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THE JAMAICA February 2011

Established 1874

BELIEVERS CONVENTION

OF THE 161ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROMISE OF A POSITIVELY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE

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cho Rios in St Ann is the place to be for all the right reasons from February 23 to 26, 2011, where you can refresh and re-charge your spiritual life at the Believers Convention of the 161st General Assembly of the Jamaica Baptist Union. Ending the five-day Convention will be a “giant nugget” of soul searching and inspiration at the morning and afternoon worship service, which will bring down the curtains on the General Assembly.

These final two services will be held at the National Arena in Kingston on February 27.

This is the third time in 27 years that the JBU has decided to take the General Assembly outside of Kingston and, already, expectations are running high for the mega event. The Rev. Cawley Bolt, JBU President, is anticipating that the Convention will “deepen the sensitivity of pastors, delegates and the churches, with respect to our mission in society, especially where hope seems to be at a low ebb.”

Erica James-King

positively memorable experience in the lives of the JBU family islandwide, of other members of the public and of international visitors who will be attending the Conference. Rev. Bolt is urging believers to approach the conference with receptive hearts, eager to explore new heights and depths in the Lord. “What will be very important is that all of us as participants be open to hear the Spirit of God speaking to us; be prepared for a deepening of our relationship with God and be attuned to hear God’s call on our lives under the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

Rev. Cawley Bolt – JBU President, PreacherOpening Service & Sunday Morning Service

It is believed that the upcoming event will be one of the largest gatherings of Jamaica Baptists and that it will have a far-reaching impact. The special guests include Rev. Neville Callam, General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA); and Rev. Sobusa Ngodela of the South Africa Baptist Convention.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Rev. Karl Johnson, JBU General Secretary, Ocho Rios Baptist Church at 7 p.m. on explains that the Believers Convention Wednesday, February 23. Ocho Rios is not restricted to JBU delegates but is Rev. Sobusa Ngodela – Baptist Church will also be the venue Rev. Neville Callam open to any member of the JBU and any Preacher – – Presenter, Ministers for the evening worship service on Conference & Preacher, member of the public. He is hopeful that Thursday Evening Service Sunday Afternoon Service February 24. Daily workshops and Bible “the General Assembly will re-energize the study sessions will be held at the Sunset Union in discernable ways.” Rev. Johnson Jamaica Grande Hotel. The workshops and Bible study sessions is confident that persons from central and western Jamaica, will explore ways in which Christians can strengthen their witness who would not normally attend the Assembly when it is held in as well as live transformed lives—individually and at the church Kingston, and community levels. The Ministers Conference will be held will now on the first day, and Rev. Neville Callam will speak on the topic, have easier Rev. Devere Nugent – Preacher, Friday Night “Perspectives of Baptist Ministry Across the World.”

President’s Message 2 access to Open Air Service the sessions From the Desk of the General Secretary 3 Rev. Karl Johnson explains that some of the workshops will be entitled in Ocho Rios. He adds, Centres of Hope, “premised on the idea that the vibrant, active, and Reflections on Mission 4 “We are heartened that in serving church is a centre of hope for those within and beyond its walls”.

2009 when we last took the News from Around the Churches 6 Topics to be explored by the Centre of Hope workshops include: (1) Assembly to Ocho Rios, Effective evangelism, (2) Mighty mission, (3) Awesome worship, (4) JBU Youth Department Conference & the wide-spread response Rally Highlights 2010 8-9 was overwhelming. Even Dedicated disciples, (5) The fired-up fellowship, and (6) God’s good stewards. A novel set of workshops will also unfold. They are dubbed the response to the choir Window on the Word 10 Hope at Work and will allow occupational or affinity groups to reflect rehearsals exceeded our on how hope can be spread deliberately through their field of work.

Commentary 11 expectations.”

The “buzz groups” for the Hope at Work seminars include Christian Regional & International 12 The 161st General educators, healers/health practitioners, farmers, law enforcers and Assembly, which has as hospitality and tourism workers.

Assembly 2011 Agenda 16 its thematic focus “Living in Hope”, promises to be a Vessels of Hope aimed, at enhancing and strengthening personal

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President’s Message

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Hope: Our Focus

ur 2011 Assembly convocation, meeting under the general theme, Living in Hope – Hope at Work, will provide the opportunity for in-depth and detailed study of Christian hope which is so much needed in our world and particularly in our country at this time.

There is much despair and feelings of hopelessness abounding for numerous reasons—persons feel trapped by their circumstances with seemingly no way out; many have given up because they are overtaken by feelings of futility as various efforts they have tried have ended in abject failure; many find numerous roadblocks which have led to frustration and a sense of defeat; some hover on the brink of giving up on life for nothing seems to be going for them; and there are those for whom the future looks bleak leaving them with a sense of unrelieved pessimism. Along with all of these are the hopes that have been dashed by the failures of leaders, including some politicians who, many believed, would make their hopes for economic relief become realities. Persons have been compelled to bend in the face of the intractable and harshness they encounter in the various situations of life. All of the above, plus others that have not been named, can be placed at the door of hopes that have been disappointed.

Our 2011 Assembly, to be held in Ocho Rios, will bring the meaning of Christian hope to the fore and its relevance for life amidst the daunting challenges of the present. It will show why hope, from a Christian perspective, is far more than optimism or simply singing in the dark and most certainly is not delusion of any kind. It will show that hope understood from a biblical perspective is hope guaranteed when it is properly grounded. Christian hope is not relegated to life beyond death. It is that but for Christians hope is fulfilled in this life as well because of its groundings so there will be the stress for our immediate circumstances on hope within history, in the current situations of our life’s locations.

The workshops, which will be an integral element of our gathering as Baptists, have been designed to give theological and biblical underpinnings for the activities that we as Christians undertake in society as we strive to identify projects that can bring hope to many, or how we can help those who are engaged in any project which is undergoing serious problems. This approach is indicative of our reliance upon God, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, to direct what we do as well as to follow the purposes and will of God to ensure that we participate with integrity and according to the way of the Lord for God requires righteousness, justice and ethics in all that we do as God’s people in the world, for there is a moral order in life which has its origin from God. Our gathering will comprise pastors, delegates, and members of our Baptist churches who are not delegates, and other Christians who are drawn by the subject and who wish to learn more about hope in this fractured world of our current circumstances. A goal of the Assembly and Believers Convention is that all who participate will return to their respective local situations to be messengers of hope and so prove to be an inspiration to those who are battered by the circumstances in which they find themselves and, by the grace of God, give themselves a fighting chance to overcome the daunting adversity of their situation.

Another purpose of our coming together at this time is that hope in all the participants will be so strong and powerful as to enable them, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to resist involvement in any unwholesome practice because of the strength of the integrity which they have discovered through hoping in God, and that they themselves will go even further and fight, denounce or bring to light any unseemly practice of which they may become aware. Through participation in Assembly 2011, the foundations for new elements about how we live in society should emerge and bring rebirth of hope in some particulars in our country that we thought were no longer possible.

The above is not to suggest that our upcoming Assembly and Believers Convention will provide a panacea for all the ills that afflict our society and our personal lives. Rather, it is a strong statement about what is possible if we, by the grace and enablement of God, make God the source of our hope in life in the world.

WHAT’S NEW?

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f you are not indifferent to life’s varied offerings, you will agree to the almost indescribable joy accompanying the acquisition of a highly desired item. Recall getting the keys to your home, a new car, a bicycle, furniture or a copy of an out-ofprint publication. Though that acquisition took place years ago, the recollection still evokes a good feeling and even the smells associated with that item or object seem to somehow still linger in the sub-conscious. New can be nice.

So what’s going to be new? Did we grimace and groan at the imminent birth of 2011? If we are of a gloomy and fatalistic bent, we might not have seen any good in 2010. We could catalogue a plethora of besetting woes of 2010: heinous crimes, natural disasters, industrial unrest, political wrangling and so on have left some of us exhausted and not welcoming of more of the same in 2011. Some of us are so heavenly bound we will not discuss these matters or even try to effect change—“These things are a sign of Christ coming soon, nothing will change. It will get worse”.

The prophet, Isaiah, entreats us to give thanks: “I will mention the loving-kindness of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has bestowed upon us and the great goodness towards the house of Israel which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, according to the multitudes of His lovingkindness” (Isaiah 63:7). We should see in our own life and in everything around us the loving-kindness of the Lord: the miraculous meeting of our financial needs or friends bringing consolation in our time of bereavement. We can thank God that we witnessed His loving-kindness through the work of the Baptist World Alliance, the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship and the Jamaica Baptist Union through our local churches/congregations.

We should thank God for the achievements at the local level—strong churches helping weak ones; the establishment of new work; groups and individuals heeding the call to build/re-build with the people of Haiti and ministering to the poor and dispossessed

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THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

who are all around us. This latter undertaking does not mean only a meal at Christmas but calls us to look courageously to long-term rehabilitation and the “re-humanizing” of persons who are forgotten and on the fringe of society.

Undoubtedly, much work is ahead in 2011. Let us rise to the task of the Great Commission!

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER Official publication of the

JAMAICA BAPTIST UNION 2B Washington Boulevard, Kingston 20 Telephone: 969-6268 Fax: 924-6296 Email: info@jbu.org.jm Website: www.jbu.org.jm

Editorial Committee Gillian Francis (Editor), Arlene Henry (JBU Programme Coordinator) Elaine Neufville (Editorial Assistant), and Peter Evans

Contributors Diedre Callam, Oral Campbell, Robert Daley, Alicia Eccleston, Rupert Gallimore, Patrecia Harris, Erica James-King, Karen Kirlew, Marvia Lawes, Norva Rodney & Burchell Taylor, Submit your articles, stories, poems and comments by E-mail, fax or to the above address.

FEBRUARY 2011

From the Desk of the General Secretary

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n a few weeks’ time, the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) will gather in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, for its 161st General Assembly and 2nd Believers/Discipleship Convention. We shall convene under the decade theme, “Being God’s People in God’s World”, and the two-year sub-thematic focus, “Living in Hope’.

Once again, we meet in Ocho Rios, St. Ann ­‑ a parish rich with Baptist heritage and legacy. Our hosts, the St. Ann Baptist Association in general, and the Ocho Rios Baptist Church in particular, have worked tirelessly to ensure that the most anticipated event on our denomination’s calendar will redound to the glory of God. I wish to thank them especially for opening their homes to a number of attendees who were having difficulty finding accommodation. They truly have done their best to ensure that all who wish to attend can do so.

Notwithstanding the debate concerning the time of our annual gatherings, it does provide an opportunity for us to seize the moment that a new calendar year offers for renewal and recommitment. February is still early enough for one to recall the heights and depths of the past year and sense the newness and possibilities of the New Year.

When we come together, we shall join in lament at the crisis into which our country was plunged on account of our government’s response to the request made by the United States government for the extradition of one of our citizens, Mr Christopher Michael ‘Dudus’ Coke. That situation led to what appeared to have been a diplomatic row between the two governments, calls for the resignation of leaders of government and the judiciary including the Prime Minister and, sadly, the loss of over 70 lives, some under questionable circumstances.

When we come together, we shall mourn the unexpected passing of a colleague and friend, the Rev. Dr Hugh Gillette Chambers. Indeed, shock, numbness and disbelief were experienced by many of his ministerial brethren in the JBU and elsewhere. Certainly, we know that members of the clergy live and face, almost daily, the stark, unpredictable and painful realities of life but, we have to admit that nonetheless, Hugh’s death in many ways destabilized many of us. And to add to that, it resurrected memories of another JBU minister who died in similar circumstances some years ago, the Rev. Kingsley Pitter.

relocation and construction.

With regard to the Mt Carey friends, they have demonstrated a strong resolve not to resile in the face of threat, attack or destruction. There has been no official word as to the cause of the fire but the congregation meets in the church hall and, already, they have developed a plan for rebuilding. One should not be surprised if they are not worshipping in their new sanctuary in about a year’s time!

When we come together in Ocho Rios, we will be celebrating the myriad ways in which God has proven Himself to us over the year. Some of us are understandably excited that after years in gestation and many, many hurdles we will launch the completed Environmental Stewardship Manual! This, for us, is a major feat which speaks to our growing commitment to being and becoming better stewards of God’s resources.

In Ocho Rios, we will celebrate the magnanimity of one of our members who, through his company’s foundation, the Cari-Med Foundation, invested approximately $70,000,000 in completely re-building one of our schools. Born in Top Hill, Clarendon, to parents who were members of the Privilege Baptist Church, Glen Christian responded to a cry for help regarding the restoration of facilities used in the shaping and moulding of young lives, by building a new basic school which is said to be the first of its kind in Jamaica. So impressive it is that other basic schools in neighbouring communities have amalgamated into the Top Hill facility and the stakeholders have agreed that it be upgraded to an Infant School and Centre of Excellence for early childhood edcuation.

I pray that someone may be inspired by this gesture and hear God calling them to look beyond their immediate concerns and causes and support the work of the denomination as we make ourselves available as ambassadors of hope.

When we meet in Ocho Rios, we shall reason together about our beloved Union and how we can become, in clearer and more pointed ways, God’s harbingers of hope in an increasingly hopeless and selfcentred world. We shall be introspective without becoming disillusioned; we shall be honest without becoming frustrated; we shall be truthful without succumbing to triumphalism.

The historic Savanna-la-mar Baptist Church was destroyed

We look forward with great anticipation to the times of sharing and fellowship that we will have with persons we have not seen for a long time. Without a doubt, we look forward to participating in the ‘Community Blitz’ on Thursday afternoon, especially the march that will be led by our women’s movement; the early morning times of prayer and the ‘after hours’ sessions!

When we come together we shall also express solidarity

by Tropical Storm Nicole, in October 2010.

On Sunday, all roads lead to the National with the saints of the Savanna-la-mar and Mt Carey Baptist (More on page 7.)

Arena and we are grateful to Power 106 for Churches who have had to endure the destruction of their their decision to carry live the entire closing sanctuaries. Both congregations continue to grapple with the impact and implications services of the Assembly so that those who are unable to attend, both in Jamaica and of their loss and we have pledged support on your behalf. overseas, can share in the moment.

We should share with you that the Savanna-la-mar brethren are engaged in an intense and intentional process of discerning the Lord’s mind concerning whether to rebuild on the present site or seek for a new location. Let us draw alongside them in prayer so that they will indeed sense the Lord’s leading above the pulsating throbs of sentimentality or the paralyzing and numbing effect of the daunting prospect of

And when we shall have returned to our respective spheres of worship, work and abode, we pray that others will sense and be challenged and inspired by our renewed hope in Jesus Christ!

Let’s make 2011 a year in which we take more deliberate steps to live in hope!!

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

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Ministries and Mission

A MISSIONER’S JOURNEY

Rev. Oral Campbell briefly shares his experience. He returned to Jamaica in 2009 and in November, he was inducted in the pastorate of the Emmanuel Circuit of Baptist Churches in St Mary.

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n responding to a ‘Macedonian call’ from the Turks & Caicos Islands Baptist Union (TCIBU), my journey as a missioner/pastor under the auspices of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) began on January 13, 2003.

Caribbean Christian Publications (CCP). An annual Sunday School Examination was introduced. The examination is based on Bible study material from the CCP publication, Caribbean Bible Lessons, which is used by the Sunday Schools.

My assignment was to the Middle Caicos Baptist Association on the island of Middle Caicos, which consists of three settlements. There is a Baptist Church in each settlement and I had pastoral responsibility for them: namely, Mt. Moriah, Bethlehem and Mt. Hermon.

Travelling to these churches was not difficult since they were located on one main road with only a few miles between them. Apart from the usual pastoral duties, I provided musical accompaniment for all services.

My involvement in the life of the community included offering Music and Mathematics lessons and conducting devotions on a regular basis at the primary school on the island of Middle Caicos. I also sat on two local committees, the Drug Council and the Disaster Management Committee, and I served as a supervisor in the 2007 general election. The latter was not difficult since I had served in a similar capacity in Jamaica.

Among the activities that were introduced and welcomed were the annual crusade, a Sunday School prize giving ceremony, Vacation Bible School (VBS) and a family fun day. In 2009, Boulevard Baptist Church sent some VBS workers to partner with us in that ministry. To better equip the church for effective Christian ministry, training seminars were conducted for officers, Sunday School teachers, VBS workers, and counsellors for evangelistic crusades.

Worshippers at the appreciation service for Rev. Oral Campbell

VBS students proudly show their attendance certificates

My involvement in the work of the TCIBU included serving as the director of the Christian Education and Stewardship Department. During my tenure, two Sunday School workshops were conducted, one of which was done by representatives of

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Though we share a common history as a Caribbean people, there were stark cultural differences, which required some adjustment on my part. That was necessary in order to understand the people and to minister effectively among them. The congregations with whom I worked as well as the other churches in the TCIBU were open and receptive to new ideas, and so we were able to implement new programmes as those mentioned above.

The experience was rich and rewarding. I learned ministry from another perspective.

Challenges were met with support from my family, colleagues and friends. During the years, many relationships were forged and these we will cherish dearly. The call to serve as a missioner comes with one committing oneself to the leading of the Lord. Thanks to the JBU and the TCIBU for the opportunity to serve, and to all those who offered their support through prayers and encouraging words.

Some Sunday School students

ADVENTURES IN MISSION – MY PASTORAL EXPERIENCE IN PANAMA

Rev. Marvia Lawes writes of her experience as a missioner in the pastorate of First Isthmian Baptist Church hatever the only the language experiences I (Spanish) eased my have had in Panama, early disorientation it is no exaggeration about where I was. that my time there Colon’s social can be described as challenges—like nothing less than a Jamaica’s—including continuous adventure. glaring inequities seen You might deem throughout Panama, “adventure in mission” too often reflected the to be an inappropriate most abject poverty. description for pastoral ministry.

Certainly, There are similar prior to Panama, I struggles with the would never have dominance of the The Obito Mission conceived of such a drug trade, crime and description. However, nothing I can think of quite captures the breadth of ministry and life violence especially fuelled by gangs defending their turf. The Jamaican dancehall subculture experiences that I have had over the past four years. and its most negative aspects, accompanied by Reggaeton out of Puerto Rico, are deeply embedded in the lifestyle of the youth. Christian youth are not unsusceptible to its seductions.

After I was approached by the Jamaica Baptist Union Mission Agency (JBUMA) to consider Human trafficking is rampant, and domestic violence is still largely unchallenged. serving in Panama as a missioner, it took a lot of prayer and listening on my part before I felt convicted to partner with the JBUMA for two years. Two years quickly became three, A deep anti-ecumenical spirit prevents greater co-operation among churches; and one of and before we could even catch our breath, four years had passed and I was returning the low points for me was the seeming lack of interest of Baptists to work together. My home. Through it all, God has been good to us as pastor and people as we forged a unique presence in Panama did much to test the relationship among Baptists in the Panama Baptist relationship from August 2006, which put us in good stead for the experiences we shared Convention. When I arrived in Panama, after 114 years of Baptist Witness in that country, through laughter and tears.

I was the first ordained woman to pastor a Baptist congregation within the Convention.

Initial mutiny gave way to a tenuous acceptance and opened up discussions about women in First Isthmian Baptist is located in the heart of the city of Colon, a location that comes ordained ministry. Soon, there followed an increasing number of women being ordained as with every urban challenge one can imagine. Not unlike downtown Kingston, complete deacons following the example of First Isthmian in 2006. What seemed impossible is now with the bustling crowds, familiar faces, and high energy and booming dancehall music, looming as reality as all wonder who will be the first Panamanian woman to be ordained for

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cont’d on page 14 THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

Ministries and Mission

CELEBRATE THE HOPE!!!

Patricia Harris (Calvary Baptist Church)

Indeed, the 26th Youth Conference & Rally held in November 2011 was an awesome, inspiring and, for sure, a time of renewed hope.

The opening celebration of the 26th Youth Conference & Rally was held at William Knibb Memorial Baptist Church in Trelawny. Young people filled the church. They danced and praised God. That first night unfolded like a beautiful rose, with dynamic song leading by the Trelawny Youth Choir all decked out in black and yellow, and the angelic ministry by the Westwood High School Choir. The Rev. Owen Brown brought the word to which persons responded promptly when he made the altar call. The opening ceremony was awesome.

There was a hum in the Nutshell hall as we met and greeted. The registration process flowed smoothly and efficiently. In no time, most of us were settled in our assigned dorms.

Then, it was morning; and Peart Rose, our designated ........., was raising havoc with his loud banging and rooster-like crow. The day started with group devotion and a wellmanaged business meeting, followed by a workshop on evangelism and technology led

by Rev. Merlyn Hyde-Riley and Derri-Ann Palmer. It was established that the use of technology in evangelizing, if utilized correctly, can help to get the gospel across to a wider cross section of people. The group presentations were informative and innovative.

The second workshop was a choice between Sports Evangelism and Succession Planning.

I chose the latter, which Rev. Deonie Duncan led. We were guided away from particular methods of leadership selection, whilst being encouraged to discern the mind of God in our choice for leaders. The final workshop was Programme Planning, presented by Sydney Henry, in which we were guided to plan with a purpose.

Later, conferees travelled, via “foot mobile”, to the Duncan’s Square for community evangelism. This was in the form of a movie entitled “Escape from Hell”. Counsellors engaged persons in the Word of God and invited them to Christ. Walking back to base, our singing weakened as persons started to slow down with exhaustion; but we all made it back safe and sound.

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NEW PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED

ecently, the Jamaica Baptist Union Mission Agency (JBUMA) launched another partnership — this time, between the Mt Angus Circuit of Baptist Churches and the mission-conscious Linstead Baptist Church, pastored by the Rev. Luke Shaw, a vice president of the Jamaica Baptist Union. On December 5, 2010, the St Mary Baptist Association, including members of the Mt Angus Circuit; Linstead Baptist Church, and of other churches assembled at the Mt Angus Church to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

The guest speaker was Rev. Trevor Edwards, Baptist Tutor at the United Theological (UTCWI), also a vice president of the Jamaica Baptist Union. Rev. Michael Shim-Hue, director/secretary of the JBUMA led the service. The theme of the message was “Module Partnership” The points emphasized were: Growth Orientation, Live Transformation, and Mission Continuation. Rev. Edwards spoke of the need for churches not only to grow numerically but also spiritually. He endorsed the need for partnerships, which will bring about transformation when persons participate in the mission of Jesus Christ. The preacher encouraged the congregation to reach out because when we do that, we grow our own faith.

He said that partnership is not only receiving but also giving.

The partnership is expected to be in place for two years in the first instance. A team led by Dr. Cynthia Anderson, a deacon of the Linstead church will serve the five churches of the Circuit (Barronville, Gayle, Maranatha, Mount Angus and Wallingford). Their involvement in the circuit will include, preaching, training and teaching. Areas of ministry include Sunday School, skills training, and evangelistic services.

The JBUMA encourages and facilitates churches and unions working together for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ to the mutual benefit of both partners. This is done through the establishment of local partnerships among JBU churches; regional partnerships throughout the Caribbean and international partnerships with the rest of the world. We encourage more churches/circuits of the JBU to partner together for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in Jamaica. The JBUMA stands willing and ready to facilitate the efforts.

It was Saturday. The day of celebration and competition had arrived! We could sense the high energy in the worship session and it certainly set the pace for the day. As the various youth groups arrived, the church, Ocho Rios Baptist, pulsated with excitement. The day flowed smoothly with heated competitions. Zone 2 emerged the overall winner of the day, winning the Art & Craft and the Dance competitions. Zone 3 won the Original Praise Song competition and Zone 5 the Bible Quiz and Culinary Arts. Zone 4 won the Choral Speaking competition.

MESSAGE FROM THE BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE

May God be seen in all we do! Until next year. God’s richest blessings.

When there is so much that threatens to dilute our confidence, to rob us of our equanimity, and to disturb our calm; when disappointment takes hold of us and fear wraps its evil wings around us, if we listen well, we will hear the voice still saying, “I am with you!”

JAMAICA BAPTIST UNION BROTHERHOOD 9TH MEN’S DAY OF PRAYER

GOD WITH US

Neville Callam, General Secretary

Whispering down the corridors of time comes the voice that the faithful have heard time and time again. Speaking still in these turbulent times, the voice conveys a note of reassurance.

This is what it announces: “I am with you!”.

When tried and proven methods fail to bring the results we expect, when institutions that once seemed so secure now generate hopelessness, when fortresses that once appeared “The Men are doing a lot of good things but more is expected of them” was the observa- impregnable come crashing down, if we listen keenly, we will hear the voice, still saying, “I tion of the Rev. Luke Shaw, the guest speaker at the Jamaica Baptist Union Brotherhood am with you!”.

(JBUB) 9th Annual Men’s Day of Prayer held at Mandeville Baptist Church on January 8, The sound of that voice was sufficient for Isaac to know that fear was conquerable (Genesis 2011.

26:24). It was enough to comfort Jacob as he slept under the stars (Genesis 28:15). It was Rev. Luke Shaw, pastor of Linstead Circuit of Baptist Churches, addressed the 250 persons enough for Jeremiah to enjoy the certainty of divine deliverance (Jeremiah 1:8). And to His from 39 churches on the theme: “Men’s Role and Spirituality in a Changing Society”. He disciples — hence to us — Jesus made this promise before he left this world: “I am with you told them that the men were doing a lot of good things but that more was expected of them. always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

“Before the men can change, they must know what is expected of them, and the change must begin with a relationship with God.” He said that they should love one another and Sometimes, the same assurance comes through a promise of future companionship, saying: “I will be with you”. That was enough to help Moses cease from worry (Exodus 3:12). That depend on the Holy Spirit to guide and lead them. was enough to help Joshua take his first steps as a leader (Joshua 1:5). The promise fills us Rev. Shaw observed that to understand their role, men would have to change their attitude, with comfort as we remember the prophetic word: “When you pass through the waters, I will take back the leadership role in their family and be good examples physically and spiritu- be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through ally to lead their children. Bro. Richard.T. James, the JBUB president brought greetings on fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2). behalf of the National Executive Brotherhood.

As “the old year skittles from the calendar”, let us hear again the reassuring promise; and There was a noticeable absence of pastors at the Men’s Day of Prayer, except for Rev. with this, let us go forward confident that God, who is with us, comes to our aid whatever the Ansel McDonald, in addition to Rev. Luke Shaw. We hope that next year more pastors will difficulties that await us in the coming year. find it possible to support and attend the JBUB Men’s Day of Prayer.

May our lives reflect the reassurance we have received from God, who gives us courage The prayers, singing of hymns, reading of Scripture and the message were well received. that is strong enough for our every encounter during the year. And may we share Christ The Day of Prayer ended with the Benediction and the singing of the National Anthem. with others who will be able to conquer all fear through the liberating knowledge of divine companionship.

Everyone departed to continue worshipping God. THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

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News from Around the Churches -Robert Daley

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letcher’s Grove Baptist Church commemorates 170 year of mission and ministry in the Sandy Bay community in the parish of Hanover.

Features of the yearlong celebration are as follows:

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 January 16 2011 – Launch with service of thanksgiving at 10:00am; Preacher – Rev. Luke Shaw, Vice President JBU and Pastor Linstead Circuit of Baptist Churches  May - Launch of Education Trust Fund. Aim of the Fund: To assist annually at least one needy student with funds to achieve secondary/tertiary education  In August — Home Coming Week. Activities will include: o Worship service: Sunday, July 31, 2011. o Health/Knowledge Fair & Fun Day: Wednesday August 3, 2011 o Emancipation/Anniversary Banquet: Saturday August 6, 2011  October 2011 — Memorial and Stone Laying Ceremony. Contributions will go towards the Education Trust Fund.

Brief History of Fletcher’s Grove (Source: Mrs. Sue Mills, MA, MCLIP; Librarian; Regent’s Park College; Pusey St.; OXFORD, OX1 2LB) According to Leonard Tucker’s “Glorious Liberty: the story of one hundred years’ work of the Jamaica Baptist Mission” and from the “Memorials of Baptist Missionaries in Jamaica”, Samuel Oughton came to Jamaica in 1836, supposedly by the instrumentality of Thomas Burchell, and preached the gospel in Gurney’s Mount and Sandy Bay (Fletcher’s Grove). In February 1837, Burchell went to reside in Lucea and by 1838, he had under his care the following stations: Fletcher’s Grove, Gurney’s Mount, Lucea and Green Island. In January 1841, one Edward Wolley, who laboured in Fletcher’s Grove and Gurney’s Mount, joined him. Fletcher’s Grove, in the very same year, was no more a station but an established church. The church was established on lands previously known as Burchell’s Field. The

NEW BAPTIST CHURCH LAUNCHED -Rupert Gallimore

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n Sunday November 14, 2010, history was created in a service to launch of a new church, Norman Gardens Baptist Church.

The service took place at Bethel Baptist Church, HalfWay-Tree. The new church is the fourth congregation Act of baptism by Rev. Norman Mills that Bethel Baptist Church has launched—the others being Mona Baptist Church, New Haven Baptist Church and Greater Portmore Baptist Church. The new church has 30 members. It is expected to be formally accepted in February 2011 as a member church of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU).

The church secretary of Bethel Baptist, Deacon Glendon Brown led the service. The Rev. Dr Burchell Taylor, the pastor of Bethel, gave the statement of purpose. Deacon Denise Forrest, mission director of Bethel, outlined the history of events at Norman Gardens, which led to the service. Rev. Dr Cawley Bolt, JBU president, preached and the adult choir provided appropriate music. A good-sized congregation actively participated in the order of service, and covenanted with the members of the new church.

The interim pastor Norman Gardens Baptist Church is Rev. Norman Mills. Brother Michael Forbes and Sister Winifred Danvers, two newly appointed deacons, will assist him.

Congregation at worship - Norman Gardens Baptist Church

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lands were acquired by Thomas Burchell to establish one of the first Free Villages in Jamaica. The church was also once aligned to the Mt Carey Circuit.

Known natural disasters that affected the church: 1. 1957 - Earthquake: Brick and shingled roof building replaced with concrete walls and zinc roof 2. 1988 - Hurricane Gilbert: Roof destroyed 3. 2004 - Hurricane Ivan: Roof was damaged.

From inception the following persons served the church: 13 Rev. A. Allan 1 Rev. Thomas Burchell 14 Rev. B. C. Brown (1940–1943) 2 Rev. Samuel Oughton 15 Rev. Edmund Greaves (1943-1968) 3 Rev. Edward Woolley 16 Rev. Solomon Goode 4 Rev. Ebenezer Joseph Francis 17 Rev. Rev. Asquit Reid (1969-1972) 5 Rev. May 18 Rev. Cawley Bolt 6 Rev. William Teall 19 Rev. Jeff Brown 7 Rv. W. Burke 20 Rev. Dr. Dudley Stokes 8 Rev. C. Champion 21 Rev. Rev. Dr. Devon Dick (1985-1990) 9 Rev. Edward Hewitt 22 Rev. Dr. Dylan Toussaint (1991-2001) 10 Rev. Phillip Williams 23 Rev. Dr. Robert Daley (2004–present) 11 Rev. Mornan 12 Rev. Sidney Helwig (1919) Others who served as moderators: • Rev. Sam Reid • Rev. Jonathan Hemmings

• •

Rev. Eric Edwards Rev. Dr. Heckford Sharpe

The church, over the years, has engaged in various ministries in the community such as counseling and feeding programmes; environmental, solid waste/recycling project; ministry/mentorship programmes in schools; prison/station ministry; economic projects: bee and goat rearing; education. Through a partnership with the Environment Foundation of Jamaica, the church was able to provide seven garbage skips and 12 recycling receptacles at a cost of $120 000.00 and $25 000.00, respectively, each.

Pray for the Fletcher’s Grove Circuit as it continues to partner with the community in ministry.

BELIEVERS CONVENTION ... (cont’d from page 1) Christian growth and development, is another set of workshops at the 161st Believers Convention of the General Assembly. The workshops will facilitate the sharing of testimonies and allow Christians to discern God’s will for their lives. Among the topics to be discussed are: (a) Not my will, but Thine, (b) Stealing your joy, (c) A prayer a day, (d) My Jesus and I, and (e) Christ in the family.

Other highlights of the Ocho Rios leg of the Convention are community outreach activities in St. Ann (dubbed “Baptist Blitz”) on Thursday afternoon, February 24; and an open-air service at Turtle River Park on Friday night, February 25. Similar events were well received by residents of Ocho Rios when they were held in 2009.

At the morning worship service on Sunday February 27 at the National Arena, the JBU President, Rev. Cawley Bolt, will preach on the theme, “Hope Alive: Keeping It Real”. The BWA General Secretary, Rev. Neville Callam, will preach at the commitment service in that afternoon on the theme, “God’s Agents: Keeping Hope Alive”.

All are invited to come and experience the super-stimulating five days of inspiring worship, edifying workshops and fine fellowship that will be the 161st Believers Convention of the JBU General Assembly. The hope is that the event will allow Christians to rediscover the vibrancy and peace of living in hope, and of being messengers of hope. “The Assembly can be a vehicle of empowerment for the church’s role in mission, reconciliation and rebuilding.”

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

News from Around the Churches

THE SAVANNA-LA-MAR BAPTIST CHURCH - Erected in 1835, destroyed by fire on the 23rd November 1839, rebuilt in 1840, destroyed again in 2010 by a “freak storm” - TS Nicole. The people have a mind to re-build and stand ready to receive your assistance. The JBU has committed assistance on your behalf. While we pray for the resources for rebuilding, we commend the pastor and people for their faith and their resilience.

Never give up. God is able.

CHURCH BASKS IN HOPE FOLLOWING

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e have heard of the Church facing severe hardships in other parts of the world; and probably, we were even comforted by the fact that it did not seem to be happening in Jamaica. But now that it is at our doorsteps, what is our response?

Fire destroyed Mt Carey Baptist Church on December 30, 2010.

-Alicia Eccleston

Nadisha Gould, president of the Mt Carey Baptist Youth Fellowship, in describing the mood of Youth Fellowship members, said, “Devastated!

But we remain grounded in Christ as He continues to lead us through. We are eager to rebuild.” She said that a meeting was held on January 2 after the worship service. “It was amazing!” She continued. “(There were) a few tears but what happened has helped us form a closer bond.” She further stated that they were able to hold the meeting in the lower level of the education building, an area untouched by the fire, and that they would continue to use that as their meeting place.

The Church, in particular the Baptist community, has often come under attack by those set to interrupt its mission in carrying out the mandate of Christ. The Mount Carey Baptist Church building and adjoining Christian Education Centre, located in St James, was destroyed by fire on Thursday December 30, 2010 at about 2:35 a.m. The incident has come as a shock especially to the Baptist community and the congregation at Mt Carey who have endured other attacks on that church. One such incident was a vicious attack, by gunmen, on the pastor, Rev. Dr. George Simpson, in May 2008. At the time of the fire, he had been away receiving additional treatment.

When asked if they questioned God about the shocking events, she replied, “Certainly, we have asked God why; but we can’t help but think of Job when he declared: ‘Should we accept good from the Lord and not adversity?’”

Deacon Charles Hall who serves at the church said that the Regarding the source of the fateful fire, information gained from recent happenings have left him distraught and downcast. But the Fire Brigade, through the local media, suggests arson. If like the rest of the members, he has resolved, “They can burn proven to be arson, Deacon Hall said, “The church hasn’t called the church but we will rise and build.” He further stated that judgement. We will leave that part to God.” He also pointed out Rev. Dr George Simpson, pastor of Mt persons, including those outside the church community, have the church continues to pray for whomever is responsible. It is his Carey Baptist Church, kneeling at what offered assistance in the rebuilding process. Since the fire, the wish that those responsible will confess what they have done and was the baptismal pool area. church has held a service on Watch Night and another on New give themselves to the Lord.

Year’s Day. A one-week crusade which was planned by the church was held despite the fire. Deacon Hall reported that attendance at all services was very The incident has come at a time when the Jamaica Baptist Union is spreading the good. message of hope. How do we, Christians, demonstrate hope in a time like this? Is it The church boasts strong ministries through its Brotherhood, Women’s Federation and Youth Fellowship and, according to Deacon Hall, regular activities at the church continue despite the challenges.

But, how are the youths coping?

possible to remain hopeful in the face of hardship? In the words of the writer of Psalm 43:5, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Therefore, brethren, let us continue to hope in God! We simply cannot curl up and die. We must continue the fight.

Be encouraged!

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

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JBU Youth department national conference and rally - 2010

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Outreach at Duncans square THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

OCTOBER 2010

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JBU Youth department national conference and rally - 2010

Art & Craft winners - Greater Portmore

Dance group winners - Red Hills

Bible Quiz winners - Grange Hill

Original Praise winners - Grace Mineral Heights

Section of the crowd enjoying the activities  9

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

OCTOBER 2010

Window on the Word

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EMBRACING GRACE

o celebrate Epiphany is to make much of the grace of God who has revealed his glory in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. It is to highlight the gracious truth contained in the name “Immanuel” - God (is) with us. The doctrine of grace finds expression in Rom 8:31: if (since) God is for us, who can be against us? The essence of grace is that it is freely given, for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:8). The sufficiency of grace is found in the fact that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Rom. 5:20)!

Grace, however, is not cheap forgiveness of sin! God’s pardoning of sinful humankind was effected by the judgement and punishment of the innocent. It is by this undeserving, selfless act of grace that we are being saved. Amid times of manifest hostility and insularity, amid a culture of deception, disillusionment and destruction, it is a proper appreciation of the grace of God, which we all need in order to faithfully be God’s people in God’s world, living in hope.

Our text, Acts 11:19-26, is Luke’s account of a significant and gracious moment in God’s ongoing mission in God’s world. It is rooted in Acts 1:8, where the risen Christ issues a missional mandate to the disciples. Luke records how, subsequent to Pentecost, the gospel “took wings” and found expression beyond the walls of Jerusalem. By the time we reach Acts 10 and 11, we see signs of this gospel breaking through racial and socio-cultural barriers to attract faith responses from non-Jewish peoples “beyond the borders”. Indeed, the grace of God in Christ was appearing not only to and for some but also to and for all peoples.

The text speaks of the unvarnished truth regarding the dispersing effects of persecution and of how some sought to share the gospel only among Jews. Luke, however, is quick to mention how “men from Cyprus and Cyrene” arrived in Antioch and spoke a message of hope to the Greeks! The result was an embracing of the word of grace! As could have been predicted, the Jewish ‘big-wigs’ in the church in Jerusalem heard about such “irregularity” and probably still uncertain, even after Peter’s apologetic, vis-à-vis his own experience at Caesarea (Acts 11:1-18), they sent Barnabas on a fact-finding mission. And so we come to our core text which states that when he (Barnabas) arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts (Acts 11:23). What a gracious spirit! How magnanimous his gesture!

But why was Barnabas so joyful? What accounted for him not acting as a captive to cultural bias and racial bigotry? Why was he not possessed, as others were, with a spirit of religious intolerance and jealousy? It appears that Barnabas had developed a proper appreciation for the transforming character of the grace of God. Having experienced such grace, he

Norva Rodney

was liberated from blind loyalty to the social encumbrances of this world. By the grace of God, he was freed to be a passionate participant in the mission of God, joyfully practicing the presence of God among God’s people. Barnabas rejoiced because he had nothing to prove, nothing to lose and he had nothing to hide by engaging with others. His life was a testimony of God’s amazing grace!

For some today, to speak of grace, is to be given to spineless surrendering to the powers that oppress. But this is our kairos – the Church’s opportunity to bear faithful witness to the all-sufficient grace of the Triune God. Amid manifest hostility, the Church must live out an ethic of humility and honesty before God, which will translate into messages of Christlike harmony and holiness.

But do we not need to explore the character of the “evidence of grace” so eloquently attested to by St. Luke? What was it that Barnabas really witnessed in Antioch? I believe that Barnabas saw at least three things.

1. He saw a community celebrating the commonality of their humanity; that is, he saw a people who were candid in confessing their individual and corporate need for Christ and the Spirit’s ministry of reconciliation. The message of Christ had awakened hope! Barnabas saw a people who were growing in their appreciation of the saving grace of God! 2. He saw a people engaging in corporate rejection of immorality. Antioch was no pristine moral society. Located on a seaport, it was a city that attracted and facilitated lifestyles of immorality, idolatry and social inequity. But when the gospel of Christ exploded in their midst, many responded in obedient faith and experienced the sanctifying grace of God. Such grace was evidenced in the believers’ encouraging of one another toward a new moral high ground in Christ. They were not condemning and writing off each other but were, instead, commending one another to the sanctifying grace of God. Such spirit impacted Barnabas at the core of his being, and he rejoiced.

3. He saw persons giving themselves to a subversive embracing of a new identity. Note verse 26b. Luke seems deliberate in stating that it was in Antioch (not Jerusalem) that the believers were first called Christians! The radical evidence of the grace of God at work had earned them the anger of their detractors. Their newly assigned label was not a compliment. It was a contemptuous reference meant to cause embarrassment and to inflict emotional pain. Yet, the converts remained undaunted! Finding inner strength in the Sprit of God in Christ, they shook off selfish pride, embraced their new name and committed themselves to the One who is able to keep them! They found strength to conquer “shame” in the sustaining grace of the living God! How may we bear credible witness as the people of God in times of hostility and spiritual arrogance? Let us take, again, of the glorious grace of God and in it find hope.

WORSHIP THAT HEALS A summary of a paper presented by Rev. Dr Burchell K. Taylor at the BWA Congress in Honolulu, Hawai’i, July 2010

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n recent times, there has been renewed interest in worship and healing. More congregations are arranging specially designated healing worship services and more special prayers requested for sick persons are being entertained in worship services. The resurgence of interest in worship and healing and their linkage have not come about without an accompanying challenge of particular note. To put it plainly and simply, it is the challenge of worship being reduced to a utilitarian exercise in the service of healing. This kind of shift of focus must be a major distraction destined to lead to a major distortion of what worship is about. Worship must be of the order where it is essentially and fundamentally expressive of adoring the True and Living God. Worship is God-focused and God-inspired, entirely deserved by God. It THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

is clear, therefore, that whenever worship is portrayed in terms of benefits to be derived from it, utmost care must be taken that it is not reduced to a utilitarian exercise.

A fractured relationship with God, physical and emotional “woundedness”, relational alienation and estrangement, as well as being at odds with the natural environment to which we belong, speak to the level and range of brokenness invariably taken into worship and to be laid bare by encounter with the living Lord. The hurt, pain, disorientation and unsettledness involved are well known. True worship will not mask these or provide an escape from not facing them. The good news is that it is, indeed, a part of the wonder, mystery and joyful surprise of the worship experience that, in the encounter and disclosure, there is also awareness of God’s promise, which includes the possibility and availability of life-transforming wholeness. This rests upon the compassion, power, self-giving love and the unsearchable wisdom of God. The responsiveness evoked in the realities of brokenness, hurt and pain will reflect the sincerity and honesty of our deep feelings and expressed need. In such moments cont’d on page 15 FEBRUARY 2011

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Commentary

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TODAY’S CHURCH … TOMORROW?

t does appear that churches in the West are facing a missional challenge more urgent and radical than it has been for many generations.

Utterances emanating from among both leadership and members of churches suggest that the body of Christ is experiencing crises of grave character and immense proportions. This is happening when it also seems that many of us, have not yet awaken to the reality of the times in which we are living. The winds of post-modernity have been visiting us with devastating effect, carrying with them features of a different ordering of relationships and value systems in church and society. We are experiencing frustrations and lack of fulfilment in Christian ministry mainly because we are trying to do ministry the same way it has always been done, notwithstanding seismic shifts that are happening in our cultural contexts.

The roots of post-modernity extend back to the period following the era of enlightenment with its affirmation of reason as the pathway to truth. Contrary to such thinking, post-modernity may be understood as a social climate or life-style, which is marked by a fundamental uncertainty about standards of truth. The rejection of any objective standard of truth has resulted in moral chaos both in church and state. Our legacy today, then, is one in which moral relativism and unbridled autonomy, blended with a spirit of raw permissiveness, have conspired to challenge severely the relevance of Christian social ethics in these post-modern times.

Perhaps inadvertently and simultaneously, the last three decades have witnessed the development of various models of doing church. Western Christianity has been experimenting with models dubbed the “seeker sensitive church”, the “purpose driven church”, the “church without walls” and the “missional church movements”. More

recently, we are learning of the “emerging church” which is basically an attempt to re-image the church in our rapidly changing missional context. For us Baptists, this is not virgin soil since such orientation is at the radical centre of our beginnings. Historically, the Baptist church has formed itself around a radical questioning of what the church should be at particular times in our pilgrimage.

As we seek current answers to this question, we need to admit that church today is different from the church of the 20th century. Many of us have been oriented to doing church based on an “attraction model”, expecting persons to “come to us”, employing various styles of worship and buying into marketing techniques and strategies. We have perfected the art of packaging missional offerings with the intention of attracting persons who liked the then ”new way” of being church. In the process, evangelism has been more about proselytizing than about authentic discipleship, and the church has become captive to the unholy trio of individualism, materialism and consumerism. The size of the crowd, rather than the depth of the heart, became the landmark of “success syndrome”. To some extent, and for a while, the result of such warped missiology, was a booming western Christianity. It attracted Christians from other churches who were experiencing disaffection in other congregations and it appealed to immature Christians and persons with some Christian background. It resulted in attendance in churches in Britain ballooning from 75,000 in 1980 to 248,000 in 2000! But at what cost?

Well, as that was happening, the church in the West was gradually disengaging from the world around us in significant ways. Today, the sub-cultures of our congregations are significantly removed from people’s lived experiences. Contemporary churches are appearing irrelevant to non-believers and proving to be extremely unattractive to the young. It is now an established fact that church in the West is now in decline. Fifty years ago, Europe and North America comprised over 70% of the world’s Christian population. In 2005, Europe and North America comprised 35% of the world’s Christian population. The

LETTER TO EDITOR

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A growing and evident impression is that since the inception of Jamaican politics, the opposing party has sought the highest seat the House of Parliament by “sometimes heavily criticizing the party in power”. The party becomes “so concerned with its own return to power that it embarks on a self-indulgent obsession that is quite oblivious to the expectations of the electorate” (Dr. Raulston Nembhard, 2010). Nembhard suggests that the concept of truth and morality gets lost in the political battles as the sole obsession is to win; hence integrity and honesty are pushed aside.

A trait of the human persona is self-preservation, which is displayed even within politics.

Organizations vying for power are so blinded by their desire, either to attain or to continue wielding power, that immoral actions might not be acknowledged, or they go unpunished. Political power is not the ability to delegate authority and responsibilities or to seek tangible benefits but, by all means possible, to seek and pursue avenues through which all members of society have the opportunity to play pivotal roles in national development, to be self-actualized and to receive assistance.

Jamaican politics has been long astride an animal of corruption with no active, corrective measures in sight. Illicit acts brought to the fore by various media and by public and private figures have fallen on deaf ears and hardened hearts. In some jurisdictions, the levels of corruption befalling our people by way of political and civil servants would be deemed criminal. However, because of ignorance, biases, or a slanted view of morality and gross fabrication, the only public display of punishment meted out to those individuals is a mere slap on the wrist.

Politics is tied to the Jamaican society in many ways; and truth and morality are woefully absent.

Trust cannot be placed in an individual or entity in which there is deception to any degree. Until illegal or immoral acts are brought before the pertinent agents of law, and adequate and consistent punishment is effected, change will not come for, indeed, our misdeeds defy the bases of truth and morality and consume our body, mind, spirit and character.

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h b l n t d n n l h

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I am etc., A Concerned Jamaican

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upshot of such shift is evidenced in the fact that African, Asian and Latin American Christians now comprise 60 % of the world’s Christian population.

Clearly, a shift is taking place and it is requiring the Church in the West to respond with an intentional taking of the Church to the world. Our current thematic emphasis of “Being God’s People in God’s World” is timely.

However, it ought not to be interpreted as a perpetuating of the missional passivity of the last three decades but, instead, as a deliberate replacing of the “you-come-to-us” approach with a “we-will-come-to-you approach”. We will need to repent from doing church with a commitment to creature comforts (in the name of appearing attractive), to confronting people once again with the message of the cross of Christ. We need to move away from a ministry within our local churches, which is basically a survival strategy, driven by a commitment to please individuals. What is now required is much deeper than the cosmetic changes we are inclined to make to our worship styles.

The church of this age must evolve as incarnational communities arising from within the very context of postmodern culture, consisting of disciples of Christ seeking to return to the basic tenets of faithfulness to the cross and given to discerning the mind of the Spirit. It was against this background that, four years ago, while delivering the David Jelleyman lecture, I called for: i) a summit among church leaders aimed at sharpening our understanding of the spirit of post-modernity and its potential for mission and ii) a need for us to come up with new paradigms for ministry, paradigms that are informed by research, and rooted in Scripture.

Today, I make the call again… with hope for tomorrow.

Norva Rodney is pastor of the Kitson Town Circuit of Baptist Churches and chair of the JBU Faith and Order Commission. Critiques and comments may be sent to revbbc25@cwjamaica.com.

ASSEMBLY find a word

TRUTH & MORALITY JAMAICAN POLITICS & SOCIETY

ear Editor: Truth is “sincerity in action, character and utterance…being in accord with fact or reality” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). “Morality” is “the quality of being in accord with standards of right, good or virtuous conduct” (The Free Dictionary). Within Jamaican politics, the terms have been skewed to orchestrate a web of deceit, often misguiding and misinforming the public.

Rev. Norva Rodney

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

l l v r t r n v l n l h b n v r d b r l r t r t h l r t r p n t t r p l r v n n h h t b d t n r r r p p r r n n t n b n h n t n v n r l b p n p n r

Regional & International S E R V I C E TO G O D A L O N E , N O L E S S An Interview with Rev. Everton Jackson

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n October 2011, t h e J a m a i c a Baptist Reporter had an opportunity to catch up with the new Executive Secretary-Treasurer

chaplain. My interest in sports inspired me to play for the club’s football and cricket teams. I played good cricket as an opening batsman and so my age 19, I was selected for the parish cricket team. That created a conflict with my Christian commitment as it was around that time that Sunday cricket was introduced. Because of my conviction, I had no choice but to sacrifice a career in cricket in order to be faithful to my Christian convictions. I did a lot of voluntary work for my community especially on Labour Day. My youth days were full of fun and service.

TJBR: Please tell us about your pastoral training.

CBF Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Rev. Everton Jackson

(EST) of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF). Diedre Callam interviewed the Rev. Everton Garfield Jackson, CBF Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Baptist World Alliance Regional Secretary and pastor of Calvary Circuit of Baptist Churches.

TJBR: Congratulations, Rev. Jackson, on your recent appointment. How did you get started in the Christian ministry?

EST: The second child for my parents, I was born in Kingston but grew up in Shepherd’s Hall, Hanover. As a child, going to church was not an option. I grew up in the Gurneys Mt Baptist Church where I was an ardent member of the Sunday School. At fourteen years old that I made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. At fifteen, I was preaching the gospel at youth fellowship meetings and at the Holiness church in the Chigwell community.

My interest in preaching was obvious to my pastor, the Rev. Eric Edwards, the members of the church and the community at large. At age sixteen, I was struggling with the idea of offering myself to the pastoral ministry. My pastor was very supportive. He created opportunities for my involvement in the church community. And so between 17 and 20, my exposure to church life was beyond my wildest dream. I served as youth fellowship president, Sunday School teacher, lay preacher, president of the Association’s youth department, member of the officers board, organist, guitarist and choir director among other things.

By then, I was fully convinced that I had been called to the pastoral ministry. Even though during that time, I worked as a pretrained teacher, my entire focus was on the pastoral ministry. Church was and still is my life. There is no greater joy to me than to be in the service of God. TJBR: What of other interests?

EST: My involvement in church did not prevent me from having an active life in the community. As a teenager, I was fully immersed in the activities of my community.

I was a member of the Great Valley community youth club where I served as

EST: Upon the advice of my pastor, I applied to the Baptist Warden at the United Theological College of the West Indies to be trained as a minister of the Jamaica Baptist Union. I sat an entrance examination and was invited to meet with the Ministerial Training Committee. The interview was intense and rigorous. But thank God — at the end, the committee concurred with my sense of call to the pastoral ministry. And so in September 1981, I started my intramural journey, which lasted for four years.

TJBR: And the other aspects of your journey… Where has the journey taken you?

EST: Upon the completion of my intramural studies, I was assigned by the Union to commence my pastoral journey in the Mt Hermon Circuit, in the parish of

where God gave me a special anointing for the work of ministry. The work and ministry of the Linstead Circuit speaks for itself.

TJBR: How has your goal for ministerial work lined up with where you are now in your role as God’s servant, and with what you believed that God was calling you to do?

EST: My goal when I started was just to be faithful to God in carrying out His ministry wherever I was placed. I do have a passion for evangelism. It is a joy to my heart when people are saved. I have always seen myself as a pastor and so I have never had much interest in administration. My interest in administration has been confined to church administration – an area in which I believe I am gifted. And so I have never seen myself in an administrative position beyond the church level. Perhaps, if the opportunity to serve the CBF as Executive Secretary/ Treasurer were going to take me away full time from the church, I would not have offered myself. I love the pulpit; I love the church; I love to serve people.

TJBR: What is the purpose of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF)?

EST: The CBF came into existence 40 years ago for the purpose of unifying the Baptist cause in the Caribbean region.

Notwithstanding our differences along cultural lines, we have a lot in common given our common history and shared theology as Baptists. Our founding leaders intended that, as a Fellowship, we would

CBF Exective Meeting

St. James, on October 1, 1985. With five churches in that Circuit, the ministry was very challenging. I can remember walking from the Mt Hermon manse to most of the churches, which were approximately six to eight miles away. Yet, the distance or lack of transportation did not prevent me from carrying out the work of God.

come together for fellowship, worship and mission sharing. And so we unite our resources to respond better in times of crises for mission expansion and consolidation, relief and development.

I spent four fruitful years in the Mt Hermon Circuit before accepting a call to the Linstead Circuit where I spent 15 years.

When I assumed that pastorate in January 1990, I had no idea that the ministry would have grown and expanded in the way it did.

That also was a five-church circuit. But by 1992, with the full support and backing of the Circuit, Association and the Union, the Circuit was divided into two – the Bethel (Bog Walk) side with three churches and the Linstead side with two. I accepted the call to serve the new Linstead Circuit and that was

EST: I became involved in the CBF when I was serving as president of the Jamaica Baptist Union in 2000-2002. I attended the Fellowship’s General and Mid-Term Assemblies.

TJBR: When did you begin to be involved in the Caribbean Baptist?

TJBR: What is your role as EST of the CBF? EST: It is an awesome responsibility.

Coordinating the activities of the CBF, undoubtedly, will be challenging, given the limitations of office support and resources; but I am prepared to make my

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

contribution and to see how the CBF can recapture its relevance. As treasurer, I have the responsibility of exercising responsible stewardship over the Fellowship’s funds.

An additional role is to serve the Caribbean region as Regional Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance.

TJBR: What are some of the main challenges faced by the churches in the Caribbean? How can the CBF assist?

EST: It is early days yet for me to speak definitively on main challenges churches in the Caribbean are facing. It is just three months since I have assumed the position.

What I can say is that there are emerging trends of globalization, post modernity, urbanization, sex revolution, science and technology—rapid and complex changes, which are posing serious challenges to churches everywhere. The CBF will have to assist in raising the consciousness of its members through literature, seminars, training and conferences about how to maintain the integrity of the gospel of Christ in this age.

TJBR: What are some of the challenges faced by the CBF? How do you plan to find solutions for these problems?

EST: The CBF is faced with a serious financial challenge at this time. Many member bodies are no longer contributing to the ministry of the CBF. My intention is to engage those member bodies to ascertain what has gone wrong, and to seek to reengage their interest in the Fellowship.

Much emphasis will be placed on promotion. We have started the process through the publication of a newsletter, CBF Notes; and so far, the response has been encouraging. In addition, the engagement of CBF Executive members and some leaders of member bodies in a Think Tank exercise during October for the express purpose of developing a five-year plan, should identify the major emphases of CBF, reorganize, the administrative structure and establish missional goals critical for the re-positioning of the CBF to meet the demands of ministry in the 21st century.

TJBR: What is the most urgent need for CBF members?

EST: To contribute financially to the work of the Fellowship. Separate and apart from the contribution of the church to the CBF through the JBU, individual churches can contribute directly to the CBF ministry. In addition, we hope that Baptists in the region will support the General Assembly and MidTerm Assembly of the Fellowship when they are convened.

I look forward to making a contribution to the CBF. I am grateful for the support that I am receiving from my family and the Calvary Circuit of Baptist Churches. I do crave the prayers of my Baptist brothers and sisters.

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Regional & International CRISIS IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP: WHEN FAMILY MEMBERS DO NOT BELIEVE Paper (abridged) presented by Rev. Karen Kirlew — BWA Congress in Honolulu, Hawai’i July 29,2010 The Case A Jamaican pastor, who is Christian, has a 19 year-old daughter who has become a Rastafarian. The daughter is a university student.

b) Fulfilling the role/Carrying out the functions: Jesus said, “If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them” (Luke 9:5 NIV). In biblical times, pious jews leaving Gentile cities often shook the dust from their feet to show their separation from Gentile practices. If the disciples shook the dust of a Jewish town from their feet, it showed their separation from Jews who rejected their Messiah. The gesture was to show the people that they were making a wrong choice. The opportunity to choose Christ might not present itself again. Another recorded instance of this practice in the New Testament was when Paul and Barnabas were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia by Jews who disapproved of them teaching to Gentiles (Acts 13:50-51).

The case in perspective - Crisis • Has the pastor, within the home, failed to live as though governed by the faith she espouses and encourages others to follow?

• Why has the daughter been moved towards expressing herself in ways she believes will be more helpful and fulfilling to her, having been taught the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith?

Ecclesiological The daughter has been raised within a particular environment with a particular belief system; but she has not yielded to the influence exerted by her mother, the pastor. She has chosen, instead, to submit to a way of life that is unlike the one that the church leader espouses. A is expected to model leadership, which will influence family members and others. Otherwise, crisis can develop. No doubt, there will be implications for the giving and receiving of ministry. The crisis, which may be ecclesiological in nature, could be examined in the following ways: a) What qualifies a leader? 1 Timothy 3:1-13 is often used as the biblical instruction/ guide for the qualifications and expectations of church leaders. The bishop should be an example in conduct, in speech, and in thought—not only to the congregations he/she leads but also within the family. As an example in the family, the bishop is qualified to be a spiritual leader in the church. The instruction to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12) … set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity…” says something about the character of the church leader. The model of leadership that a pastor—the church leader—is expected to portray should influence a people towards realizing the purposes of God. The value system held by a church leader will guide the process of leadership. That value system is expected to be a part of the church leader’s family life.

c) Crises emerge when there are hindrances to church leaders fulfilling their roles, or to effectively executing ministry. Christian leadership is offered to a community (of the faithful), which chooses to trust or not trust the Christian leader as God’s agent of transformation, empowerment, and restoration. If the community receives what is being offered, it must become a product of the work of transformation, empowerment and restoration. An expectation of the community, although it might pose hindrances itself, is that the leader who offers guidance and direction must be thus engaged. d) The Diachonate/The Holy Diaconia—Crises could also occur within the ranks of those who offer leadership. Confidence among ministry team members will wane as the pastor/the church leader comes under scrutiny because she is unable to manage her household effectively, or so it seems. Other leaders may conclude that she has no influence as a church leader. Conflict may arise and persons may make the decision not to serve alongside the pastor (pastor is ousted – in some congregations church leaders are placed on the back bench if their children are found unworthy of the walk). Remember Paul among the apostles? Initially, other apostles suspected him and found it difficult to show him respect. Conflict was the result. Look at the example of Moses; he murdered an Egyptian and, shortly after, when he tried to offer mediation to two fighting Hebrews, they rejected him (Ex. 2:11-14). He was of no influence. cont’d on page 14

CONFRONTING THE SCOURGE OF CANCER. (Baptist World Alliance — Washington)

World Cancer Day was marked on February 4, supported by the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other international organizations in order to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its detection, treatment, and prevention.

T

he Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is consistent in its commitment to working for improved health. Specific resolutions were produced at many of BWA’s various meetings, including 1982 in Nairobi, Kenya; 1994 in Uppsala, Sweden; 1998 in Durban, South Africa; 2003 in Swanwick, England; and 2010 in Honolulu, Hawai’i. By these resolutions, the BWA encourages Baptists to work for access to health education and health care for all people. In addition, the BWA, through Baptist World Aid, has donated funds on a regular basis for health promotion, education, prevention and treatment.

In 2000, major health organizations convened the World Summit Against Cancer of the New Millennium in Paris, France. The summit’s concluding Charter of Paris outlined 10 articles calling for an “invincible alliance...between researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, government, industry and media,” to fight cancer. The Charter of Paris endorsers chose February 4 as an annual awareness day.

Each year, more than 12 million people worldwide receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million die of the disease. The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2020, there may be as many as 20 million new cases of cancer each year. Seventy percent of these patients will live in countries that between them will have less than five percent of the resources for cancer control.

The Charter of Paris warns that cancer will continue to become an increasingly important contributor to the global burden of disease, despite the fact that many cancers are preventable through control of tobacco use, diet, infection and pollution. It is estimated, for instance,

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that infections - many potentially preventable - cause 15 percent of cancers worldwide and 22 percent of cancers in the developing world.

World Cancer Day is meant to encourage public policies that support the fight against cancer and urge prevention measures that can stem the rising tide of the disease by implementing tobacco control, diet modification, infection control and environmental protection.

Among the determinations outlined by the Charter of Paris is the discrepancy between survival outcomes among the various places of the world. These discrepancies are noted not just between countries, but even between health institutions in the same cities. Wide variations in care - both access to care and standards of care - are considered a major cause of concern.

The parties endorsing the Charter of Paris affirmed that every individual has the right to a standard of living adequate for “the health and well-being of himself and his family, including...medical care”. The parties then committed to promote quality cancer care for all, whether that should be education, prevention, treatment, or end of life care with dignity.

Already, a number of BWA member bodies and other Baptist institutions are committed to the prevention and treatment of cancer and other diseases, and the care of those who are terminally affected. We affirm these efforts, even as we lift them up as examples for all Baptists everywhere. It is also our hope that Baptists will set good examples by adopting lifestyle choices that will minimize, or perhaps, even prevent, the scourge of cancer.

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

Regional & International CRISIS IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP... cont’d from page 13 Influence of Traditions Crises in leadership may be influenced by traditions. Our instructions and formations are rooted in the way we picture God and God’s intervention in the world. In the Jamaican society, a predominantly Christian society, God intervened in the world through Jesus Christ; the views held and patterns of behaviour encouraged are widely influenced by the Christian faith.

A Rasta is not a Christian; a Christian is not a Rasta. When a pastor’s daughter does not fit within the traditional norms of the Jamaican society, a number of traditional norms are violated. This violation leads to judgements being passed. For example, the one who has chosen not to accept standards of conduct or rules of practice by which our society is generally governed is seen as an outcast, or pressured to take the right way, because her way is the wrong way. The light of God is revealed only in Christ so that those who posit other views, or who fail to accept this, remain in darkness. An interpretation that counters the traditional (worldview) is anathema. Judgements made are held in bondage by the influence of tradition.

The pastor is challenged to comprehend and to explain her daughter’s perspective, without imposing her own preferences. How can she set aside what life means to her, or what life is supposed to be about as dictated, understood and accepted by the traditional in order to gain access to what life means to her daughter whose norms and mores are different? The daughter is challenged by the fact that her mother, the church leader, cannot accept her views or her way of life. a) The historical tradition speaks to the development of something over time. The history of the church provides certain standards and certain ethos for the church leader and his or her family. History shapes a given epoch and offers a particular and personal ethic for the Christian leader. It also offers a pattern of engagement for the family. What is appropriate or what is not is influenced largely by historical tradition. Over time, appropriate ways of living and demonstrating faith developed.

When circumstances turn out to be different from our expectations, there is a problem. Who we are as human beings has much to do with the interpretation of God’s own actions in and upon human life. b) The social tradition refers to customs to which everyone can relate, and also to those who help to keep the society together by making people feel close to each other. Social traditions concern how we normally interact as groups/as a people. It is not our custom to interact with each other in the ways encouraged by Rastafarianism. When the ideal is not aspired to and another ideology is reflected in a different system of belief, it is perceived as the breakdown or absence of values, and even a decline in morality. Any behaviour, thought, idea, or value, which contravenes customary ways of interacting and behaving as a people, is difficult to appropriate and is, therefore, not readily accepted.

c) The Rastafarians are law-abiding, peace-making citizens, who believe in the solidarity of village, they are very communal and believe they are at one with nature. Whereas there is a shared view on family life (family is quintessential to Jamaican life) and communal living or unity among people, the practices and the interactions, which cause these, are what bring on crises. Being one with nature may mean sitting in the dust; wearing hair a certain way means an identification of strength within. How the expressions are made is at odds with usual social behaviour. d) The sociological tradition relates to issues of the society. It presents a vision of social order that should be the underpinning of any society. Often, as the vision for social order unfolds, there will be groups and individuals who may try to advance their own interests over others; hence the struggle for advantage1. Struggle comes in the midst of trying to comprehend the problems/issues faced by society. (One of the areas in which there struggle is that of religion). As with the case study, there is a sociological issue. When the pastor tries to influence the daughter’s peers, they could resist by saying: Why can’t we choose our own way, your daughter has chosen hers? The pastor may not consider her daughter an outcast as others have, although she is challenged by the situation and her leadership is questioned. The society does not see it that way. There is a social dilemma. e) The theological tradition offers insight into our understanding of God and how we articulate faith in God. Like other traditions, it developed over centuries. There is a crisis because of the need to define the Christian belief system in the context of alternatives or polemics. The theological tradition says there has always been the need to define particular understandings of Christianity and Christian commitment in light of an understanding of who God is and of the work of God. The Christian understands and believes that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and has a long history with people. God is Spirit while the Rastafarians’ God is based on the lineage of David. For one, God is of a spiritual order; and for the other, God is of a human order seated on a human throne. The God of the Christian is otherworldly as well as “this worldly” in terms of the mission of the church. What is the crisis? The pastor promotes Jesus as God; the daughter disagrees. Both espouse a different theology – one disagrees with the other.

Conclusion When family members do not believe, crises will develop. The concept of “believe” expressed in this presentation was indicated not by the idea of accepting or not accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour as it relates to the ‘saved’ or to the ‘unsaved’, but by the idea of accepting something else or someone else as true or as conveying truth. It is placing faith in that which can answer needs in a way that nothing else can. Crises posed by the case are grounded in the fact that since Jamaica is a predominantly Christian society, it is God in Jesus Christ who is the fulfillment of hope, in the promise of a brighter future; God

ADVENTURES IN MISSION...

Christian ministry. While the above-mentioned social challenges presented First Isthmian with numerous ministry opportunities, other adventurous moments were to be had from spending time with the four missions which soon grew to six in the region of Costa Abajo, Colon. The most recent mission to be started is located in the community of Jobito. This breathtaking community is located two hours drive from Colon to Rio Indo, and another two hours by boat up river. After my initial mind-numbing experience in November 2006, going on that same Rio Indio which was in spate at the time, in a canoe with an outboard motor on the back, I learned to relax without a life jacket and forget about the width and depth of the river, and its ever lurking occupants such as crocodiles and piranhas.

Nothing compares to the joy on the faces of the children and adults who meet every visit with such fanfare and excitement. It was always a deeply touching experience to receive their hospitality in kind, welcoming words and the joyful sharing of soup or Peeba and coffee. Out of their little, they gave us so much. The same warm hospitality is repeated in the four older missions – Pina, Palmas Bellas, Quebrada Leon and Buena Ventura. An additional Gandona was established just before Jobito. It was always a joy to welcome friends from Jamaica who came to offer their service in the missions and in Colon City. This included mission teams led by Rev. Luke Shaw, Rev. Claude Williams and a contingent of Caribbean Baptist Fellowship youth from Jamaica Baptist congregations.

cont’d from page 7

The memorable adventures are too many to recount here. However, I’m filled with a sense of gratitude for the way my life has been enriched by the wealth of experiences I had in Panama. In the time was there, deep bonds were established with people and country. I not only felt like one but was also treated like a true Colonense. I was immersed in the experiences in a “real way”, being a black person in Panama and some of what that meant for my members who were of Afro-West Indian heritage. Never more forcefully did the import of this come home to me than to be part of the 2010 national census I which persons of African descent were included in the census for the first time since 1940!

The socio-economic, cultural and political life of Panama and how it played out in Colon was integral to the church’s self-understanding. At no time that was more evident than at the 100th anniversary celebration of First Isthmian from May 22-31, 2010. Sadly, some of the last members of the first group of worshippers who started gathering at the present location over 50 years ago left us in the space of one year after my arrival and before we could record many of the church’s exploits in ministry. Nonetheless, it was a fresh opportunity for the church to reflect on how far God has brought them and those who have led them; and it was also an occasion that they seized in order to establish a vision for the future of the kind of ministry which they intended to offer in Colon and Panama. How they understood God and view others, including the JBU, might help them to accomplish this.

THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

FEBRUARY 2011

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Regional & International CARIBBEAN CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS (CCP)

Oldest walker Saxthorpe Methodist

SUNDAY SCHOOL LAPATHON 2011 Youngest walker

Promoting Healthy Lifestyle — Body, Soul and Spirit

Youth walkers Linstead Baptist

Mother and daughter receives medal for walking over 10 laps

Recently, Emancipation Park in Kingston Jamaica was the venue for a lapathon organized by CCP. Representatives of participating churches and the CCP staff had a wonderful time of fun and fellowship.

CCP produces and publishes The Together Series curriculum, which are age-graded Sunday School lessons used across the Caribbean by numerous church denominations.

A new curriculum called The Living the Word Series will FRPH RQ VWUHDP WKLV \HDU 7KH ¿ UVW LVVXH ZLOO EH SXEOLVKHG LQ September for the Children age groups: Beginners: 0-6 years; Younger Children: 7-9 and Older Children: 10-12.

Adult walkers Tarrant Baptist Member of Bethel Baptist Sign in at the Registration Desk

National Health Fund staff member receives award for completing the most laps

&DOO XV WR ¿ QG RXW KRZ \RX can order your Sunday School materials, and to let us know about the training needs for your Sunday School.

Warming up before walking

Phone: 876-906-2828 Email: info@ccpcbf.org

WORSHIP THAT HEALS...

Worship that truly focuses on God forms us into people who conform more and more to the character Some participants at the BWA 2010 congress of God. In doing so, it commits those who worship to be concerned about conditions of human life and existence that impact adversely on human wellbeing and relationships. Conditions of the kind fracture human relationships, impair dignity, marginalize the poor and disadvantaged, despoil the environment and make for deep unwholesomeness of life.

The concern linked to the formative influence of worship, will embrace but will also go beyond the making of intercessions on behalf of the broken and struggling people.

It will also motivate them to become doers—bearers and servants of God’s justice, righteousness and love. In all of this, worship will both embody within it and extend beyond it the gift and possibility of healing the broken, the offering of wholeness that comes from God in Christ, through the power of the Spirit.

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The CCP staff

Calabar High School principal and his wife walk briskly

ANSWERS TO ASSEMBLY find a word

cont’d from page 10

penitence, confession, repentance, the need for God’s forgiving grace, restoring mercies, and for wholeness, will form part of our worship before God.

Young Adult walker

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THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER

l l v r t r n v l n l h b n v r d b r l r t r t h l r t r p n t t r p l r v n n h h t b d t n r r r p p r r n n t n b n h n t n v n r l b p n p n r

FEBRUARY 2011

DAILY SCHEDULE THE JBU BELIEVERS CONVENTION OF THE st 161 GENERAL ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 23-27, 2011 Living in Hope!

Ocho Rios WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24

“God is not dead: He’s Alive!”

“Tek it to the World!”

10:00 08:30 10:30 12:00 01:00 02:00 03:00

06:30 am - 07:30 am Waking with God “Hope Report 1” 07:30 am - 08:30 am B R E A K F A S T 09:00 am – 10:30 am Morning Worship & Bible Study – Rev. Norbert Stephens 10:30 am – 11:00 am B R E A K 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Convention Workshops A 12:30 pm – 02:00 pm L U N C H 02:00 pm – 05:00 pm Baptist Blitz 06:00 pm DINNER 07:00 pm – 09:00 pm EVENING WORSHIP Ocho Rios Baptist

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– 03:00 – 10:15 – 12:00 – 01:00 – 02:00 – 03:00 – 04:30

pm am pm pm pm pm pm

REGISTRATION MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE CALABAR GENERAL Pension Meeting Lunch

Convention Lecture – Dr.Trevor Munroe / Rev. Dr. Glenroy Lalor “Rebuilding Jamaica: Does Trust Matter?”

06:00 pm DINNER 07:00 pm – 09:00 pm OPENING SERVICE Ocho Rios Baptist Leader: The General Secretary – Rev. Karl B. Johnson Preacher: The President – Rev. Cawley Bolt Subject: “God is not dead: Hope’s at Work”

Leader: Rev. Taniecia McFarlane Preacher: Rev. Sobusa Ngodela Subject: “Our Hope: to the World!”

10:00 pm - 10:30 pm After Hours – “Hope Prayerfest”

10:00 pm - 10:30 pm After Hours – “Rising from the Rubble”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26

“IIna Di Vali ”

“Undying Hope”

06:30 am – 07:30 am Waking with God “Hope Report 2” 07:00 08:00 07:30 am - 08:30 am B R E A K F A S T 08:30 09:00 am - 10:30 am Morning Worship & Bible Study– 09:15 Rev. Norbert Stephens 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Assembly Talk 1 – Reports/Election 09:45 12:00 md – 01:00 pm Launch of Environment 10:00 Stewardship Manual 12:00 01:00 pm – 02:30 pm L U N C H 02:30 pm – 04:00 pm Convention Workshops B 01:30 05:45 pm DINNER 07:00 pm – 09:00 pm OPEN AIR SERVICE Turtle River Park

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– –

08:00 am 08:30 am 9:15 am 09:45 am

am - 10:00 am am – 12:00 pm am – 01:30 pm pm – 02:30 pm

BREAKFAST DVD – “Hope Report 3” Memorial Service Assembly Talk 2 Resolution/Selected Issues BREAK Convention Workshops C Bible Study Rev. Norbert Stephens LUNCH

Leader: Rev. Franklin Small Preacher: Rev. Devere Nugent Subject: “ IIna Di Vali : The Liberating Hope!”

10:00 pm - 10:30 pm After Hours – “Songs of Hope”

National Arena SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27

PM

Hope Alive: Keeping it Real!

God’s Agents: Keeping Hope Alive!

10:00 am – 12:30 pm Worship Service Leader: Dr. Wilma Grandison Preacher: Rev. Cawley Bolt Subject: “Hope Alive: Keeping it Real!”

- Reception of New Ministers, Reception of New Congregations - The Lord’s Supper

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Service of Commitment Leader: Duckett Duncan Preacher: Rev. Neville Callam Subject: “God’s Agents: Keeping Hope Alive!”

“Being God’s People in God’s World: Living in Hope”