In Jamaica, National Security Minister calls on Adventist youth to unite for change

More than 3,000 young people from across Jamaica gathered at the Old Harbour Civic Center in St. Catherine after marching through the streets with signs and banners for a crime-free Jamaica, on Apr. 19, 2014.  Image by Nigel Coke/IAD

April 23, 2014 – Old Harbour, St. Catherine, Jamaica…Nigel Coke/IAD

Minister of National Security Peter Bunting addresses thousands of Adventist young people at a Youth Jamboree impact in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, Jamaica, Apr. 19, 2014. Images by Nigel Coke/IAD

National Security Minister Peter Bunting called on the youth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be agents of hope and change during a community impact in Old Harbour, in Central Jamaica, Saturday, Apr. 19, 2014. Speaking to more than 3,000 young people at the Old Harbour Civic Center after they marched through the streets holding anti-violence messages, Minister Bunting reminded youth that the church should not only be about soul-winning, but also about crime fighting. Referring to statistics on the number of churches and the high level of crime and violence in Jamaica, Mr. Bunting questioned if any pastor would feel satisfied operating a church in a community where such high number of young people have been murdered, shot, raped and assaulted in the nation. Bunting explained that historically churches played a huge role across the island in bringing about change before and after the emancipation of slavery on the matter of justice. Change was brought by the many Bible classes and prayer meetings held in homes, market places and parks, added Bunting. “When Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the confidence of the people of Judah because the walls were torn down, he set about asking the people to start with the wall in front of their house” said Bunting as he reference the Book of Nehemiah.” “I am convinced that if each and every church in Jamaica will start with the wall in front of their house with the community in which they operate and take on violence prevention as one of the issues or work by which they can demonstrate their faith, then I believe we would see the country turn around and we will start to see the country prosper,” challenged Bunting. The change must begin with you

Pastor Everett Brown, president of the church in Jamaica challenges Adventist youth to be shaped and influenced by the Word of God and “not allow ourselves to become pawns in the hands of wickedness to continue this cycle of sin and violence.”

In joining with Minister Bunting in his Unite for Change initiative, President of the Adventist Church in Jamaica Pastor Everett Brown told young people that for them to effectively join the plan for change, the change must begin in each one of them. “Young people, our speech, our actions must be shaped and influenced by the Word of God,” said Pastor Brown. “Allow Jesus to take control of your mind. We must not allow ourselves to become pawns in the hands of wickedness to continue this cycle of sin and violence.” Pastor Brown went on to say that the Adventist Church must not look to the government for resources to begin to transform and change Jamaica. “God has the power to change and transform lives, and that change and transformation must begin in your hearts and minds. God wants to use you as an instrument of change, an instrument of hope in this country,” challenged Brown. The impact by the Adventist Church was part of a four-day Youth Jamboree, or camporee event, organized by the youth ministries department at Camp Verley in Spring Village, St. Catherine.