March 8, 2012 – Mandeville, Jamaica…Nigel Coke/IAD
More than 2,000 pieces of literature including Bibles were distributed in Mandeville during a community prayer and praise service to climax Northern Caribbean University’s (NCU) day of prayer on Mar. 7, 2012.
“The power of prayer manifested itself in a number of outcomes today,” said NCU President Dr. Trevor Gardner. “It is most gratifying to enter into a complete day of prayer and seeing both the campus family and the community of Mandeville mobilized.
“The strong demand for Bibles,” he said, “may be the single most satisfying experience for the day. It reflects a need that exists within our community and our nation and affords the University an expanded opportunity in meeting such needs.”
This was the second consecutive year that the faculty, staff and students of NCU joined thousands of their colleagues in Adventist schools and universities across the Inter-American Division territory in setting aside a day dedicated to prayer and Bible study.
“We believe we have a moral obligation to call back our community to find hope in God’s word,” said Pastor Michael Harvey, vice president of spiritual affairs at NCU. “When everything else seems to be failing we believe that the anchor is in God, and on His word, a sure foundation.”
In delivering the main message in the open-air park in Mandeville, Manchester, Pastor James Daniel, field secretary for the church in Inter-America reminded the audience that praying Christians make a difference to a community.
Referencing Proverbs 11:11, Pastor Daniel said “Because of what NCU is doing, this community is blessed. Had it not been for the presence of God’s people in the society, the society would have been worst off. There would have been more crime, drug use, drug pushers, vice and violence in the community; but thank God for the presence of His people in the community, Satan does not have free access to the communities.”
The day, which had three phases, started in the morning with the administration, colleges and schools each taking an assigned hour for prayer and the reading of the Word. Phase two in the afternoon focused on Psalm 119, where each previously mentioned section presented their assigned verses in poetry, songs, prayer and drama, ending with a prayer circle on the playfield.
Sasha-gay McIntosh, a second year guidance counseling major was happy for the day’s activities. “Today has been a wonderful day for me. It has blessed me in a way that has strengthened my faith to trust in God knowing that when I pray He hears and answers my prayers.”
The day is one aspect of the Church’s effort to inspire a spiritual revival among students as part of the global Adventist Church Revival and Reformation initiative.
All preparatory and high schools in the Jamaica Union Conference participated in the day of prayer.
To learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its schools and institutions, in Jamaica, visit www.jmunion.org
To view a photo gallery of the event, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/interamerica/6818451882/in/photostream/
