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When the
Conference started in 1961 there was no Stewardship
Department in operation, but as the need for expansion
and church building became larger the Conference adopted
the Stewardship Programme from higher organization.
Through the work of the Department the Conference
experienced phenomenal financial growth. In 1962, the
Conference made its budget to operate for the entire
year on a mere forty-three thousand four hundred and
seventy-eight pounds, and by the eighties its budget of
income and expenditure is recording some 3 - 4 million
dollars. Recognition must be
paid to those leaders who have served in this department
under God. They are Pastor S.A. Grant, Elder Gackenheimer,
Pastors D. Kennedy, D. Kent, D. Tracey, H. S. Walters, F.
Mighty and others.
During these years the Conference has been blessed by gifts
that members and friends have willingly donated for the
advancement of the work of the Lord. In the seventies
through the effort of the late Pastor B.E. Hurst, the
Conference received almost 300 acres of land from Mr. Verley
on which the present site is located. This has indeed been a
blessing for the church. Many other members left gifts in
their wills for the church, while
others gave donations while they were alive. Sis
Allison-Baker of Clarendon in 1987,
left the United States in her illness, came to Jamaica, gave
her house in May Pen to the Conference, went back and went
to her grave in peace.
The contribution of all the members has helped significantly
to the building of schools, churches and the expansion of
the Conference Office in the late 1970's. In the sixties
more church buildings were completed in Central Jamaica
Conference than any other Conference in Jamaica under the
slogan of the 3C's adopted by the Conference - Commitment,
Continuation, and Completion. Even with the economic crises
and the rising cost of building materials in the 70's and
80's our faithful members continued to build and furnish
churches to the glory of God.
The rapid expansion of the Conference has outstripped the
availability of funds to complete many buildings; our
resources have stretched to the limit. In 1962 there were
141 churches today there are approximately 260 with the need
for many more. The Conference has contributed steadily over
the years to the local church building programme. In 1987
alone over $100,000 were given to churches for their
completion.
Despite all the challenges during the first twenty five
years, we have completed and dedicated churches such as; May
Pen, Brown's Town, Royal Flat, Christiana, Coleyville,
Knockpatrick, New Port, Old Harbour Bay, Grove Town, Ocho
Rios, Moneague, St. Ann's Bay, Islingrton, Rosend, Dean Pen,
Clermont, Auctembeddie, Berry Hill to name a few.
Today the people of God can praise Him for the things He has
done!
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