Jamaica: Two Seventh-day Adventists receive national honors

October 24, 2014 | Kingston, Jamaica | Fabia Phillips-Lawrence/JAMU/IAD

Ms. Audrey Sewell after she had received Jamaica’s sixth highest honor, the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for her outstanding contribution to Public Service in the areas of justice, education, transport, works and housing, on Oct. 20, 2014. Images by Nigel Coke

Two Seventh-day Adventists in Jamaica were conferred and awarded, with national honors during a Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours & Awards held on the lawn of Kings House on National Heroes Day, Oct. 20, 2014.

Audrey Sewell, who is an elder at the North Street Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston, was conferred with the nation’s sixth highest honor, the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for her outstanding contribution to public service in the areas of justice, education, transport, works and housing. She serves the people of Jamaica as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.

Alfonso Marshall, who hails from the Trench Town Seventh-day Adventist Church where he too serves as an elder, is employed at the National Works Agency, the government’s road construction agency. He was awarded the Badge of Honor for Meritorious Service for his long and dedicated service in the field of road maintenance and construction.

Adventist President in Jamaica Pastor Everett Brown commended both recipients on their achievements.

Alfonso Marshal after he was awarded the Badge of Honor for Meritorious Service for his long and dedicated service in the field of road maintenance and construction.

“I am always very happy when members of our church excel in service to our nation,” said Pastor Brown. “Audrey Sewell and Alfonso Marshall are members who have for years served our church and the communities in which our church operates, with distinction. It is only fitting that their Christian values through their work with the government has impacted the Nation. I commend and congratulate them on behalf of the membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica.”

“I deem it an honor for my country to award me,” said an elated Sewell. “I know that there are many outstanding Jamaicans in the past and in my group who have been so awarded and I even deem it much more an honor to join the ranks of those very outstanding Jamaicans who have made contributions to national development.”

“I attribute my success in life to the leading of the Lord, and consider my work to be a Ministry so wherever the Lord places me I give of my best,” Sewell added.
In his response on being recognized nationally, Marshall said “I feel gratified, humbled and very good in my mind knowing that the government and people of Jamaica have seen it fit to award me.”

A total of 233 Jamaicans were recognized for their outstanding contribution to nation-building through services in various fields. The awards ranged from the Order of Jamaica to the Medal of Honor. The ceremony was presided over by Governor General, His Excellency the Most Honorable Sir Patrick Allen, who presented each of the honors and awards.