On Sunday, December 7, 2025, Nanieno and Merlene La Fleur were appointed evangelist and women’s ministry leader for the Port of Spain Church of Christ. The La Fleurs are homegrown leaders who have served in many capacities since their conversion in the 1990s.
In 2015, Tony Millet appointed Nanieno and Merlene to lead and continue the mission as he completed his appointment in Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) and returned to the US. Nanieno had joined the full-time ministry under Millet’s leadership in 2013. Since Merlene’s conversion in the early 1990s, she has served the church in various capacities, including church secretary, board director, and in the teens, singles, and central sector ministries.
That Sunday, Sean and Robin Barnes, leaders of the Queens Region of the New York City Church, guided the proceedings. Jeff Hickman of the North River Church of Christ in Atlanta and Tony Millet, now in Virginia, also offered citations and commendations on the La Fleurs’ behalf.
Evangelist Angel Martinez of the Dominican Republic Churches of Christ had the honor of appointing Nanieno. Angel and his wife, Luz, serve as Regional Family Chairs for the Caribbean and share deep bonds with the La Fleurs. Angel shared about Nanieno’s life and unstinting service, not only in T&T but also across the region.
Robin Barnes, who was T&T’s first women’s ministry leader and who has known Merlene from “infancy,” recalled the stellar contributions Merlene has made in every role God has afforded her.
Angel and Robin both reminded the church of about 250 disciples that this was not a new appointment with new expectations but a recognition for the work that the La Fleurs have already been doing in previous years.
Michael London, one of the local church’s deacons, and Donna Rose-Caesar both gave testimonials on behalf of Nanieno and Merlene, respectively.
The La Fleurs responded by sharing their testimonies of the goodness and power of God. They thanked the church, disciples who impacted their journey, and friends who encourage, challenge, and counsel them. They also expressed gratitude to all the leaders who stood with them, were present onstage, and honored those who had impacted them but were absent.
Their contribution included a special appreciation to their children, Zara and Juhnino, for allowing them the space to do the Lord’s work and recognising the sacrifices they would have had to make given their parents’ roles.
Congratulations to the La Fleurs!
