|
What
began as an abstract thought resulted in a moment in history when
the Family Life Department of Central Jamaica Conference launched
its first convention at Camp Verley on Sabbath, June 16, 2007.
Hundreds of families across Central Jamaica convened for a foretaste
of the heavenly reunion, and to contemplate this social unit as a
depository of God’s grace.
The theme for the convention was Creating Relationships Where Grace
is in Place. According to Pastor Anthony Reid, Director of Family
Life at Central Jamaica Conference, the objective of the convention
was to affirm the family as an institution where worship, fellowship
and healthy lifestyle practices take precedence.
“Today’s activities seek to implement part of the strategic issues
of the Family Life Department of our Conference; that of providing
opportunities for fellowship, motivation, education and worship,
resulting in the improvement of quality of life for each individual
and their family or household,” he said.
The
highlights of the day included the Sabbath School session which was
conducted by a variety of family groups (nuclear, extended and
single parent) from the May Pen Seventh –day Adventist Church. The
presenters evoked a spirit of revival in the church family through
songs of inspiration, and demonstrated how grace can be restored in
the family through active prayer life, studying the Word and
fellowship. In the end, the family was reassured that with God all
things are possible.
The
main speaker of the day was Pastor Jansen Trotman, Family Ministries
Director of Inter-American Division. During his presentation, Pastor
Trotman explored God’s abundant grace for families.
“God
does not give up on anyone,” he said. “His grace runs like a golden
thread from Adam down through the ages. It is God’s gift of a second
chance in the form of His Son, Jesus.”
Pastor Trotman referred to the grace of God as “aggressive
forgiveness” and pointed out that no one is beyond His saving power.
He warned the family to respond to this grace and disregard the
things that will prevent us from finding a place in the ark of God.
He also said that some families will be lost because they did not
trust God enough and if the family wishes to unleash God’s grace, a
decisive effort must be made.
“Intercede for the family because there’s a power in prayer that we
have not yet tapped…create an atmosphere of grace by putting away
the strange gods from our houses and share the experiences we have
had with our families,” he encouraged the audience.
The
afternoon’s proceedings continued with an AY programme entitled
“Restorative Grace and Difference Management” hosted by Newland,
Hellshire, Portmore and Braeton church families. Through
dramatization and discussion, the youth examined methods of
effective communication and strategies for managing anger in the
family.
Overall, the convention was a tremendous success and plans are in
place to make it an annual event.
|
