July 7, 2008, St. Ann, Jamaica…[Nigel Coke/IAD Staff]
Many people depend on religious organizations to operate social programs which offer wholesome, family-oriented alternatives to the otherwise idle and oftentimes violent distractions. The new Adventist Convention and Wellness Center in Drax Hall, St. Ann, Jamaica, is one such alternative. The ground-breaking ceremony for the center took place on June 29th, and is scheduled to open its doors on Dec. 2010.
“The church was organized by Christ to minister to needs wherever those needs are,” said Pastor Patrick Allen, president of the church in the West Indies region, at the ceremony. “Civic leaders and other officials in the public and private sectors will not take us seriously unless the Adventist church is seen as making a significant contribution to the needs of society,” added Pastor Allen.
“The Church has never and will never be aloof or removed from those with whom we interface,” said Pastor Michael Harvey, president of the church in North Jamaica. “The centre is among the ideal ways to make a synergy between their needs and our common good.”
The new center, which will begin construction in September, is a first-of-its-kind Adventist facility in the West Indies Union, comprised of Jamaica, The Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands. It will be located on the seven acres of land housing the North Jamaica Mission Headquarters and will include a worship/assembly hall, prayer and counseling room, a recording studio, a gymnasium, beauty and barber salon, day care facility, a book and nutrition store, two conference rooms, offices, snack shops, and cafeteria, among other amenities.
“This is a very brave venture in recapturing the vision of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Pastor Allen. “This (center) will no doubt impact the community in a larger measure, thus fulfilling one of our strategic mandates in the union, the church, and in the community.”
“Frequently we neglect some important aspects of our work and focus exclusively on proclamation,” added Pastor Allen. “Preaching is a small part of the work that must be done for people’s salvation.”
“This is the greatest event for me since I accepted the Adventist faith,” said Bernetta Smith, 82, an Adventist since 1944. Smith helped break ground at the ceremony to symbolize her personal financial pledge. “I look forward to the day when I will be turning the key to open the door for this wellness center. I will support it to completion.”
The ceremony was attended by several government officials.
