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Premier Wheatley donates $50K to Road Town SDA Church

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, followed through on his promise made nearly two months ago to the Road Town Seventh-day Adventist Church when he made a sizable monetary donation to it on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Photo: Facebook
The Road Town Seventh-day Adventist Church reopened its doors on Sunday, November 30, 2025, following nine years of re-modelling and rebuilding due to the 2017 hurricanes. Photo: Facebook/File
The Road Town Seventh-day Adventist Church reopened its doors on Sunday, November 30, 2025, following nine years of re-modelling and rebuilding due to the 2017 hurricanes. Photo: Facebook/File
Inside the Road Town Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Photo: Facebook
Inside the Road Town Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) followed through on his promise made nearly two months ago to the Road Town Seventh-day Adventist Church when he made a sizable monetary donation to it on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Premier Wheatley, who has responsibility for Ecclesiastical and Religious Affairs, presented a cheque for $50,000 to the church to boost community outreach, youth activities and bolster various initiatives offered by the church.

The Road Town Seventh-day Adventist Church reopened its doors on Sunday, November 30, 2025, following nine years of re-modelling and rebuilding due to the 2017 hurricanes.

Promise fulfilled!

At the opening of the new church building last November, Premier Wheatley pledged the government’s support and partnership, adding that he remained committed to a financial contribution soon. 

“I won’t say the amount right now, but I hope it makes you smile,” he had said. 

In his brief words at the presentation on Saturday, Premier Wheatley reminded of his promise. “I did make a pledge that I would come back shortly. I was disappointed I didn’t have it at the time with me when you opened [the new church building] but, of course, you have been very graceful and I wanted to follow through on my pledge and my promise and to give a contribution to this church, especially in reflection of the mission and the purpose which was very clearly articulated to me by the leadership of the church.”

The announcement of the sizable donation by the Premier was met with loud cheers and applause from the congregation.

35 Responses to “Premier Wheatley donates $50K to Road Town SDA Church”

  • BuzzBvi (18/01/2026, 08:10) Like (42) Dislike (3) Reply
    Is this a personal donation out of his massive salary increase (Our Money) or from the Government (Our Money)?
    • Correction! (19/01/2026, 13:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Government makes a donation to the Road Town SDA church. Keep it real.
    • BUSY BEE (19/01/2026, 16:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yeah, good question. Please tell us, Hon. Premier, that this is a personal donation.
      Can we anticipate the Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, and others to have their hands out too?
      Every government for decades has been pleading penury. The rumbling gullet of the treasury never seems to be sated.
      Our roads suck... The water system needs lotsl of work... The hospital always needs something, and NHI seems to be nearing insolvency. Every government department claims to be over-worked, under-staffed and in need more $$$.
      I'm not very fond of my hard earned tax dollars going to grifters, snake oil-peddlers or churches.
  • Donation (18/01/2026, 08:17) Like (28) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is very generous - personal donation or from Govt?
  • Tadow (18/01/2026, 08:40) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    That is the way this should take place. Keep the people's monies within the scope of these Virgin Islands. You only give them $50k, but when you send it abroad it is by the $200-$300K. As Lashing Dogs nicely put it, IF THERE IS HONEY IN THE ROCKS IT BELONGS TO VIRGIN ISLANDERS. I WILL PUT IT THIS WAY, VIRGIN ISLANDS SHOULD GET THE MEALS ON THE TABLES IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NOT THE CRUMBS AFTER THE MEALS.
  • east end lady (18/01/2026, 09:12) Like (39) Dislike (3) Reply
    why is the government giving money to the church?
    • @east end lady (19/01/2026, 11:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      they making up for digging back up the road after 7th day children and elders fill the pot hole them. that is it and that is all.
    • @east end lady (19/01/2026, 13:41) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      "to boost community outreach, youth activities and bolster various initiatives offered by the church". This is a good gesture by the Premier. That money will be put to good use.
    • @ Easy End Lady (21/01/2026, 15:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Consider it an investment...in the church and it's mission, which is to minister to the overall needs of our Community (Spiritual, physical, mental and holistic human needs).
    • @ East End lady (21/01/2026, 15:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Consider it an investment in the achievement of the church's overall mission to serve and meet the needs of the community (spiritual, physical, emotional and other holistic human needs).
  • Thirty in Covid (18/01/2026, 09:20) Like (4) Dislike (18) Reply
    Fifty now

    Good Job VIP
  • yea (18/01/2026, 10:07) Like (5) Dislike (50) Reply
    yes I love this
  • Xxx (18/01/2026, 10:21) Like (2) Dislike (21) Reply
    Four more years
  • hmm (18/01/2026, 11:30) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    He did what
  • WHAT!!! (18/01/2026, 12:00) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    What did he donate to help the sick baby get to Jamacia ?
  • Hum (18/01/2026, 12:11) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    What about the road
    Focuss body on emergency
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (18/01/2026, 13:34) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    B, b, b, bias bribed. Whose money?, his or ours finance to buy votes prior next elect day. In B.V.I politics no general election is fair, none, truth.
  • great (18/01/2026, 13:43) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    We could use a Donation at the Methodist Church in Carrot Bay.
    • @ great (21/01/2026, 16:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So ask. The bible says to ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened unto you.
  • No tax payers (18/01/2026, 14:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Donate that’s we
  • vi (18/01/2026, 17:26) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    So why he ain’t donate that to help the sick baby ?
  • Goodness (18/01/2026, 17:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    That church dont need no money. When children sick they are the ones should benefit.
  • Wellsah (18/01/2026, 19:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    on top of the 20k they got for the covid stimulus
  • @ EASTEND LADY (18/01/2026, 19:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    TO CLEANSE HIS SINS / HEY BRO , HOW ABOUT THE CIVIL SERVANTS & AND POOR PENSIONERS ,? U AINT GOT NO CONSCIENCE ?
  • Carrot Bay (18/01/2026, 20:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Think about also giving to the Carrot Bay Methodist Church, It will be GREATLY appreciated
  • Really??? (18/01/2026, 21:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    ELLECTION!!
  • Really (19/01/2026, 08:38) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would like to see which account it came out of. This government is wicked. They donate your tax money all the time. Follow the money
  • Contemplative Citizen (19/01/2026, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Well this is a wonderful initiative from the government in assisting with costs for the churches. I hope it used as intended; to help with the ministries within the church body. Whether it was a ploy for votes or gratitude extended, may God's grace continue to flow to bless the community.
  • Wow Wow Wow (19/01/2026, 09:12) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am NOT against your donation towards the house of the Lord. BUT NATALIO IT HAS PEOPLE IN THE BVI WHO NEEDS HELP!!! SOME LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK COME ON NOW MAN.... EVEN IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO GIVE THEM THE MONEY LET THEM BRING IN THE INVOICES OR WHATEVER TO PROVE THEIR EXPENSES AND YOU HELP PAY THEM OFF. SOME BANKS ARE NOT GIVING OUT LOANS BECAUSE OF THEIR SALARIES. SOME CAN'T EVEN TAKE TRIPS OR VACATIONS TO FREE UP THEIR MINDS....IF YOU DON'T MAKE A MOVE ON THIS, I AM SORRY TO SAY BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE BACK IN THERE!!!
  • Lb (19/01/2026, 09:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Said it politics time again….are you gonna vote now?
  • They will pay!!! (20/01/2026, 09:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This government will pay for what they are doing to the people of this country. This is all a political gimmick. They are using the people's money for their personal agenda. Pure nonsense.
    • Yup (23/01/2026, 22:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Same thing I saying . The real people stuck I'm and this is what you're doing ???? And LL building that small thing. Something is wrong !
  • WOW (23/01/2026, 22:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For a church 50 k your people sucked in and they get nothing not even a news post !!?? What is going on ???? Those churches don't do nothing to be honest ! International, churches do more than you fathom. There they do nothing and all of a sudden your people ain't nothing. You know what this means ??? You need taking out !


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