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President of Central Jamaica Conference of
seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Everett Brown (left), offering a
Bible to residents of Gravel Heights community.
Prayers for peace
continue in Spanish Town as members of the Tredegar Park Seventh-day
Adventist Church marched through troubled communities on Sabbath
January 17, 2009.
Led by President of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists, Pastor Everett Brown, more than 150 members walked
through Gravel Heights, Tredegar Park, Buck Town and Back To,
praying for residents in their homes and distributing 150 Bibles.
Pastor Brown believes that the church should be an integral part of
the community, sharing in its triumphs and encouraging through
difficult times. He said, “we do not feel that we should be running
away from the suffering of the community. We must be there to
support, be there to strengthen, be there to encourage”.
Pledging the church’s support in tackling the problems of distressed
communities, Pastor Brown stated, “The church, with its limited
resources, seeks not only to address the spiritual needs of the
community, but the physical needs as well”.
Apart from the continuous singing of choruses, the swelling voices
of prayer warriors and the occasional outbursts of “Hallelujah”,
Gravel Heights was quiet.
Webs of dangling electrical wires covered the hillside and numerous
light bulbs burned through the day.
Residents expressed uneasiness about living in the area despite the
existence of military posts established last month.
Pointing to abandoned houses, a former resident who fled the area in
December expressed fear of returning to live. She said, “My husband
come from Tredegar Park. Tredegar Park people caan come up here. Me,
I would a neva come back come live.”
Though she acknowledged the power of prayer, another resident also
echoed sentiments of fear. As she swayed to the rhythm of the songs,
she said, “We glad fi di prayer; prayer caan too much, but me no
have nutten else fi sey. Me no waan nobody come kill me”.
Numerous residents joined in the singing and expressed appreciation
for the prayers and Bibles offered. The event closed with a massive
street meeting in the square where Pastor Levi Johnson, executive
Secretary of Central Jamaica Conference, gave a message of hope.
-Submitted by Karlene Gordon, Communications Secretary
-Photo by Kemar T. J. Douglas
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