Kingston, Jamaica…[Nigel Coke/IAD]
Eleven Seventh-day Adventists, two Church Leaders and nine lay persons, were conferred with National Awards in Jamaica. The awards were presented during the ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honors and Awards 2006 held on National Heroes Day, Oct. 16, on the lawns of King’s House.
President of the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Patrick Allen was conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD), for his contribution to the nation in the areas of Religion, Education and Social Services.
Since assuming leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica and the West Indies in 2000, Pastor Allen has been supervising its transition into the 21st century, while maintaining the commitment to its core values and beliefs. During this period the church has emerged to become the largest single denomination in Jamaica, and has broadened its ministry to the nation, becoming more visible.
Another prominent Adventist leader, Dr. Herbert Thompson, President of Northern Caribbean University, was also conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) for his contribution to national development in the areas of Education, Religion and National Service.
Also receiving the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) was Dr. Pauline Audrey Knight, a member of the Andrews Memorial Church in Kingston, for outstanding contribution in the field of Social Policy Development.
Eight other church members were honored for their service in the areas of justice and mediation, community service, among others.
The honored Adventist were among 205 Jamaicans who were conferred with national Honors in the annual Heroes Day Awards ceremony.
These remarkable achievements and recognitions are happening in a year when the church in the West indies region celebrates 100 years of existence.
Today because of the rapid growth, expansion and adjustments, the West Indies Union is comprised of The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Jamaica with over 243, 000 church members.
For full details and photo gallery of this event, go to www.wiunion.org
