons. Nevertheless, the commencement of the year 2002 marked a new era of function and development which dawn the ministry of Abundant Life in Tunapuna with the appointment of Reverend Pastor Carl Ramlal, who continues to lead the ministry in the twenty first century.
The Years Of Growth and Expansion of Tunapuna Abundant Life Ministries, 2002-2014
In 2002, Reverend Ramlal was selected to function as the interim pastor of A.L.M. and on September 19th Certainly, his great resilience and unquestionable empathy for Christianity led A.L.M church to greater maturity. Within twelve years of Reverend Ramlal’s leadership at A.L.M tremendous improvements were made, both spiritually and physically to the church and its operations. 2002 he was chosen by Bishop Samlal to be the official leader of the ministry.
The growth and expansion which A.L.M has experienced throughout the years of its establishment to the present has been a considerable milestone for the church, its leaders and membership. In fact, in 1996 when the property was brought from Open Bible Church, it was a weakened wooden structure with an uncompleted foundation. Over the initial years of its operations not much was done to improve the much needed physical upgrade of A.L.M’s structure. Nevertheless, Reverend Ramlal’s fortitude for evolution and development was quite clear when he and the members of the ministry began projects in 2002 to remove the wooden structure along with equipping the church with the necessary amenities. Throughout the earliest years of the 21st erected with a solid encompassing structure. By the year 2013 A.L.M had successfully completed its building with a two level facility, equipped fully with a sanctuary for worship and offices for its leaders and board room. Much improvement was also carried out to the interior of the church such as the installation of new music systems and furniture for the comfort of its members. Such progressive elements of A.L.M within a span of twelve years was certainly due to the blessing of the Lord, the sound leadership of Reverend Ramlal and the unyielding dedication and faithfulness of the membership of A.LM. which had grown from its meager figure of just six persons to a proud number of over 120 members by the end of 2013. Undoubtedly, the increase in membership was an indication of the spiritual growth that A.L.M had reached.
Tunapuna A.L.M. New Building under Construction at Phillip Trace
Historically, A.L.M. had just one service of fellowship, as noted above, which occurred on a Sunday night. However, Reverend Ramlal had completely revolutionized the operations of A.L.M with moving Sunday worship services to Sunday mornings. Besides this, other drastic leaps were made in the program over the years and now included nights of pray meetings, bible Century, A.L.M went under a full transformation as a sound foundation was study, Christian education hours, deliverance services and open air meetings. To cope with these new programs Reverend Ramlal was committed to having regular cottage meetings and board meetings to meet the demands of the ministry. Notably, the church has recently initiated the opening of a new board and re-organization of its previous board to assist in its operations which can be cited in table two. Other transformations were made to the functions of A.L.M with the continued organization of various departments within the church such as, Youth, Women’s, Men’s, Sunday-School, Kids, Missions and Evangelical Divisions in the Ministry.
Actually, in the year 2014 Reverend Ramlal partnered with Pastor Vinod Kumar, from Chandigarh, India where T.A.L.M is now committed to missionary works in the Asian continent with an unrelenting aim to present funds for the building of homes, distribution of Bibles and monetary funding to Pastor Kumar and his team in India. T.A.L.M international frontier is not limited to India, but also grew to extend its connections with City of Pray in Atlanta Georgia and Kingdom Life Ministries, New York. Certainly, the resolve and ambitions for growth and expansion does not stop here but the leadership and membership of T.A.L.M are confident of one day relocating their growing ministry, establishment of a pre-school and building an institution for the elderly.
In essence, the history of T.A.LM is an inspiring account of the righteousness and favor of Jesus Christ upon the ministry and life of their church body. With much determination from its leaders and membership it is clear that T.A.L.M has made remarkable success in their mission to fulfill the gospel of Jesus Christ. As much as their past objectives were realized, so to they remain encouraged for their future goals in carrying out the work of building the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Our Vision & Mission
Purpose & Vision Statement
We are a ministry founded on biblical principles. We serve in the spirit of excellence with integrity and compassion for our community, our nation and our world. We have established a reputation for reaching the lost and broken, to minister and serve them with the utmost level of dignity and respect. We are recognized for our dedication to academic and spiritual excellence and mentoring and supporting spiritual leaders. Our environment inspires maximum participation, promotes personal satisfaction, and supports and models effective leadership.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 (NKJV)
Mission Statement
The Tunapuna Abundant Life Ministries exists to fulfill the purpose of God by the gospel of Jesus Christ and through the power and manifestation of the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God, seek to become a global voice, along a lifelong journey of spiritual and economic hope, encouragement and empowerment to people locally, nationally and around the world.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ ”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
Our Beliefs
We believe that
The scriptures both the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired by God and that the Revelation of God to man is infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
We believe in
One God externally existing as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost
We believe that
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God as revealed in the Scripture by His Virgin Birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His death on the cross, His bodily resurrection from death, and His position at the right hand of God.
We believe that
Man was created good and upright, however, man willfully sinned and thereby was subjected not only to physical death but also to spiritual death, which is separation from God.
We believe that
Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God, salvation is received through repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe that
The ordinance of Baptism by immersion in water is commanded of all who repent and believe in Christ as Saviour. It represents having died with Christ and being raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
We believe that
The Lord's supper is a memorial of Christ's suffering and death and prophesy of His second coming. It is commanded of all believers “Till He Come”.
We believe that
All Christians or born again are to and should seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2-4. This experience gives the Christian power to witness by his or her life and words.
We believe that
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God.
We believe
The Church is the body of Christ with a divinely called ministry. Its purpose is to evangelize the world, worship God and encourage believers to grow in the likeness of Christ.
