Mount Salem, St. James…Brendon Coleman
In Jamaica there is one Adventist for every 12 citizen, which is a testament of the great work the Adventist Church is doing and bears witness to the work carried out by local church elders. Also there is a significant ratio of churches to pastor of 4 for every twelve.
The commitment and dedication of Elders was recognized at a Leadership Summit organized by the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU) which was held at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Montego Bay to recognize and honour the outstanding contributions of Elders from across the island.
Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Church in Jamaica, in an inspiring message said, “I am the Pastor I am, the leader I am, because of the elders who stood with me at my local church and in the churches that I pastored”
“The Summit serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica and the profound impact of its Elders. Through their unwavering faith, compassionate service, and steadfast commitment, these exceptional individuals have enriched the lives of countless members of the Church and society at large and continue to be beacons of hope for unfolding generations,” Brown added.
The event began with a season of heartfelt prayer, invoking the divine blessings of God and creating an atmosphere of reverence and gratitude.
From the large delegation of about 1,600 Elders physically present, along with those who joined virtually, 111 were specially recognized for their years of service. Certificates were presented to those who have faithfully served 30-39 years and plaques to those who have served 40 years and over.
“Our church elders and leaders play a central role in evangelism and shepherding the local congregation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church here in Jamaica,” said Pastor Joseph Smith. Ministerial Secretary of JAMU. “They give of themselves and their resources to ensure that the mission of Christ and the work of ministering to the members and the community are not compromised. To this end the Union, Conferences and Local Church Pastors are indebted to the elders and leaders and express our deepest gratitude to each one, and extend commendation for a job well done over the years,” Smith explained.
Among those who were specially recognized was Daniel Fider of the Carey Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, who stands out as the longest serving of all the Elders with a total of 55 years. Elder Fider considers his early upbringings in the Asia Seventh-day Adventist Church as being instrumental in the formulation of his leadership qualities.
“It’s a privilege to serve the Church, not merely as an elder but in any area that is required of me. It is the leadership at the local church level that has equipped and prepared me for wider and higher service,” said Fider, who also served the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in various leadership capacities including Interim President.
He emphasized the importance of succession planning and that “those more senior in position should always be on the look-out for young, potential leaders to help guide them to serve God’s Church in whatever area they are called.” He admonished fellow elders to “learn the art of getting people to cooperate with you. When you lead, you lead best by example.”
Reflecting on his over five decades of experience as an elder, Fider explains that being named an elder is a true honour but the greatest honour is to have the opportunity to serve.
In the rural area of Litchfield, Trelawny, one remarkable female elder stands out as a shining example of unwavering dedication and service within the Church. Angella Brown, a 71-year-old retiree, has been faithfully serving her local church for the past 35 years, despite the challenges of distance and the demands of a rural lifestyle. Angella’s journey to her church in Litchfield from her home in Manchester every week is not an easy one, yet for over a decade she has traversed the distance, showcasing her unparalleled dedication.Her determination and strong sense of purpose have kept her motivated and committed to contributing to the life of the church. Commenting on the demanding role of an elder she says, “You have to be committed in order to be an effective elder.” Though faced with physical challenges at times she says, “Once you are willing to work for God, he will make a way.”
Other inspiring presenters included Dr Pardon Mwansa, former General Conference Administrator and Associate Professor in Leadership at Andrews University, Pastor Josney Rodriguez, Ministerial Secretary of the Inter-American Division Ministerial Association, and Pastor Adlai Blythe, Treasurer of JAMU.
Dr Mwansa’s message was centred on the leadership principles for the role of elder. Speaking to the generational experiences that would naturally create differences in perspective and approach he says, “A good leader is not one that says ‘you are wrong’ or ‘you are right’ but rather ‘how can we co-exist?’”. He further added that despite the adjustments that we must be willing to make in order to remain effective in mission, we must never do so at the expense of the fundamental beliefs of the church. “The fundamental doctrines of the church are non-negotiable. We do not change the fundamentals because of the passage of time” Mwansa explained.
The Elders, inspired and rejuvenated by the event, expressed their gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon them and vowed to continue serving their communities with even greater zeal and dedication.
As the summit drew to a close, a final prayer of consecration was offered, creating a sense of unity and fellowship among the attendees.
The Elders’ Leadership Summit had not only celebrated remarkable individuals, but had also rekindled a flame that would continue to shine brightly across the Jamaican spiritual landscape for years to come.
