Assembly Special THE JAMAICA
APRIL 2017 Established 1874
Wanted! CEOs for Project OUT
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resident Dr Devon Dick, delivering the sermon at the first of two closing ceremonies of the Fifth Believers Convention and 167th General Assembly on Sunday, February 26, stated that the Church had become too self-absorbed, indifferent and complacent in its witness. Consequently, he challenged Christians to become Chief Evangelistic Organizers (CEOs) of what he called Project OUT: an Outward, Urgent Thrust toward Mission. Outward vision Using St John 4 as his text, the JBU President chided us for behaving like ‘selfies’ with God’s mission. He said that we were focusing too much on internal material needs rather than on the genuine outward needs of non-believers. Too many Christians, churches and denominations, he said, “had become satisfied with mediocrity and under-achievement, resting on stale legacy, marking time, while the world moves on.”
“What we need are some CEOs, who have the outward vision to pound the pavement, door to door, street to street, lane to lane with a message of hope,” the JBU President declared. Urgency in a state of emergency President Dick criticised the church for lacking a sense of urgency, noting that there was “movement without mission; passion without purpose; zeal without knowledge.” He lamented that Christians were moving fast and furious, but foolish, always in a state of emergency but with no urgency. In his opinion, what was even more poignant was the fact that Baptists did not seem to be able to discern the difference. Thrust against obstacles He called for more fervent witnessing, emphasizing the need to push forward promptly, with persistence and passion, even in the face of obstacles; and concluded that Christians existed for no reason than to be “Jesus people, in a Jesus movement, in a Jesus community, engaged in witnessing fervently.”
President’s Message There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground [Amos 5: 7].
The concept of justice We do consider ourselves as bearing a calling that commits us to caring for the common good of our whole community. The concept of justice is absolutely essential to how this task and responsibility is exercised. One of the things to which we must be sensitive is that this concept of justice is not used in a questionable way by those who exercise powers of governance and wield influence from positions of privilege and prominence. Christians are aware that justice bears a more precise and distinctive meaning of profound moral significance in relation to human flourishing. This is particularly so in context where social and economic structures, systems and institutions
operate in a serious disadvantageous manner to the most vulnerable, less privileged, regularly victimized and deprived. In such situations, justice speaks to equity and bears a distinct bias toward those who are disadvantaged by the ‘lopsidedness’ of existing realities. Equity becomes a moral mandate to remove - not mask, not redefine - this lopsidedness; not leaving it to chance for minimal reduction or indirect modification.
Prophetic advocacy Justice is action with direct intentional purpose to transform the ‘lopsidedness’ so that everyone who belongs to the society gets unimpeded access to facilities, opportunities, resources, services and goods for a life of genuine viable human dignity. Justice will demand that those who, by virtue of how the society has been ordered, do not have what it takes to attain and maintain such a life of viable dignity, should be given priority attention. The prophetic heritage of advocacy for justice and righteousness entrusted to the church becomes relevant. The passion and compassion of Christ Jesus that embraced such a legacy of prophetic advocacy, along with critical transformative involvement of self-giving commitment also become the stewardship and mission of the church. The face of justice Justice knows the poor, not as an abstract category of persons, but as real people with human faces, heart and soul, whose human dignity is absolutely at stake.
The Cross-bearing difference The recently concluded 167th General Assembly and Fifth Believers Convention held in Montego Bay, St James was one memorable event that should spawn a prominent page in the history of the Jamaica Baptist Union. There were many firsts: First woman president-elect; first fellowship meal…first time recognizing sanitation workers…first time we’ve had a Daily Assembly Reporter; and yes …first time we’ve had a singing Bible studies presenter. But there was a tacit agreement that resonated through our worship and attitude: we are cross-bearing people; we carry the marks of suffering like the smell of Dr Waller’s barbecue pit in Houston. Cross-bearing, a metaphor for discipleship, refers to a deliberate choice to becoming ‘Jesus people,’ (a Devon Dick coinage?), following a chosen ‘cross course’ of life, marked by sacrifices, possibly including death. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his Classic, The Cost of Discipleship, suggested that when Christ calls a person, in principle he calls him to come and die; a him fi tell yuh; he sacrificed his life for his convictions. Cross-bearing is not a one-time event, but a way of life – a HARD way of life, which is virtually impossible to live, but for the Grace of God.
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The cross-bearing life is not an existentialist’s life. It has meaning and leads somewhere: eternal life; dwelling in the presence of the Lord forever. On that journey through the Kingdom of God to eternal life, there are kingdom principles we adopt in order to impact positively, the lives of others. I believe that sometimes we miss this boat and we tend to think that we are empty-cup-bearing people, entitled to rights and privileges of the King’s horseman; so “we lift it up Lord!” But we aren’t prepared to be splintered or poured out into the lives of others. We become so attached to this world, we resile our spiritual obligation to die with the King. So what’s my takeaway from the Assembly? As cross-bearing people, we strive to be less selfpreserving and be more self-revealing; less selfserving and more self-giving; less self-aggrandising and more self-effacing; living in the will, and by the wisdom of God; touching lives, making a difference; incurring some hard ‘licks’ yes, but the Holy Spirit gives us rubbery resilience; and like Rev Rodney’s cunny bud, ‘yuh pick we up, yuh lick we dung, we bounce right back…’
THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
Justice knows that the poor are gone beyond being sermon preferences. They wait to be urgently engaged where they are and to be empowered to fulfil their true God-given potential. This will include the exposure and removal of the things that have served to victimize them. It is of critical importance to note how urgent the issue of justice becomes in a context where there is a combination of aggressive market forces at work, sustained pressure for economic growth and prosperity, and the effort of powerful vested interests to safe-guard their privileged status. Those with available resources at hand already have a head start, and so have the strongest chance to succeed in such a situation. Those who have no real opportunity to benefit from the process, but remain the burden-bearers of the much sought after growth and prosperity, will be excluded and forgotten. Justice will demand that appropriate and critical intervention be made on their behalf so that they may become legitimate, active and effective participants as contributors and beneficiaries in the process.
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 Dorrett R Campbell (Editor) Clinton Chisholm Ptako Davis (Design and layout) Arlene Henry (JBU Programme Coordinator) Karah Whitter Sophia Williams We invite you to submit your articles, stories, poems and comments by email, fax or send them to the above address.
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From the Desk of the General Secretary
Solidarity without empathy is showboating Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’” (St. John 20:24-25a)
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would hope that reverberations from the 2017 General Assembly and Fifth Believers Convention are still being felt; not only by those who attended, but the wider family!
becoming vessels and conduits of God’s love and care.
We celebrate the ways God made God-self known to us during our time together and lift our voices in gratitude that we live in a country where we enjoy the freedom to assemble.
As I have said in the pre-assembly edition of this paper, the path of simplicity and solidarity - two outworkings of our thematic emphasis - ought to lead us to empathy and advocacy. If it does not, we are unwittingly undermining the credibility of the Gospel way, because empathy without solidarity is mere sentimentality and solidarity without empathy is showboating.
Empathy and solidarity
Some 300 conferees gathered for the Assembly to unpack the theme, Living the Sacrificial Life, through workshops, Bible studies, lectures, preaching and witnessing. They were joined by just under 8, 000 worshippers for the closing services at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Assembly takeaways Arguably, the most significant moment was the election of the Rev Karen Kadianne Kirlew as first female President–elect. Ordained in 2004, the Rev. Ms Kirlew currently pastors the St Ann’s Bay circuit of Baptist churches. Let us remember her, family (husband, Raymond and son, Dominick) and circuit as they prepare themselves in heart and mind to serve the Union. We continue our focus on two important initiatives that were launched at the Assembly: The JBU aims to mobilize hundreds of our members to participate in the Blood Drive as an expression of our commitment to saving lives through our health services. This
initiative is being spearheaded by our Steering Committee, chaired by President Elect Kirlew and already, churches have hosted blood collection days. Affirming worth and dignity The second initiative is the affirmation of the worth and dignity of persons who are engaged in sectors of our society that easily attract disdain and even scorn. We gave expression to this initiative by recognising and identifying with sanitation workers during the closing moments of the Assembly. We call upon our member churches in the various communities to stand alongside those persons and entities by
Time and distance will dim our recollections of the Assembly, but let the encounters we experienced with God echo with ever increasing resonance in our daily lives. Indeed, let every member of this believing community embrace afresh the gifts of life and faith; the gifts of the gospel and the opportunities to reflect and mediate its message and power. My prayer is that every member of this believing community will recommit to the kind of evangelism, which is in keeping with our tradition of the proclamation of the Word - by which God and humankind confront each other - and to social action. I beseech every member of this believing community to resist becoming “nattering nabobs of negativism,” but believers who see this world as God’s world and seize the chance to show the difference that following Jesus makes.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (St. John 20:28).
The combined choir from the West… THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
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Ministries and Mission
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he Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) on Saturday 25 February launched a National Blood Drive at the 167th General Assembly and 5th Believers Convention in Montego Bay, St James. JBU Vice President Karen Kirlew said the blood collection drive, targeting 500 eligible persons giving at least one pint, was one of the activities designed to give tangible expression to what some say is an abstract theme: Being God’s people in God’s world, living the sacrificial life. The National blood bank needs at least 60, 000 units of blood annually to fulfill patient demand. The drive is not just targeting Baptists only but all eligible persons.
Now if you’re a “what’s-init–for –me” kinda a person... and I sure hope you’re not: Here’s why you really should donate blood: Blood donation helps to mitigate the risk of cancer. By donating blood the iron stores in the body are maintained at healthy levels. And the reduction in iron levels in the body is linked with low cancer risk Blood donation is beneficial in reducing risk of heart and liver ailments caused by iron overload in the body. Regular blood donation reduces the weight of the donors. This is helpful to those who are obese and are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health disorders. After donating blood, the body works to replenish the blood loss. This stimulates the production of new blood cells and in turn helps in maintaining good health. There’s one other very good reason: Jesus Christ gave his blood to save your life.
To the glory of God According to Vice President Kirlew, we give blood to serve communities and country to the glory and honour of God. Several delegates, trekked to the Cornwall Regional Hospital to donate blood during the Assembly.
not ours and that the gifts for the mission also belonged to God. Therefore “the success of the mission is not measured by our standards but God’s…; hence when we are fixated on outcomes measured by human standard we often miss God’s mark.”
On Thursday, Mission Night, the Calvary Baptist Church drama group did an economy of staging of the story of Abraham’s faithfulness to God in living the sacrificial life. Scripted by Melita Samuels, the musical drama reminded congregants of important principles such as sacrificing one’s life for the sake of peace; loving God first; and in the face of crises, knowing that God will always provide. There were some light moments in the presentation, which provided an excellent backdrop for the sermon, Serving Faithfully, preached by Rev Brenda Walker, Pastor of the Yallahs Circuit.
The preacher explained that like the man with the one talent, sometimes we make too many excuses that exposed our relationship with, and understanding of God. In this regard therefore, we missed out on mission and partnership possibilities.
Rev Walker drew inspiration from Matthew 25: 14 –30 to suggest that our interpretation and perception of God could very well determine how we serve him. Similarly, how we understand and interpret God’s mission will determine how we execute that mission. Rev Walker asserted that if our perception of Christ and His mission were not aligned then we would be misguided in God’s expectations of us. She emphasized the need for us to understand that the mission is God’s;
4 Scene depicting Isaac Abraham and Sarah
When it comes to serving God, she asserted, fear has no place in mission because it serves only to confuse, confound and cripple God’s people. Rev Walker also encouraged us to use whatever gifts and skills we have to the glory of God. Yet again the Combined Choir from the West didn’t fail to minister with yet another simple song.
THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
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he Sectional
Gathering of the Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation of the General Assembly is one of the events that draw sisters together as members of the Body of Christ. This year’s gathering began with the Church service at Calvary Baptist in St. James on Thursday, February 23.
Ministries AND MISSION Verona Rickets
sisters. For them, this was a significant moment as it was the first time student pastors were actively participating in the service. I am the Lord’s servant
One of the most anticipated highlights of the service was the message from Miss Tanesha Ashbourne, who used Mary’s Over 600 women and a few men filed into acknowledgement - I am the Lord’s the chapel to mark yet another milestone servant - to the angel (St Luke 1:29-38) along the journey of the faith and mission to inspire and challenge the congregants of God through the JBWF. All could sense the mood of eager anticipation amidst the holy hush of the worshippers. The President, Mrs. Sylvia Henry, gave a spirited welcome to all the sisters near and far from across the island who were in attendance. Special welcome was extended to the Rev Dr Glenroy Lalor, Baptist Warden, UTCWI, along with the 13 Baptist students, who attended the service. Special words of welcome were
also extended to the Rev Edgar Henry, Pastor of the Mineral Heights Baptist Church, Rev Dr George Simpson, past Chairman of the Garland Hall Home Committee and Mrs. Simpson. Miss Maria Robinson, Centre Manager (ag) of the Women’s Centre in Montego Bay was also acknowledged. The President also welcomed Federation sisters, Tanesha Ashbourne and Rosalina Robinson, both Student Pastors at the UTCWI. The women were received with loud applause and shouts of hallelujah from the older
Anti-violence march Immediately after the church service, JBWF sisters lined the streets bearing posters with anti- violence slogans. All decked in white, they marched to the beat of the band to Sam Sharpe Square for an Open Air Service. Along the route, the sisters distributed tracts, encouraged and invited women and men to join with to a life of faithful service. Ms Ashbourne them. declared that Mary acknowledged who Open air service she was and who God is; and with her confession, she humbly submitted to At the square, a large crowd gathered God’s will and purpose for her life. The drawn by the high energy praise and Pastor reminded the congregation of worship led by Miss Andrea Laing. Sharing the need for everyone to say like Mary, his own testimony, the Rev Lloyd Richards “I am the Lord’s Servant,” so that God challenged his hearers to accept Jesus could do the seemingly impossible in and as the only way to eternal life. Several through us. persons responded to the appeal. Memorial scholarship Other special features of this year’s Sectional Gathering were the launch of the Sylvia Lowe Memorial Scholarship; a presentation to Rev Dr George Simpson, who chaired the Garland Hall Home Committee for over 30 years; and a presentation to the adolescent mothers at the St. James Women Centre, received by Miss Maria Robinson. The service ended with commitment from the sisters to serve willingly. THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
All who participated in the JBWF mission engagements on Thursday testified that they were challenged to renew their commitment to live out and share their faith with the people they encounter every day.
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Youth News
Assembly, nothing short of awe inspiring
Jaevel Brown
Mission blitz The Mission Blitz activities included community visits where we shared the Gospel in and around Montego Bay. Many persons participated well in both these activities and I felt so blessed to be a part of it. My group went to Salt Spring where the General Secretary, the Rev Karl B Johnson delivered a powerful cry to the community to stand together without fear, but in reverence to Almighty God. Blood drive A small band of us traveled to the Cornwall Regional Hospital to a mobile blood bank unit where we pioneered the Union’s effort to have over 500 bags of blood donated by Baptists island wide before the year ends. In addition, I witnessed the election of the first female President-elect, Rev Karen Kirlew. This was quite a memorable moment. Open air service
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he 5th Believers’ Convention and 167th General Assembly was a rewarding experience; one that will impress on me for years to come. This being my first time, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was eagerly anticipating the days ahead. I was treated to three days of an excellent practical study of God’s Word, which was led by Rev Alyn Waller. Rev Waller spoke of the importance of identifying what season of our Christian walk we are in, the challenges of transitioning from an area of service within the life of the church and also the need to trust God in our daily walk. The workshops I attended were informative, thought-provoking and instructive. They covered topical issues such as the practicality of the sacrificial life in the era of the prosperity Gospel and the role of technology in the growth and relevance of the church.
The open-air evangelistic campaign was held in Falmouth Square on Friday and was nothing short of awe-inspiring! Two profound sermons were delivered; one from Rev. Davewin Thomas on Holding Firmly to God despite the various challenges that may come and the other from Minister Jermaine Edwards who shared honest testimonies of his struggles as a steward of the Gospel. Jermaine spoke of his temptation to trade the integrity of his ministry of the Gospel for popularity and recognition but was convicted by God to stay true to his beliefs and salvation. He spoke openly of God’s blessings in his life, time and time again and how each had humbled him and propelled him to witness more passionately. For me, it was time well-spent as I continue to grow in my understanding of the structure and function of the Jamaica Baptist Union, the role of its member churches, and how I can give myself to living the sacrificial life fully and freely.
Christian Education launches Sunday School Manual It really is very hard to find age-appropriate Christian education materials for children 12 years and under these days, so when Cynthia Anderson and her team from the Christian Education Department launched its third manual at the Assembly, it was a welcome moment. The Book titled, Growing in Faith, treats with issues of faith in a way in which children can understand and grasp key concepts of salvation, spiritual discipline, stewardship, the word of God and the Ordinance. Rev Merlyn Hyde Riley presented a copy to President, under the watchful eye of the General Secretary. In accepting the Book, President Dick opined that children grow up fast and learn fast, therefore we have to teach them and guide them in the way they ought to go. The book has 71 beautifully illustrated pages with an attractive cover design by the Rev Brenard McDonald, Pastor of Grace Baptist Circuit. The manual is being sold at the JBU Bookstore for $500. If you want to grow your Sunday school, this manual may be of some help.
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THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
History Making
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everend Karen Kirlew created another historic moment in the life of the Jamaica Baptist Union, when she became its first female president-elect, on Saturday February 25, during the business session of the four-day 167th General Assembly, held in Montego Bay, St James. Last year the Rev Mrs Kirlew became the first female clergy to be elected vice president of our beloved Union. As Vice President, she was responsible for coordinating the major activities that give expression to the theme: Living the sacrificial life. These include the launch of the national blood drive and the recognition of sanitation workers at the closing services of the Assembly. A product of the Burchell and Tarrant circuits of Baptist Churches, she is shepherding the St Ann’s Bay Circuit of Baptist Churches. Her election was approved uncontested and she will serve one year before assuming the office of President at the end of the 2018 General Assembly.
Karen
Kirlew
The way for this historic event was paved in 1989 when the JBU reviewed its constitution and opened its pastoral doors to the Revds Angella MorganAllen and Doreen Wynter, who later became the first two females to be ordained into full time pastoral ministry by the JBU in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Amid the chorus of applause and amens, Rev Kirlew said she was honoured to have been chosen, she would remain open to God’s leading and serve faithfully where ever he leads her. She attributed her early shaping and growth to the influences of her parents, the Burchell Baptist Church; her pastor at the time of her candidacy for pastoral ministry, the Rev. Neville Callam; and the effective training she received from the United Theological College of the West Indies. According to Rev Kirlew, she will be sensitive to the context of female pastors and the peculiar challenges with which they contend and will stand in solidarity with them, but she is mindful of the fact that she serves a union comprising males and females.
Highlights from the GenSec Report Lest we forget, General Secretary, Karl Johnson, in his Annual Report to the Assembly on Friday, February 24, reminded us of two notable events etched in the life of the Union: It was 175 years ago since the launch of the Jamaica Baptist Missionary Society that has evolved into the Board of Mission and Evangelism and now to the Jamaica Baptist Union Mission Agency. This society had as its mandate to take the Gospel to Africa. It was out of that missional mindset that the JBU was founded.
and user friendly in capturing data and to facilitate on-line reporting. The Riverton Meadows Mission would be received into the family on Sunday, thus bringing the number of member churches to 338 including three in Haiti. These churches are served by a mere 92 accredited ministers. The numerical increase in our membership is 1331 since 2010 at an average increase of 221, with 6782 baptisms at an average 1,130 baptized each year.
The 500th Anniversary of the reformation when Martin Luther nailed his defiant theses on the door of the church in Continued concerns were expressed about the financing of ministerial Wittennberg, Germany, declaring in essence, “The Just shall training leading to the exploration of several strategies and options. live by faith.” Within the context of global changes, many of The General Secretary also reported that the Union was at that juncture where it had become necessary to set up a Task Force to review the future role and frequency of general assemblies in light of tight fiscal space. The following were also noteworthy highlights: The Church Return Form had been redesigned to make it more efficient
which had impacted negatively the Christian Faith, the JBU General Secretary exhorted us to change our narrative by shedding pride and haughtiness, adorning ourselves in humility and continuing to strive to becoming God’s people in God’s world.
He impressed upon us the need to reaffirm our commitment to the care and protection of all human beings, especially the most vulnerable. 7
OPENING CEREMONY
Chairman of East Jamaica Conference of SDA Rev Glen O Samuels recessing after the opening ceremony
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis and wife Carlene
Mrs Ellyn-Jo Waller, wife of the Bible Studies Facilitator, Rev Alyn Waller, greets Mrs Mary Dick, wife of the JBU President Rev Alyn Waller delivers an exciting study on Holding Firmly
MISSION BLITZ
Police officer on duty but ‘ketching’ the spirit
Not sure which spirit, these ministers are imbibing
Rev Johnson delivers a stirring Message of Peace to residents of the Salt Spring Community
Delegates storm the Norwood Community with the message of peace
Gospel artiste Germaine Edwards set the place on a spirited fire
Dancers at the open-air evangelistic service in Falmouth Square
President (centre) and delegates of the 167th General Assembly
A section of the crowd reacting to Gopsel artiste Germaine Edwards
The Marching Band leads delegates into the underbelly of the Salt Spring
CLOSING SERVICES
Custodes of St Catherine and Portland Hon Jeffrey McKenzie and Lincoln Thaxter and their wives Esmelda and Dorrett
President and GenSec GREET the GG
Rev Michael Barnett, receives the Right Hand of Fellowship
Members of the Cornwall Court Baptist church minister through dance
Trudi Morrison Reid and Orane Shaw present the scriptures in the form of a dramatic dialogue
Some of the sanitation workers who receive gift packages
A section of the crowd including the Rev Stephen Jennings at the altar after the Preisdent’s sermon
Kiddies church
iSSUES AND COMMENTARIES
Delegates
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and Deb through orah leafing the JBR
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Delegates of the 167th General Assembly
Membe rs o spirit at f the security c the ope n air se orps feeling th rvice in e Falmou th
s t congratulate JBU Presiden , first woman ew irl Rev Karen K ct president-ele
OUR HONOUREES
With no promise of a probationary placement, she redeployed her training to providing pastoral guidance and counselling to students, first at the Stony Hill Heart Academy and then at her alma mater, then Frankfield Comprehensive High School, until 2000 when she again reapplied and was deployed as a probationer minister to the Maldon circuit. Trailblazer In a sense, Rev Cameron should be credited for clearing the path for all female pastors who came after her. That she was honoured on the very day the Union elected a female President– elect is a fitting tribute to her as a trail blazer. She was cited as a remarkably compassionate and caring woman. The members in the Maldon circuit spoke fondly of her passion for service and how she positively disrupted their lives, challenging them to becoming BETTER. Her mission accomplished in Maldon, the Lord, through the Frankfield Circuit, seemingly beckoned her to return to the place where her early life and Christian character were shaped. Builder Reverend Cameron, had placed a high premium on growing people; building community, sustaining productive relationships. She reached out to, and gave
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he Reverend Rose Cameron retired pastor of the Frankfield Circuit of Baptist Churches was acknowledged on Saturday, February 25 during the business session of the General Assembly for her faithful service to the JBU and to the people of God. She served the Maldon and Frankfield Circuits for more than 15 years before she indicated her intent to retire due to ill –health. History making She would have created history as the first female to enter pastoral ministry but she applied two years before the Union had arrived at a definitive and favourable position on women in the pastorate. The Union at the time allowed
her to pursue intra-mural studies, which led to her graduating from the United Theological College of the West Indies in 1990 with a Licentiate (L.Th) in Theology or the Diploma in Ministerial Studies.
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special care to the most vulnerable in her congregations – the children and the elderly - upholding their inalienable right to human dignity, focusing on their uniqueness and walking with them through their tunnel of adversity. She was also lauded as one who has given added depth and meaning to the words ‘grit, determination and tenacity; ’ and one who has clothed herself in spirituality as she stood in solidarity with the people she served. In her response, Rev Cameron thanked God for allowing her to serve the Maldon and Frankfield circuits and the St James and Clarendon Baptist Associations for her growth and pursuit of deeper depth and meaning in ministry. She reminded the delegates and her colleague pastors that they were called out not just to preach “pretty sermons and give pretty testimonies” without a lifestyle to validate such, but to live good, shed false pride and love one another. Rev Cameron is the second woman to retire from pastoral ministry in the Union; Rev Jacqueline Coley being the first.
THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
tributes, Rev Williams Lilieth Christian, noted that commended the work of the she had made significant Union; thanked God for His contributions to the music Honour persons like them faithfulness to him and ministries of several Baptist reminded us that God did churches in Jamaica, not call us to be successful including Bethel Half-WayRev Williams, who but to be faithful. Similarly, Tree, Barbican, Mona and celebrated his 100th Mrs Christian commended Mammee River. She was a birthdate last year, was also the Union for its work and pioneer member at both lauded as a national echoed the sentiments of JJ Mona and Mammee River treasure whose musical Williams, noting that the churches where she mastery “is not in the arrival best way to use one’s Godestablished and trained but in the reach.” His given talents and skills is in adult and children’s choirs, journey to excellence in his the service of God. and served as chief craft may have been musician. Over the years, punctuated with several Enchanting she has been a faithful challenges, but he has minister of music in the taken those poignant The evening, guided by Jamaica Baptist Union. For experiences and JBR Editor Dorrett R many she was them into Presidents of the years Union and has led many a mass For many years, she was responsible for music hat transformed an enchanting little anti-climax we Campbell, was enriched at summer camps at the Nutshell Conference had Saturday night before the climax choir during annual General Assemblies. responsible for music at ‘somethings’ beautiful; into with punctuations of Centre in Duncans, Trelawny. of the Fifth Believers Convention and who celebrated 100ththe birthdate summer camps hisat something 167th General Assembly! to which people Rev Williams, For over 20 years,performances she played the organ for Baptist last year, was also lauded as a national treasure scintillating Nutshell Conference Centre can connect, thus giving worship services at the University Chapel, Mona; The Reverend JJ Williams and Mrs Lilieth whose musical mastery “is not in the arrival from Joseph McIntyre and and played for ordination and commissioning reach.” His journey to excellence Christian, musicians non pareil, what but ininthe Duncans, Trelawny. credence to joined theus inaxiom, bothFrom of the whom servicesShaw, island-wide. mid-1970’s, Mrs. the Rev Karl B Johnson, JBU General Secretary in his craft may have been punctuated with Orane “Music is an agreeable Christian played a leading role called a “Fellowship meal,” but it was really an several challenges, but he has taken those are protégés of JJ andin the music For over 20 years she ministry at the JBU annual assemblies and closing opportunity to say thanks two outstanding harmony forto the honour of poignant experiences and transformed them into Lilieth respectively; Karl ‘somethings’ beautiful; into something to which services at the National Arena, where she played servants of God. played the organ for Baptist God and the permissible people can connect, thus giving credence to the Henlin the keyboard, conducted choirs. andand prepared Guest and Bible worship services at the Browns Towndelights Baptist delegate, Marline Davidson of the soul.” axiom, “Music is an agreeable harmony for the She has the distinction of being the first person to and musician the read the tribute, to JJ Williams and Rev Karl honour University Mona;of the teacher introduce a children’s choir to this Assembly. of God and theChapel, permissible delights Henlin, Pastor of the Gregory Park Circuit of soul.” Rev Alyn Waller. and played for ordination His andmusic his In responding to the tributes, Rev Williams Baptist Churches a former sings student ofof Lilieth, were commended the work of the made Union; thanked God patience, honesty, Presentations not only read humility, the tribute butpatience, thrilled Liliethhonesty, and all of His music andsings of his humility, commissioning for His Delegate faithfulness to himBarbara and reminded us that us with his regaling baritone version of Blackman sincerity, contentment, meekness, boldness, by island-wide. From sincerity, love for others and a deep love for God God did not call us to be successful but to be & London’s To sir with love. If youcontentment, didn’t look up, vision,services Tomlinson and President faithful. Similarly, Mrs Christian commended the God. you would have thought you were listening to Nat and the thethings ofmid-1970’s, Mrs. meekness, boldness, Union for its work and echoed the sentiments of King Cole. Devon Dick. a leading vision, love for others and a Rev Christian Williams wasplayed accompanied by his two JJ Williams, noting that the best way to use one’s Bridgette; his daughterGifted God-given talents and skills is in the service of role Melodie in the and music ministry at deep love for God and the daughters, in-law Tricia and his third grandson, Joshua. God. Rev JJ Williams acknowledged as the the JBU annual assemblies thingswas of God. founding member of the internationally renowned Faithful minister Enchanting and closing services at the Frats Quintet, which produced popular Jamaican Rev Williams was in citing Mrs Lilieth Christian, National Arena, where shenoted The evening, guided by JBR Editor Dorrett R folk music and etched Jamaican folk tradition on Rev Henlin that she had made significant contributions to Campbell, was enriched with punctuations of accompanied by his two the global map. played the keyboard, and the music ministries of several Baptist churches scintillating performances from Joseph McIntyre daughters, Melodie and in Jamaica, including Half-Way-Tree, and Orane Shaw, both of whom are protégés of Gifted with a deep-toned bass, JJ Williams served prepared andBethel conducted Barbican, Mona and Mammee River. She was over the yearsBridgette; at East Queen Street Baptist as Bass his daughter-inJJ and Lilieth respectively; Karl Henlin and Guest choirs. She has the Soloist, Composer and of course, Choir Master. a pioneer member at both Mona and Mammee Bible teacher and musician the Rev Alyn Waller. law Tricia and his third Riverdistinction churches whereofshe established trained In 1962 when Jamaica became an independent being the and first Presentations were made by Delegate Barbara nation, JJ was lead Bass in the Art Celebration adult and children’s choirs and served as chief grandson, Joshua. Tomlinson and President Devon Dick. person to introduce a Choir, which performed at the ceremony to herald musician. Over the years, she has been a faithful of music in the JamaicatoBaptist the event. He has served as musical advisor to minister children’s choir thisUnion. to Presidents of the Union and has led many a mass choir during annual General Assemblies.
Honour persons like them
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Capacity building workshops
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responsible faithful life in light of the faith we hold in Christ, especially when life offers shades of grey rather than pure black and white
he Fifth Believers Convention presented delegates with opportunities to unpack the theme through a series of five one-hour capacity building seminars on Thursday and Friday. The seminars boasted an impressive slate of topics with equally impressive line-up of presenters. The JBR has attempted to provide its readers with a summary of some of those seminars
The real choice we have to make is whether we will live exclusively by the law of self-preservation (my reputation, my progress, my possessions ) or whether we will live by self-giving love which is always sacrificial.
Making hard choices
He presented eight considerations in making hard choices 1. Admit that issues are complex and demanding – a challenge to determine the right and wrong way all the time 2. Affirm Christian ideals and commit to striving for those reflecting the life of Christ 3. Determine what the outcomes would be if different courses were taken and in the process consider which one of them best serves the interest of the neighbour 4. Discern whether we are doing self-preserving rather than selfgiving 5. Search to find what the more responsible action would be 6. Admit that as fallen creatures and impure motives 7. Trust God to work in all things for the good of those who love him 8. Attend to your life of intentional spiritual dieting – spiritual growth
Pastor of the Gregory Park Circuit, Rev Karl Henlin was the presenter for the workshop titled, making hard choices. The following is a summary of the presentation. The context of decision making Decision-making within a globalised post-modern, post-Christian, pluralistic context has become increasingly complex for the Christian. What guide decision-making in this context are:
Rev Henlin concluded that God is not concerned simply with what we do and say. God is concerned with why we do what we do and how we do it. Speaking truth demands sacrifice of self-will, self-image, selfish desires to get back at, risking comfort, risking relationships. We are called to speak truth but to do so responsibly and we are called to speak truth in an age when people say, save yourself, for truth does not matter. What matters is self-preservation but we must speak the truth…responsibly.
Sacrificial living and the blessing plan
Pragmatism: Self pleasing preserving and self-promoting attitude involved Social acceptability: if it makes me look good, seem good appears good then I’ll do it Prior commitment to certain values and principles espoused by religious conviction Socialisation: how we have been socialized by parents and significant others to determine what is right or wrong The Nature of our Christian calling is predicated on seven principles 1. Our understanding of God and the kind of life to which people are called is shaped by the life and teachings of Christ 2. The life of Jesus embodied self-giving love undergirded by a willingness to make any sacrifice in the name of love 3. Teachings of Jesus envision a way of life in which God has created a new order and we are called to model it 4. New way of life comes with new directions, new goals, expected outcomes 5. It is always how we act and live in response to the needs of the neighbour which will reflect our commitment to the self-giving life of love 6. Jesus expects of his followers something different from worldly wisdom because we are always expected to go beyond the normal, the popular and the expected 7. Making hard choices requires a commitment to live a self-giving
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The presenter was Rev Deonie Duncan and the facilitator was Rev Wayne Smith. There were 31 persons in attendance. The workshop was done in three segments.
THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
Capacity building workshops Sacrificial living and the blessing plan In the first segment, the presenter gave a clear definition of the sacrificial Life and clarified what prosperity theology is. Reference was made to Luke 9:23-25. The presenter stated that God’s will did not guarantee health, wealth and freedom from suffering, but as Christians, a total yielding of self and substance was required. In surrendering, we expect nothing in return. She also noted that we do not have to take up hardship in order to demonstrate sacrificial living. In the second segment, she spoke about the prosperity theology or the blessing plan. She said the simple message that it brought was that God wants Christians to prosper in all aspects of their lives, including finance. She also stated that the Old Testament, with the exception of Job and Ecclesiastes, was mainly used to justify prosperity. She further gave some practical ideas about the blessing plan.
The scriptural basis given for sacrifice and worship, is Acts 13:1-4 and St. Luke 10:1-12. There are four (4) metrics of sacrificial self and in order to know that we have changed, worship that is sacrificial should bring us to: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Reckoning (face to face with who we are as we are not in charge) Readiness (to allow yourself to increase value in others) Reliance (relying on God) Risk (leaving oneself empty and exposed)
When the Going gets Tough
In the third segment, participants were divided into three groups. Each group was given a case study to discuss. After that, the presenter gave a general conclusion along with practical applications. She mentioned that, blessing was a favour or gift bestowed by God which resulted in inner joy which was not tied to external circumstances or material wealth. At the end, questions were given for further reflection. Wayne Smith
Sacrifice and worship
Cornwall Court Circuit
Pastor of the Browns Town Circuit of Baptist Churches, Rev Everard Allen, was the presenter for the workshop titled, When the Going gets Tough. Going Back to Basics Rev Allen suggested that when the going gets tough, Christians ought to go back to basics in the scriptures, which contain the promises of God. He underscored the inevitability of passing through tough times for the Christian, but reminded participants that the operative words were ‘passing through.” He gave the assurance that God is a miracle working God. Though the times may be tough this does not limit his resources; and for those who are unable to help themselves, God is a present help. The widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 was highlighted as a case in point. This workshop opened with four introductory questions raised by the presenter, Rev Dr Michael Friday: 1. 2. 3. 4.
What is the most important thing for you regarding worship? What do you want to happen as a result of worship? When you worship, what exactly are you seeking to accomplish? What is the chief objective of sacrifice?
Rev Dr Friday then explained that the “Heart of Sacrifice” and the objective of sacrifice is transformation. This in turn raises the issues of values, vision and mission. Our values should reflect our Lord, our vision is what we see and it contributes to who we are. Our mission is what we do and our goals should be SMART and CLEAR. He also explored the objective of worship which is the transformation of the individual and the faith community. The proof of sacrificial worship was also explained. We shall see the outcome, not just result, of our worship. There should be a gradual change in our attitudes and we should also have selfconfessions and self-evaluation.
Tough going forward with the basics Rev Allen suggested three areas in which sacrificial living is called for in the tough times: 1. When the going gets tough spiritually, give our sacrifice of praise regardless of how we feel at the moment, giving God thanks in all circumstances (Hebrew 13:15). 2. When the going gets tough financially, give God and his kingdom first priority in our lives and he will fulfill all our needs (Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:38). 3. When the going gets tough socially, never forget to do good and to share with others, so God will be pleased with our sacrifices. (Hebrews 13:16). The workshop concluded with a question and answer session.
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MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE Rev Dr Maitland Evans was the guest speaker at the Minister’s Conference on Wednesday morning. He was of the belief that scapegoating isn’t what you do to yourself is what others do to you. Pastors, he added, are victims of misinterpretation and misunderstanding of their roles and that has made life difficult for them. Nevertheless, they still need to find a way to stay focused and constantly renew the essentials of their calling. What is the essentials of their calling? A difference making identity grounded in their creation and empowered by the goodness of God that allows them to rise above their limitations. Pastors, he said, must be self-aware and must understand their own differences and vulnerabilities before attempting to take on pastoral care of others. Some people go into the pastorate for the wrong reasons and as a consequence make choices that are not congruent with the essentials of the Calling.
Sacrifice and leadership Mrs Evadne Coye, delegate from the Tarrant Baptist Church was the presenter at the workshop titled Sacrifice and leadership. She made the following points: With Jesus Christ as a role model, Christian leadership without sacrifice is not possible Greatness is not defined by how many you have beneath you but how consistently and significantly you are led by the Holy Spirit to make personal sacrifice [Matt. 20: 20 – 28. Romans 12: 3] Accept responsibility for poor choices [Number 32:23] Leaders grow leaders She identified 10 hallmarks of effective leadership Integrity and discipline Exemplary behaviour Humility Confidence God-guided vision
Honest communication Accountability Team building Teacher and mentor Encouragement …
And shared some priorities of effective sacrificial Christian leaders Relationship with God Relationship with family Taking care of the temple Relationship with the family of God Leading with agape love Mrs Coye concluded that a good leader was one who did not order others but worked with others to set the order of things; sacrificial leadership, was
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uncomfortable, painful, self-denying, humbling and counter-intuitive; leaders must be willing to give up more than the people they lead. Rev Michael Shim-Hue, JBU immediate past president shared his experience as a leader, noting that what sustained him during his tenure as president was his relationship with his wife and his interaction with leaders who were being marginalised. Rev Karl Henlin, Pastor of the Gregory Park Circuit also shared some practical experiences he had as a pastor, concluding that he understood his calling as one in which he had to give up something useful for the work of the ministry even while balancing the ups and the downs.
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Baptist president calls for a moral agenda
Dorrett R Campbell
resident of the Jamaica Baptist Union, Rev Dr Devon Dick has criticised Government’s much touted growth agenda as unsustainable without a supporting moral agenda that includes a moral vision and moral values.
people to a code of silence and an oath of secrecy and a life of seclusion: Let my people go! So thus saith the Lord, to powerful people who charge high fees, unconscionable taxes and unreasonable tithing: Let my people go...!” Lift them up!
Without this moral agenda, Rev Dick argued, the murder, mayhem, lawlessness and vigilante justice would prevail, thus crippling the growth agenda.
He also urged Baptists to marshal their God-given resources to achieve the mission of liberation and transformation, emphasizing the need to stand in compassionate solidarity with victims of violent crime, sexual assault, physical and emotional abuse, even while acknowledging difference-making people:
Rev Dick was delivering the Opening Address at the recently held 167th General Assembly and 5th Believers Convention. According to the JBU President, the moral agenda ought to have equal prominence as the growth agenda and should have an adequately resourced strategic plan. He pointed to seven components that should help form the framework of the moral agenda: 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Zero tolerance on corruption and sexual assault Enforcement of the legitimate laws Equality of all before the Law Encourage solidarity and simplicity and so share with persons who are less fortunate Value all human life as sacred and special Access to the basic goods and services, opportunities and resources for all to live in decency and die with dignity 7. Emphasize the totality of human life for the betterment of people.
“Celebrate informers who report criminal acts: lift them up! Applaud sanitation workers who work so that our environment can be healthy: lift them up! Honour those who work with persons who are diseased, dying and face discrimination: lift them up! Praise warders who live and work in maximum prison facilities that are inhumane: Lift them up!”
Witnessing fervently…in spite of
After lunch, final year student at UTCWI, Travis Drummond led the afternoon service. Associate General Secretary, Rev Merlyn Hyde-Riley endorsed the Blood Drive initiative launched during The moral agenda, Rev Dick iterated, would require the input of the Church, which he stated, has a moral legacy, informed by religious the Assembly and encouraged Baptists to support it as an active demonstration of our commitment to living the sacrificial life. tradition and folk wisdom. Three card trick giving
The afternoon’s worship featured reflection on the Sunday School Exams. Chair of the said department Deacon Lily Samuels indicated Speaking to the sub-topic, Giving freely, Rev Dick warned Jamaicans that of the 2,370 candidates who sat the exam, there was a 91% against what he described as “deep-pocketed, manipulative string pass rate. A few churches were recognized for their high pass rates attached, self-centred, self-aggrandizing, three-card trick giving, where the ‘rich rogue’ givers “promise much, delivers next to nothing and individual prizes were also received by persons who excelled in and extracts more in return, enslaving the receiver in their debt.” In their respective categories. The Children Choir prepared our hearts his estimation, this kind of giving was a garrison tactic that kept the for the evening’s sermon with a soul stirring rendition of Lord, I am receiver enslaved to the giver. available to you. The stage was now set for the final charge through God’s messenger, the Rev Norva Rodney, Pastor of the Kitson Town “Be defiant and resist any don, politician, scammer and anyone who Circuit. gives to create an unwholesome dependence. Resist any country who gives aid to Jamaica in exchange for slavish support of its geoLocating the sermon in the testimony of the Apostles in Acts 14: 22, political ambition,” the Baptist preacher implored. the man of God invited us to make much of Paul’s painful but stubborn Let my people go! declaration, “we must, through many tribulations, enter the kingdom of God.” Citing the spiritual resilience of Paul, who endured much, The JBU President called upon congregants to stand up step up in-spite of; and making cultural allusion to the cunny doctor bud, the and make a difference in Jamaica by exposing, naming, shaming preacher spoke to the challenge as involving a divinely ordained and challenging that which would defy or deny the possibilities of the imperative, a divinely ordained initiative, which thankfully, culminates abundant life. in our becoming participants in a divinely ordained incentive. Like Moses to Pharaoh, the JBU President thundered from the pulpit a litanic oracle of “thus saith the Lord: let my people go,” pointing to And so, worshippers left the convention centre, reflecting on the issues of social oppression: grace and goodness of God, rejoicing and recommitting to the call to being God’s people in God’s world, living the sacrificial life. “So thus saith the Lord, to Dons of Garrison communities that hold THE JAMAICA BAPTIST REPORTER APRIL 2017
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Assembly Special THE JAMAICA
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Established 1874
Closing Services, a Colourful Climax
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ore than 7, 000 Baptists gathered Greetings from the GG for the closing services of the We received greetings from our Governor 5th Believers’ Convention and General who commended the JBU for its 167th General Assembly at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, on Sunday 26 February. Worship leader, Jeanie Robinson-Foster summoned us for corporate worship at precisely 10:00am with the singing of the Hymn O’ for a thousand tongues to sing. General Secretary, Rev Karl Johnson welcomed all worshippers and presented a photographic montage that captured synopsis of the four days of activities leading to the closing ceremonies.
Karah Whitter Shiloh Baptist
Anointing fall on us Scripture readings were done in both the Jamaican Creole and the Standard English by Celia McKoy, Orane Shaw and Trudi Morrison Reid. President Devon Dick delivered a compelling sermon, in which he exhorted all Baptists to renew our passion for mission and ministry. Referencing the encounter of the Samaritan woman with Jesus in John 4, he called for Chief Evangelistic Organisers of Operation OUT: Outward Urgent Thrust. He noted the woman’s sense of urgency upon enlightenment and declared that we too, needed to engage in witnessing with similar urgency and fervency.
Among the specially invited guests were
excellent organising of the service and noted that JBU was progressive in electing a female president –elect from among extremely talented female pastors in the Union. The Governor General also expressed concerns about the prevailing social ills in Jamaica, opining that Christians must always have a cause with which to contend.
the Governor General of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen; Chief Justice Zaila McCalla; Custodes of Portland, and St Catherine, the Hon Lincoln Thaxter and the Hon Jeffrey McKenzie; other clergy including the Rev Glen O Samuels, President of the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh Day Adventist Church and Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Agency, Mr Audley Gordon. Giving freely We also celebrated the sacrificial service of the National Solid Waste Management Agency. Gift packages of working equipment, including gloves, raincoats and boots were presented to 15 sanitation workers who were in attendance with Executive Director. In a moving statement of gratitude, Mr Gordon praised the rare act of recognition and pledged the ongoing services of the workers.
The Philadelphia based singing preacher, the Rev Dr Alyn Waller belted out the gospel song, Fill my cup Lord, paving the way for General Secretary Karl Johnson, who heeded the prompting of the Holy Spirit, to make an altar call. The response was overwhelming. Welcome to the family The Rev Michael Barnett, newly ordained Minister serving in the Rock River Circuit also received his accreditation and the Riverton Meadows Mission was extended the Right Hand of Fellowship, now becoming a part of He made an urgent call for more persons to the Mamby Park Circuit of Baptist Churches. offer themselves to serve as Justices of the The service climaxed with the ordinance of Peace, noting that the country needed people sacrament. who could model wholesome values of honesty and integrity. Continued on page 15