A conversation on the Mark of the Beast
An urgent message from our Executive Chairman.
21 Days of Fasting & Prayer
June 20 - July 10
The Church of God in Jamaica has embarked on a concentrated season of fasting and praying for change in the Church and
various facets of life and society. Members island wide are joining together online every morning between 5 and 6 o'clock. In addition to the times of corporate prayer, members are encouraged to take seriously the call to personal and group prayer around local and family concerns. The call to prayer came from the Board of Evangelism and Missions at the recently completed national leadership retreat and with widespread agreement that the call was timely, the Executive Council moved swiftly to issue a request for this period of national soul searching, prayer and fasting. Persons wishing to join the corporate prayer sessions can do so every morning at 5 o'clock by clicking here.
various facets of life and society. Members island wide are joining together online every morning between 5 and 6 o'clock. In addition to the times of corporate prayer, members are encouraged to take seriously the call to personal and group prayer around local and family concerns. The call to prayer came from the Board of Evangelism and Missions at the recently completed national leadership retreat and with widespread agreement that the call was timely, the Executive Council moved swiftly to issue a request for this period of national soul searching, prayer and fasting. Persons wishing to join the corporate prayer sessions can do so every morning at 5 o'clock by clicking here.
National Youth Executive completes successful leadership retreat
The newly elected leadership team of the National Youth Executive met on Saturday, May 22 at the Tapioca Village in St. Mary for its annual planning retreat. The retreat was an opportunity for the new team members to meet, and to prayerfully strategize and plan for the year ahead. Despite cloudy skies and intermittent showers, the executive worked their way through an agenda of presentations and intense discussions to a successful completion. Among those on hand to share was Third Vice Chairman of the Church of God, Rev. Dexter Johnson.
Speaking after the Retreat, NYE Chairman, Bro. Damian Clarke indicated that "Our annual planning retreat was indeed a success and the team is charged and enthusiastic about the road ahead. We are not fearful of the challenges of the unprecedented times and are confident that with thoughtfulness, the support of the Church, participation of the members of the NYF, and through constant prayer we will overcome."
For more information on the new NYE Executive see the Youth page.
Speaking after the Retreat, NYE Chairman, Bro. Damian Clarke indicated that "Our annual planning retreat was indeed a success and the team is charged and enthusiastic about the road ahead. We are not fearful of the challenges of the unprecedented times and are confident that with thoughtfulness, the support of the Church, participation of the members of the NYF, and through constant prayer we will overcome."
For more information on the new NYE Executive see the Youth page.
Assembly 2021 -A Historic Occasion!
Despite the challenges caused by the restrictions on movement and gathering brought on by the Corona Virus Pandemic, the Church of God in Jamaica met Virtually for the 107th Annual General Assembly between April 6 & 11. The Assembly has been described as a historic opportunity to declare that the work and ministry of the church continue. During the week the Movement was challenged to examine and correct relational challenges as a foundational part of Christan life. Through public services speakers including Dr. Garnett Roper, Rev. Dr. Milton Davidson, Bishop Conrad Pitkin and Executive Chairman Adinhair Jones kept the theme front and centre in their presentations.
The entire week was under girded with prayer with well attended prayer meetings held daily at 5:00 AM. As has been the practice the MCG and WCG hosted their conventions on Tuesday with excellent national representation. The business meetings of the National church commenced on Wednesday with the Keynote Address delivered by Executive Chairman Rev. Adinhair Jones. The Business Sessions despite being online were characterized by robust discussion and a clear sense that the times required new thinking. Business continued through to Friday where for the first time our elections' were held electronically.
Conferences
No Assembly in recent time has been complete without teaching conferences and 2021 was no different
On Thursday afternoon Rev. Dr. Milton Grannum of Philadelphia was presenter on Healthy Relationships.. While on Friday the assembly examined with special presenter Dr. Garnett Roper the church's response to the Black Lives matter movement.
Youth Day
The National Youth Executive presented a well received Worship Session on Saturday morning featuring Church of God talents and ministry from Kevin Downswell. This was followed by a the NYE Business session.
The entire week was under girded with prayer with well attended prayer meetings held daily at 5:00 AM. As has been the practice the MCG and WCG hosted their conventions on Tuesday with excellent national representation. The business meetings of the National church commenced on Wednesday with the Keynote Address delivered by Executive Chairman Rev. Adinhair Jones. The Business Sessions despite being online were characterized by robust discussion and a clear sense that the times required new thinking. Business continued through to Friday where for the first time our elections' were held electronically.
Conferences
No Assembly in recent time has been complete without teaching conferences and 2021 was no different
On Thursday afternoon Rev. Dr. Milton Grannum of Philadelphia was presenter on Healthy Relationships.. While on Friday the assembly examined with special presenter Dr. Garnett Roper the church's response to the Black Lives matter movement.
Youth Day
The National Youth Executive presented a well received Worship Session on Saturday morning featuring Church of God talents and ministry from Kevin Downswell. This was followed by a the NYE Business session.
The Assembly ended on Sunday with thousands watching the morning and afternoon services streamed live from Olson Memorial chapel. The morning service featured music from the Christiana Church of God and a stirring word from special guest speaker Bishop Conrad Pitkin. The closing service of the Assembly on Sunday afternoon was an appreciation service where 15 members who have served with distinction were publicly honoured for selfless service to their local congregations and the wider church. The final speaker for the convention Rev. Adinhair Jones Executive Chairman took the opportunity to introduce to the wider church the period of introspection and self examination that the movement has embarked on while issuing a stirring challenge to ensure that the most vulnerable are at the forefront of our planning and ministry agenda. If you missed any of the public services or just wish to be challenged on emore time you can find them on our events page.
Message from Rev. Adinhair Jones
Executive Chairman
I greet you our pastors and families and all our congregations and institutions in the name of
Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. We continue to respond responsibly to the COVID 19
pandemic and its multiplicity of impacts on different areas of life and livelihood. As we are
aware, the impact on Jamaica has worsened in recent weeks.
Grants to the Leadership Training Institute
We are reminding pastors, treasurers, and congregations of our agreement to make an annual grant of a minimum of $10,000.00 to the Leadership Training Institute as early as possible in the first quarter of the calendar year, which now means by the end of March. This grant is a lifeline to leadership development in the Church. Please utilize your best channel for remitting the grant to the Church Office or one of the intermediary remittance points used by the Church.
Special General Assembly
We had a meaningful Special General Assembly of the Church on Saturday February 13, 2021. We are in the process of starting the next steps arising from discussions, which will involve focus groups connecting participants from the widest cross-sections of the Church. The mandate of the focus groups has been determined and their engagements will provide substantive material for the evolving reform agenda of the Church. Deepest appreciation for your prayerful participation.
107 th General Assembly – April 6-11, 2021
The Assembly Planning Committee and related actors are advanced in the processes involved meeting standards for a memorable 107 th General Assembly. As expected, the assembly will be a hybrid of “face to face” to a specified audience meeting at the Olson Memorial Chapel and virtual to the widest number of participants, in Jamaica and overseas, using live stream for the public worship services, Zoom and YouTube for the business sessions and conferences. This will be our biggest engagement utilizing multiplatform.
The overall theme of the assembly is: “Building Our Relationships: Repentance, Reconciliation and Renewal”. Set in the world context and the Jamaican context where broken relationships abound, including in families and in churches, the theme reflects a set of high-level concerns and the promise of great value to participants. The whole Church is being asked to pray and fast with respect to all components of the assembly and to invite family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and all those within reach by the means available to share in the public worship experiences, conferences, and the concert, which are some of
the features of the assembly. Special guests to the general assembly will include: Bishop the Hon. Conrad Pitkin, Senior
Pastor, Faith Temple Assembly of God, Montego Bay, Dr. Barry Davidson, President, Family Life Ministries, Rev. Karl Johnson, General Secretary, Jamaica Baptist Union, Rev’d Dr. Garnett Roper, Retired President, Jamaica Theological Seminary and Kevin Downswell, Musical Artiste.
Please take special note that this a relatively “big election” year for the Church. Two related exercises are underway: The functions of the Nominating Committee and the work of the technical committee with reference to the technology for online voting. The election of officers will be done on a specified platform, customized to meet the standards for opportunity, accessibility, efficiency, integrity and safety and security.
As the schedule below indicates, public worship events commence on Thursday April 8 instead of the Tuesday that we have become accustomed to. The Women of the Church and the Men of the Church have engagements slated for Tuesday, during the daytime. Business Sessions commence on Wednesday morning with Keynote Address by Rev. Adinhair Jones, Executive Chairman. The youth will have their convention on Saturday April 10 and concert in the evening. We close on Sunday with two public worship services.
Dedication of new Corporate Office Building
If you missed the service of dedication on July you can watch it below.
Evangelism Webinar
The Board of Evangelism and missions hosted a Webinar on June 27 exploring a number of themes around evangelism during the current pandemisc. Participants were treated to excellent and thought provoking presentations and robust discussion around this critical idea. If you were not able to attend you can watch it below.
The Annual General Assembly of the Church of God in Jamaica did not take place in April as planned as a result of the current Covid-19 Pandemic challenge. A new time later in the year is being actively considered as local conditions allow. Please continue to pray for the Leadership of the movement as they, under God, continue to lead in these difficult times.
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Smith Laid to Rest
Late husband, father, pastor, theologian, educator, Rev.Dr. Kenneth Leary Constantine Smith was laid to rest on Dec. 28 at the Kendall campsite in Mandeville. Rev. Smith who passed away after a brief illness was remembered as a giant within religious, educational and civic circles both in Manchester and the wider Jamaica. Rev. Smith served the Church of God In Jamaica faithfully for over 60 years in many roles from Youth Fellowship president to Chairman. Originally from Kingston, Rev. Smith however is best known for his over four decades of service to congregations in Manchester (the May Day circuit of churches) from 1971 to the time of his retirement at the end of December 2016. After his retirement Rev. Smith continued to serve the movement as principal of the Leadership Training Institute on more than one occasion as well as lecturer for the duration of his time with the institution. As a camp counsellor and Bible Study teacher for most of his life, Rev Smith influenced many young persons int he church, especially those who passed through his hands at camp. Rev. Smith is survived by wife Marcia, affectionately called Sweetie, daughters Sharlene, Stephanie, Devorie, and Danielle, grandsons Keneil and Matthew.
Honour the past...give thanks for the present...ensure the future
The Baillieston Congregation located in Northern Calrendon celebrated 100 years of ministry in the community. The congregation hosted a special anniversary & re-dedication service on Sunday August 18, 2019. The Executive Chairman Rev. Adinhair Jones was the guest speaker.