President of the Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA), Pastor Glen Samuels, told leaders of the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) that obedience to the command in Micah 6:8 to ‘do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God’ must first be evident in the church before it can effectively impact the society.
Speaking at the installation service for the administration chosen to serve for 2026-2030, Samuels said rooting the church authentically in the Word of God is essential for finding Divine direction.
“God did not leave it to parliament to transform Jamaica, He raised up a church and we must be living witnesses of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ…church sometimes causes hurt but you have been summoned to write a new narrative of what it means to be a godly church leader”.
Pastor Glen O. Samuels (President, Jamaica Union Conference) shares a word with the attendees of the Service of Installation and Consecration for the leadership of the Central Jamaica Conference :: Photo credit: Dustin Johnson, CJC Production Photographer
He further noted that a ‘real, kingdom building church’ goes outside its walls and represents God among the hurting.
“The unattached youth, the disengaged, the wild cards in society, the ones who sometimes are left behind because they are bad, if they can’t find acceptance in church, where will they find it? If the church can’t help them, who will? Sometimes they are sentenced and they are not the only criminals, they just can’t afford lawyers and dress properly. We must be the voice for the voiceless, hope for the hopeless and the salt of the earth”.
CJC president, Pastor Nevail Barrett, said in his response that the conference is committed to nurturing revival, mission and unity.
He said there is a ratio of 1 Adventist to every 8 people in CJC territory which covers the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St.Catherine.
“That means each member has 8 persons to witness to. The work is not just for the leaders, it’s everybody’s business because God calls us to make disciples…I’m appealing to persons with evangelistic passion to join us and if you don’t have the passion, please ask God for your assignment”.
President of the Central Jamaica Conference, Pastor Nevail Barrett, shares his response during the Service of Installation and Consecration :: Photo credit: Dustin Johnson, CJC Production Photographer
He called members to return to regular church attendance rather than relying on online services.
Barrett also highlighted the progress of the conference over its 65 years of ministry. He thanked all the administrators, workers and members who have given sacrificially to build up the conference.
“We salute them for their contribution…Some of them are overseas now and they continue to help us build”.
He also recognized his family, some of whom were in attendance. He acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife, Carlene, and their daughter, Cavail, who he said made a surprise visit from overseas so she could support her dad in-person.
“I need your prayers more than your applause," Barrett requested of the church. “I stand not the most qualified but because God is the most faithful.”
He was joined by executive secretary, Pastor Howard Grant and treasurer, Elder Roxwel Lawrence in signing the leadership pledge.
The leaders and congregation also participated in a litany of consecration, pledging to present the Living Christ through their lives and ministry.
(L-R) Elder Roxwel Lawrence (Treasurer), Pastor Howard Grant-Langley (Executive Secretary), and Pastor Nevail Barrett (President) jointly signs the leadership pledge :: Photo credit: Dustin Johnson, CJC Production Photographer
Several church and civic leaders attended and brought greetings.
Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, who is also a former CJC president, was in attendance.
Pastor Everett Brown, field secretary at the Inter-American Division of SDAs encouraged the administration to be strong and courageous and to expect God to use them to do things beyond their dreams.
IAD Health Ministries director, Dr. Franck Généus, thanked the conference for uplifting healthcare and announced that the H.S. Walters Health Centre, run by the CJC, will be the first facility in the English-Speaking nations of IAD to implement the new Adventist healthcare model.
Inter-denominational greetings came from Reverend Karl Johnson, Chairman for the Baptist World Alliance. He said that over the years he has enjoyed camaraderie with several Adventist leaders noting that the church exemplifies how to work together and shun tribal divisiveness.
Greetings also came from the other SDA conferences in Jamaica namely East, represented by president, Pastor Melvin Francis, Northeast represented by president, Pastor Danielo Daniels, North, represented by treasurer, Pastor Onyeka Nevins, West, represented by president, Pastor Vincent Rose and institutions namely the Andrews Memorial Hospital represented by CEO, Elder Donmayne Gyles and the Northern Caribbean University represented by interim president, Dr. Vivienne Quarrie.
Civic leaders bringing greetings included Member of Parliament for St. Catherine Southern, Mr. Fitz Jackson, and Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott.
The service, moderated by award-winning journalist and SDA member, Andrea Chisholm-Anglin, was enriched by musical renditions from the T4 Band, OSANNA Praise, Geovanni Baker, CHORDS, Ashley Johnson, Fred Robertson, Akilah Harris and Jovan Keyes, EVINCE, EMUNA and HUMBLE.
Conference administrators (L-R) Pastor Howard Grant-Langley (Executive Secretary), Sis Ava-Gaye McFarlane-Grant, Pastor Nevail Barrett (President), Sis Carlene Barrett, Elder Roxwel Lawrence (Treasurer) and Sis Shellaine Campbell-Lawrence shares a photo together :: Photo credit: Dustin Johnson, CJC Production Photographer